Skip to content Skip to navigation
MENU
COTA ACT Logo
Login
Get Involved
Home CLOSE
MENU
  • About
    About
    CLOSE MENU
    • What we do
    • Donate to COTA ACT
    • Our people
    • Contact us
    • Hall and function room hire
  • Programs
    Programs
    CLOSE MENU
    • Tax help for seniors
    • Get IT - seniors' technology hub
    • Pandemic Players Project - COVID-19 theatre project
    • Seniors Information Service
    • Housing Options Advisory Service
    • Aged Care Navigation
    • Strength for Life
    • Community Education
    • Policy and advocacy
    • ACT Seniors Card
  • Information
    Information
    CLOSE MENU
    • Keeping up-to-date on COVID-19 - news and information
    • Looking for information?
    • Seniors Information Service
    • Getting around Canberra
      • Guide to getting around Canberra
    • Aged Care and Home Care
    • Publications
      • Annual Reports
      • Council on the Ageing (COTA) ACT e-newsletter
      • Brochures
  • Events
    Events
    CLOSE MENU
    • Silver is Gold Community Art Competitions
  • News
  • Contact
  • About
  • Programs
  • Information
  • Events
  • News
  • Contact
  • Login
About
  • What we do
  • Donate to COTA ACT
  • Our people
  • Contact us
  • Hall and function room hire
Programs
  • Tax help for seniors
  • Get IT - seniors' technology hub
  • Pandemic Players Project - COVID-19 theatre project
  • Seniors Information Service
  • Housing Options Advisory Service
  • Aged Care Navigation
  • Strength for Life
  • Community Education
  • Policy and advocacy
  • ACT Seniors Card
Information
  • Keeping up-to-date on COVID-19 - news and information
  • Looking for information?
  • Seniors Information Service
  • Getting around Canberra
  • Aged Care and Home Care
  • Publications
Getting around Canberra
  • Guide to getting around Canberra
Publications
  • Annual Reports
  • Council on the Ageing (COTA) ACT e-newsletter
  • Brochures
Events
  • Silver is Gold Community Art Competitions

Keeping up-to-date on COVID-19 – news and information

In this section

In this section:

  • Keeping up-to-date on COVID-19 - news and information
  • Looking for information?
  • Seniors Information Service
  • Getting around Canberra
  • Aged Care and Home Care
  • Publications

Keeping up-to-date on COVID-19 – news and information

The information on this page is designed to provide older Canberrans with up-to-date news and information regarding Coronavirus (COVID-19).

The spread of COVID-19 and Australia’s response is evolving. We will keep you updated with these changes as information becomes available through this web page. The information on this page is based on the latest advice from the Australian Government and the ACT Government.

Council on the Ageing (COTA) ACT office

The COTA ACT office is again open, though we are only allowing a few people into the office at any given time.

COTA ACT staff are also available to answer calls between 9:00am – 5:00pm Monday to Friday. If you have any questions regarding your Seniors Card or any other services that we manage please call: 6282 3777.

LATEST NEWS

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.

Aged care facility information

The ACT Government has information for people visiting and living in aged care on the Department of Heath website. For more information visit the Aged Care 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

Information is changing at a very fast pace regarding rules around social distancing. 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 understanding how the Government plans to move out of restrictions that were put in place in March 2020 to limit the spread of COVID-19. 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

Critical information to stay healthy and safe during the pandemic is available by calling – 1800 171 866.

Older people and carers needing information about COVID-19 are encouraged to call this number to speak to friendly, specially trained staff from a senior’s advocacy organisation.

Assistance with food and meals for older Australians impacted by COVID-19

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 factsheet visit the Assistance with food and meals for older Australians web page.

Basics Box – Woolworths have a new program for the vulnerable called the Basics Box. The Basics Box was developed to help provide essential products to customers who are currently unable to visit their stores. This includes the elderly, people with a disability, those with compromised immunity and people in mandatory isolation.

To be eligible you’ll need to be able to show that you fall into one of these groups. For older Canberrans simply use your Seniors Card. For more information, visit the Woolworths website.

