Covid Safe Plan

Purpose

Covid Register print version

This plan will apply to events conducted at the AHOC of Vic Inc and JCCV and Clubrooms at 23 Rosalie Street, Springvale (the Clubrooms) and at other venues used for AHOC of Vic Inc approved events and activities.

Principles

• All AHOC of Vic Inc members and their guests and visitors attending AHOC of Vic Inc events have the right to a healthy and safe environment.
• The COVID 19 situation requires a unique and focused approach to health and safety for all stakeholders; the organization (AHOC of Vic Inc), members, guests and visitors and the public.
• We need to assess the way we conduct events and activities to identify, understand and quantify risks and implement and review control measures to mitigate those risks.
• Everyone must work to actively reduce the risk of transmitting/spreading COVID 19 while at AHOC of Vic Inc events and activities.
• As circumstances change our practices may need to change to meet the emerging threat.

Our Objectives

• Health and safety of our members, guests and visitors must come first.
• We need to create and maintain a safe environment in which to conduct all our events and activities.
• Be aware of the symptoms of COVID 19, how it is spread and know how to act.

COVID 19 Symptoms

Symptoms can range from mild illness to pneumonia. Common symptoms may include:

• Fever
• Coughing
• Sore throat
• Fatigue (tiredness)
• Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath.

COVID 19 is spread by:

• Breathing in micro droplets a person close by has released by sneezing, coughing or just breathing out
• The hand to face pathway starting with touching a surface where live virus material is present then touching mouth, nose or eyes.
• People with symptoms - highest method of transmission.

What needs to be done - General points

Anyone (members, guests, visitors) who is unwell should not be at a AHOC of Vic Inc event or activity. If you are unwell, please stay at home.

• If anyone develops or shows symptoms they should be asked to seek medical advice.
• It is not our role or responsibility to try to diagnose people - we do have an obligation to minimize the risk to other members, guests and visitors attending our events and activities.

Steps to take if you are concerned

• Isolate the person
• Seek advice and assess the risk - Helpline in Victoria is 1800 675 398 or Nationally 1800 020 080
• Arrange transport home or to a medical facility - preferably in their own vehicle
• Clean and disinfect areas affected
• Identify and inform close contacts - if known.

Elements of the Plan - specific actions

The COVIDSafe Plan is grouped into five COVIDSafe actions:

1. Ensure physical distancing
2. Wear a face covering
3. Practise good hygiene
4. Keep records and act quickly if Members and their Guests or visitors become unwell
5. Minimise interactions in enclosed spaces

The AHOC of Vic Inc will ensure Members and their Guests and visitors maintain physical distancing by

• Ensuring Members and their Guests and visitors are not less than 1.5 apart.
• Displaying signs to show number limits for members and guests and visitors at the entrance of enclosed areas/rooms where limits apply.
• Minimising the build-up of people waiting to enter and exit with indicator floor markings and signage.
• Manage the flow of people in and out of the Clubrooms; including the use of separate entry and exit points where possible.
• Using floor markings to provide minimum physical distancing guides.
• Ensuring there is no more than one person (Member or Guest or visitor) inside the Clubrooms per four square meters of available enclosed space or as otherwise directed by DHHS guidelines.
• Encouraging Members and their Guests to follow current public health directions if carpooling.
• Abiding by any COVID Safe protocols at any external venues attended.

The AHOC of Vic Inc will ensure Government/DHHS directions to wear face coverings/masks are complied with by all Members and their Guests or visitors attending a AHOC of Vic Inc event at the Clubrooms or another venue.

We will:

• Have a supply of suitable face coverings/masks available for use by Members and their Guests or visitors who attend AHOC of Vic Inc events without their own face covering or mask.
• Work with the Clubrooms Management Committee (CMC) to install screens or barriers in the Clubrooms for additional protection where required.
• Inform Members and their Guests or visitors that cloth masks should be washed each day after use. However, if during a day long event a mask or face covering is visibly dirty or wet, remind people the mask needs to be replaced or washed immediately.
• Remind members and their guests or visitors not to touch their faces or masks.
• Cater for those Members, Guests or visitors who have an exemption from wearing a mask or face covering.

The Secretary of the AHOC of Vic Inc in consultation with the Clubrooms Committee of Management (CMC) will arrange for the cleaning of the Clubrooms between AHOC of Vic Inc events in accordance with DHHS guidelines.

The AHOC of Vic Inc will encourage the practice of good personal hygiene including the use of hand sanitiser and regular hand washing.

The AHOC of Vic Inc will:

• Provide hand sanitiser in the Clubrooms and encourage its use by members, guests and visitors along with regular hand washing.
• Clean high touch surfaces regularly in accordance with DHHS guidelines.
• Replace high-touch communal items with hygienic alternatives, for example single-use or contactless options such as disposable cups/cutlery, where possible and practical to do so.
• Display appropriate signage through the Clubrooms to encourage good hygiene by all those attending the Clubrooms.
• Maintain and Display a cleaning log for the Clubrooms and ensure it is kept up to date.

The Secretary of the AHOC of Vic Inc will ensure records are kept of all persons attending AHOC of Vic Inc events at the Clubrooms and at other venues during the time of the COVID 19 pandemic and will ensure the relevant authorities are notified of any infection or outbreak at the Clubrooms or at any other venue where a AHOC of Vic Inc event takes place.

The Secretary of the AHOC of Vic Inc will work with the CMC to arrange for the cleaning required by DHHS guidelines to be undertaken following notification of an infection or a positive test result of a person attending an event at the Clubrooms.

This will include:

• Maintaining records of all Members and Guests and visitors attending a AHOC of Vic Inc event or activity on the premises or at another venue; as per the attached form including name and phone number (mobile or landline).
• Notifying Members and their Guest(s) or visitors in attendance if there is a positive case or infection at a JCCV event and encouraging them to be tested and observe DHHS guidelines or directions about self- isolation until test results are known.
• Encouraging Members, guests or visitors present at an event where an infection or positive case arises to notify their close contacts and encourage them to be tested and observe DHHS guidelines about self-isolation until test results are known.
• Contacting the DHHS as required by their guidelines in the event the AHOC of Vic Inc becomes aware of a Member, guest or visitor who is COVID 19 positive having attended an event at the Clubrooms.

Where possible the AHOC of Vic Inc will reduce the amount of time Members and their Guests or visitors are spending in enclosed spaces and prioritise outdoor interactions where practical to do so.

We will do this by:

• Moving activity outside where possible.
• Having clear signage limiting the number of people in the bar and larger meeting areas and in smaller rooms at the Clubrooms; including the library, regalia, kitchen or Board rooms

Applicability

This plan is applicable to all members, guests and visitors of the AHOC of Vic Inc. By attending the Clubrooms and/or a AHOC of Vic Inc event or activity members and guests and visitors agree to abide by this plan.

The plan will be updated and amended to meet changes in Government and DHHS guidelines relating to creating a COVID 19 Safe environment.

Circulated to AHOC of Vic Inc Committee on 12 February 2021.