Dear Community Leaders
We understand this afternoon the Prime Minister made a further announcement regarding travel restrictions. We have not yet received official advice on the details of this, however once we do we will send you a further update.
In addition, yesterday the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFAT) raised Australia’s travel warning to “Do not travel overseas at this time.” DFAT further advises “If you wish to return home, do so as soon as possible.”
https://www.smartraveller.gov.au/crisis/covid-19-and-travel
Several of you have reached out to advise us of the lack of COVID-19 resources in other languages. You may be interested to review translated COVID-19 resources available via Ethnolink language services multi-lingual resource library.
https://www.ethnolink.com.au/covid-19-coronavirus-translated-resources/
We are also aware of other translated documents from the Department of Health and Human Services – Government of Victoria.
https://www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/translated-resources-coronavirus-disease-covid-19
We have received a number of enquiries around the relaxation of work conditions on student visas and the suspension of refugee resettlement by the UNHCR. We are currently seeking advice on these matters and will provide it to you as soon as we can.
Ensuring we remain connected with your communities continues to be a high priority for the Department of Home Affairs and the Australian Government. Your feedback is vital to the Department and informs policy, decision making and government messaging. Please continue to pass your concerns and questions to us:
Department of Home Affairs, SA Community Engagement team
- Josephine Lamshed, Assistant Director, Community Engagement – 0468 592 641 – lamshed@homeaffairs.gov.au
- Okke Velzeboer, Community Liaison Officer – 0402 778 376 – velzeboer@homeaffairs.gov.au
- Costa Rofe, Community Liaison Officer – 0466 574 521 – rofe@homeaffairs.gov.au
In particular, we are very interested in your views and feedback on the following:
- Any community concerns
- Racism or discrimination
- Reception to government messaging
- Community misconceptions
- Issues related to travel restrictions and associated processes
- Any other emerging community issues.
Please also remember the Department of Health provides all Federal Government health advice on COVID-19, which is updated daily.
Source: Australian Government, Department of Home Affairs 19 March 2020.