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The road to coronavirus recovery: Getting out and about again
SOURCE KIDS | THE ROAD TO RECOVERY THE ROAD TO CORONAVIRUS RECOVERY Getting out and about again!
While the coronavirus outbreak appears to be receding in most of Australia, the road to recovery may be a little bumpier than we first thought. Although most states are forging ahead with reopening plans, Victoria is currently experiencing a new wave of outbreaks, specifically in a number of Melbourne suburbs and restrictions on movement and activities have been reapplied.
Witnessing these renewed outbreaks is understandably going to make some people nervous about getting out and about again, especially parents of children with disabilities and conditions which make them more vulnerable. Even as states and territories open up, physical distancing, good hygiene, avoiding large public gatherings and staying home if sick remain vitally important rules to follow for everyone, but especially for the most vulnerable among us. If you do feel the time is right to be ‘getting back out there’ again here’s what you need to know about what’s happening regarding restrictions easing around Australia * plus some tips for staying safe...
* this is not an exhaustive list of all openings and restrictions and is current at the time of magazine release for the latest updates please visit the State websites
NSW
From Wednesday 1 July, the following activities will be allowed. • Kids’ sport and community sports competitions for those aged 18 years and under • Adult community sport • Cultural and sporting events at outdoor venues with a maximum capacity of 40,000 will be allowed up to 25% of their normal capacity
MORE GETTING OUT AND ABOUT IN NSW: Caravan and camping grounds are open. There is no limit to the number of customers in the park or grounds, however, premises must have a COVID-19 Safety Plan. If you are visiting someone who is staying at a caravan park or camping ground, limits apply for visitors. Aquariums, zoos and reptile parks are open with restrictions, as are galleries and museums. Indoor cinemas in these venues will be closed. Swimming pools and indoor recreation centres are open with restrictions. National parks and state forests in NSW are open with no capacity limitations. If you are visiting a national park or state forest, avoid busy areas and practice physical distancing and remain at least 1.5m from any other person not from your household. if you are visiting a national park camping ground you must book ahead. There are no limitations to travelling within NSW and you can travel to regional NSW for a holiday. Up to 20 people may stay in a holiday home or holiday rental. More than 20 people can stay in a holiday home or holiday rental if they are all members of the same household. For more info visit www.nsw.gov.au/covid-19/whatyou-can-and-cant-do-under-rules
QLD
On 1 June 2020, Queensland opened up for Queenslanders meaning Queenslanders can now travel anywhere in Queensland for any purpose at any time except for restricted areas. You can now stay overnight anywhere in Queensland for as many nights as you like and there are no longer different arrangements between the Outback and metro areas of the state. Businesses offering accommodation, including caravan parks are now open. It’s now also easier to catch up with family and friends, with a maximum 20 people able to gather in your home or in a public place, including yourself, members of your household or others. The gatherings of up to 20 people rule in QLD means you can: • play non-contact sport, including community and sporting club fixtures • go to the park, playground or skate park • attend your gym, health club or yoga studio and participate in personal training • go for a hike and enjoy other recreational activities in national and state parks Tourism experiences, museums and art galleries, cinemas, amusement parks and zoos, concert venues, theatres and stadiums are all now open with some restrictions in place. Visit www.qld.gov.au/health/conditions/ healthalerts/coronavirus-covid-19/current- status/publichealth-directions for the latest info.
GO PREPARED AND PRACTICE GOOD HYGIENE:
• Always carry your own supply of hand sanitiser or wipes • Avoid touching high use areas like handrails, benches, handles • Continue to follow the government’s
COVID-19 hygiene advice which is: - Wash your hands often with soap and water - Use alcohol-based sanitiser if soap and water is unavailable - Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth - Avoid public gatherings - Clean and disinfect objects you use often such as keys, mobile phone and wallet - Use tap to pay for purchases instead of cash - Stay 1.5 metres from other people where possible - If you are unwell, stay at home
VIC
Due to the outbreak in some Melbourne suburbs, the situation in Victoria is changing daily. Here are the current restrictions and level of openings that we know about at the time of going to press. You’re strongly advised however to check official sources regularly. A number of Melbourne suburbs are now back at Stage 3 Stay at Home Restrictions – specially the following postcodes: 3012, 3021,
3032, 3038, 3042, 3046, 3047, 3055, 3060
and 3064. If you live in one of these suburbs, there are only 4 reasons to leave home: Shopping for food and supplies; Care and caregiving; Exercise; Study and work – if you can’t do it from home. The businesses and facilities in these areas that have been able to reopen recently – such as beauty parlours, gyms, libraries and swimming pools – will again be restricted. Cafes and restaurants will again only be open for take-away and delivery. Elsewhere in VIC; public gatherings are now limited to 10 people and the number of visitors to a home will reduce to 5 visitors. Public playgrounds, outdoor communal gym equipment and skateparks opened on May 25. Physical distancing and group limits remain in place. Galleries, museums, national institutions, historic sites, outdoor amusement parks, zoos and outdoor arcades are open with up to 20 patrons allowed per indoor space. The same applies for indoor cinemas, movie theatres, concert venues, theatres and auditoriums. For sport and leisure activities: on June 21 there was a resumption of full-contact training and competition for people 18 years and under and this is currently still allowed. Changing rooms and showers are allowed to open for sporting and recreational facilities, including swimming pools. The ski season is open and shared facilities at camping and tourist accommodation were given the green light. Additionally, indoor play centres and toy libraries can now open with 20 people per space. More info at https://www.vic.gov.au/ coronavirus-covid-19-restrictions-victoria
OTHER STATES: WA: www.wa.gov.au/organisation/ department-of-the-premier-and-cabinet/ covid-19-coronavirus-community-advice SA: www.covid-19.sa.gov.au/restrictions-andresponsibilities NT: www.coronavirus.nt.gov.au ACT: www.covid19.act.gov.au/faqs/faqschanges-to-restrictions TAS: www.coronavirus.tas.gov.au/facts/ important-community-updates
DEALING WITH ANXIETY
It’s important to consider that going back to ‘normal’ might be difficult for your child – they may not understand why life is changing again, they may have felt more comfortable and ‘safe’ in isolation or they may be anxious about their health. To help your child cope with the changes you can consider the following:
Social stories – use picture boards, communication boards and social stories to take your child through the changes that are now happening and how things might look different than they used to. Limit media exposure – media ‘scare’ stories or too much information may not be appropriate for your child and may amplify any fears or worries they may have. Small steps – take things slowly and don’t make too many big changes all at once. Perhaps start with outings close to home and fewer ‘outside’ appointments than you had pre-COVID. Validate – let your child know that it’s ok to be feeling the way they do. Make yourself available to talk through their fears. Masks – while masks are not widespread in Australia you may need or wish to use one for your child. You can work with an OT on getting your child used to wearing one or use social stories and pictures to explain why they might see people wearing them out in the community. Reinforce – how good hygiene practices help to keep us all safe.
Are you ready for a change?
Do you want to achieve better health & wellbeing for yourself?
Be inspired by other mothers with heavy family responsibilities, who have changed their health, leisure and other important parts of their daily life. You can too! Healthy Mothers - Healthy Families is a comprehensive website that you can follow sequentially from module 1 through to 10 or simply focus in on what is a priority today. Visit the website to listen to six mothers share their stories. Explore the range of empowering topics, activities, fact sheets and insightful quiz’s created specifically for mothers of children with a disability. Whether an extra glass of water, a gentle stretch or even a moment of reflection each day, Healthy Mothers - Healthy Families can provide a framework and tools to help develo your very own personalised plan.
At your pace, at no cost and online. For you.
