Easing of restrictions and what it means for your groups

From 11.59pm on Thursday 17 June, further easing of circuit breaker COVID19 restrictions announced by the Victorian State Government in relation to Regional Victoria and Metropolitan Melbourne’s COVIDSafe measures came into effect. These changes will impact your Peer Support Group meetings

Regional and Metropolitan Melbourne Peer Support Group meetings can continue to resume and will need to include the following updated COVIDSafe measures:

• face masks must be worn at all indoor meetings
• a physical distance of 1 person per 4 square metres must be maintained
• check-in with QR code must be in place.

You will need to check with your venue if your meeting can occur, as some venues remain closed or may be unable to host meetings.  They will clarify what size your group can be.

ParkinSong and Singing Groups can now resume

However,

• where possible, consider moving the meeting outdoors
• singing classes have a cap of 10 people who can attend and an indoor venue should be well ventilated.  Improved ventilation settings can be achieved by making sure windows are opened. Fans (ceiling or free-standing) are not recommended in enclosed indoor spaces.
• it’s recommended you maintain a distance of 2 metres from other participants.
• face masks must be worn indoors and outdoors unless a lawful exception applies.

DHHS COVIDSafe restrictions change frequently, for the most up to date information click here for the Victorian Government DHHS Corona virus Website.

If your Peer Support Group has a meeting scheduled in the upcoming week and you have any questions about how these restrictions relate to your meetings, do not hesitate to contact us on 1800 644 189.

Safe resumption of face-to-face PSG meetings

The Victorian State Government has made further announcements in relation to Regional Victoria and Metropolitan Melbourne COVIDSafe measures that impact your Peer Support Group meetings.

Some Circuit Breaker restrictions eased from 11.59pm Thursday 10 June.

Peer Support Groups can resume meetings and will need to include the following COVIDSafe measures:

• Face masks must be worn at all indoor and outdoor meetings.
• A physical distance of 1 person per 4 square metres must be maintained.
• Check in with QR code must be in place.
• Please check with your venue if your meeting can occur as some venues remain closed or may be unable to host meetings.  They will clarify what your group size can be.
• ParkinSong Peer Support Groups remain on hold in line with current government guidelines.

If your Peer Support Group has a meeting scheduled in the upcoming week and you have any questions about how these restrictions relate to your meetings, do not hesitate to contact us on 1800 644 189.

DHHS COVIDSafe restrictions change frequently, for the most up to date information click here for the Victorian Government DHHS Ccronavirus website.

These measures have been introduced to reduce the number of people moving around Victoria. If we all do this, we will help to protect our family, friends and the community.

Take care and stay safe.

Restrictions continue to impact face-to-face PSG meetings

From 11.59pm on Thursday 3 June, a further 7-day period of circuit breaker restrictions came into effective for Metropolitan Melbourne.

From the same time, stay at home and travel restrictions were lifted in Regional Victoria. However, some restrictions including wearing masks indoors continue.

A full description of restrictions are detailed on the Victorian Government’s Coronavirus website.

The restrictions will have effects for face-to-face Peer Support Group Meetings scheduled during this period.

If your Peer Support Group has a meeting scheduled while restrictions remain in force, a member of the Fight Parkinson’s Health Team will be in touch with you to explore the options to help your group stay connected.

We are here to support you, so please do not hesitate to call us if you – or any of your group participants – have any questions about COVID-19 and Parkinsons.

Face-to-face PSG meetings temporarily suspended

Today (Thursday 27 May), the State Government announced a 7-day period of circuit breaker restrictions for Victorian communities effective from 11.59pm Thursday 27 May.

Circuit breaker restrictions now include no public gatherings, which will result in planned face-to-face Peer Support Groups meetings scheduled during this period no longer being held.

We know that COVIDSafe measures are changing, so it’s important that you and your group participants keep up to date on how they apply to you. Click here for the Victorian Government COVIDSafe website

While we may not be able to attend face-to-face meetings, you can join our online activities or you may choose to hold an online Peer Support Group meeting of your own.

Feel free to  join Fight Parkinson’s online this coming month for a wide range of educational activities – including post World Parkinson Congress sessions, Living Well, Ask the Expert and Online Singing.

Additional COVIDSafe measures announced today (25 May)

Today (Tuesday 25 May 2021), the State Government announced additional COVIDSafe measures across Greater Melbourne in response to the latest outbreak in Melbourne’s northern suburbs.

As a result, the following restrictions have been implemented by the State Government for greater Melbourne effective from 6pm tonight:

• public gatherings will be limited to 30 people. It is important to know how many people are attending your upcoming meetings
• face masks will need to be worn indoors by everyone, unless an exemption applies.
• check-in using the Service Victoria QR code service will still be mandatory for all group participants. Please be diligent in ensuring your group members have checked in at your meeting venue

If you have meetings scheduled during this restriction period, please remind your group members that Victorian Government restrictions have changed.

For the groups who meet in regional Victoria, if someone is travelling from the greater Melbourne region to your peer support group meeting,  all the above restrictions will apply for that person to attend

Together, we have been working hard to provide the information you need for your groups to return to meeting safely, these restrictions are part of the wider Victorian community plan to ensure these cases do not spread.

