COVID-19 Preparation and Advice

*** Updated on Friday 14 August 2020 ***

All TasCOSS Members and community service organisations are encouraged to review their contingency and response plans to ensure minimal impacts to service delivery continuity and wherever possible, contribute to the recovery of individuals, communities and services.

We strongly encourage community sector organisations, staff and members of the public to familiarise yourself with the process governments are taking to contain the virus, including practical things we all can do to help minimise transmission.

TasCOSS has made available a number of trusted sources, resources and fact sheets on COVID-19 applicable to the community services industry below.

Health Advice

The State Government COVID-19 website (coronavirus.tas.gov.au) is regularly updated with the latest health advice, information and resources on COVID-19.

The COVIDSafe app is a new tool, alongside testing and social distancing, to help stop the spread of COVID-19 in Australia. The app is voluntary and free to download. For more information, visit health.gov.au.

In addition, here is a list of trusted sources where you can get the latest health advice on COVID-19:

Helplines

Emergency Relief Service Providers

*** Updated as of 27 May 2020 ***

Emergency relief providers help people in times of financial crisis. Assistance includes: food, transport, chemist vouchers, part-payment of utility bills, clothing and budgeting support. Emergency relief providers also link people to other services to help address the reasons for a financial crisis.

Emergency relief organisations provide services directly to regional communities statewide. Please contact an organisation for advice and assistance.

Please select a region below to view contact details for active emergency relief service providers in your area and other useful information.

Emergency Food Relief Directory

*** Updated as of 12 June 2020 ***

The Emergency Food Relief Directory has been complied as a result of queries from support agencies on where additional support for food relief efforts can be directed, such as produce, meals, deliveries and volunteers. The directory aims to capture the current activity in the three regions — North-West, North and South.

Please select a region below to view contact details for active emergency food relief service providers in your area and other useful information.

Advice for Employers

Advice for Aged Care

Advice for Employees, Job Seekers & Volunteers

Working Remotely

Advice for Boards

Federal Government Resources

State Government Resources

State and Federal Support Packages

The Federal Government announced an initial COVID-19 economic stimulus package on Thursday 12 March. The second stage of the Federal Government’s COVID-19 economic stimulus package was announced by the Prime Minister on Sunday 22 March.

The State Government announced an COVID-19 support package in Parliament on Tuesday 17 March with a second COVID-19 social and economic support package announced by the Premier on Thursday 26 March.

Actions Taken by TasCOSS

TasCOSS is working closely with the State Government to ensure community services are well placed to support the health and safety of Tasmanians.

We are particularly focussed on ensuring continuity of essential services with demand likely to increase significantly in response to concerns around COVID-19 and possible self-isolation measures.

TasCOSS is committed to helping to reduce the risk of infection or contagion for all stakeholders, staff, volunteers, committee members, partner organisations and clients, as well as to the general public. This will be done by adopting policies and procedures recommended or directed by public health and work safety authorities.

If you have any questions about related to COVID-19 preparedness or the response taken by TasCOSS, please contact us.