COVID-19

What is OptimumChoice doing to create a safe environment?

• We are running education training on the importance of good hygiene and will increase our supervision in this regard.
• We will continue to provide support in the community (unless advice changes), however, we will not be attending any group programs where people with disability congregate.
• We will avoid any activities that place people in close proximity to others for extended periods such as concerts, sporting games, cinemas, bowling centres, shopping complexes, sit down restaurants, and movies theatres.
• We are not permitting therapists and specialists to physically come onto our sites, telehealth services are available and are explained below.
• We have cancelled all onsite meetings.
• Our staff will also not attend non-essential meetings or training at external sites.
• Staff or participants who have returned from any overseas travel will be excluded from the service for 14 days and will require medical clearance before returning.
• Staff or participants displaying any symptoms of Coronavirus, will be isolated until they can be sent home and will require medical clearance before returning.

Reducing the risk to participants

While COVID-19 is of concern, it is important to remember that most people who display symptoms (such as fever, cough, sore throat or tiredness) are likely suffering from a cold or other respiratory illness—not COVID-19.

The Department of Health advises that people most at risk of getting the virus are those who have recently been in in a high-risk country/region and people who have been in close contact with someone who has a confirmed case of coronavirus.

If a worker has returned from a country or region that is at higher risk for COVID-19, they should not have contact with NDIS participants. This relates to people who:

• have travelled to (including transiting through) mainland China in the 14 days before the onset of illness
• left or transited through Iran on or after 1 March 2020
• have travelled from the Republic of Korea (South Korea) on or after 5 March 2020
• had close or casual contact with a confirmed case of COVID-19 in the 14 days before illness onset.

Reducing the risk to Staff

reinforce staff hygiene practices, in particular:

• Washing hands frequently with soap and water, before and after eating, and after going to the toilet (see more information about hand washing published by the Department of Health
• Covering the mouth when coughing and sneezing, disposing of tissues, and using alcohol-based hand sanitiser
• If unwell, avoiding contact with others (i.e. touching, kissing, hugging, and other intimate contact)