COVID-19 support

On this page:

• COVID-19 safe behaviours
• What to do if you get COVID-19?
• COVID-19 and mental health
• COVID-19 stakeholder kit for disability service providers
• COVID-19 stories

COVID-19 safe behaviours

To keep you and your community safe, whether you have been vaccinated or not, you should continue to:

• Keep a big space between you and other people
• Wash your hands with soap and warm water often
• Stay home if you feel sick
• Cough or sneeze into a tissue or your elbow
• Make sure you have good airflow indoors. See further guidance on ventilation and COVID-19.
• Have an emergency plan for COVID-19. Here is a guide to help you make your own plan Person Centred Emergency Preparedness Plan.
• A mask can help keep you safe from Coronavirus. See this Easy Read guide on wearing masks during Coronavirus.
• There are also Government videos here including those showing COVID-19 Safe Behaviours.

Testing

You should get tested for COVID-19 if:

• you have symptoms of the illness — even if your symptoms are mild
• you have recovered from COVID-19 and develop new symptoms of COVID-19 after 28 days since you completed isolation
• you have been advised to do so by a health professional.

Find out more about COVID-19 tests. Watch a video on Rapid Antigen Tests.

If you’re at higher risk of severe illness, have COVID-19 symptoms and test negative on a RAT (Rapid Antigen Test), get a PCR (polymerase chain reaction) test.

Occasionally, a RAT may not detect a COVID-19 infection straight away, so it’s important to get a PCR at a state or territory testing site. The Easy Reads below give more information on taking a RAT test.

• How to do a rapid antigen test with your saliva – Easy Read
• How to do a rapid antigen test from your nose – Easy Read

Masks

Wearing a mask can help protect you and those around you. To use a mask properly you should:

• wash or sanitise your hands before putting it on or taking it off
• make sure it covers your nose and mouth and fits snugly under your chin
• avoid touching the front of your mask while wearing or removing it
• keep it in place – don't hang it around your neck or under your nose
• use a new single use mask each time
• wash and dry reusable masks after use and store in a clean dry place.

Click here to access an Easy Read for mask wearing.

Personal protective equipment (PPE)

Personal protective equipment protects the wearer from infection and stops the spread of COVID-19.

The Department of Health and Aged Care has information available to help you find out who should use PPE, how to use it, and how to supply, if needed, is managed through the National Medical Stockpile.

For further information on supports available through the NDIS take a look at your health and safety.

What to do if you get COVID-19?

• You can call your doctor or medical centre if you get COVID-19
• Some people get a little sick when they get COVID-19 and some may get very sick if they get COVID-19.
• Read more about what to do if you get COVID-19
• You can also read the Easy Read on What to do if someone you live with has COVID-19
• You might be able to take the COVID-19 medicine if you get COVID-19, read more about your eligibility for oral anti-viral COVID-19 treatments.