Welcome to the 14th communique regarding Knoxbrooke’s response to COVID-19 coronavirus.
Knoxbrooke’s COVID-19 Taskforce continues to monitor events locally and globally and considers all new Federal, State and Local Government announcements. The health and safety of the people we support and our team is front of mind when undertaking such reviews.
Knoxbrooke’s COVID-19 Taskforce met yesterday and considered the recent announcement regarding the mandatory wearing of face coverings now being extended to all of Victoria and comes into effect on Sunday, 2 August at 11.59pm. The COVID-19 Taskforce also considered escalating numbers of positive COVID-19 cases in Greater Melbourne.
COVID-19 safety measures
Given the surging numbers of COVID-19 cases, we wish to re-iterate the following actions we must all take to reduce the likelihood of COVID-19 infection for ourselves and cross-infection with others.
Department of Health & Human Services advice is:
- Stay at home and get tested if you have symptoms of COVID-19, however mild
- Practise good hygiene, wash your hands and cough or sneeze into a tissue or your elbow
- Observe social distancing by maintaining at least 1.5m from anyone you don’t live with
- Wear a face covering when you leave home
(Please refer to https://www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/staying-safe-covid-19 for further information)
If a participant or team member does have symptoms and gets tested for COVID-19 and is awaiting a result, please remember to advise Knoxbrooke via email (covid19@knoxbrooke.com.au) or call/SMS the Knoxbrooke COVID-19 hotline 0475 500 550.
Please re-contact Knoxbrooke once you have a result, positive or negative. For everyone’s safety, it is critical that you regularly communicate any cases of suspected or actual COVID-19. To date, Knoxbrooke has not have a positive COVID-19 case and the COVID-19 taskforce is well-prepared to respond should this occur.
Mawarra – Reopening on Monday, 3 August 2020
Mawarra is located in Baw Baw Shire and is unaffected by stage 3 restrictions and day services will re-open as planned on Monday, 3 August 2020. With the new advice on mask wearing being widened to Victoria-wide, it will be a requirement that face masks be worn by Mawarra participants and staff. Should the wearing of a mask be problematic due to a person’s health or disability, there are limited exemptions from this requirement and ask that you discuss this with the Mawarra team before attending.
Mawarra has in place very stringent COVID-19 safety measures including:
- Temperature checking on arrival for all participants and staff
- Social distancing of 1.5m protocols
- Observance of the 4 square metre rule when indoors
- Room attendance registers
- Wearing of face masks
- Regular hand washing and sanitising
- Regular cleaning of high touch surfaces
The Mawarra team are truly excited to be re-commencing services whilst being ever vigilant in ensuring the safety of everyone attending.
Arrangements at Jigsaw Industries and Waratah Garden Services will now also be required to wear facemasks from Monday, 3 August.
365 in-home support remains available to all participants with COVID-19 precautions being taken.
Should you have any questions regarding Mawarra services, please contact Claire Cutler, West Gippsland Regional Manager on 0499 600 666 or email clairec@knoxbrooke.com.au
Basecamps
Basecamps remain closed until further notice however we would encourage you to explore the Zoom sessions which are simply wonderful.
365 remains available with all 365 team members having completed COVID-19 training.
Due to the nature of stage 3, 365 support is limited to in-home support and support with local exercise. Transport is only available in very limited circumstances and 365 team members are limited to supporting no more than 5 families.
Should you wish to discuss any of the above, please contact Gai Campbell, Outer East Regional Manager on 0419 534 094 or email gaic@knoxbrooke.com.au
Achieve
Achieve is currently being provided via Zoom and will return to face-to-face when safe to do so. Achieve Boutique has re-commenced and is using the Zoom platform.
Yarra View Nursery, Bushland Flora and Knoxbrooke Outsource
All metro social enterprises remain at reduced capacity due to COVID-19, operating Monday – Thursday only. All supported employees and staff have very clear work instructions regarding COVID-19 precautions. More information can be obtained directly from the relevant social enterprise.
Office arrangements
The Ringwood Hub remains closed until further notice.
The Warragul Hub is open on reduced hours; should you need to attend in person, please call ahead to avoid disappointment.
Should you need to contact Knoxbrooke, please call the main line (9758-3666) and a team member working remotely will answer your call and redirect as appropriate.
Kristian Dauncey
Chief Executive Officer