Information for Lifestyle Support Workers and access to PPE

The following information has been cleared by the Australian Government Department of Health.

• People who have returned from anywhere overseas, or have been in close contact with someone confirmed to have COVID-19, must self-isolate for 14 days.

• If you develop symptoms, including a fever and cough, immediately and urgently seek medical attention.

• This information sheet should be read in conjunction with the ‘What you need to know’ and ‘Isolation guidance’ information sheets on the Australian Government Department of Health website.

Can I go to work?

Like others, people working in the disability services sector need to stay at home for 14 days after returning from overseas or being in close contact with someone confirmed to have COVID-19. Employees who are in isolation cannot go to work and should alert their employer. Depending on the type of work, and provided the employee is well, they may want to discuss alternative arrangements such as working from home. See the ‘Isolation guidance’ information sheets on the Department of Health website.

Lifestyle Support Workers should not attend work if they have a fever, or symptoms of a respiratory illness.

Is training available?

The Australian Government Department of Health has developed a free online training module: Infection prevention and control for COVID-19.

This training module is for all support workers, including those in disability and aged care. It covers the fundamentals of infection prevention and control for COVID-19, including:

• COVID-19 – what is it?

• Signs and symptoms

• Keeping safe – protecting participants and your workforce

• Myth busting

At the end of this module, you should be able to:

• Understand the basics about the COVID-19 virus, including how it is spread

• Describe what you can do to protect participants and your workforce

• Know what to do if you develop symptoms

• Know what to do if the person you are supporting develops symptoms

• Tell the difference between myths and facts of COVID-19.

If you have any technical questions relating to the training portal, please email support@covid-19training.gov.au

The Department of Health has also developed a webinar on COVID-19 preparedness for in-home and community aged care. This webinar is also relevant to all providers and workers in the disability sector.

Should Lifestyle Support Workers wear Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)?

If you are working with people with disability, continue to practise good hygiene – wearing gloves where required, washing your hands frequently and so on.

There is no need for disability or health workers to wear surgical masks unless you are working directly with clients or patients who are exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19.

Further guidance on the use of surgical masks is on the Department of Health website.

---

For the latest advice, information and resources, go to www.health.gov.au

Call the National Coronavirus Helpline on 1800 020 080. It operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week. If you require translating or interpreting services, call 131 450.

The phone number of your state or territory public health agency is available at www.health.gov.au/state-territory-contacts

If you have concerns about your health, speak to your doctor.

#COVID19

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Identifying the Symptoms

The guide below outlines how to identify the symptoms of COVID-19:

---

For the latest advice, information and resources, go to www.health.gov.au

Call the National Coronavirus Helpline on 1800 020 080. It operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week. If you require translating or interpreting services, call 131 450.

The phone number of your state or territory public health agency is available at www.health.gov.au/state-territory-contacts

If you have concerns about your health, speak to your doctor.

#COVID19

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Isolation Guidance Information

If you have returned to Australia from overseas, or been in close contact with a confirmed case of coronavirus, special restrictions apply.

The below information covers the following topics:

• Who needs to isolate?

• Stay at home or in your hotel

• Monitor symptoms

• What do I do if I get sick?

• How can I prevent the spread of coronavirus?

• Going outside

• Advice for others living with you

• Cleaning

• Managing the 14 day isolation

• More information

Who needs to isolate?

All people who arrive in Australia, or think they may have been in close contact with a person diagnosed with coronavirus, are required to self-isolate for 14 days.

Stay at home or in your hotel

When travelling home or to your hotel to start isolation use personal transport, such as a car, to minimise exposure to others. If you need to use public transport (e.g. taxis, ride-hail services, trains, buses and trams), reduce the spread of germs through good hand hygiene and avoiding physical contact. During the 14 days of isolation, you must stay at home or in your hotel and don’t go to public places including work, school, childcare, university or public gatherings.

Only people who usually live with you should be in the home. Do not see visitors. If you are in a hotel, avoid contact with other guests or staff. If you are well, there is no need to wear surgical masks at home. Ask others who are not in isolation to get food and necessities for you. If you must leave home, such as to seek medical care, wear a surgical mask. If you don’t have a mask, take care to not cough or sneeze on others.

Monitor symptoms

When in isolation, monitor yourself for symptoms including fever, cough, sore throat, tiredness or shortness of breath. Other possible symptoms include chills, body aches, runny nose and muscle pain.

What do I do if I get sick?

If you develop symptoms (fever, a cough, sore throat, tiredness or shortness of breath) within 14 days of returning to Australia, or within 14 days of last contact of a confirmed case, you should arrange to see a doctor for urgent assessment.

You should telephone the health clinic or hospital before you arrive and tell them your travel history or that you have been in contact with a confirmed case of coronavirus. You must remain isolated either in your home, hotel or a healthcare setting until public health authorities inform you it is safe for you to return to your usual activities.

How can I prevent the spread of coronavirus?

Practising good hand and sneeze/cough hygiene and keeping your distance from others when you are sick is the best defence against most viruses. You should:

• Wash your hands frequently with soap and water, including before and after eating, and after going to the toilet

• Cover your cough and sneeze, dispose of tissues, and wash your hands

• Avoid contact with others (stay more than 1.5 metres from people)

• Stay at home if unwell.

Going outside

If you live in a private house, it is safe for you to go into your garden or courtyard. If you live in an apartment or are staying in a hotel, it is also safe for you to go into the garden but you should wear a surgical mask to minimise risk to others and move quickly through any common areas.

Advice for others living with you

Others that live with you are not required to be isolated unless they meet one of the isolation criteria outlined above. If you develop symptoms and are confirmed to have coronavirus, they will be classified as close contacts and will need to be isolated.

Cleaning

To minimise the spread of any germs you should regularly clean surfaces that are frequently touched such as door handles, light switches, kitchen and bathroom areas. Clean with household detergent or disinfectant.

Managing the 14 day isolation

Being in isolation can be stressful and boring. Suggestions include:

• Keep in touch with family members and friends via telephone, email or social media.

• Learn about coronavirus and talk with others.

• Reassure young children using age-appropriate language.

• Where possible, keep up normal daily routines, such as eating and exercise.

• Arrange to work from home.

• Ask your child’s school to supply assignments or homework by post or email.

• Do things that help you relax and use isolation as an opportunity to do activities you don’t usually have time for.

---

For the latest advice, information and resources, go to www.health.gov.au

Call the National Coronavirus Helpline on 1800 020 080. It operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week. If you require translating or interpreting services, call 131 450.

The phone number of your state or territory public health agency is available at www.health.gov.au/state-territory-contacts

If you have concerns about your health, speak to your doctor.

#COVID19