Page 1182 - Week 04 - Thursday, 21 May 2020

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(2) What, if any, education will be provided to these workers regarding the appropriate use and disposal of PPE.

(3) What, if any, education campaigns will be funded and implemented to target clients of services and particular cohorts of vulnerable people, (for example, rough sleepers, injecting drug users), regarding the prevention of disease spread during the COVID-19 pandemic.

(4) If education campaigns will be funded and implemented, can the Minister provide details about the type and target audience of any education initiatives, and how and who will implement them.

(5) Are there plans to provide hand sanitizer or PPE, (for example, gloves), to clients of services and particular cohorts of vulnerable people, both for them to take away or to use while at the service; if so, can the Minister provide the details of which clients of services or cohorts of people these items may be provided to.

Ms Orr: The answer to the member’s question is as follows:

1. Noting the global supply shortage of multiple PPE items, Children, Youth and Families and Housing ACT staff were provided with available PPE, including hand sanitiser, tissues, bins with lids (for the workplace), hand soap and disinfectant as it became available. Car hygiene kits were also supplied as products became available. Masks have been provided to Bimberri Youth Justice Centre staff as they became available.

The Community Services Directorate (CSD) is seeking to facilitate supply of critical PPE to community sector organisations based on medical advice. Community organisations have been advised to raise PPE concerns with their Relationship Managers. This information is then being fed back through the directorate to guide PPE distribution when the stock becomes available.

2. Education has been provided to CSD staff through promotional posters in all CSD workplaces and communications with the appropriate ACT Health and ACT Government websites containing the relevant fact sheets. ACT Health advice is being shared with community sector organisations to support correct usage of PPE.

3. The ACT Government, through the Public Information Coordination Centre, has developed and distributed an extensive range of educational materials and guidance, as well as engagement campaigns, aimed at informing the broader community, industry and sector providers on the most up to date information on precautions and protocols in respect of COVID-19.

In addition to this, a dedicated website has been established at –https://www.covid19.act.gov.au/ and an ACT Government COVID-19 community-wide helpline is taking calls from 8am to 8pm daily via 6207 7244.

4. As per answer 3.

5. Hand sanitiser has been provided to all CSD worksites and those clients entering the premises can access those supplies whilst in the building.

CSD is providing support to the community sector through the distribution of hand sanitiser to organisations including those supporting people with disability and aged


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