Coronavirus Information – Ex-Service Accommodation
* 9 November 2020 *
Update – Ex-Service Accommodation: Cheltenham, Frankston South and Croydon ONLY
Please note that the Community Halls at Cheltenham, Frankston South and Croydon are now permitted to reopen.
The halls have been thoroughly cleaned and are scheduled to reopen tomorrow. Tuesday 10 November.
Restrictions on Number of People in Shared Spaces
All hall users must observe the following restrictions at all times:
- Max 20 people permitted in the hall at any one time.
- Hall users must wear a face mask. The face mask may be temporarily removed while eating/drinking only.
- Users must use hand sanitiser provided to clean hands on entering and on leaving.
- Users must maintain a minimum of 1.5m from all other users at all times.
- Users must clean items they have used – tables, chairs etc – with the spray provided before leaving the hall.
- If you have even the slightest symptoms of being unwell, do not use the hall – stay home, get tested.
These are government restrictions and must be observed at all times. Thank you for your cooperation.
* 19 October 2020 *
Update – Ex-Service Accommodation: GEELONG ONLY
Please note that due to changes in Victoria’s restrictions, the Community Hall at Geelong is now permitted to reopen. However, please note that we are currently organising for the hall to be thoroughly cleaned and this is booked in for Tuesday. Once the cleaning has been completed, the hall will be available for use again.
Restrictions on Number of People in Shared Spaces
It is important to note that restrictions are in place on the number of people permitted in shared spaces. The following must be observed:
- Max 10 people in main hall
- Max 1 person in kitchen
- Max 2 people in gym
To use the hall, you MUST:
- Wear a face mask that covers your mouth and nose
- Wash your hands before entering
- Stay at least 1.5m from any/all other person(s)
Thank you for your support of these government regulations.
Do You Need Assistance?
Your Health:
- If you feel unwell, seek immediate medical help. PHONE your GP and follow their advice
- To speak to a registered nurse about your health concerns, call the Healthdirect Hotline on 1800 022 222 (24 x 7)
Emotional/Mental Health Support
- Beyond Blue COVID-19 Support Line: 1800 512 348
- Open Arms 1800 011 146
COVID-19 Information:
- Department of Health Website
- Coronavirus Health Information Line on 1800 020 080 (24 x 7)
Virus Testing Options
- Assistance to get to a testing site: St John Ambulance (free service): 8588 8500 (8am to 8pm) to book
- In-home testing for eligible people, (GP referral required). To find out if you are eligible: 1800 675 398, select Option 9
* 20 August 2020 *
Update – Frankston South ONLY
We wish to inform you that a staff member at our aged care home at Vasey RSL Care Frankston South has tested positive for COVID-19. The staff member is in isolation and we wish them well.
No residents or other staff members have any symptoms: however, the facility has been put into lockdown as a precautionary measure in accordance with government requirements.
For your safety, we advise you to remain at a distance from the facility and avoid any contact with staff or residents.
As you know, this is a highly contagious virus and is most harmful to older people. Please look after yourselves and each other as this battle continues.
* 4 August 2020 *
Stage 3 Restrictions & Community Hall Closure – Geelong ONLY
We regretfully inform you that the community hall will be closed as of Thursday 6 August until further notice.
As you are no doubt aware, the Victorian Premier, Mr Daniel Andrews, announced that regional areas are going back into Stage 3 Stay at Home Restrictions for at least the next six weeks.
Observe All Restrictions
- We are all required to stay at home: we are only permitted to leave our homes for four reasons – essential shopping, medical needs, work/education and exercise (once per day, max 1 hour)
- No visitors are permitted in our homes except registered carers providing essential care
- It is not permitted to gather in groups
- Face masks must be worn if you are outdoors unless you have a medical condition related to breathing
With a large proportion of unit residents in the most vulnerable age group, it is important that we all consider each other: we have a duty to each other and to all Victorians, to help minimise the chance of spreading the virus.
