We are facing an unprecedented set of circumstances, which requires us to work together cooperatively to support each other, as Australians, through this pandemic.
As your federal representative, my office has been assisting a number of Australians seeking to return from overseas, helping people access income support services through Centrelink, and small businesses seeking relief.
We have received a large number of enquiries, which we are following up, on behalf of constituents, with the relevant department or ministry.
I am mindful of the hardship and disruption being faced throughout our community.
My priority is to ensure that the local economy recovers as quickly as possible, small businesses begin trading again, and that jobs are restored.
A number of economic stimulus measures have been implemented to boost our local economy, with more expected.
I ask that you please be patient and considerate of the needs of fellow Australians in our community.
If you are able to, please support charities and those less fortunate in our neighbourhood.
Together we will get through this.
ESSENTIAL INFORMATION
Pubs, licensed clubs and hotels (excluding accommodation), places of worship, gyms, indoor sporting venues, cinemas, casinos to close from midday Monday, March 23. Restaurants and cafes to offer takeaway only. Schools and supermarkets can remain open. Read more
To help stop the spread of coronavirus, stay 1.5 metres away from others where possible, wash your hands regularly for at least 20 seconds with soap and water, avoid touching your face and if sick, stay home. Read more
Non-essential mass gatherings are banned for groups of more than 500 people outdoors, or more than 100 indoors. Read more
There are restrictions on visitors to Residential Aged Care Facilities to protect older Australians. Please check with individual facilities for further information.
From 9pm AEDT 20 March 2020, our borders are closed except for Australian citizens, residents and immediate family members. All arrivals into Australia are required to self-isolate for 14 days, either at home or in a hotel. Read more
A second set of economic responses has been announced, bringing the total package to $189 billion to support workers, businesses and broader community in response to the Coronavirus. Read more
SUPPORT FOR LOCAL BUSINESSES
Cash flow assistance
For small and medium businesses, the cash flow assistance will assist in managing cashflow challenges and help businesses retain their employees. Read more
Relief for financially distressed businesses
The economic impacts of the Coronavirus could see many otherwise profitable and viable businesses temporarily face financial distress. It is important, to the Morrison Government that these businesses have a safety net to make sure that when the crisis has passed they can resume normal business operations.
Backing small business
The Morrison Government is backing businesses to invest to help the economy withstand and recover from the economic impact of Coronavirus. These measures will support over 3.5 million businesses (over 99 per cent of businesses) with an aggregated annual turnover of less than $500 million employing more than 9.7 million employees.
COVID-19 CLINIC IN JOONDALUP
Ground floor Joondalup Hospital (Car park P4, Regents Park Road). Enter via outside walkway between Specialist Medical West and Physiotherapy Department.
This clinic will operate from 8am-8pm, seven days a week and will be staffed by doctors, nurses and administrative staff who will follow strict infection prevention protocols.
The community is reminded that the clinics are not intended to replace the medical care available through their GP or at hospital emergency departments.
UPDATED TRAVEL ADVICE
The Commonwealth Government will implement a ‘do not travel’ ban on Australians travelling overseas under the Biosecurity Act 2015.
If you are already overseas and wish to return to Australia, we recommend you do so as soon as possible by commercial means.
Regardless of your destination, age or health, do not travel overseas.
As more countries close their borders or introduce travel restrictions, overseas travel is becoming more complex and difficult. You may not be able to return to Australia when you had planned to. Consider whether you have access to health care and support systems if you get sick while overseas. If you decide to return to Australia, do so as soon as possible. Commercial options may become less available.
If you are overseas and cannot, or do not want to, return to Australia, follow the advice of local authorities. Take care to minimise your risk of exposure to Coronavirus (COVID-19) including by self-isolating. If you choose to stay, note our ability to provide consular assistance in some places may be limited due to restrictions on movement and other services.
If you decide to return to Australia, you will now be required to self-isolate for 14 days. This applies to all travellers, including Australian citizens. For details see the Australian Border Force website.
