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Life Saving Victoria > Health Alerts: COVID-19

Health Alerts: COVID-19

COVID-19 information

The latest information, resources and links will be posted here to assist in providing Life Saving Victoria (LSV) members and stakeholders with the most relevant and up-to-date information regarding COVID-19.

Information is changing quickly, we take advice from the Federal Government through the State Government’s Department of Health and Human Service (DHHS) and will use their information for the most up-to-date advice. For the most up-to-date information, including the latest government advice and updates, visit the DHHS website.

Below you will find information including:

About Coronavirus

Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is a new virus that can cause an infection in people, including a severe respiratory illness.
People of all ages have been diagnosed with COVID-19, but those known to be most at risk of severe illness are elderly people and those with pre-existing medical conditions.
The most common coronavirus (COVID-19) symptoms reported are:

  • Fever
  • Respiratory symptoms such as cough, shortness of breath or breathing difficulties
  • Sore throat
  • Fatigue

Visit DHHS – About Coronavirus for more information about the virus.

Coronavirus hotline – 1800 675 398

If you suspect you may have the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) call the dedicated hotline – 1800 675 398 – open 24 hours, 7 days.
Please keep Triple Zero (000) for emergencies only.

Latest Alerts:

From 11.59pm on 22 November 2020, metropolitan Melbourne and regional Victoria moved to the last step restrictions.

Staying Safe

  • As restrictions ease it is more important than ever that we take steps every day to keep ourselves and others safe. The steps below can help protect you from coronavirus (COVID-19).
  • Stay safe as restrictions ease by washing your hands regularly, coughing and sneezing into your elbow, and keeping at least 1.5 metres from others.
  • Keep your friends and family safe by meeting outdoors. There is a lower risk of spreading coronavirus (COVID-19) between people if you are outdoors. From 11.59pm on 6 December, groups of up to 100 people will be able to meet outdoors.
  • Face masks are no longer required outdoors, except where physical distancing cannot be maintained, but must be worn by all Victorians indoors unless an exemption applies.
  • If you have symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19) get tested and stay home. Stay at home if you feel unwell.
Police can issue fines for non-compliance with restrictions. Clubs and members should stay up to date with the latest information from the DHHS website and consider activities and travel based on latest restrictions. See also DHHS information, updates and advice about the outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19)

Advice
VicEmergency advice message issued 9 November 2020

DHHS: Victoria’s current restriction levels.

LSV Activity Guide

For LSV Clubs and Members

We have developed a dedicated page where you can find all information on LSV’s COVID-19 recovery support for lifesaving clubs. Go to www.lsv.com.au/clubcovidrecovery

For Aquatic Industry

LSV updates

From 11.59pm on 22 November Victoria is in Last Step restrictions.

  • Stay safe as restrictions ease by washing your hands regularly, coughing and sneezing into your elbow, and keeping at least 1.5 metres from others.
  • Keep your friends and family safe by meeting outdoors. There is a lower risk of spreading coronavirus (COVID-19) between people if you are outdoors. From 11.59pm on 6 December , groups of up to 100 people will be able to meet outdoors.
  • Face masks are no longer required outdoors, except where physical distancing cannot be maintained, but must be worn by all Victorians indoors unless an exemption applies.
  • If you have symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19) get tested and stay home. Stay at home if you feel unwell

Pools 

From 11.59pm on 22 November, metropolitan Melbourne and regional Victoria moved to Last Step restrictions.

Indoor pools, including swimming lessons, can open with a cap of 150 patrons, subject to density requirements, with no group size limits.

Outdoor pools, including swimming lessons, can open with a cap of 300 patrons, subject to density requirements, with no group size limit.

Indoor and outdoor pools can open at the same time, subject to the separate limits in each area.

For further information visit: Summary of Last Step restrictions from 11.59pm 22 November 2020

LSV Return to Play Plan

Each time restrictions are updated, LSV updates its Return to Play Plan for the Aquatic Industry. Aquatic facilities are encouraged to use this plan t0 guide their reopening arrangements.

Coronavirus – A Return to Play Plan Template for Aquatic Facilities (Version Seven)

 

Further Information and Resources

COVIDSafe Plans
From 11:59pm on 13 September 2020, it is mandatory for every Victorian business to have a COVIDSafe Plan.
Businesses must review and update their COVIDSafe Plans regularly, especially when restrictions or public health advice changes.
Organisations with multiple worksites must complete a COVIDSafe Plan for each worksite. You can stay up to date with restrictions and public health advice at https://www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au/coronavirus-covid-19-victoria.

