Community Sector Update – COVID-19 Response

The Department of Communities will endeavour to keep service providers updated with relevant information over the course of the COVID-19 lockdown.

Please see below key updates:

Out of Lockdown

• Transition out of lockdown from 6:01pm Friday, 5 February 2021.

Pending no further local cases, the five-day lockdown for the Perth, Peel and South West regions will end as planned at 6:01pm this evening, and the following will come into effect:

• Perth and Peel will enter a post-lockdown transition period until 12.01am Sunday, 14 February 2021.
• The South West will return straight to pre-lockdown conditions.

– The main requirement over the next week will be that everyone must continue to wear a mask in public and while at work.
– It will also be mandatory for individuals to check-in at businesses required to keep a contact register.
– Further information can be found at Transition out of lockdown (wa.gov.au).

Wooroloo and Hills Fire

– The Mental Health Commission is working in partnership with the Departments of Communities, Education, and WA Primary Health Alliance to ensure that there is immediate and medium to longer term response options in place.
– A small number of local retailers in Midland have been able to open. This is to allow evacuees to buy clothing and other essential supplies.
– Monetary donations from the public should be given through the Lord Mayor’s Distress Relief Fund.

Masks

– Over three million masks have now been delivered to the community sector.
– If you require additional masks or have any queries, please email incident.commander@communities.wa.gov.au (Communities service providers) and/or ngocommunitysupport@mhc.wa.gov.au (MHC service providers).

– In preparedness for the resumption of school, distribution of masks for high school aged children, as well as children in care, is being managed.
– Information regarding appropriate mask hygiene can be found at: Face masks (healthywa.wa.gov.au)

Process Flow Map

– A new process flow map has been developed regarding the management of mental health patients in hostels and supported accommodation. It provides guidance to providers for when a patient is diagnosed with, or suspected to have, COVID-19 during periods of low community transmission. The process flow map includes key questions and useful links to help guide hostels and supported accommodation providers.

– The process flow map is titled ‘Management of mental health patients in hostels and supported accommodation diagnosed with or suspected to have COVID-19 during periods of low community transmission’ – found at COVID-19 information for aged care and community care providers (health.wa.gov.au) under ‘Community care providers’.

Thank You

Thank you to all our partners and funded services in the sector who have acted promptly in response to the five-day lockdown. Thank you for enacting your Business Continuity Plans, and for your understanding and support during this time. Your continuing service to the community has been integral in maintaining wellbeing and ensuring individuals and families are provided the help they need.

Stay up to date with the latest government advice via www.wa.gov.au and healthywa.wa.gov.au.

Sector update messages are also available on the Department of Communities website at Community Sector Partnerships (COVID-19) | Department of Communities (www.communities.wa.gov.au).