As the impacts of Coronavirus (COVID-19) are rapidly increasing and there is a lot uncertainty we have answered some frequently asked questions below. If you still have any queries please call us between 9am-5pm, Monday-Friday.
Coronavirus
What is a coronavirus and COVID-19?
Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses known to cause respiratory infections. These can range from the common cold to more serious diseases such as Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) and Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS). This new coronavirus originated in Hubei Province, China and the disease caused by the virus is named COVID-19. (via the Department of Health)
Are ASCT services still running?
We have suspended all non-essential transport until further notice. The impact on our services is as follows:
Medical Transport – Ongoing
Medical and individual transport will continue as normal. However, please reconsider whether your trip is essential. If it is an appointment or activity which can be postponed or cancelled it may be best to do so. If you still wish to go, please call the place your appointment is taking place in advance to make sure they are still open as many businesses have shut.
Group Shopping Transport – Ongoing
Group shopping buses will continue as normal for the time being. However, if you use this service you may be moved to a different time slot as we are are reducing the number of people on each trip for the safety of clients and staff.
Social Outing Transport – Suspended
Unfortunately we have had to suspend our social outings for the foreseeable future for the safety of our clients and staff. This means we will not be sending out a new social outing calendar until it is deemed safe to do so by the NSW Department of Health.
Is it still safe for me to travel with Access Sydney?
We are committed to protecting the health and safety of all our clients and our team. We have implemented several steps to help minimise the spread of COVID-19 (Coronavirus). We are following health and safety measures recommended by the Department of Health and Transport for New South Wales, including:
Social Distancing
We are limiting the number of people in each vehicle for the safety of clients and staff. By reducing the number of people per bus everyone will be able to follow social distancing measures of maintaining 1.5 metres between themselves and others to help stop the spread of infectious diseases.
Protective Gear
ASCT field staff have access to protective gear, including surgical masks and gloves to ensure they can continue to do their job to the best of their ability whilst remaining safe.
Sanitisers
There are hand sanitisers available on all vehicles for staff and clients to use. Just ask the staff if you wish to use hand sanitiser whilst on an ASCT vehicle.
Vehicle Cleaning
All our ASCT vehicles will be cleaned on a daily basis to ensure that frequently touched surfaces such as handrails and seat frames are disinfected.
Cashless Payments
When possible, we are asking our clients to prepay for their trips over the phone. In the instance that cash is the only option the staff member handling the cash will use gloves or hand sanitiser afterwards.
What new services are is ASCT offering?
Early Bird Shopper
Cost: $5 unassisted, $10 assisted
Time: 7am-8.30am shop
Day: The day you can go depends on which area you live in, please call 8241 8000 for more information.
We are introducing this new door-to-door shopping service so that our customers can access the seniors and disability priority shopping hour introduced by Wooloworths and Coles. This hour enables vulnerable groups to access the supermarket when it is less busy and has more stock. There are a limited number of spaces on each trip.
List Shopping
We already offer list shopping on some occasions. In the past we have done list shops for our regular shopping clients so that they can still receive the essential items they need when they are too unwell to leave the house. We are hoping to streamline list shopping so that more of our customers can use it when they are unwell or feel unsafe leaving their home. You can register your interest for this service by calling us on 8241 8000.
We will continue to look at options to increase the flexibility of our services during this time. We welcome your feedback and ideas of how we could help you.
Can you take me to the doctor’s to be tested for COVID-19 (Coronavirus)?
If you have symptoms of COVID-19 (Coronavirus) and you are being tested for the virus we ask that you let our staff know when you call to book. If possible have a family member who has already been exposed drive you. If that is not possible we will do our best to organise alternative transport for you.
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