Information about COVID-19 (Coronavirus) #2

26 March 2020

As at 26 March 2020 there are currently no cases reported in the Jervis Bay Territory (JBT).

The Australian Government is continuing to respond to COVID-19 (Coronavirus) and is committed to keeping the community informed.

We can all help slow the spread of COVID-19 in Australia. To protect others you must:

• practise good hygiene (washing hands frequently, covering coughs, avoiding touching face, cleaning).
• practise social distancing (stay home if possible, avoid physical greetings, keep 1.5 metres away from others)
• follow the limits for public gatherings (non-essential gatherings are not permitted, and numbers are limited for essential gatherings)
• understand how to self-isolate if you need to (You must self-isolate if you have COVID-19, you have been in close contact with a confirmed case of COVID-19, you arrived in Australia after midnight on 15 March 2020)

For up-to-date information on COVID-19, consult the Australian Government Department of Health website or call the Coronavirus Health Information Line 1800 020 080. The line operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

If you require translating or interpreting services, please call 131 450.

Information is also available from HealthDirect 1800 022 222 or by visiting healthdirect.gov.au/coronavirus.

If you have serious and severe symptomssuch as difficulty breathing, call 000 for urgent medical assistance.

For school closures (government and non-government) please contact the school directly for accurate information.

Jervis Bay Territory response

As part of the ongoing response to COVID-19 (Coronavirus), the Assistant Minister for Regional Development and Territories, the Honourable Nola Marino MP, has declared a State of Emergency for the JBT for the period 25 March 2020 to 23 April 2020.

The State of Emergency declaration will assist Emergency Services and other local authorities supporting the JBT to manage the spread of COVID-19, with the health and wellbeing of the JBT community being the first priority.

The Booderee National Park will be temporarily closed to visitors and non-essential travellers for a minimum of

two weeks from 24 March 2020. This decision has been taken by the Director of National Parks.

Jervis Bay Territory Health Services

All travellers returning or arriving from overseas or people who been in contact with a confirmed case of COVID-19 must self-isolate for 14 days. This applies to everyone, even if you have no symptoms.

Based on current information, the criteria for testing is:

• if you have returned from overseas in the past 14 days AND showing acute respiratory symptoms (e.g. cough, shortness of breath, sore throat) and/or fever
• if you"ve had close contact with a person with a positive COVID-19 diagnosis.

The Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District has established a COVID-19 Assessment Clinic at Shoalhaven Hospital. The clinic is located in the Hospital in the Home (HITH) area. Entry to the clinic is via the Shoalhaven Street driveway. The clinic will operate from 8:30am to 4.30pm, seven days a week, and can be contacted by phone on 1300 002 108.

NSW Health is currently restricting face-to-face health services to essential priority cases in all local health districts due to limited resources to deal with the evolving situation. This includes the Illawarra Shoalhaven Health District. Other health providers will also be reassessing their ability to provide outreach services at this critical time.

The March 30 Info Day at Wreck Bay Clinic has been cancelled due to recent recommendations from NSW Health.

Current Australian Government Measures and Restrictions

The Prime Minister has placed limits on non-essential services and restrictions on public gatherings from 25 March. For more information see the Prime Minister's announcement

Pubs, licensed clubs and hotels (excluding accommodation), places of worship, gyms, indoor sporting venues, cinemas, casinos must close. Takeaway only at restaurants and cafes. Supermarkets and pharmacies remain open.

Tighter restrictions on weddings and, funerals are being enforced.

Australian Government Coronavirus Economic Stimulus

The coronavirus economic stimulus package announced by the Australian Government provides income support measures for individuals and financial support for businesses.

Depending on your circumstances, residents and businesses in the JBT may be eligible for this additional support.

More information is available by visiting www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/ for income support measures and www.business.gov.au/Risk-management/Emergency-management/Coronavirus-information-and-support-for-business for business support measures.

Some examples of income support provided by the Australia Government include:

• The creation of a new coronavirus supplement of $550 per fortnight. The $550 will be paid on top of normal payments received by recipients of Jobseeker Payment, Youth Allowance Jobseeker, Parenting Payment, Farm Household Allowance and Special Benefit. For example, a single parent receiving a maximum fortnightly payment of $612 through Jobseeker could apply to receive the $550 coronavirus supplement and potentially take home $1,162 a fortnight.
• Two separate payments of $750 for individuals already receiving income support and eligible concession card holders. The first payment will be made from 31 March 2020 and the second payment will be made from 13 July 2020.
• Reducing deeming rates by a further 0.25 percent points to increase the amount of money age pensioners will receive. Deeming rates are used for the pension income assessment and determine how much money individuals receive.

For further information please contact Services Australia.

Support for businesses announced by the Australian Government include:

• Increasing the asset write off threshold from $30,000 to $150,000 for businesses with an annual turnover of less than $500 million. This applies from 12 March 2020 until 30 June 2020, for new or second-hand assets first used or installed ready for use in this timeframe.
• Supporting apprentices and trainees by providing employers with a wage subsidy of 50 per cent of the apprentice's or trainee's wage for up to 9 months from 1 January 2020 to 30 September 2020.
• Helping businesses and not for profits with their cash flows so they can keep operating, pay their rent, electricity and other bills and retain staff. Employers will receive a payment equal to 100 percent of their salary and wages, with a maximum payment of $50,000 and minimum payment of $10,000, to help support the retention of staff and operation of businesses.

Jervis Bay Territory Administration