Dear community,
This is our third notice regarding the COVID-19 Coronavirus outbreak in Australia, following our original statement on 14th March, 2020 and our most recent one on 20th March, 2020. The information below will contain some of the same messages, with important updates since the last announcement was made.
The Armenian National Committee of Australia (ANC-AU) remains in regular contact with all Armenian-Australian community organisations, schools and clubs (sporting, cultural and other), ensuring they are all properly aware of the Australian Government's and their respective State Governments' advice about how to best deal with the COVID-19 Coronavirus pandemic.
The latest announcements from the Australian Government includes:
Indoor and outdoor gatherings are now limited to two (2) people (except when with your immediate family in your household, while there are also exceptions for funerals [10 people] and weddings [5 people]).
Despite this limit, the strong advice of the National Cabinet is to STAY AT HOME, unless shopping for food and necessary supplies; medical or health care needs; exercise in compliance with the public gathering requirements; work and study if you can’t work or learn remotely.
Playgrounds, skate parks and outside gyms will be closed, along with many other facilities closed in recent weeks.
The National Cabinet’s strong advice is to STAY AT HOME to the maximum extent practicable for Australians over 70 years of age; over 60 years of age who have existing health conditions; indigenous Australians over the age of 50 who have existing health conditions.
National Cabinet agreed to a moratorium on evictions over the next six months for commercial and residential tenancies in financial distress who are unable to meet their commitments due to the impact of coronavirus.
All remaining enforcements announced previously, including around social distancing which now incur serious penalties, travel restrictions, self-isolation, buying limits, etc. remain in force.
As of Sunday 29 March 2020, all travellers arriving in Australia via air or seaports must undergo 14 days of isolation in the city of their arrival. The Australian Government will provide accommodation for the quarantine period.
The Australian Government has announced a series of support for businesses - thereby their employees. To familiarise yourself with the potential impact of these on your personal or business situation, please click here.
A summary of earlier warnings, that have not been altered due to the aforementioned new warnings, include:
Categories of people at most risk of serious infection are:
- people with compromised immune systems (e.g. cancer).
- elderly people.
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, as they have higher rates of chronic illness.
- people with diagnosed chronic medical conditions.
- very young children and babies*.
- people in group residential settings.
- people in detention facilities.
*At this stage, the risk to children and babies, and the role children play in the transmission of COVID-19, is not clear. However, there has so far been a low rate of confirmed COVID-19 cases among children relative to the broader population.
As at 6:00am on 30th March 2020, there have been 4,093 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Australia, with 18 deaths.
Across the world there have been more than 692,000 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and more than 35,000 deaths.
All non-citizens and non-residents (exception: immediate family of citizens and residents) are banned from arriving in Australia since 9:00pm AEDT on Friday 20th March 2020.
Parents are encouraged to keep students at home, although schools remain open.
Residents of aged care homes will only be able to have one visit per day, of no more than two people.
What we are recommending to our community:
As of yet, we have not been made aware of any Armenian-Australians infected by COVID-19.
Stay at home unless you are absolutely unable to work or learn from home.
*Stay at home if you are over 70, or over 60 with pre-existing medical conditions.
*If you need anything and family are unable to assist, refer to the announcement from the Armenian Youth Federation of Australia, Armenian Relief Society of Australia and the Armenian Resource Centre of Australia (click here).
** Keep your children at home instead of sending them to school unless it is absolutely not possible to do, and for those cases, schools remain open. Keep your children at home instead of after-school activities.
** See Galstaun College announcement about the school during the coronavirus by clicking here.
** See announcement that Armenian Community Centres are now closed (note that Saturday Schools, In-Person Church Services and Sporting clubs are also closed).
** Follow Armenia Online on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ArmeniaOnline for event and activity cancellation and update notifications (you will note that all Armenian-Australian community events are cancelled through to June, except the National Armenian Genocide Commemoration Evening, which is a live stream).
If you have recently returned from overseas, please follow Federal Government guidelines for a 14-day isolation in your capital city (government will provide accommodation) and DO NOT attend any events, activities, school or work.
If you are an Australian citizen who is overseas, return home as soon as practically possible.
If you are experiencing any symptoms of illness, of any kind, definitely stay at home, and seek prompt medical advice. DO NOT attend any events, activities, school or work.
Follow the NSW Government guidelines, which ask individuals and businesses to help prevent the potential spread of the coronavirus ahead of the flu season by following simple hygiene measures like:
- practicing social distancing - keep distance of 1.5 metres.
- regular hand washing.
- sneezing into your elbow.
- staying at home if you're feeling sick.
- seeing your local doctor for minor illnesses or injuries.
Follow the Facebook page of Armenia Media (www.facebook.com/ArmeniaOnline), where they will post the status of Armenian-Australian events, school notices, sports clubs' updates, etc.
If you are an official in an Armenian-Australian organisation or institution, please notify us at admin@anc.org.au of any members that have been impacted or events or activities that will be affected, for prompt reporting to the community through Armenia Media.
The Armenian Youth Federation of Australia and the Armenian Relief Society of Australia, in association with the office of the Armenian Resource Centre of Australia, are reaching out to elderly and disabled Armenian-Australians to help with deliveries and other requirements they may have during this difficult time. Those in need are encouraged to phone an AYF-AU representative on the following phone number: 0420 541 843.
We ask our community to treat the threat of this coronavirus seriously, albeit without additional and unnecessary panic. We pray for those who are impacted and will work with authorities to defeat this threat that has significantly impacted so many.
For any further information or assistance, the Government has set up the National Coronavirus HelpLine, which you can reach 24 hours/7 days by calling 1800 020 080.
Warm regards,
Armenian National Committee of Australia
admin@anc.org.au
P.S. The first 10 minutes of this SBS Armenian Radio Interview covers the Coronavirus and Armenian-Australians. Click here.
