TUESDAY, 24 MARCH 2020


 

Closure of Gyms

Following on from the Prime Minister’s announcement on Sunday about the temporary closure of non-essential activities and businesses to help slow the spread of COVID-19, each State Government is releasing public health orders which trigger big fines if the rules are not followed.   

 

Gyms, indoor recreation centres and health studios are deemed as non-essential services as they are regarded as places of social gathering.  

 

So far we have Queensland, Victoria, NSW South Australia and Tasmania are publishing these orders. 

 

Links to each State’s public health orders will be posted on ESSA’s COVID-19 updates page tomorrow. 

 

Implications for AEPs and AES

Services provided by AEPs are regarded as essential health services and as such as exempt from these. AEPs are encouraged to check all their marketing material and ensure that they advertise that they are providing clinical services in clinics. Please remove any reference to a gym in your marketing material.  

 

Unfortunately, the government’s clarification of what is considered “essential healthcare services” means that AES and ASpS are deemed AS NOT providing essential health services. Therefore neither can now work in EP practices because the new public health orders only exempt medical and health service facilities, including such parts as used for physical rehabilitation necessary for the normal business of the facilities. The exception are AES working as allied health assistants under the supervision of AEPs.

 

Health Studios in NSW 

AEPs or AES running yoga or Pilates classes in small studios will need to cease activities. Otherwise you risk a fine. If you work in a health studio, pass on this information to the owner of the business. 

 

Failure to close your health studio under Section 10 of the Public Health Act 2010 creates an offence if an individual fails to comply with a direction with a maximum penalty of imprisonment for 6 months or a fine of up to $11,000 (or both) plus a further $5,500 fine each day the offence continues. Corporations that fail to comply with a direction are liable to a fine of $55,000 and $27,500 each day the offence continues. 

 

Further details here: https://preview.nsw.gov.au/covid-19/public-health-orders-about-gatherings 

 

What AES and ASpS can do

AES and ASpS can still deliver one-on-one session and group classes in any park, car park (see below on council requirements) and open space or in people’s homes with the following provisos: 

  • that spaces are not subject to public health order closures e.g. Sydney beaches  
  • that the social distancing rule of staying more than 1.5 metres from people is observed
  • that any equipment is thoroughly disinfected before and after each session and between individual use.

AES can also deliver personal training under the NDIS. The NDIS is encouraging participants to make the decision on what they consider to be essential services. See advice below:

 

Participants should begin to think about essential supports they need and consider the services they cannot live without.  

 

Participants should talk to service providers and health professionals to develop a plan to ensure personal health and safety over the coming months.

 

AES can also work as allied health assistants in aged care settings. Advice for aged care workers available here: www.health.gov.au/sites/default/files/documents/2020/03/coronavirus-covid-19-information-for-health-care-and-residential-care-workers_4.pdf  

 

 

Changes to your business - Outdoor session considerations

 

If your services have changed, i.e. delivery outside is a new type of service, ESSA recommends:

  • IMPORTANT - Observe social distancing advice. ESSA recommends 2m.
  • Contacting your insurer to confirm you have the appropriate insurance coverage.
  • Obtaining client consent and inform them of the risks/benefits as per your usual consent process.
  • Update your risk management policy and procedure to accommodate changes to your service environment.
  • Check with your local council/relevant authority if you plan to use a public space such as a park.
  • Music licensing may apply. Click here for the ESSA’s fact sheet.

 

Expanding Telehealth Services

 

Allied health are expected to be included in Stage 4 of roll out of services. Click here for Minister of Health, The Hon. Greg Hunt update.

 

 

Government's new helpline for small-medium businesses

 

The Morrison Government’s business hotline will give more support to small and medium businesses impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Operations at the business.gov.au 13 28 46 Contact Centre will increase from five days per week to seven days per week, and provide additional hours of support outside standard operating hours for the first month, answering calls from 7am to 11pm AEST.

 

Member FAQs

 

There have been wide ranging questions from our members in relation to CPD, CPR and First Aid certificates etc. We have created a page that will answer as many of these for our members over the course of the week. Please click here to access.

Please refer to our COVID-19 information page regularly for updates.