COVID-19 Community Notice

From time to time infectious diseases develop into epidemics or pandemics and create increased risks for the community. We all would like to proceed with business as usual, but we must acknowledge COVID-19 contagion risks and try to minimize its possible impacts amongst our communities.

The Place: Charlestown Community Centre wishes as far as possible to protect its clients, its staff, its volunteers, and the general public from COVID-19 infection or contagion.

To minimise risk to vulnerable communities, The Place will be suspending our programs working with high risk groups, particularly seniors and young children, in the best interest of their health. The programs affected currently include The Charlestown Tuesday Club, Be Connected Digital Literacy Training & Events, Health My Way Training & Events, Young Parents Group. Closure of these programs will be in effect until 1 May 2020 or further advice.

The Place is still open for all other groups. We have undertaken precautionary measures to minimise risk including an increase to cleaning and sanitisation regimes and making alcohol-based hand sanitiser available across the Centre. However, we request that all people utilising our Centre take the following Key Protective Measures:

·Maintain at least 1.5 metres distance between yourself other people

·Regularly and thoroughly clean your hands with an alcohol-based hand rub or wash them with soap and water available in-Centre

·Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth, or shaking hands with others.

·Make sure you follow good hygiene and encourage others to do the same. This means covering your mouth and nose with your bent elbow or tissue when you cough or sneeze and disposing of used tissues immediately in the bins provided.

·Stay home if you feel unwell. Following the WHO recommendations, If COVID-19 starts spreading in your community, anyone with even a mild cough or low-grade fever (37.3 C or more) needs to stay at home. You should also stay home if you have had to take simple medications, such as paracetamol, ibuprofen or aspirin, which may mask symptoms of infection.

If you have concerns about your health, please speak to your doctor immediately.

Call the National Coronavirus Health Information Line on 1800 020 080. It operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

We trust you will understand our efforts in assuring our staff's and community's wellbeing.

Cristelle Govender,