Maintenance Requests
Maintenance requests can be made by contacting central office as usual. To minimise the number of visits to individual homes and sites, requests will be assessed as urgent or non-urgent.
Urgent requests (eg toilets, plumbing, access, security, heating/cooling) will be handled as quickly as possible, while non-urgent requests will be handled according to health considerations and may be postponed.
Please remember!
Social (Physical) Distancing
- No hand-shaking, hugging or kissing
- Stay at least 1.5m from other people (except those you live with)
Hygiene Practices
- Cough or sneeze into your elbow or into a tissue and dispose of it immediately
- Wash your hands with soap and water for 20 seconds regularly throughout the day – especially after going to the toilet and before preparing food
Community Spirit
Thank you for supporting one another, especially over these very difficult months when there has been much to worry about. There have been many incidences of providing emotional and physical assistance and it is this camaraderie at our ex-service units that makes a different to people’s lives.
Please continue to be kind and considerate to one another as we head into another round of restrictions.
* 8 July 2020 *
Stage 3 Restrictions and Community Hall Closures
Community Hall Closures (except Geelong)
We regretfully have to inform you that community halls will be closed as of Thursday 9 July until further notice.
As you are no doubt aware, the Victorian Premier, Mr Daniel Andrews, announced yesterday afternoon that due to the increasing number of COVID-19 cases, metropolitan Melbourne and the Shire of Mitchell are going back into Stage 3 Stay at Home Restrictions from 11.59pm Wednesday 8 July for at least the next six weeks.
Observe All Restrictions
- Once again, we are all required to stay at home, and are only permitted to leave our homes for four reasons – essential shopping, medical needs, work/education and exercise.
- No visitors are permitted in our homes except registered carers providing essential care
- It is not permitted to gather in groups
- Face masks must be worn if you are outdoors unless you have a medical condition related to breathing
With a large proportion of unit residents in the most vulnerable age group, it is important that we all consider each other: we have a duty to each other and to all Victorians, to help minimise the chance of spreading the virus.
Halls Closing and Maintenance Requests
The community halls will be closed later today or tomorrow and maintenance requests can be made via the maintenance request books as follows:
- Frankston South: the maintenance request book will be outside the hall in the entrance foyer.
- Cheltenham: the maintenance request book remains in its current location, in the hall entrance.
- Croydon: contact central office.
Urgent v Non-Urgent Requests – Reminder
To minimise the number of visits to individual homes and sites, requests will be assessed as urgent or non-urgent. Urgent requests (eg toilets, plumbing, access, security, heating/cooling) will be handled as quickly as possible, while non-urgent requests will be handled according to health considerations and may be postponed.
Please remember!
Social Distancing
- No hand-shaking, hugging or kissing
- Stay at least 1.5m from other people (except those you live with)
Hygiene Practices
- Cough or sneeze into your elbow or into a tissue and dispose of it immediately
- Wash your hands with soap and water for 20 seconds regularly throughout the day – especially after going to the toilet and before preparing food
Community Spirit
Thank you for your support of each other, especially over the last few months when there has been much to worry about. I have heard of many incidences of providing emotional and physical assistance and it is this camaraderie at our ILU villages that makes a different to people’s lives.
Please continue to be kind and considerate to one another as we all face another six weeks – at least – of restrictions.
* 26 May 2020 *
Coronavirus Update
Changes to Gathering Restrictions
In Victoria, from Monday 1 June, the restrictions for indoor and outdoor gatherings will be easing with an increase to 20 people permitted.
However, we strongly advise caution. Our community has a large number of people who are in the most vulnerable categories both in terms of age and living with conditions that increase the risk the virus poses.
Halls Reopening Soon – Frankston South, Cheltenham, Croydon and Geelong
As of Monday 1 June, the Community Halls will once again be open for your use. Before they reopen, the Property Services team will be arranging a full clean and installing hand sanitiser machines at the entrance.
The entry code will be restored to the usual code.
