This page is designed to provide older Canberrans with information regarding COVID and is based on the latest advice from the Australian and ACT Governments.
Council on the Ageing (COTA) ACT office
The COTA ACT office is open 9am – 5pm Monday to Friday.
If you have any questions regarding your Seniors Card or any other services that we manage, please call: 6282 3777.
Getting vaccinated for COVID
For information about how the COVID vaccine will be rolled out, visit the Australian Government Department of Health website.
For information on how the vaccine will be rolled out across Canberra, visit the ACT Government Health website.
ACT Government COVID safe check in app
COTA ACT has developed a flowchart designed to assist seniors with using the ACT Government’s COVID safe check in app. Please visit our Get IT program page on this website to view the chart. If you would like assistance with using the COVID safe check in app, contact the COTA ACT office on 6282 3777.
Advice for at risk groups
Senior Canberrans are classified as an ‘at risk group’. The Act Government has advice for people in the ‘at risk group’ category on the Department of Health website. For more information visit the Protect yourself web page.
COTA Insurance
COTA Insurance have created a web page with a lot of information about COVID-19 specifically for older people. To view this information, please visit Supporting senior Australians during Coronavirus pandemic.
COTA Australia
COTA Australia have an informative website with information about the COVID-19 situation. The page is called – COVID-19 (Coronavirus) information and sits on the COTA Australia website.
Groups and gatherings
For information about groups and gatherings please visit the ACT Government Department of Health – Groups and gathering web page for more information.
Canberra’s Recovery Plan
The ACT Government has developed a Recovery Plan to assist the Canberra community in becoming COVID normal. Please visit the ACT Government Department of Health – Canberra’s Recovery Plan for more information.
Information from the ACT Chief Health Officer
For up-to-date information from the Chief Health Officer, visit the Chief Health Officer alerts web page.
COVID-19 hotline for older Australians and carers
For information about how older Australians and carers can stay healthy and safe during the pandemic, call – 1800 171 866.
Assistance with food and meals for older Australians impacted by COVID
This fact sheet is for older Australians. It outlines the support available to you if you are isolated and finding it difficult to access food and basic household items. To access this fact sheet visit the Assistance with food and meals for older Australians web page.
Supermarkets open to seniors – To help support the shopping needs of vulnerable community members, Woolworths and Coles have introduced an exclusive shopping hour for individuals with appropriate government-issued concessionary identification.
Providers who are supporting this include:
- Woolworths Community Hour, which runs 7am – 8am on Monday, Wednesday and Friday
- Coles has ended its community shopping hour for seniors.
- Fyshwick Fresh Food Markets – Seniors Shopping Hour 7am – 8am Thursday and Friday
Woolworths and Coles have delivery services, which you may be eligible for. Further information can be found by visiting the following websites:
ACT Government COVID-19 website
Updated information – The ACT Government is continually updating their COVID website. For more information visit the ACT Government COVID-19 website.
Phone helpline – The ACT Government has established a helpline to assist the Canberra community through the challengers of COVID.
Phone – 6207 7244 (8am and 8pm daily) or visit the contact us web page.
Access Canberra – To assist seniors and those that may not have access to online services, Access Canberra have introduced a dedicated quiet period between 9am – 11am to support vulnerable Canberrans including seniors and those with English as a second language. For more information visit the Access Canberra website.
Australian Government Department of Health website
Updated information – The Australian Government Department of Health also continually updating information about COVID on their website. For more information visit the Australian Government Department of Health website.
COVID and older Australians fact sheets – The Australian Government has a fact sheet specifically designed for older Australians. To access this fact sheet, visit the Coronavirus (COVID-19) information for older Australians web page.
Telehealth factsheet – To provide continued access to essential primary health services during the COVID pandemic, the Australian Government has expanded Medicare-subsidised telehealth services for all Australians and is providing extra incentives to general practitioners and other health practitioners. For more information visit the Telehealth web page.
Important phone numbers – You can call the Coronavirus health information line on 1800 020 080 If you have serious symptoms, such as difficulty breathing, call triple zero (000).
English as a second language
The ACT Government has developed a COVID information web page in seventeen languages other than English to support Canberrans who speak a language other than English. For more information, visit their translated resources web page.
Advice for aged care facilities
For information or support regarding aged care please call the Older Person’s Advocacy Network (OPAN) on 1800 700 600 or visit opan.com.au
The Australian Government Department of Health has a number of resources for older Canberrans and aged care facilities regarding COVID-19.
Isolation and mental health during COVID-19
The outbreak of COVID has impacted people in varying ways. It is understandable that during times like this, people may be feeling afraid, worried, anxious and or overwhelmed by the constantly changing alerts and media coverage regarding the spread of the virus.
Lifeline – The Lifeline website is a great resource and includes information on how to look after your mental health during these uncertain times. There are some excellent wellbeing tips and strategies for yourself and others you might be caring for during this pandemic. For more information, visit the Lifeline website or phone 13 11 14.
Beyond Blue – Beyond Blue regularly update their website with information, advice and strategies to help manage well-being and mental health during this uncertain time. For more information, visit the Beyond Blue website or phone 1800 512 348.