HOW THIS AFFECTS YOU IN FROME

COVID-19 Updates  –   Updates are available from the SA Government coronavirus website: www.covid-19.sa.gov.au  or Ph: 1800 253 787

Mental Health Support Line  –  A support line has been set up to support you through this very anxious time, it is staff by trained Lifeline counsellors and will receive calls and also provide a call-back support service for people in distress because of COVID -19. Ph: 1800 632 753

AGED CARE RESIDENTIAL FACILITIES

The Minister for Health has announced changes to take affect from the 27th August 2020 as a precaution against the spread of COVID-19.

• All personal Aged Care Workers will not be allowed to work across multiple facilities
• Staff including Doctors, Nurses, Allied Health Professionals and Personal Care providers will be required to wear Personal Protective Equipment when they come within 1.5 metres of aged care residents

One-Hour Test Results  –  COVID-19 diagnosis test results will soon be available in less than 60 minutes. Rapid testing capability is being rolled out to all metro and 10 major regional hospitals in the coming weeks, including to the Port Pirie Hospital.

COVID-19 Testing Blitz – South Australia is running a two-week testing blitz to identify the disease early and strengthen community-wide protection. During this time any South Australian who has a fever or chills in the absence of an alternative illness, or an unexplained acute respiratory infection, including cough, sort throat or shortness of breath, will be able to be tested for COVID-19 as part of the blitz. Those with symptoms should contact their GP about getting tested. The Blitz will run until close of business, April 30, 2020.

Students clear to return to school  –  Families should feel safe about sending their children to school when term 2 starts next week, says SA’s Chief Public Health Officer Professor Nicola Spurrier. Professor Spurrier says there is no need for school closures in this State and parents can send their children to school or preschool if everyone in the family is well.  Strong protocols remain in place and schools will continue to follow the latest public health advice.

Jobseeker Payment –  Coronavirus supplement $550 per fortnight is paid to both existing and new recipients of the eligible payment categories.  Jobseeker, Youth Allowance Jobseeker, Parenting Payment, Far Household Allowance, Special benefit recipients.

Cost of Living Concessions Boost for Jobseekers –  one-off boost of $500 has been brought forward for all households receiving the Centrelink JobSeeker Payment (one payment per household). For people who are unemployed or who lose their jobs as a result of COVID-19.   This will be a total of $715.10 for homeowners and $607.60 for renters.

Low Income $750 support payments –  Two separate $750 support payments will be rolled out to social security, veteran and other income support recipients and eligible concession card holders. The first payment has been made and the second payment of $750 will be available on 10 July, 2020.

Legal Assistance  –  Legal Aid is boosting its free assistance for South Australians hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic – they are prioritising legal enquiries related to the pandemic on employment laws, landlord and tenant problems, assistance for victims of family violence, welfare payments, mortgage stress, credit and debt problems, consumer protection, wills, power of attorney documents and advanced care directives, elder abuse, immigration visas and family law disputes over the care of children. Free legal advice of a general nature – 1300 366 424 (business hours); for help for victims of domestic violence, call 1800 246 642 or visit: https://wdvcas.lsc.sa.gov.au/

COVID-19 Testing Boost –  Wastewater sampling has been introduced into South Australia to help the State’s public health team identify the extent of COVID-19 infections within the community.

$10,000 emergency grants for small businesses – 11,300 small businesses and not for profits impacted by the COVID-19 restrictions have already registered for the State Government’s $10,000 cash grants. Funded from the State Government’s $650m Jobs Rescue Package, the grants will help an estimated 19,000 small businesses and not-for-profits, including eligible sporting and community organisations.

To be eligible, business and not for profits including sporting and community organisation need to:  have annual turnover of more than $75,000 (GST exclusive) and have an annual payroll of less than $1.5 million, and not be entitled to a payroll tax waiver under COVID-19 support measures introduced by the South Australian Government.

Find out more: https://www.treasury.sa.gov.au/Growing-South-Australia/COVID-19 – applications opened on April 20 and will close on June 1, 2020.

Fee relief for fishing industry – For 2020-21 The charter boat sector will have their annual fees waived for six months and the collection of all other commercial fishing and aquaculture sectors’ fees will be deferred for xis months.  Any outstanding 2019/20 fees for all sectors will also be deferred.  The next round of fees will not be collected until January 2021.

 SA Joins National Repatriation Mission – South Australia will participate in a coordinated national operation to repatriate hundreds of the thousands of Australians trying to return home from abroad. SA will receive two flights of returning Australian Citizens and permanent residents who will go into quarantine in SA hotels for 14 days. All passengers will be screened on arrival and only those cleared of COVID-19 symptoms will be taken directly to the quarantine location. Upon completion of their quarantine, passengers who are not South Australians will be helped to return to their home state.