Important COVID-19 Updates

Our thoughts are with our family members, colleagues and neighbours during this crisis. We strongly advise everyone in our neighbourhood to follow the rules that have been set up by the Australian Government’s Department of Health to protect everyone’s health. You can read these here: Coronavirus (COVID-19) Health Alert

Remember that these rules and recommendations are being updated daily — so please keep up to date by reading your newspaper of choice, e.g. Sydney Morning Herald, The Guardian or The Australian, or by visiting the ABC News website (including ABC Health), ABC Radio and other ABC outlets.

NSW COVID-19 Hotline
Service NSW has set up a 24/7 hotline to handle COVID-19 inquiries.
Phone number: 13 77 88

Coronavirus App
The Federal Government has released a FREE app to help people stay up to date with COVID-19 information. Available from Google Play and Apple Store. You can use the Australian Government Coronavirus app to:

  • stay up to date with the official information and advice;
  • view important health advice to help stop the spread and stay health
  • check your symptoms if you are concerned about yourself or someone else
  • find relevant contact information if you need assistance

Conoravirus WhatsApp
The Federal Government has released a WhatsApp service for people to use to ask coronavirus related questions. Download WhatsApp from your relevant app store and send a message to +61 400 253 787. You will receive a response guiding you through how to find the information you are looking for.

Police Powers and Reporting 
NSW Police can now issue fines of $1,000 to individuals and $5,000 fines to corporations for breaches of the Public Health (COVID-19 Quarantine) Order. New penalties also extend to people found to be not following isolation rules. If you see any behaviours that breach the regulations made clear by the NSW Government in the Public Health (COVID-19 Quarantine) Order, you can make reports to the Crime Stoppers hotline on 1800 333 000.  More information about what behaviours would be deemed infringements can be found here:
https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au/

If you live in an apartment block, we suggest you ask your building manager or director to:

  • Put up signs to inform people what to do – and whom to notify – if they contract the virus. These signs should include a list of volunteers in the building, contact details  and what they are prepared to do to help or support those who are confined to quarters because they are sick or because they need to self-isolate.
  • Put up signs reminding residents to closely follow the rules: 1.5 metres social distancing and regular hand hygiene
  • Put signs beside and inside the lift saying: “Until further notice, a maximum of one person permitted inside this lift at a time”
  • Put dispensers of alcohol-based hand sanitiser in the entrance lobby and inside all lifts.

This is a great time for people to care and show compassion towards others: it will also make our community stronger.   This is one reason we choose to live in a village and not a suburb.

Following the rules could save your life or the life of the elderly and other vulnerable people that you come into contact with.