Coronavirus (COVID-19)

08 April 2021 COVID-19 update

23 March 2021 COVID-19 update

12 March 2021 COVID-19 update

5 March 2021 COVID-19 update

Updated: Wednesday 17 February, 2021

Victoria will return to COVIDSafe Summer restrictions at 11.59pm on Wednesday 17 February. As a result, Mansfield Shire Council will reopen the facilities that were closed on Friday 12 February due to Stage 4 restrictions.

• Our Customer Service Centre will be open from Thursday, 18 February.
• Council Depot operations will as per normal from Thursday, 18 February.
• Home and Community Care Services continue with appropriate PPE and COVIDSafe practices. The Regional Assessment Service (RAS) will return to face to face assessments from Thursday, 18 February.
• Our Social Support Groups participated in as part of Home and Community Care Packages will return to be delivered face-to-face.
• Home and Community Care planned activity groups will resume from Thursday, 18 February (Spring Club, Thursday Social Group, Mens Group, EasyMovers, AquaMovers and the Community Bus).
• Playgrounds remain open, the skate park will reopen from Thursday, 18 February.
• Mansfield Library will reopen from Thursday, 18 February.
• The Mansfield Swimming Pool will reopen from Thursday, 18 February.
• The Sports Stadium will be open and outdoor physical recreation and sport will resume from Thursday, 18 February.
• The Youth Centre will reopen and youth programs such as L2P will resume from Thursday, 18 February.
• The Visitor Information Centre will reopen from Thursday, 18 February.
• The Mansfield Resource Recovery Centre will re-open from Thursday, 18 February. 
• Integrated family services, maternal child health services and financial counselling will return to be delivered face to face from Thursday, 18 February.

Council’s priority is always the health and safety of both our staff and the community as we continue to work through uncertain times and deliver vital and key services.

The Covid-19 virus is a rapidly changing situation. We are constantly and carefully monitoring the situation as it evolves and will keep you updated as things change.

Where possible, we encourage you to go online or call in to access our services.  If this is not possible, when interacting in person with these services we encourage you to:

• Wash hands thoroughly and regularly 
• Wear a mask as per State Government directives.
• Sit a little further apart when talking with someone (1.5 metres apart).
• Cough or sneeze into your elbow and dispose of tissues immediately.
• Continue to support and connect with each other in other ways, such as checking in and phoning a neighbour or a friend.

For regular updates and reliable advice the best source is the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/coronavirus

Coronavirus Hotline

The Federal Government is supporting Australian businesses to manage cash flow challenges and retain employees.

There are a number of resources available on the Federal Government's Business website.

As of 11.59pm on Friday, 26 February, Victoria will return to COVIDSafe Settings. For more details, please see the Premier's statement.

The Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry have produced an employer guide for managing the workplace in the face of the outbreak which includes:

• Understanding your risks.
• Employer obligation.
• Working from home.
• Changing or scaling down operations, and
• Business shut down.

For information and assistance on any aspect of your employment obligations, the Victorian Chamber Workplace Relations Advice Line (03) 8662 5222 can help.

Cleaning and disinfecting tips for non-healthcare settings

Cleaning and disinfecting to reduce COVID-19 transmission - tips for non-healthcare settings guide – advice on cleaning and disinfecting to reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission in all non-healthcare settings in Victoria. The principles in the guide apply equally to domestic settings, office buildings, small retail businesses, social venues and all other non-healthcare settings.

If you are experiencing increased worry and stress during this time, there are a number of support services available:

Stress savvy in business

Lifeline can be called on 13 11 14

Beyond Blue can be called on 1300 224 636

The Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman - My Business Help web portal.

Wellbeing & Mental Health Support for Victorian Small Businesses

If you have any queries, please contact the Economic Development Team on 03 5775 8520 or email nicole.nye@mansfield.vic.gov.au

Information for Parents

Income support for individuals

JobKeeper payment: The Government’s JobKeeper Payment will help keep more Australians in jobs and support businesses affected by the significant economic impact of the coronavirus.

On 21 July 2020, the Government announced it is extending the JobKeeper Payment until 28 March 2021 and is targeting support to those businesses who continue to be significantly impacted by the Coronavirus.

For more details, see here.

Income support: The Coronavirus Supplement will be $150 per fortnight until 31 March 2021.

You will be paid the Coronavirus Supplement if you receive income support under JobSeeker Payment, Youth Allowance, Parenting Payment (Partnered or Single), Austudy, ABSTUDY (Living Allowance), Farm Household Allowance, Special Benefit or Department of Veteran's Affairs Education Scheme, or if you are an eligible New Enterprise Incentive Scheme participant.

For more information, see here.

Eligible pensioners, seniors, carers and concession card holders have received two separate $750 economic support payments. The Government will provide two additional Economic Support Payments of $250 each.

If you already receive one of the eligible payments, you will automatically be paid the $750 economic support payment. You do not need to contact Centrelink.

If you don’t currently receive an income support payment and you need help because you have lost your job or had your income reduced, you will need to apply through Centrelink. Start your claim online through myGov before visiting Centrelink. If you need to provide proof of identity and you’re in self-isolation or feeling unwell, you can do this over the phone.

Please visit the Treasury website for more information.

For more information on the Federal Government’s economic response to Coronavirus, hee here. 

Being aware of how you’re feeling and knowing what you can do to look after your mental well being is an important part of staying healthy during this challenging time. You may find the following resources helpful:

• Mansfield District Hospital Social Worker - 03 5775 8800  
• Black Dog Institute online clinic blackdoginstitute.org.au/resources-support/wellbeing and for a free mental health assessment tool onlineclinic.blackdoginstitute.org.au
• Beyond Blue provides information and support to help everyone in Australia achieve their best possible mental health.   coronavirus.beyondblue.org.au/managing-my-daily-life
• Health Direct - 1800 022 222 to speak to a registered nurse about your health concerns. The hotline is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.  
• Kids Helpline 1800 55 1800 provides a free, private and confidential service for young people aged 5 to 25.  The service is available 24 hours a day.
• Ruok.org.au - how to ask, "are you OK?" simple steps that could change someone’s life.  
• The Resilience Project  - wellbeing strategies that build resilience by practicing the principles of Gratitude, Empathy, Mindfulness and Emotional Literacy theresilienceproject.com.au/presentation-slides-references

Local Trade and Services Delivering to Homes

Groceries 

Marks IGA - 5775 2014 www.mansfieldiga.com.au

Foodworks - 5775 2255 www.mansfield.myfoodworks.com.au

Delatite Poultry – 5775 1388 or Facebook

High Country Fresh - 0419 375 656 (Deliver Mansfield township only)

Meals

Businesses have returned to COVIDSafe Summer operations, however, some still provide delivery though Mansfield Delivers. See here for local businesses that provide delivery services.

Goods & Trade

Yenckens Hardware – 5775 2511       www.yenckens.com.au

Bi-Rite Home Appliances – 5775 2099    www.birite.com.au/stores/bi-rite-mansfield

Kmart Mansfield – 5733 2400     www.kmart.com.au

Betta Home Living – 5775 1992  www.betta.com.au/stores/mansfield-betta-home-living

Mansfield Hospitality Supplies – 5779 1660   www.mansfieldhospitalitysupplies.com.au

Stolz Mansfield – 5775 2688    www.stolz.com.au

Edith & May – 5779 1355         www.highcountryflowers.com.au

Information Services and Closures 

Central Hume Primary Care Partnership