Our Health Promotion team has made this video to help you choose a safe face mask, get a design to make your own and learn how to wear them correctly.
Free face masks for ‘vulnerable’ from DHHS
The DHHS is giving two free reusable face masks to ‘vulnerable’ residents in Victoria.
BCHS is a distribution point but the reusable face masks have not arrived yet so we are unable to hand them out sorry. We will let you know when they arrive.
We do have free disposable face masks for the vulnerable at our Eaglehawk and Kangaroo Flat sites with a limit of five per person in pre-packaged bags for your safety.
To see if you are eligible for the free face masks click here
Coronavirus testing
There is new cases of community transmission in Victoria.
To see a list of the latest known cases and outbreak areas in Victoria click here
Screening eligibility has been widened. To see the latest developments click here or use the self assessment tool via the link in the information below.
The Victorian Department of Health and Human Services has released a self-assessment tool which allows you to see the risk Coronavirus poses to you with clear directions to follow. You can access the tool here: https://www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/coronavirus-self-assessment
If you suspect you may have Coronavirus the best thing to do is call the dedicated hotline 1800 675 398 or attend one of the testing clinics below.
Do not use 000 as this is for emergencies only.
Our Health Promotion team has made this video about Coronavirus symptoms, getting tested and taking care of yourself. Watch:
Where to get tested in Bendigo:
Bendigo Health COVID19 screening clinic: McLaren Street, Bendigo. (If using drive thru please enter McLaren Street via Mitchell Street). The clinic is open from 10am to 5.30pm daily.
Bendigo Respiratory Clinic – for people with symptoms: 126 Spring Gully Road, Spring Gully. Hours: Monday to Friday, 10am to 5pm – BY APPOINTMENT ONLY. Online: https://app.respiratoryclinic.gov.au/register/ Phone: 1800 573 196.
MyDoc Healthcare Strathfieldsaye: 1 Apsley Street, Strathfieldsaye. Hours: Monday to Friday, 9am to 4pm. Drive through service. No appointment needed.
Where to get tested in Heathcote:
Heathcote Health: Symptomatic Coronavirus screening clinic on Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 2pm to 3pm. This is a drive through service at the rear of the Social Support Group building, entry via Hay Street (off Hospital Street). The service is bulk-billed but please bring your Medicare number. There is no need to book.
Get tested in your own home: Vulnerable Victorians who cannot attend a testing station due to certain criteria can apply to get tested in their own home. Call the COVID-19 Hotline on 1800 675 398 and select Option 9 to see if you are eligible for this service. If you have any questions please contact or visit https://www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/call-to-test-covid-19
Coronavirus test and isolation worker support payments
Workers waiting for test results or needing to self isolate due to a positive result or a close contact can be eligibile for support payments from the State Government. To learn more about these payments click here
New restrictions in place for Victoria
To learn more about current restrictions in place in Victoria click here
New travel permit system introduced at 5.59pm on January 11, 2021:
A new permit system has been introduced for everyone travelling into Victoria from anywhere in Australia.
The new ‘traffic light system’ will allow Victoria to rate regions across Australia as green, orange or red depending on the Coronavirus risk. It’s designed to give Victorians greater certainty when travelling too. To learn more about the new system click here
Stay informed with ‘reliable’ information
This is a rapidly changing situation so to keep up-to-date with the very latest on Coronavirus we recommend you use this site: https://www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/coronavirus
If you are travelling or intend to travel the best place for information is the Smart Traveller website: https://www.smartraveller.gov.au/
COVIDSafe app
The Federal Government has released a #COVIDSafe app to slow the spread of COVID-19. The app will allow any Coronavirus outbreaks to be quickly found and treated so governments can ease restrictions while still keeping Australians safe. Downloading the app is something you can do to protect you, your family and friends, and save the lives of other Australians. It’s totallly your decision whether to use the app or not. Learn more: www.health.gov.au/resources/apps-and-tools/covidsafe-app
Bendigo COVID-19 Relief and Recovery Helpline
The City of Greater Bendigo has launched a ‘single point of contact’ for residents to get access to local information about emergency housing, food relief, financial assistance, business information, counselling and mental health support. Call the hotline between 8.30am and 5pm Monday to Friday on (03) 5434 6237 or email
Food relief for the vulnerable
The Victorian government has released information on how vulnerable Victorians self isolating due to Coronavirus can get access to emergency relief packages. The program will support people who have little or no food and no network of family and friends to support them. Each eligible household will receive a two-week supply of essential goods. To find out more please use this link: https://bit.ly/ReliefPackages
