Welcome to the 37th 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 meets as required and met on Monday, 28th February 2022.
Below is the status of all Knoxbrooke services after incorporating the latest Victorian Government COVID-19 advice.
While masks are no longer mandated in office environments, we continue to encourage staff to wear masks when in close proximity and extended periods. Some of our service sites will require masks to be worn in certain instances. Please follow the local site advice accordingly.
365 in-home support
365 in-home support continues to be available with more robust guidelines for disability services in place. All employees are vaccinated unless medically exempt.
Should you wish to discuss using the 365 support service, please contact Paul McDonald, 365 Services Coordinator on 0499 501 008 or email paul.mcdonald@knoxbrooke.com.au
Achieve
Achieve continues to operate face to face for both staff and students. The Hub will also be available for Achieve activities. Excursions will be individually risk-assessed. Masks are strongly encouraged to be worn when indoors by students. Staff will continue to wear masks when working directly with students. Masks must be worn on buses/transport services. All staff and Achieve students are vaccinated unless medically exempt.
Should you wish to discuss Achieve, please contact Michael Beavis, Achieve Team Leader on 0475 300 505 or email michael.beavis@knoxbrooke.com.au
Yarra View Garden Centre
The Garden Centre is open to the public. All employees are vaccinated unless medically exempt. Please refer to Knoxbrooke Enterprises Covid Safety Update – Masks dated 24th February 2022 for further details.
Yarra View & Bushland Flora Nurseries
All nursery sites are open. All employees are vaccinated unless medically exempt. Please refer to Knoxbrooke Enterprises Covid Safety Update – Masks dated 24th February 2022 for further details.
Knoxbrooke Outsource
Knoxbrooke Outsource is open. All employees are vaccinated unless medically exempt. Please refer to Knoxbrooke Enterprises Covid Safety Update – Masks dated 24th February 2022 for further details.
Ringwood Hub
The Hub is open. The Hub is available to Achieve. All employees are vaccinated unless medically exempt. While masks are no longer mandated in office environments, we continue to encourage staff to wear masks when in close proximity and extended periods.
Mawarra Day Services
The Day Service continues to operate in a POD environment. Masks are strongly encouraged to be worn when indoors by clients. Masks must be worn on buses/transport services. Staff will continue to wear masks when working directly with clients. All employees are vaccinated unless medically exempt. Day service clients are strongly recommended to be vaccinated.
Jigsaw Industries
Jigsaw continues to operate. Masks are strongly encouraged to be worn when indoors and all employees are vaccinated unless medically exempt.
Waratah Gardening
Waratah Gardening continues to operate. Masks are strongly encouraged to be worn when indoors and all employees are vaccinated unless medically exempt.
Mawarra Op Shop and Sorting Centre
The Op Shop and Sorting Centre is open to the public. Mask are strongly encouraged to be worn when indoors. All employees are vaccinated unless medically exempt.
Knoxbrooke COVID-19 Preparedness
Knoxbrooke has in place a well-prepared COVID-19 Emergency Response Plan. The Emergency Response Plan has been tested on five occasions through different simulations and has also navigated us through a number of positive COVID-19 cases.
We have well-drilled protocols in place to ensure the safety of clients, families, carers and team members. WorkSafe attended two Knoxbrooke premises and inspected our COVID-safe plan and was satisfied Knoxbrooke was taking appropriate safety measures. Regardless the COVID-safe plans continue to be reviewed and updated accordingly.
COVID-19 safety measures
Given the numbers of COVID-19 cases, please be sure to follow the DHHS advice below:
- 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
(Please refer to https://www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au/staying-safe for further information)
If a client or employee has COVID-19, please remember to advise Knoxbrooke via email (covid19@knoxbrooke.com.au).
Thank you for your continued support.
Kristian Dauncey
Group CEO