Please note that there will some important restrictions in place. We ask that you observe these restrictions closely so that you do not put yourself or others at risk:
- Maximum of 20 people permitted in the hall at any time
- All hall users must use the hand sanitiser to clean their hands on entry AND on leaving
- Maintain physical distancing of 1.5m from all other users at all times
- If you have even the SLIGHTEST symptoms of being unwell, do not use the hall – please stay home
- If you notice another hall user who is showing symptoms, politely ask them to leave the hall and stay home
We know that many regular users of the halls have been missing the opportunity to have a ‘change of scenery’ and we hope that having this limited access to the halls will be of benefit to you. Please make sure that you follow the above rules for the health and safety of all users.
We must not be complacent!
COVID-19 is highly contagious. As we start to come out of our isolation, it is more important than ever that we observe strict hygiene processes at all times.
Hand Washing
This continues to be one of the simplest yet most effective ways to reduce our risk. Wash your hands after going to the bathroom, before preparing food, when you get home, after you’ve put your shopping away, before eating, after sneezing etc. You cannot wash your hands too often! Wash with soap and water for a minimum of 20 seconds.
Avoid Touching Your Face
The virus can enter our systems through our mouth, nose and eyes, so avoiding touching your face can help reduce the chance of transmission.
Cover Coughs and Sneezes
Ideally, cover coughs or sneezes with a tissue and dispose of it immediately and wash your hands. If you don’t have a tissue handy, cough or sneeze into your elbow, not your hands.
* 16 March 2020 *
Coronavirus Update
Where To Get Help
If you feel unwell, seek immediate medical help. Avoid visiting other people or having others visit you: for the safety of all, call your GP and follow their advise.
To find out more about the Coronavirus, visit the Department of Health’s Website.
Alternatively, call the Coronavirus Health Information Line on 1800 020 080 (24 x 7).
If you would like to speak to a registered nurse about your health concerns, you can call the Healthdirect Hotline on 1800 022 222 (24 x 7).
Community Halls Closure – Frankston South, Cheltenham, Croydon and Geelong
For our ex-service units, we are aware of the need to consider the older demographic of our tenants: to help reduce the possibility of spreading the Coronavirus in social settings, the community halls will be closed from Friday 20 March until further notice.
We have not taken this decision lightly, and with more than 80% of our tenants over 65, the most vulnerable group, this decision is in the best interest of the whole community.
Maintenance Requests
Maintenance requests are made via the maintenance request books. Please note the following new arrangements.
- Frankston South: the maintenance request book will be placed outside the hall in the entrance foyer.
- Cheltenham: the maintenance request book remains in its current location, in the hall entrance.
- Geelong: no maintenance request book – contact central office as usual.
- Croydon: contact central office.
- Brighton, Beaumaris, Ivanhoe & Reservoir: no changes.
Urgent v Non-Urgent Requests
To minimise the number of visits to individual homes and sites, requests will be assessed as urgent or non-urgent.
Urgent requests (eg toilets, plumbing, access, security, heating/cooling) will be handled as quickly as possible, while non-urgent requests will be handled according to health considerations and may be postponed.
Looking After Each Other
Please consider your neighbours and if you help each other out, please do – for example, helping older neighbours with shopping, or collecting items from the pharmacy. This is a difficult time for us all and a time to demonstrate our camaraderie and community spirit.
How We Can All Help
Physical (‘Social’) Distancing
This is a new concept that encourages us all to keep our distance from other people by:
- Avoiding shaking hands, hugging and kissing
- Avoiding contact with others – if unwell, stay more than 1.5m from other people
Self-isoloation
- If you have been in contact with someone who has tested positive for Coronavirus, you must self-isolate for 14 days
- If you have returned from overseas (any location) you must self-isolate for 14 days
Hygiene Practices
- Cough or sneeze into your elbow or into a tissue and dispose of it immediately
- Wash your hands with soap and water before and after eating, and after going to the toilet