For more information and to download COVIDSafe plan templates visit: https://www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au/covidsafe-plan.

 

Royal Life Saving Australia Guidelines for Safe Pool Operation – COVID-19

Royal Life Saving Australia has developed a Guideline for Safe Pool Operations – COVID-19 which forms the minimum national benchmark of safety activities that facilities should meet prior to re-opening their doors. See also Royal Life Saving Australia statements on swimming pool closures (25 March 2020) and the case for reopening aquatic facilities (30 April 2020).
Business Continuity
For more information about business impacts in Victoria, visit:
DHHS Business and industry – coronavirus (COVID-19)
Moratorium on Commercial Evictions
Victorian Small Business Commission information for commercial tenants and landlords
Workplace stand downs during coronavirus
Fair Work Ombudsman – Stand down during coronavirus 
Available Financial Support
See Victorian Government information for workers and businesses:
DHHS – Financial support for businesses and workers
See Australian Government information:
Australian Taxation Office
Department of Social Services
Centrelink
What is the impact for the industry?
The impact of COVID-19 on the aquatic industry will be significant, but exact details are unknown. Research by Royal Life Saving Australia identifies the scale of the industry:
  • There are more than 1,077 aquatic facilities, the majority owned by local councils.
  • There are more than 1,176 swim schools, including many small businesses.
  • The aquatic industry sector employs approximately 67,000 frontline workers.
  • Approximately 1.5 million children 0-14 years participate in organised swimming (lessons, coaching) outside of school programs every year.
  • We estimate more than 106 million individual pool visits annually.

LSV Industry Services

Training

LSV training services have returned to normal operations. To book into an upcoming course or enquire about in-house training please visit  www.lsv.com.au/training.

Education

To support a return to business trading once safe and appropriate, LSV a is providing support for swim schools to restart and become stronger than before.

The LSV Swim School Support Services will include a FREE one hour Swim Teacher PD session each week providing swim teachers with skills to deliver swimming lessons under appropriate and phased physical distancing requirements.

Facilities will also be offered swim school programming options to help:

  • Maximise pool occupancy with physical distancing restrictions
  • Understand economic measures vs public health measures

The Swim School Programming Options’ will be distributed via a free resource along with the option to customise and tailor this to your specific facility and clientele.

For tailored support for your swim school contact schoolswimming@lsv.com.au for a quote.

Water Safety @Home

Life Saving Victoria have developed a new ‘Water Safety @Home’ online activity suite, to provide schools, industry and the community with interactive virtual resources to encourage the continuation of swimming and water safety education during the COVID-19 period. These activities include new Swimming & Water Safety Toolkit resources; CPR & First Aid for Kids @Home + Everyday Lifesaver App; Swimming @Home; Nippers @Home; and the Water Safety Watch & Learn video series.

Visit www.lsv.com.au/watersafetyathome for more information and to access all resources.

Pool Safety Services

LSV are pleased to continue to offer a 25% discount on Pool Safety Services including:

-Pool Safety Assessments

-Supervision Plan Validation Audit

-SwimSafe new registrations

-Watch Around Water new registrations

-Supervision Plan development

-Emergency Planning Services

Where possible, Pool Safety services will be performed remotely. Where a site visit is required, aquatic facility staff and LSV assessors are required to follow all health department advice throughout the duration of the assessment – including the wearing of masks, maintaining physical distancing and adhering to the 1.5m and 4m2 rules.

For more info head to: https://lsv.com.au/pool-safety-services/ or email us at: assessments@lsv.com.au or call at 03 9767 6985

 

Are planned LSV industry events going ahead?
A number of upcoming activities and events which will be impacted by the current state of emergency. While some activities will need to be cancelled, where possible activities will be postponed or conducted via an alternative method. See LSV event advice for a full list of changes.

Pool Lifeguard Challenge

The 2020 Pool Lifeguard Challenge will not be held.

Aquatic Industry Summit

The 2020 Aquatic Industry Summit will go ahead in a blended delivery with a virtual offering streaming live from 9am on Friday 30th October 2020.

To watch the live stream, visit: https://lsv.com.au/aquatic-industry-summit/

Aquatic, Fitness and Recreation (AFAR) – Professional Development Series

Following the success of the AFAR PD series during the COVID-19 State of Emergency, LSV has taken the decision to continue providing FREE VIRTUAL PD to industry personnel once per month via a Microsoft Teams event.

These sessions will be held on the 2nd week of every month – starting 8th July 2020.