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 also launched services to support vulnerable people to access delivery services, which you may be eligible for. Further information can be found by visiting the following websites:

  • Woolworths Priority Assistance, and
  • Coles Online Priority Service.

ACT Government COVID-19 website

Updated information – The ACT Government is continually updating their COVID-19 website with information on current cases, new laws to help restrict further outbreak of the virus and news on how Canberrans and the community continue to be effected by the impact of the virus. This website covers health, hygiene and the importance of looking after your mental health in this pandemic. 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-19. The helpline will provide you with information to keep you informed on the developments of the pandemic and provide you with access to services related to COVID-19. The helpline also provides information for business owners.

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

COVIDSafe app – The Australian Government Department of Health have introduced the COVIDSafe app which is designed to speed up contacting people exposed to COVID-19. Please read the content on the COVIDSafe webpage before clicking on the download button.

Updated information – The Australian Government Department of Health also continually update their COVID – 19 website with current information and the impact the virus is having on Australia as a whole. For more information visit the Australian Government Department of Health website.

COVID-19 and older Australians factsheets – The Australian Government has a factsheet specifically designed for older Australians to provide the latest information concerning COVID-19. This factsheet is regularly updated with information about older Australians, their family and friends and how to protect yourself from the spread of Coronavirus (COVID-19). To access this factsheet 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-19 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).

Coronavirus Australia app – Stay up to date with official information and advice about the Coronavirus (COVID-19) situation. You can check your symptoms and get notified when urgent information and updates are published. For more information visit the Coronavirus Australia app web page.

English as a second language

The ACT Government has developed a COVID-19 information web page in twelve 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

OPAN are Australia’s leading advocates for older Australians.

For up-to-date information about COVID-19 and the aged care sector in the ACT, visit the ACT Government COVID-19 web page.

The Australian Government Department of Health has a number of resources for older Canberrans and aged care facilities regarding COVID-19.

The Australian Government Department of Health have an aged care sector newsletter with up-to-date information regarding COVID-19. To subscribe to this newsletter, visit the – Aged care sector announcements and newsletter web page.

Isolation and mental health during COVID-19

The outbreak of the Coronavirus COVID-19 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 wellbeing and mental health during this uncertain time. For more information, visit the Beyond Blue website or phone 1800 512 348.

Keep us informed of how you’re going


The staff at Council on the Ageing (COTA) ACT are keen to understand how you are going and if you are receiving the information and support you need. We are committed to supporting you however we can and keeping you informed as the COVID-19 pandemic develops. Please let us know if there is some information or resources you would like to share on this web page. We are also keen to seek your feedback on how you're experiencing the COVID-19 pandemic and the impact the virus is having on your life. We want to be sure you are not alone during this pandemic. We are keen to put you in touch with the organisations that can support you. Send us a message anytime or call 6282 3777.

Related news

Music at Midday
14 December 2020
Curious to understand why the Strength for Life program is so popular?
10 December 2020
COTA ACT Annual General Meeting and opening of the Hughes Community Shed
20 October 2020
Read more news

Related events

Music at Midday
12:00pm, 2 February 2021, Canberra Theatre Centre
See more events
COTA ACT Logo
  • About
  • Programs
  • Information
  • Events
  • News
  • Contact
Registered charity
Follow on
Facebook
COTA FEDERATION
  • Australia
  • ACT
  • New South Wales
  • Northern Territory
  • Queensland
  • South Australia
  • Tasmania
  • Victoria
  • Western Australia
COTA Western Australia COTA Northern Territory COTA Queensland COTA New South Wales COTA ACT COTA Victoria COTA South Australia COTA Tasmania
Follow on
Twitter
GET INVOLVED
  • Get involved
  • Follow on Facebook
  • Follow on Twitter
  • Contact Us
Registered charity
TERMS PRIVACY CONTACT SITEMAP
© 2021 COTA ACT WEB DESIGN CODE AND VISUAL
Back to top