COVID-19 Program Updates

ACT Shutdown

ACT authorities have announced today that a lockdown will be in place for seven days from 5:00pm on 12 August 2021. Canberrans are being asked to stay at home to slow the spread of COVID-19 and allow contact tracers to do their work. Anyone aged 12 years and over is required to wear a mask when they leave home. Further information can be found on the ACT Government website.

The six essential reasons you can leave your home during this lockdown are:

• to buy essential groceries and medicine
• to access essential healthcare including in-home care
• for essential work
• to exercise outdoors for one hour per day in your region
• to get a COVID-19 test
• to get a COVID-19 vaccinated.

All of our staff, participants and family members are encouraged to regularly check the list of ACT exposure sites and immediately get tested and quarantine if they were present at the listed times and locations. Any community based programs that operate within the ACT will be cancelled. You will be notified by the manager in charge if your program is impacted.

Group Program Updates Illawarra and Shoalhaven

Thank you to all of our families, participants and staff for their flexibility as we have adjusted our Group Programs and other services during the current lockdown. We’re pleased to see the great variety of opportunities to stay connected including home challenges, care packs and video calls. Some of our clients were even featured on WIN News Facebook page for their outstanding “Heroes” video thanking frontline workers. 

NSW Health announced last night that the current restrictions in place on Group Programs would be extended for all areas with stay at home restrictions. For Greater Sydney including the Illawarra and Shellharbour, this means the temporary suspension of disability day programs is extended until 28 August 2021. We will continue to provide options to stay connected and support clients in line with NSW Health guidelines while ensuring we minimise the risk of exposure to COVID-19.

Further information can be found on the NSW Health website.

The Disability Trust remains committed to supporting the vaccination rollout and providing every opportunity for staff and clients to be vaccinated. 

Please don’t hesitate to contact your local service manager or supervisor if you have questions or concerns. You can also contact us via phone on 1300 347 224 or email covid19info@disabilitytrust.org.au.