At GBSS, we are taking appropriate measures in line with the Australian Government and NDIS guidelines to ensure that our participants and staff remain safe throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, and to minimise transmission of this disease within our organisation and the community.

We are focused on preserving the health and safety of the people we are responsible for, including our participants, employees and their families. Our organisation will, on an ongoing basis, identify and implement any revisions required to the practices and supports undertaken by our business to meet all requirements of the NDIS Commission, and state and federal governments.

To ensure all staff are compliant with Covid-safe measures, our employees are required to complete the Australian Department of Health’s online COVID-19 Infection Control Training.

Contact tracing

Everyone entering GBSS premises must check in with a QR code using the ‘Check in QLD’ app, as well as sign into a physical manifest at reception to show entry and exit times.

Vaccination

In compliance with government regulations, all staff who work on the premises are required to have been vaccinated for COVID-19. We strongly encourage our participants to make their own informed decisions about vaccination to protect themselves and others. The NDIS has produced documents about supporting the rights of NDIS participants to make their own choices about the vaccine, which you can access through the following links:

• Message from the Acting Commissioner
• Supporting your rights to have a Covid-19 vaccine – Easy Read statement

Hygiene and cleaning

We have stepped up our routine cleaning in line with NDIS guidelines, ensuring that we maintain a hygienic environment.

These measures include practising good respiratory and hand hygiene, such as:

• cleaning hands with soap and water or alcohol-based hand rubs or sanitisers (these are available at reception and throughout our building)
• avoiding touching of the face
• avoiding handshaking and other physical greetings
• covering nose and mouth with a tissue or flexed elbow when coughing or sneezing
• avoiding contact with anyone who has symptoms such as fever, a cough, sore throat, fatigue and shortness of breath
• staying home if unwell
• wearing appropriate PPE when caring for participants.
• regularly cleaning shared high-touch surfaces, e.g. tables, benches, and doorknobs.

Personal protective equipment

During the COVID-19 pandemic, we have stayed updated with the latest advice from our state’s public health unit regarding when and where to use PPE while supporting participants. We will continue to support our staff and participants’ safety by remaining compliant with these regulations.

Staff are not permitted to come to work if:

• they are exhibiting any signs or symptoms of a respiratory illness such as coughing, sore throat, runny nose or shortness of breath, or have a fever
• they have been to a COVID-19 hotspot within the last 14 days and have not received a negative COVID-19 test
• returned from overseas in the last 14 days
• received a positive COVID-19 test.

For the latest advice from the NDIS, visit ndis.gov.au/coronavirus/latest-advice-ndis.

New translated resources available

Queensland Health and the CALD COVID Health Engagement Project (CCHEP) has developed a number of new COVID-19 translated resources for culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) community members, including:

• Factsheets – Covering how you can get medical care for COVID-19, what to do if you test positive, and advice for close contacts.
• Social media tiles – Promoting vaccination for children 5-11 and boosters, and basic instructions stepping you through completing a nasal Rapid Antigen Test.
• Instructional Video: How to do a nasal Rapid Antigen Test (No words)
• Multilanguage Videos – Living with COVID-19 in Queensland (including videos in Amharic, Tigrinya, English, Arabic, Dari and Mandarin)

Important links

Person-Centred Emergency Preparedness Planning for COVID-19 – For People with a Disability

NDIS – COVID-19 information and support

QLD Government – People with disability: Information about COVID-19

NSW Government – COVID-19 Information for people with disability