The session will be divided into three themes:

  • 10am-10:30am – Safety & Operations 
  • 10:30-11:00am – Swimming and Water Safety Education
  • 11:00-11:30am – Leadership

To participate head to: https://lsv.com.au/pool-safety-services/afar/

Public Training Courses

LSV training services have returned to normal operations. To book into an upcoming course or enquire about in-house training please visit  www.lsv.com.au/training.

Welfare and Wellbeing

Please take care of yourself and others during this difficult time and stay connected, these are really trying times and sometimes we all need some additional support.
DHHS mental health resources

Helplines

If you would like to talk to someone now, you can contact:
Lifeline | 13 11 14 | lifeline.org.au
Beyond Blue | 1300 22 4636 | beyondblue.org.au
Kids Helpline | 1800 55 1800 | kidshelpline.com.au
Head to Health | headtohealth.gov.au
Eheadspace 1800 650 893 | headspace.org.au/eheadspace/
Love me Love you | lovemeloveyou.org.au

National Coronavirus Helpline | 1800 020 080

You can also access a number of other National help lines and websites

Support groups and online forums; talking about what’s going on with others who understand – or may be going through something similar – can really make a difference.

Our friends at Black Dog Institute have a list of support groups in every state and territory that can help you connect with groups of people who meet regularly to discuss their experiences, their problems and their strategies for coping.

The Beyond Blue online forums are also a great way to connect with people online, in a safe and anonymous environment, to discuss anxiety, depression, suicide and a range of life issues. Anyone in Australia can participate in discussions, connect with others and share their experiences with our community.

About #InThisTogether

The National Mental Health Commission has come together with mental health organisations, experts and leaders to develop #InThisTogether – a national conversation that everyone can join in on, sharing practical tips online to support the mental health and wellbeing of Australians during #COVID-19.

Resources

The following section provides a selection of resources to assist you, your families, workplaces and clubs to stay connected, talk and support.

Phoenix Australia resources

From our friends at Phoenix Australia a number of useful resources, click through the link above for contact and additional information.

Resources for community members

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Tip sheet: Taking care of yourself and your family

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Tip sheet: Isolation activities for children and adolescents

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Video: Keeping yourself mentally well

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Video: 4 ways to look after yourself during self-isolation

Resources for organisations

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Video: Looking after the mental health of your workforce

Other helpful resources from our networks

Sport Australia – helpful tools, resources and videos from the team at AIS

RUOK? – tools and tips for staying connected

Tip Sheet Children and COVID-19 –   Ambulance Victoria developed resource to assist with talking to children and young children

Mental Health Considerations during COVID-19 Outbreak – information from the World Health Organisation on key mental health considerations

LSV Trauma Support resources

LSV Critical Incident information provides information on reactions, tips and information on Trauma response to stressful situations.  Members can contact LSV Comms for further support.

Critical Incident Poster

Critical Incident Management Brochure

Stay active

Physical activity is a proven way to reduce the effects of stress. Look for online content that could help you exercise, do yoga or learn a new healthy pastime. Dust off your home exercise equipment, and use the downtime to improve your fitness!
VicHealth has reviewed the best smartphone applications for healthy living.

LSV Partner Support

Westpac has supported their customers and community through the good and tough times for more than 200 years and they continue to be there for you as the COVID-19 situation evolves.
Visit the Westpac COVID-19: Customer Support page to find out more


Resources and Posters

Resources

World Health Organisation (WHO) COVID-19 myth buster information
DHHS Heath Provider Quick Reference Guide
DHHS COVID-19 self-assessment checklist

Posters

Slowing the spread of coronavirus (PDF)
Wash your hands regularly poster
Wash your hands regularly poster – Simplified Chinese (PDF)
Wash your hands regularly poster – Arabic (PDF)
Cover your cough and sneeze poster
Cover your cough and sneeze poster – Simplified Chinese (PDF)
Cover your cough and sneeze poster – Arabic (PDF)

Swimming and Water Safety Online Resources

Learning activities that can be completed in the classroom or at home
Fun family activities for school holidays and weekends at home
LSV Podcast


LSV Event Updates
LSV Event Advice

LSV would like to advise our members and stakeholders that in the interest of our community, the following events have been postponed/cancelled.

These decisions have been made in response to the current and evolving circumstances surrounding the COVID-19 virus, in the best interested of the health and wellbeing of our members, staff, stakeholders and wider community.
We share the disappointment this news brings and apologise for any inconvenience that may be caused.

Month Scheduled Dates Event Status
September September/October ILS Lifesaving World Championships 2020 (Riccione, Italy) POSTPONED
October October
  • CLC (Club Secretaries) 10th of Oct
  • CLC (club Presidents) 17th of Oct
 ONLINE
November
December

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