COVID-19 | Update

As most of you will be aware, the 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) has developed into a national pandemic and as such, we want to provide you with an update on what Aboriginal Community Services are doing to protect you, your family, and our dedicated workforce.  

Aboriginal Community Services is closely monitoring the current updates regarding COVID-19 and is taking a precautionary approach based on information from the Commonwealth Department of Health and State Health Guidelines.  

As a service provider, we play a shared role in the health, safety and wellbeing of our Elders and workforce, and we will continue to act with an abundance of caution in response to this serious public health concern.  

We are providing our staff with regularly updated guidelines in regard to the way they conduct their work activities during this time.  These guidelines will evolve as information is updated, and some of these guidelines may change the way we deliver services to you. 

At this point in time all client visits to the ACS offices have ceased effective immediately and this also means that our Coordinators will not be in a position to visit you at home until further notice.  As an alternative, our Client Service Coordinators will continue to phone you regularly to ensure we continue to manage your services and remain connected to ensure you are safe in your day to day lives.  For example, this will involve reviews being done via telephone.  We encourage you to reach out to your Coordinator at any time.

Exercise and Aquatic Social Services (both individual and group) have been temporarily placed on hold and we have also had to cancel all social ACS events for the next 6 months to ensure we do not spread the virus and to ensure that we keep all Australians safe.   

Community Support Workers are working as normal and are still delivering services in line with your individual service requirements and the COVID-19 guidelines.  We highlight that if you currently receive support from our dedicated Community Support Workers this will continue for the time being but may stop at any-time due to the strict regulations imposed by the government, Commonwealth Department of Health and State Health Guidelines.  Again, these protocols will continue to be put in place to ensure everyone’s safety and we will keep you informed of any changes.

If you do have an approved visit from a Community Support Worker, whether that is your regular ACS worker, another Agency Staff Member or Service Provider, it is important that these workers are wearing the relevant Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to protect your safety and their own.  This may include the use of facial masks, gloves and hand sanitisers.   Please do not be alarmed.  These measures have been put in place to protect everyone.

It is important to communicate that all our Elders will continue to receive their individual services in line with their Home Care Package or services received through CHSP.  The only difference is, some services may need to be delivered differently or maybe cancelled for a period of time, however you can still utilise your home care package on other approved services.   We encourage you to discuss this with your Coordinator.

We are also requesting that all our ACS workers do not attend work if they are feeling unwell.   This just protects our staff and all community members.

As a member of the community, it is also in your hands to stop the spread of COVID-19.  We ask that do this by adjusting your lifestyle in simple ways like:

• Practicing excellent hygiene including washing your hands with soap and water regularly and avoiding touching your mouth or face.  
• Covering coughs with a tissue or elbow rather than your hands.
• Cleaning and wiping down surfaces and washing your clothes regularly.
• Practice social distancing, keeping at least 2m between yourself and other individuals. 
• Avoid social gatherings (no more than 2 people) & public transport where possible. 
• If over the age of 70, we encourage you to stay at home.
• Stay connected by phone with family and friends.

If you do come into contact with the COVID-19 virus, we ask that you advise Aboriginal Community Services as soon as possible by calling 8346 9155.  Likewise, if in the unfortunate event that a staff member has indicated that they may have come into contact with the virus you will be advised immediately.  

There is a lot of information out there around the COVID-19 virus.  For the most up-to-date and accurate advice we recommend you refer to the SA Health website (sahealth.sa.gov.au) or the Australian Department of Health website (health.gov.au).   You can also call the National Coronavirus Helpline on 1800 020 080.  

If you are feeling unwell, please contact your GP in the first instance and follow their expert advice.  If you have serious symptoms such as difficulty breathing, call 000 for urgent medical help.   We will all need to work together throughout this challenging time, across our community, and the globe.  

Most importantly, and as always, Aboriginal Community Services is dedicated to ensuring the safety and well-being of yourself, our Elders and staff.  We encourage you to be safe and stay closely connected with your Coordinator and other family and friends as we all work through this together.   

We appreciate your partnership and understanding as we navigate this matter.  We will endeavour to keep you informed as the situation evolves.  

We have also enclosed a Fact Sheet on COVID-19 for your information.  If you have any questions or concerns, please contact our offices on 8346 9155.

Stay safe, continue to connect.  We are here to support you.