Media Release

Access Sydney Community Transport is partnering with NSW Health and the Department for Communities & Justice (DCJ) to ensure that transport disadvantaged people will be able to receive their COVID-19 vaccine.  

Access Sydney Community Transport (ASCT) will transport residents from Joanna O’Dea Court to a nearby vaccination clinic a limited period.

ASCT strives to assist transport disadvantaged and vulnerable people in our community to maintain their health and independence by providing safe and accessible transport options.  

We have various health and safety measures in place to ensure the safety of passengers, including limited capacity, socially distanced seating decals, mandatory masks and hand sanitiser available on board. In addition, the drivers operating the service are fully vaccinated against COVID-19. 

Thank you to our partners, NSW Health and the Department of Communities & Justice, who have ensured that ASCT can run the vaccine shuttle for free in order to allow any Johanna O’Dea Court residents who would like to receive their COVID-19 vaccine to be able to safely travel there and back.  

ASCT also continues to provide subsidised medical transport for any clients who need to travel to an essential appointment. Whether it is at a hospital, GP’s or a vaccination clinic, ASCT is able to assist our clients to safely get there and back.  

For more information on current ASCT services please call 8241 8000.

Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, Access Sydney Community Transport has remained committed to the health, safety and wellbeing of the older and most vulnerable people in our community.

While maintaining essential service continuity has been a priority, Access Sydney has also shifted support focus towards social welfare initiatives for over 400 isolated clients.

As part of a joint pandemic relief initiative, Access Sydney is proud to be partnering with NSW Health – Sydney Local Health District to safely deliver Care Packs to vulnerable, older clients living across six (6) Local Government Areas in Sydney.

The Care Packs provided by NSW Health – Sydney Local Health District will contain essential hygiene items that include hand sanitiser and face masks. These important items are used frequently by clients and will help continue to protect them by minimising the risk of transmission.

During lockdown, Access Sydney has continued to be agile and committed to providing support in the following ways:

• Essential Medical Transport – this includes COVID-19 vaccine transport;
• Social Check-ins – welfare social calls over the phone; and
• Dial Up Grocery Order – our team can order groceries online on behalf of clients who are unable to access the internet.

Access Sydney remains open Monday to Friday, 9:00am to 5:00pm to take bookings and provide ongoing support. For further information, please call 8241 8000.

The NSW Government has extended and tightened the current Greater Sydney lockdown until at least 11:59pm on Friday, 16th of July 2021.

Access Sydney Community Transport (ASCT) advises all clients and staff to comply with the public health order.  

 The same restrictions currently in place across ASCT services will continue, including the suspension of all non-essential services until at least midnight on Friday the 16th of July 2021.

 ASCT has suspended the following non-essential services: 

• Group social outings  
• Shopping transport  
• Non-essential individual transport (e.g. trips to the hairdresser, beauticians, place of worship, nursing home, library, exercise classes etc.) 
• List shopping service (now unavailable due to increased risk of community transmission)

ASCT will continue to provide the following essential services: 

• Transport to essential medical appointments (including to get a vaccination against COVID-19)
• Dial Up Grocery Orders (online shopping service through our Customer Service Team)
• Village to Village shuttle buses  

We require all clients and staff to comply with ASCT’s current COVID-19 measures, including:

• Masks are mandatory for all staff and clients unless you have an exemption.
• All vehicles are limited to one third capacity where configuration allows.
• Clients are encouraged to practice social distancing where possible.
• Clients are required to sit where the green dots indicate and will be asked to keep the seats directly behind the driver free. 
• Clients are screened for COVID-19 related symptoms over the phone prior to their trip.
• Clients and staff will continue to undergo mandatory temperature checks upon boarding a vehicle or entering the office. 

ASCT will continue to closely monitor the COVID-19 outbreak and act on advice from the NSW Government and Department of Health.  

The NSW Government has announced a stay at home order for one week for anyone who lives or works in the following LGAs: 

• City of Sydney 
• Woollahra 
• Waverley 
• Randwick 

ASCT advises all clients and staff living in these areas to comply with the public health order.  

 In addition, following updated advice from the Department of Health for Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP) providers, ASCT will be suspending all non-essential services until at least midnight on Friday the 2nd of July 2021, including:  

 ASCT has suspended the following non-essential services: 

• Group social outings  
• Shopping transport  
• Non-essential individual transport (e.g. trips to the hairdresser, beautician, place of worship, nursing home, library etc.) 

ASCT will continue to provide the following essential services: 

• Transport to essential medical appointments 
• List shopping service 
• Online shopping service through our Customer Service Team
• Village to Village shuttle buses  

We require all clients and staff to comply with ASCT’s current COVID-19 restrictions in place.  

ASCT will continue to closely monitor the COVID-19 outbreak and act on advice from the NSW Government and Department of Health.  

Thursday 24th of July 2021  

New COVID-19 Restrictions Across ASCT Services 

To protect Access Sydney Community Transport (ASCT) clients and staff from the evolving COVID-19 outbreak, new restrictions were introduced from 4pm on Wednesday the 23rd of June.  

Following updated health advice from the NSW Government about the growing risk to the community, the following restrictions have been introduced across all Access Sydney Community Transport services:  

• Masks are mandatory for clients and staff members on board all vehicles and in the office. 
• All vehicles are limited to one third capacity.
• Clients are recommend to practice up to 1.5 metres social distancing where possible.
• Clients are required to sit where the green dots indicate and will be asked to keep the seats directly behind the driver free. 
• ASCT’s social outing programs have been suspended.
• All clients are screened for COVID-19 related symptoms over the phone prior to their trip.
• All clients and staff will continue to undergo mandatory temperature checks upon boarding a vehicle or entering the office. 

These restrictions are in accordance with those introduced by the NSW Government across Greater Sydney for one week and are designed to reduce the risk of further community transmission.  

Whilst ASCT is temporarily suspending its social outing program for the safety of clients, medical transport, other individual transport and shopping transport will continue as normal. ASCT’s priority is to continue to support its clients and community throughout the pandemic by providing essential transport services.  

ASCT will continue to monitor the situation closely and provide updated information and advice.