Our COVIDSafe restrictions are changing, so it’s important to keep up to date on how they apply to you. Click here for the Victorian Government COVIDSafe Settings 2021.

We are here to support you so please do not hesitate to call us if you, or any of your group participants, have questions about the current restrictions.

This decision aligned with Government restrictions and advice, and was made to keep the community safe from COVID-19.

Over the last 12 months, we have been working to review a safety strategy to resume face-to-face Peer Support Group meetings. However, State Government regulations for coming together in a COVID normal environment means procedures will need to be followed.

To help you prepare for a COVIDSafe return, we have developed an online resource dedicated to supporting the resumption of face-to-face Peer Support Group meetings.

To access the Peer Support Group COVIDSafe guidelines, follow the button links below:

Question & Answer opportunity for Peer Support Group Leaders

Peer Support Groups are a key part of the work of Fight Parkinson’s and are integral in connecting people and reducing social isolation.

In 2020, Peer Support Group meetings were suspended in response to COVID19 and to protect our community. Fight Parkinson’s is committed to working with our Peer Support Group leaders and COVID19 marshals to identify, understand and quantify risks and to review control measures to address risks to keep participants healthy, safe and connected.

This session will be a Question & Answer opportunity for Peer Support Group Leaders and COVID19 Marshalls who are working towards the resumption of Peer Support meetings.

FAQs

1. When can our meetings resume?

All Peer Support Groups can start working towards the resumption of face-to-face meetings, including ParkinSong.

Many groups have already held there first meetings. Some are choosing to continue to meet online, others in a social way, whilst some groups have returned to a more formal meeting.

2. Our meeting venue has given me a copy of their COVID19 policy to sign. What do I do with this?

Once you have read the document and feel comfortable with the content, you can sign it. This will become a standard piece of paperwork at most venues. Fight Parkinson’s will also require a copy of their COVID19 Policy which you will need to provide to us prior to any meetings commencing.

Leader’s may be required to provide a copy of Fight Parkinson’s Peer Support Group COVID19 Safe Policy and Guidelines to your venue management.

Your venue may also ask you to undertake COVID19 safety training at their site.

3. What is physical distancing and how do I make sure this is occurring correctly?

Physical distancing must be always adhered whilst attending a Peer Support Group Meeting.

• If your meeting venue has a QR code system, you are required to maintain at least 1.5 metre distance between yourself and others (as a guide, 1.5 metres is the equivalent of 2 arm lengths)- also referred to as the 2 square metre rule. QR codes are a barcode that people scan using their smartphone camera. The QR code takes the person to a website where they record their details.
• Where only manual record keeping for Peer Support Group Meeting venues are being kept, the 4 square metre assessment rules will be applied to calculate the room capacity.
• Regardless of record keeping, all ParkinSong Participants are required to maintain a 4 square metre density between each participant.
• Remember although record keeping will be required by your venue you must still manually complete the Fight Parkinson’s meeting attendance list
• Cease close contact with other people during a meeting, this includes hand shaking, hugging and other physical greetings
• Please take into consideration the placement of chairs and seating arrangements around tables.
• Note: ParkinSong Participants must always maintain a 4 square metre density limit between participants.
  

4. Do face masks need to be worn?

The  requirement to wear and carry face masks will be in accordance with Department of Health and Human Services COVIDSafe Restrictions 2021.

You must always carry a face mask with you at all times when you leave home, unless you have a lawful reason not to.  Face masks will be required to be worn when physical distancing of 1.5 metres is unable to be maintained

For current information on the wearing of face masks visit https://www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au/face-masks-when-wear-face-mask#when-do-i-need-to-wear-a-face-mask

Peer Support Group meetings held at health care facilities may require participants to wear a face mask.

5. How many people are allowed to attend a Peer Support meeting together?

Currently under government guidelines there is no limitation as to the number of people who can attend an indoor support group meeting, dependent on the size of the room they are meeting in. Peer Support Groups are held at a variety of different venues with different room sizes, across Victoria.

Your meeting venue will have undertaken a COVIDSafe assessment and will be able to provide you the total numbers that can safely meet in your meeting room.  There may be limitations on the number of people who can attend any given meeting at once  depending upon the size of the facility.

You might want to consider asking for an RSVP from members thinking of attending the meeting to make sure you adhere to the room capacity limits.

If your group is too big for the location that you meet in, you may be able to see if there are additional meeting spaces available. In some instances, a new venue may need to be found. If this is the case, please contact the Community Development Coordinator at Fight Parkinson’s on 1800 644 189 who will be happy to help you with this process.

6. Our group meets over morning/afternoon tea, and we all like bringing a plate to share – can we still do this?

Please refrain from preparing for, providing, and sharing any food or drink with others during a meeting.

Group members should be encouraged to bring their own food and drink to meetings. Everyone should be encouraged to bring their own water bottle.

If a venue provides you with refreshments, or catering is organised, all portions should be individually wrapped under COVID19 safety measures.

7. Can I meet friends from my peer support group socially?

There is no reason that your participants cannot meet socially in a café or restaurant where COVID19 restrictions can be followed safely. COVID19 social restrictions are different to Peer Support Group COVID meeting policies.