For the latest information on where to get food relief in the City of Greater Bendigo click here
How to access food in Bendigo during isolation
The City of Greater Bendigo has produced this great little guide on how you can access food during this time of isolation. To see the guide click here
Home delivery of your prescription medications
Australia Post is now offering pharmacies a free home delivery service for your prescription medications. Learn more about this service: https://auspost.com.au/pharmacy-home-deliveries
Working For Victoria Fund
Under the Working for Victoria Fund, displaced workers will be eligible to apply for different types of work. This presents opportunities for paid work and an opportunity to contribute to Victoria’s ability to manage this event and support the community. Learn more: https://www.vic.gov.au/workingforvictoria
Family violence support
The Centre For Non Violence is working hard to protect women, children and families during these times of isolation. The Centre has created an excellent ‘We are here, for you’ question and answer resource to help and support people feeling vulnerable. To access the resource click here
Supporting vulnerable patients with new eSafety resources
The eSafety commissioner has developed resources to support the online safety of vulnerable groups during a period when more people are home and online. Resources have been specifically developed for and can be shared with your patients who are:
- parents and carers
- educators
- seniors
- women experiencing domestic violence.
Information for carers
It is important that carers feel supported and confident in continuing to provide care during this time. Carers should not be discouraged from going into the homes of those they care for at this time, but may need to consider possible changes to their routines.
- Department of Health: Coronavirus (COVID-19) information for in-home care workers
- Carers Australia: Keeping yourself and the person you care for well
- Department of Social Services: COVID-19 Information and support for people with disability and carers
Rental assistance for you
If you are renting at the moment and need support the State Government has introduced a new assistance program. To find out more click here
Stay vigilant – 10 ways to reduce your risk of Coronavirus:
- Wash hands often with soap and running water, for at least 20 seconds. Dry with paper towel or hand dryer.
- Try not to touch your eyes, nose or mouth.
- Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. If you don’t have a tissue cough or sneeze into your upper sleeve or elbow.
- Isolate yourself at home if you feel sick. If you take medication ensure you have adequate supplies.
- Phone your GP first if you need medical attention. They will tell you what to do.
- Continue healthy habits: exercise, drink water, get plenty of sleep, and now is the time to quit smoking. Call the Quitline 137 848.
- Buy an alcohol-based hand sanitiser with over 60 per cent alcohol.
- Get the flu shot (available April).
- Do not shake hands or hugs.
Physical (social) distancing
Physical distancing involves changing your social habits to reduce the risk of transmission of Coronavirus.
If you are outside:
- Keep a full arms length (about 1.5 metres) between yourself and other people where possible
- avoiding crowds and mass gatherings where it is difficult to keep the appropriate distance away from others
- avoiding small gatherings in enclosed spaces, for example non-essential business meetings
- avoiding shaking hands, hugging, or kissing other people
- avoiding visiting vulnerable people, such as those in aged care facilities or hospitals, or people with compromised immune systems due to illness or medical treatment.
The Victoria Police will be actively overseeing people adhere to Stage 3 restrictions with fines in place for those who do not follow the rules. Officers can issue on-the-spot fines of up to $1652 for individuals and up to $9913 for businesses found to not be following stay at home or social distancing rules.
Explaining Coronavirus, social distancing and washing hands to children
No one does this better than The Wiggles who have created a brilliant video explaining to children why they can’t visit grandparents, why they need to follow social distancing and wash their hands to keep safe. To watch the video click here
Make Someone’s Day with a kind gesture
If you’re looking for things to keep children occupied the City of Greater Bendigo has a great program called Make Someone’s Day which involves people writing a letter or doing a drawing for older members of our community who are experiencing loneliness. What a great idea. To print out a Make Someone’s Day template to do a letter or drawing click here
Source: Department of Health and Human Services
Related information
Bendigo Coronavirus threat: All the BCHS service delivery changes and site closures
Help Your Neighbour campaign reminds us we’re all in this together
Bendigo Coronavirus translated information sheets and videos in Karen, Dari and Dinka
Bendigo Coronavirus threat: A message from our CEO
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