Contact your airline, travel agent or insurance company to discuss your travel plans and options for cancelling or postponing current bookings, or to arrange commercial flights back to Australia.
We have issued this advice for two principal reasons:
There may be a higher risk of contracting Coronavirus (COVID-19) overseas. You may come in contact with more people than usual, including during long-haul flights and in crowded airports. Health care systems in some countries may come under strain and may not be as well-equipped as Australia’s or have the capacity to support foreigners. You may not have your normal support networks overseas.
Overseas travel has become more complex and unpredictable. Many countries are introducing entry or movement restrictions. These are changing often and quickly. Your travel plans may be disrupted. You may be placed in quarantine or denied entry to some countries, and you may need to self-quarantine on return to Australia. Think about what this might mean for your health, and your family, work or study responsibilities.
All of the above advice has also been provided to Australian Government staff, who have been instructed to instead use video-conferencing and other communication technologies as much as possible.
The Foreign Minister decided on 17 March to offer voluntary departures globally for all dependants of staff at our overseas posts, staff at high risk due to underlying health conditions and staff the head of mission considers non-essential for ongoing operations.
Please find the most up to date information from smartraveller below. To keep up to date on future travel advice, go to:
https://www.smartraveller.gov.au/news-and-updates/coronavirus-covid-19
For urgent consular assistance contact:
+61 2 6261 3305 from overseas
1300 555 135 from within Australia
+61 421 269 080 from SMS
For non-urgent inquiries, email smartraveller@dfat.gov.au
WAYS TO PROTECT YOURSELF
The Chief Medical Officer advises these simple five actions:
Be at least 1.5 metres away from everyone, whenever this is possible.
Wash your hands, do it often and do it properly for at least 20 seconds.
Cough or sneeze into your elbow and not your hands.
Don't touch your face at all, even if it itches.
If you're sick, stay at home
WHY SOCIAL DISTANCING MATTERS
Each and every Australian has a part to play in stopping the spread of COVID-19.
WHAT TO DO IF YOU DEVELOP SYMPTOMS
Support our health system - only seek medical attention if you have symptoms such as fever, cough or sore throat, and:
have returned from overseas travel in the last 14 days; or
are a contact of a confirmed Coronavirus (COVID-19) case; or
believe you may have been in close contact with a person infected with Coronavirus (COVID-19).
As the situation develops, the latest Western Australian specific information is available at:
Western Australian Department of Health
Symptoms of Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Symptoms of Coronavirus (COVID-19) can range from mild illness to pneumonia. Some people will recover easily, and others may get very sick very quickly.
People with Coronavirus (COVID-19) may experience:
fever
flu-like symptoms such as coughing, sore throat and fatigue
shortness of breath
If you develop symptoms
If you develop symptoms (fever, a cough, sore throat, tiredness or shortness of breath) within 14 days of leaving a country or region that is at higher risk for Coronavirus (COVID-19), or within 14 days of last contact of a confirmed case, you should arrange to see your doctor for urgent assessment. Go to www.health.gov.au/covid19-travellers for the current list of high or moderate risk countries.
You should telephone the health clinic or hospital before you arrive and tell them your travel history or that you may have been in contact with a potential case of Coronavirus (COVID-19).
You must remain isolated either in your home or a healthcare setting until public health authorities inform you it is safe for you to return to your usual activities.
If you would prefer to speak by phone to a Health Professional call Health Direct on 1800 020 080.
If you have serious symptoms such as difficulty breathing
call 000 and ask for an ambulance
tell the ambulance officers that you may have novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) infection
ONGOING UPDATES
Our primary source of Coronavirus (COVID-19) information specific to Western Australia continues to be the Department for Health. For information or to get in contact, go to the link below:
Western Australian Department of Health
If you require further information, you can also call the National Coronavirus Health Information Line on 1800 020 080. It operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
If you have serious symptoms such as difficulty breathing
call 000 and ask for an ambulance
tell the ambulance officers that you may have novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) infection