It is a challenging time as the COVID-19 outbreak continues to affect families, communities and countries around the world. At Avalon we are continuing to provide our core services and outreach to the vulnerable members of the community. We are monitoring the key health advisory sites to ensure we operate within prescribed guidelines. We have modified our practices to ensure we are doing all we can to avoid risks associated with COVID-19 and support the health, safety and well- being of our friends, volunteers and supporters.

We believe it is vitally important for Avalon to remain open and still be able to offer our services for as long as it is possible. We have developed the following protocol for Avalon Volunteers.

Attendance at Avalon Centre:

• Please do not come to Avalon if you feel unwell;
• Please do not come to Avalon if you have been told to self –isolate, or you are in a high risk category;
• Use good hygiene practices = Wash hands frequently and thoroughly before, during & after attending the Avalon Centre;
• Remember to cough or sneeze into your arm or use a tissue and wash your hands straight after;
• Avoid touching your face if your hands are not clean ;
• Hand sanitiser is available and should be used regularly, Disposable gloves are also available for use;
• Avoid close social contact by allowing a 1 meter physical distance between friends and volunteers;
• We’ve implemented additional cleaning practices – we are using disinfectant to wipe all contact surfaces at Avalon during and at the end of the day;

Clothes Distribution:

We have implemented similar hygiene practices for volunteers who may drive our vehicles or assist with clothes distribution in the community. This includes wiping down steering wheels, door handles, trolleys and other key contact points. (an information sheet is provided at Avalon).

Given this health emergency is changing rapidly we will continue to monitor public health information and respond accordingly.
In the meantime, we will continue to support those we can in the community. Avalon’s doors will remain open as we continue our goal to meet unmet needs.

As the COVID-19 outbreak continues to affect families and communities around the world Avalon Centre has been monitoring the key alerts to ensure we are using the advice to support the health and well- being of our friends, volunteers and supporters. We are currently continuing to provide our core services and have implemented some additional hygiene practices to ensure we are doing all we can to avoid the risks associated with COVID -19.

Attendance at Avalon Centre:

• Please do notcome to Avalon if you feel unwell;
• Please do not come to Avalon if you have been told to self –isolate, or you are in a high risk category;
• Use good hygiene practices- wash your hands frequently and thoroughly before, during & after attending the Avalon Centre;
• Remember to cough or sneeze into your arm or use a tissue and wash your hands straight after;
• Avoid touching your face if your hands are not clean;
• Hand sanitizer is available and should be used regularly, disposable gloves are also available for use;
• We’ve implemented additional cleaning practices – we are using disinfectant to wipe all contact surfaces at Avalon during and at the end of the day;

Volunteers and Clothes Distribution:

We have implemented similar hygiene practices for  volunteers who may drive our vehicles or assist with clothes distribution in the community. This includes wiping down steering wheels, door handles, trolleys and other key contact points. (an information sheet is available at the Avalon Centre).

Given this health emergency is changing rapidly we will continue to monitor public health information and respond to the updates accordingly.  

For anyone requiring more information go to the federal and/or state government health department websites for example  www.vichealth.vic.gov.au