REPORT | AUGUST 2020
Pop-up COVID-19 clinics open across West ESTERN Sydney Local Health District (WSLHD) continues to open pop-up testing clinics in strategic locations in response to ongoing COVID-19 community transmission. The latest drive-through clinic opened today at Western Sydney University (WSU) Parramatta South campus, following another drive-through clinic opened in Auburn on Monday. The WSU testing clinic will operate from 9am-3.30pm Monday to Friday in the P16 carpark off James Ruse Drive. Anyone arriving for testing is advised to stay inside their vehicle at all times. Health staff follow strict infection control protocols for the safety of themselves and others. The latest pop-up clinic follows the success of the clinic continuing to run at Parramatta Community Health Centre and the temporary clinic that was operat-
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ing from Our Lady of Lebanon Co-Cathedral in Harris Park. WSLHD chief executive Graeme Loy thanked Western Sydney University for partnering with the District to open the latest pop-up clinic.
Good, but no room for complacency SW has reached a major milestone in the fight against COVID-19, with more than one million tests carried out in NSW since January. Premier Gladys Berejiklian said the people of NSW should be proud of this achievement and thanked the community for doing their part to help keep NSW COVID-safe. “NSW has one of the highest COVID-19 testing rates in the world and reaching one million tests already is an incredible result,” Ms Berejiklian said. “I want to thank everyone in NSW who has come forward and been tested. This needs to continue – if you have the mildest of symptoms it is so important you come forward and get tested. “If you have already been tested and were negative but develop symptoms again, you need to come forward and get tested again.” Health Minister Brad Hazzard said high testing numbers is critical to finding
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new cases and controlling the spread of COVID-19. A total of 1,007,662 tests have been done since testing began, including 18,524 over the past 24 hours. “NSW Health Pathology have been the quiet achievers during the pandemic, working incredibly hard behind the scenes, doing almost 60 per cent of these tests, averaging 7,500 a day,” Mr Hazzard said. “They’ve also received around 290,000 registrations for their pioneering SMS Results Service that has halved the average waiting time for negative results.” Mr Hazzard warned that the virus is likely circulating among people in the community with mild symptoms and the risk of outbreaks and a resurgence of cases remains. “While this is a fantastic response from the community, we must keep up the fight against COVID-19 and not allow complacency to set in.”
“We will continue to explore new locations and do everything we can to make testing as easy and convenient as possible for anyone who needs it,” Graeme said. “Thank you to everyone who has come forward for testing so far. Please continue to look for any symptoms, and if you are sick then make sure you self-isolate until you get a negative test result. This is the way forward to keep everyone safe.” There are now 20 testing clinics across Western Sydney Local Health District – find your nearest one and stay up to date with the latest COVID-19 news at https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/ The drive-through clinic at Stockland
Merrylands will be closing on Sunday, having being the site of more than 5000 tests since it opened on May 25. WSLHD will continue to be flexible with operating pop-up testing sites in priority areas across the district according to changing needs. If you have any symptoms, it is important you self-isolate and arrange to get tested. Symptoms of COVID-19 include a sore throat, cough, high temperature or unexplained tiredness. Testing is free and a referral from your doctor is not necessary. To help protect yourself against COVID-19, exercise the following precautions: • Wash your hands regularly for at least 20 seconds with soap and water. • Avoid touching your face. • Maintain 1.5 metres physical distance from others in public.
Nominations open for COVID SAFE businesses OMINATIONS are now open for the 2020 SafeWork NSW Awards, acknowledging NSW businesses that demonstrate an outstanding approach to work health and safety. Minister for Better Regulation and Innovation, Kevin Anderson said this year’s awards will recognise businesses who’ve implemented innovative and effective measures to protect their employees throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. “Nominations are now open and, given this year’s unique circumstances, we will focus on businesses who have best responded to the significant challenges posed by COVID-19 pandemic in the workplace,” Mr Anderson said. “It’s not been an easy year for our businesses, and this year’s awards are a great opportunity to say thank you to the employers who have gone above and beyond to adapt their working methods
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to make sure their workers are safe.” 2020 marks the 17th anniversary of the SafeWork NSW Awards, which will be broken down into three sub-categories: • Small business – non-government (two regional and two metropolitan). • Large business – non-government (two regional and two metropolitan) • Government. “Non-government businesses across NSW that are selected for recognition are eligible for a $3,000 safety rebate for their business.” Mr Anderson said. Nominations for the 2020 SafeWork Awards are open until August 9, with winners announced in October. To nominate, visit https://www.safework.nsw.gov.au/advice-and-resources/campaigns/safework-awards
Help for hard-hit creative sector HE hard-hit creative sector will benefit as five new Business Connect advisors get to work, providing free-of-charge advice to small businesses affected by COVID-19. Minister for Finance and Small Business Damien Tudehope said the creative industries were some of the most impacted industries by COVID-19 and the new Business Connect advisors would be able to share their insights with small businesses. “In total, there are now 10 Business Connect advisors with creative backgrounds and they have the skills to help small businesses in
T The creative sector has been hit hard by COVD-19. WESTERN SYDNEY BUSINESS ACCESS AUGUST 2020
that industry to navigate the current situation,” he said. “The advisors can also provide information about government support options for the NSW arts and cultural sector and put organisations in touch with State agencies.” Minister for the Arts Don Harwin encouraged small creative organisations to take up the opportunity for advice from Business Connect about the support measures available. “All guidance provided by Business Connect advisors is currently free of charge and has already proven itself to be invaluable to 6700 small businesses,” Mr Harwin said.
“This is a wonderful opportunity for the NSW arts and cultural sector that has been so greatly valued by the community over this difficult time.” “The arts sector supports about 118,000 jobs across NSW and contributes $16.4B directly and indirectly to NSW’s Gross State Product.” The new advisors are among an additional 40 to be engaged through Business Connect to assist small businesses as they deal with the impacts of COVID-19. In total, Business Connect has more than 110 business advisors. Phone 1300 134 359 for more information.
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