Victoria is in Stage 4 Restrictions from 11.59pm Friday 12th February to 11.59pm Wednesday 17th February.
We will be providing updates to you as soon as we have further details. You can call Melba’s pandemic hotline on 1300 MYMELBA (1300 696352) any time. We encourage you to read the Victorian Government advice (read the statement here) and follow all Government directions. You can also contact the DHHS Coronavirus 24-hour hotline number on 1800 675 398 if you suspect you may have coronavirus (COVID-19).
Dear friends,
On the advice of Victoria’s public health experts, we are again in Stage 4 restrictions from 11.59pm Friday 12th February to 11.59pm Wednesday 17th February.
As the Premier said today, this hurts. But, I know we can do this! We have successfully steered our way through the challenges of the pandemic before, and we will do it again!
Stage 4 restricts all of us to just four reasons to leave home.
To shop for the things you need
To provide caregiving
To exercise
To work, if it is essential.
What this means for services and supports at Melba.
Day services
Community Connections and Arthur Creative will not be open during this lockdown. However, we will continue to support those individuals who are most vulnerable and for whom support is essential. Further advice will be provided next Wednesday.
Individualised Supports
Individualised Supports will continue; however, there will be no community access support provided.
Respite (STAA)
STAA (Respite services) will remain open this weekend.
Group homes (SIL)
The new restrictions means a person can have one visitor for one hour each day. The visitor may be a parent, guardian, carer or support person (this doesn’t include workers).
Please contact the home before visiting so they know you are coming and to check for any updates to this protocol.
If people are currently staying with their families, they can return to their Melba home if they do not have any symptoms of COVID-19. If they have any symptoms they cannot return and are required to get tested.
Support Coordination
Support Coordination will continue, however meetings will need to be held virtually or by phone.
Please keep checking our website for further updates. We know from last year that government advice and directions can change quickly so we will continue to provide updates for you via the website.
You can call Melba’s dedicated pandemic hotline at any time - 1300 MYMELBA (1300 696352) or contact the General Manager Outcomes in your area:
· Acting GMO Central Highlands & Wimmera, Sonia Pesti (sonia.pesti@melbasupport.com.au) or Jacqui McCowan (jacqui.McCowan@melbasupport.com.au)
· GMO East, Aaron Fry (aaron.fry@melbasupport.com.au)
· GMO Gippsland, Kerrie White (kerrie.white@melbasupport.com.au)
· GMO South, Angela Quero (angela.quero@melbasupport.com.au)
We will continue to ensure our staff and people supported have the information and resources they need to keep safe.
Again, thank you for your continued support and understanding as we face this new challenge together.
Kind regards,
Previous CEO and COO COVID-19 (Coronavirus) updates: