COVID-19
What is mobility’s response to COVID-19
- Important Information
- Informing mobility
- In-home care
- Stay Safe
- Your safety
- Worker H&S Questions
- Client H&S Questions
- What if I have COVID-19
- Stay Informed
- What is Coronavirus
- What is COVID-19?
- Symptoms of COVID-19?
- How does COVID-19 spread?
- What does this mean for me?
- Protective measures
- Washing hands
- Putting on a mask
- Taking off a mask
- Free Training
COVID-19 Important Information
We are responding to the current pandemic and doing everything we can to keep our clients, workers and community safe.
All care and support services will continue in line with state-based COVID-19 regulations and safety guidelines.
Keep up to date with state-based government information:
ACT Health
NSW Health
NT Health
QLD Health
SA Health
TAS Health
VIC Health
WA Health
How do I provide evidence of my vaccination status to mobility?
How do I get a copy of my vaccination certificate or statement?
- a vaccination certificate or other evidence from a vaccine provider, or
- an immunisation history statement which you can access from Medicare online or the Express Plus Medicare mobile app.
- Alternatively, you can provide:
- a record from a health practitioner, or
- a statement which you can request from the Australian Immunisation Register.
How do I get vaccinated if I don't have Medicare?
If you currently don’t have a Medicare account and you are eligible you can register at Services Australia.
If you are not eligible for Medicare, you should have your vaccination at a Commonwealth Vaccination Clinic (CVC) formerly known as GP-led respiratory clinics or a state- or territory-run vaccination clinic.
If you need proof of your immunisation, you can register for an Individual Healthcare Identifier (IHI).
To apply for an IHI, visit servicesaustralia.gov.au/. For more information, call the Department of Human Services on 1300 361 45.
If you have any questions, please contact support@mobility.com.au
Please check your State Government’s website regularly for updates and changes to restrictions.
Why is in-home care so important in light of COVID-19?
Doctors and hospitals around the country are encouraging people not to come in unless they really need to, keeping people at home has become a primary method in containing the virus.
In-home care is more important than ever before as the need increases rapidly for one-to-one care versus one-to-many.
mobility workers have completed Infection Control training and provide local health, home delivered.
How can I keep getting / providing care and support safely?
- Stay informed – make sure you understand safe hygiene practises and current regulations in your state.
- Complete the Safety Check questions as required, when requesting and confirming bookings.
- Adhere to the guidelines re:
• Social distancing (1.5 metres wherever possible)
• Hand-hygiene (20-30 seconds with soap and water or hand sanitiser)
• PPE – including masks (where required and recommended)
What is mobility doing to ensure workers and clients are safe?
All workers on the mobility platform have completed an Infection Control training module, as a pre-requisite to working on the platform. All clients and workers are required to complete our COVID-19 Health and Safety Check prior to requesting or accepting each job. We have also implemented a set of hygiene protective measures that clients and workers must comply with (see below …)
COVID-19 Health & Safety Check Questions for workers prior to accepting a booking
Before workers are approved to accept a shift, they need to answer some key questions to make sure they are not putting anyone at risk. These questions ensure no one will go to work if they:
- Are sick, or presenting any symptoms like cough, sore throat, fever, runny nose
- Returned from any overseas travel in the past 14 days, or live with someone who has
- Have recently been in contact with anyone who has COVID-19, or has been required to self isolate for 14 days
- Have a confirmed case of COVID-19
And will also ensure workers:
- Will engage in strict personal hygeine practises
- Wear a single use surgical mask when working at all times. This is as per government guidelines.
COVID-19 Health & Safety Check Questions for clients prior to requesting a booking
Before clients are able to request a booking, they need to answer some key questions to make sure they are not putting anyone at risk.
These questions include confirmation that the client:
- Is not sick, or presenting any symptoms like cough, sore throat, fever, runny nose
- Has not returned from any overseas travel in the past 14 days, or live with someone who has
- Has not recently been in contact with anyone who has COVID-19, or has been required to self isolate for 14 days
- Does not have a confirmed case of COVID-19
In addition, we request that if any of these circumstances change between the date of requesting a booking and the date of the job, the user must message the worker directly on the platform and make them aware so they have the opportunity and flexibility to decide whether to continue with the job.
What if I think I may have COVID-19?
If you think you may have been exposed to coronavirus, it is important that you contact us on 1300 GET CARE (1300 438 227).
Seek immediate medical attention and receive a diagnosis.
Whilst you are awaiting the outcome of a test result or if you have a positive diagnosis and you require care, please contact us on 1300 GET CARE (1300 438 227) and we will put you in contact with a National provider who has a team of specialist support workers all with the necessary PPE.
State and Territory testing information:
ACT: https://www.covid19.act.gov.au/protecting-yourself-and-others/getting-tested
NSW: https://www.nsw.gov.au/covid-19/how-to-protect-yourself-and-others/clinics
NT: https://coronavirus.nt.gov.au/stay-safe/symptoms-testing#section2
VIC: https://www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/where-get-tested-covid-19
WA: https://www.healthywa.wa.gov.au/Articles/A_E/COVID-clinics
Why is it important to stay informed?
While COVID-19 may only present as mild symptoms for many people, it can be life threatening for more vulnerable people in our community such as older people, people with other health conditions and people with disabilities. We are asking you, the mobility community, to stay informed, help contain COVID-19 from spreading and keep everyone safe.
