COTA Australia is working with the Australian Government to provide input and receive information about the Coronavirus (COVID-19) health alert. For the most accurate, comprehensive and up-to-date information, visit the Department of Health website or the Victorian Government Department of Health and Human Services website. If you can’t find what you need, you can also call the Coronavirus Hotline on 1800 675 398.

COTA Victoria Chief Executive Officer Tina Hogarth-Clarke said the health and wellbeing of all Victorians aged 50 plus is a top priority for the organisation.

‘I advise people in the COTA community to check the state and federal Department of Health websites for the best and most current information.’

Ms Hogarth-Clarke said that people should practise good hygiene to protect against infections. Good hygiene includes:

• washing your hands often with soap and water
• using a tissue and cover your mouth when you cough or sneeze
• avoiding close contact with others, such as touching.

More protective measures against coronavirus are listed on the World Health Organization website.

The Victorian Premier, the Hon. Daniel Andrews MP, has said that Victorians should consider how they would manage if they become unwell or need to self-isolate, including working remotely, managing food and medication, and the potential need to isolate individual family members.

All events scheduled for the next month have been cancelled. If COTA Victoria needs to close its office or call off any further events, we will advise people on our website or by email, where appropriate.

‘If our office needs to close some – although not all – of our services will continue to be provided by staff working from home,’ Ms Hogarth-Clarke said.

The Seniors Information Victoria helpline — 1300 13 50 90 — will be available irrespective of changed working arrangements.