COVID-19 Updates

As the Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak continues to escalate, Access Sydney Community Transport is 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 the virus with limited disruption for our clients.

We wish to reiterate, for the safety of our all our clients and our team, if you are scheduled for any transport and you are not feeling well or showing any symptoms of the Coronavirus such as shortness of breath, coughing, fever or sore throat, please advise our team, remain at home and seek medical advice immediately.

Our team will be able to assist you to reschedule your transport needs accordingly.

We will continue to monitor the evolving Coronavirus (COVID-19) situation closely and operate based on the advice from the Department of Health.

For additional information, please refer to the official website of Australian Department of Health

Carla Northam
CEO

As the NSW Government continues to ease Covid-19 restrictions, we all have a role to play to ensure we remain safe and stop the spread of the virus. As we continue to recover over the coming months, you’re asked to maintain social distancing where possible, maintain hand hygiene, practice respiratory hygiene and stay home when you are sick.

While the pandemic has changed how we work and live, our priority is to continue to deliver medical, shopping and social transport services to our community.

View the Access Sydney Community Transport COVID-safe plan:

Dial Up Grocery Orders  – Ongoing

To protect our clients and staff during this time Access Sydney is introducing a new alternative service to make sure our clients can get their essentials!

We are beginning a trial period of our Dial Up Grocery Order service for the lockdown period, effective immediately. No internet access or computer skills are needed! Clients can call up our friendly Customer Service Team to request this service, and they’ll place an online order with Woolworths or Coles on your behalf. Stay safe in your own home and have your groceries delivered to you at your preferred time!

Group Shopping Bus – Ongoing

Our Shopping Bus service is temporarily suspended. For more information on group shopping click here.

List Shopping & Pharmacy Pickup service – Ongoing

Our List Shopping service is currently unavailable due to the increasing risk of exposure our staff face.

Our List Shopping Service allows you to order your weekly groceries and pharmaceutical needs from the comfort of your own home! We will do your shopping on your behalf and deliver it to your doorstep. To find out more about this service you can click here or call us. The cost of this service is $10.00.

Pop To The Shops – Ongoing

Our Pop To The Shops is temporarily suspended.

Early Bird Shopper – Suspended

Our Early Bird Shopper service has been discontinued as of the 29th of April as there is no longer a need for the service. Our clients can revert back to our regular Shopping Bus which operates during business hours. The Early Bird Shopper  was introduced temporarily at the beginning of the COVID-19 outbreak when panic buying resulted in a low stocks and overcrowded stores. The  service  was successful and gave our clients access to the Woolworths and Coles dedicated community hour which was beneficial for our elderly and vulnerable clients as they were able to do their shopping early during the day in a safe, less-crowded environment whilst shelves were better stocked.

ASCT will continue to provide essential medical appointments to a range of places, including:

• Hospitals
• GPs
• Specialists

All non-essential individual transport is suspended, including trips to:

• places of worship
• amenities such as the post office, bank, Centrelink etc.
• hair and beauty premises
• visiting an aged care facility

Our social outings will restart from the 1st of December 2021, with health & safety precautions in place.

Vehicle hire is currently suspended due to COVID-19 vehicle capacities which have resulted in a need for increased resources for our internal services.

The health and safety of our clients and staff during the Coronavirus outbreak is our number one priority. We would like to reassure you that we are following all the necessary safety precautions recommended by the NSW Department of Health and Transport for NSW so that you can travel safely with us.

Our health and safety measures include:

• Mandatory Masks
  Under the current public health order face masks are mandatory across all public and community transport services.
• Check in using the QR code
  Clients who have smart phones are encouraged check in using the QR code on vehicles before using our services.
• Increased Hygiene Measures
  Hand sanitiser is available on all vehicles for clients and staff to use.
• Social Distancing Guidelines
  Social distancing is encouraged where possible.
• Vehicle Capacity
  All our vehicles are currently at 75% capacity.
• PPE (Personal Protective Equipment)
  All our field staff are required to wear PPE. ASCT strongly recommends that passengers also wear a face mask while travelling on our vehicles.
• Disinfecting Vehicles
  All ASCT vehicles are cleaned by the driver after each trip to ensure that frequently touched surfaces such as handrails and seat frames are disinfected. Additionally, all our vehicles undergo deep professional cleaning 2 times a week.
• Cashless Payments
  When possible, we are asking our clients to prepay for their trips over the phone.
• Temperature Screening
  It is compulsory for clients and staff to have their temperatures tested before entering an ASCT vehicle or office premise. Testing for fevers is a precautionary measure when screening for COVID-19. ASCT will treat any temperature over 37.7°C as a possible COVID-19 symptom which would require the individual to self-isolate and contact their GP or the health department for any further guidance.

Our staff will screen clients prior to using our services and reserve the right to refuse transport if they believe the client poses a risk to the health and safety of our staff and other clients.

We will be unable to take clients if:

• They or someone in their household has unexplained symptoms of COVID-19 including cough, fever and/or sore throat.
• They or someone in their household is currently self isolating due to COVID-19.

We are pleased to announce that all our internal services are operating with COVID-19 safety measures in place.

• Medical transport- Operating
• Personal transport – Operating
• Shopping transport – Operating
• Social outings – Operating
• Vehicle Hire – Suspended

Yes, getting your COVID-19 vaccination is considered an essential medical appointment. Access Sydney provides free transport to and from local COVID-19 vaccination appointments.

If you have symptoms of COVID-19 (Coronavirus) and you need transport to get 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 not be able to transport you but we can try to organise alternative transport for you.

Please call prior to your trip and explain your symptoms to our team who will then decide if it is safe for you to travel with us. If are displaying any undiagnosed symptoms of COVID-19 it is unlikely we will be able to take you as we need to consider the safety of our other clients and staff.

NSW Health now recommends that anyone with respiratory symptoms or unexplained fever should seek medical attention and be tested for COVID-19.

• Call Healthdirect on 1800 022 222 (24-hour help line)
• Call your GP
• Visit the emergency department

For more information on symptoms and feeling unwell, visit the NSW Government COVID-19 website.

We are requesting that clients prepay over the phone when possible to avoid the risk of spreading germs through cash handling. However, we still accept cash if payment over the phone is not a viable option.

Older Australians can access short-term home support services (such as meals or personal care) in an emergency without having had an aged care assessment.

To access emergency aged care services, call My Aged Care on 1800 200 422.

For news and information about coronavirus (COVID-19) is available in 63 languages visit the SBS Coronavirus Information In Your Language page.

Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS) – 1800 011 511  

Transcultural Mental Health Centre – 1800 011 511 

We know this can be a stressful time. Social distancing, self-isolation, and changes to your daily routine and life can impact your wellbeing.

If you are feeling lonely, distressed or confused, you can contact the following services:

• Free COVID-19 support line for Senior Australians – 1800 171 866
• Lifeline – 13 11 14 
• Beyond Blue – Coronavirus Mental Wellbeing Support Service – 1800 512 348 
• NSW Mental Health Line – 1800 011 511 
• Mensline Australia  – 1300 78 99 78 

Tips for vulnerable people during COVID-19 (NSW Ageing & Disability Commission)

Coronavirus (COVID-19) information for older Australians (Australian Government Department of Health)

Coronavirus (COVID-19) advice for older people (Australia Government Department of Health)

Coronavirus (COVID-19) information and support for older Australians (My Aged Care)