Please read and follow the protective and preventative measures outline below and feel free to share the information with your family, friends and communities.
What is Coronavirus?
As explained by the World Health Organisation:
Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses which may cause illness in animals or humans. In humans, several coronaviruses are known to cause respiratory infections ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases such as Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS). The most recently discovered coronavirus causes coronavirus disease COVID-19.
What is COVID-19?
The World Health Organisation describes COVID-19 as an infectious disease caused by the most recently discovered coronavirus. This new virus and disease were unknown before the outbreak began in Wuhan, China, in December 2019.
What are the symptoms of COVID-19?
Common symptoms of COVID-19 are fever, tiredness, and dry cough. Some people may have aches and pains, nasal congestion, runny nose, sore throat or diarrhea. These symptoms are usually mild and begin gradually. Some people become infected but don’t develop any symptoms and don’t feel unwell. Most people (about 80%) recover from the disease without needing special treatment. Around 1 out of every 6 people who gets COVID-19 becomes seriously ill and develops difficulty breathing. Older people, and those with underlying medical problems like high blood pressure, heart problems or diabetes, are more likely to develop serious illness. People with fever, cough and difficulty breathing should seek medical attention.
Source: World Health Organisation
How does COVID-19 spread?
Whilst more is being learned all the time, the World Health Organisation confirms: People can catch COVID-19 from others who have the virus. The disease can spread from person to person through small droplets from the nose or mouth which are spread when a person with COVID-19 coughs or exhales. These droplets land on objects and surfaces around the person. Other people then catch COVID-19 by touching these objects or surfaces, then touching their eyes, nose or mouth. People can also catch COVID-19 if they breathe in droplets from a person with COVID-19 who coughs out or exhales droplets. This is why it is important to stay at least 1 metre away from someone who is sick.
For more information on how COVID-19 spreads, see the World Health Organisation Q & A’s on this topic.
What does this mean for me?
Hygiene and protection measures are more important than ever before. Follow the protective measures outlined below and remain informed about the most up to date information on COVID-19 locally, nationally and globally.
What are the protective measures I should follow
Here’s what you can do to reduce your chances of being infected or spreading COVID-19:
- Stay up to date with the latest information on the COVID-19 outbreak:
- State and Territory specific information (see below)
- Australian Government Department of Health: https://www.health.gov.au/news/health-alerts/novel-coronavirus-2019-ncov-health-alert
- World Health Organisation rolling updates: https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/events-as-they-happen
- Wash your hands regularly (including before and after eating and going to the toilet) to reduce your chances of being infected or spreading COVID-19. Use an alcohol-based hand rub or wash them, for at least 20 seconds, with soap and water. Proper hand washing kills viruses that may be on your hands. (see links below for correct hand washing techniques)
- Maintain at least 1.5 metre distance between yourself and anyone who is coughing/sneezing. When someone coughs or sneezes they spray small droplets from their nose/mouth which may contain the virus. Keeping a safe distance will lessen this risk. Note: Australian health authorities are recommending at least 1.5 metres.
- Avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth. Our hands touch many surfaces and can pick up viruses which can then be transferred into your body via your eyes, nose or mouth.
- Practise good respiratory hygiene. Cover your nose and mouth with a bent elbow or tissue when you cough or sneeze. Dispose of the used tissue immediately.
- Wear a mask when leaving the house if you live in Victoria.
- Get tested and stay at home if you don’t feel well. If you have a fever, cough and difficulty breathing, seek medical attention and call in advance. A good place to start is calling the National Coronavirus Health Information Line: on 1800 020 080 and follow the directions of your local health authority.
How do I wash my hands properly – with alcohol-based rubs or soap and water?
These resources are all from the World Health Organisation.
How do I put on a mask correctly?
For people who are using a mask it is important to wear it properly:
- wash or sanitise your hands for 20 seconds before putting it on and after taking it off
- make sure the mask covers your nose and mouth and fits snugly under your chin, over the bridge of your nose and against the sides of your face
- do not touch the front of your mask while wearing or removing it
- do not allow the mask to hang around your neck or under your nose
- do not pull your mask up and down to talk or drink or eat
- a mask may be worn for up to four hours, or change sooner if it becomes damp, dirty or damaged
- do not reuse single use masks
- wash and dry reusable masks after use and store in a clean dry place
- Regular hand washing also remains as a vital measure, particularly when putting on and taking off a mask
It is really important to know how to put on a face mask properly and take it off safely. Otherwise the advantages of wearing a face mask will be lost and you or others may be at risk from a contaminated face mask.
How do I take off a mask safely?
- Wash your hands for at least 20 seconds with soap and water or use alcohol-based hand sanitiser containing at least 60% alcohol.
- Don’t touch the front of the face covering or your face.
- Carefully remove your face covering by grasping the ear loops or untying the ties. For face coverings with a pair of ties, unfasten the bottom one first, then the top one.
- Fold the covering and put it directly into the laundry or into a disposable or washable bag for laundering. Single use surgical masks should be disposed of responsibly in the rubbish bin.
- Clean your hands again by washing them or using alcohol-based hand sanitiser.
How do I access the FREE Infection Control Training?
Once you have completed your registration on the mobility platform, you can access all free training modules via the mobility app. Have questions about the training? Contact us at 1300 GET CARE (1300 438 227) or email support@mobility.com.au
