COVID-19 Safety Guidelines for Mosques

The Islamic Council of Victoria (ICV) has prepared a detailed set of COVID Safety documents that should be used by all Mosque Committees to prepare for, and manage the safe reopening and functioning of our Mosques. The ICV COVID Advisory Committee has consulted many experts and stakeholders including Muslim Health Professionals Australia (MPHA), and has reviewed all relevant Victorian Government regulations and guidelines during the development of these documents. These guidelines are broad and should be adapted by the Mosque Committees to suit the specific circumstances of their mosque facilities.

It is important to emphasise that these guidelines need to be reviewed and modified as and when the Government and the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) revise their regulations. These guidelines and COVID safe plans will only be successful if the mosque administrators and worshippers follow the advice and rules. The Advisory Committee will be working closely with each Mosque to ensure they have their plans in place before opening their mosques to public. Each Mosque will be in charge of their own COVID Safety Plan and will have to ensure strict adherence so that all steps can be taken to minimise the spread of the disease and to keep the community safe.

COVID-19 Safety Plans for the Reopening of Mosques v7 – Click here 

Updated Version 2021 – COVID-19 Safety Officer Role Guidelines and Procedure – Click here

General Health Advice regarding COVID-19   Federal Government health advice – Department of Health Information on social distancing – Department of Health Information on limiting public gatherings and visits to vulnerable groups – Department of Health Coronavirus Health Information Line Call this line if you are seeking information on coronavirus (COVID-19). The line operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Tel: 1800 020 080 The Australian Government has released an official app with the information you need to know about coronavirus (COVID-19). The Coronavirus Australia app is available from the Apple App Store and Google Play. You can also get credible information on whatsapp message +61 400 253 787 or go to aus.gov.au/whatsapp on your web browser to get coronavirus information you can trust from the official Australian Government chatbot.

Food-Related Needs

Care packs Victorians in mandatory self-isolation running short on food and unable to have any dropped-off by friends are now eligible for a “food and personal care package”, with a two-weeks supply of items like long-life milk, pasta, canned fruit, cereal and sugar, as well as some personal care items. People wishing to request a pack should call Victoria’s dedicated Coronavirus hotline on 1800 675 398. Halal Food Bank The ICV works with the Halal Food Bank Melbourne to deliver a box of Halal Food items that can feed 1-2 adults for a week. If you are in need, kindly contact ICV Admin or call (03) 9328 2067. Please note that Halal Food Bank – Melbourne (HFB) has been running for 8 years in Melbourne, collecting, categorising and packing non-perishable food into boxes, to distribute to various disadvantaged communities and families.   Food Hamper Program MAA, along with their partners at UMMA Centre, PGCC, HFB and CCN are calling out to the community to support their Food Hamper Drive. If you require assistance, visit: bit.ly/melbhamper For drop off locations or to volunteer as a delivery driver, contact: Ahmed (0432 434 573) or Hissan (0410 946 997)   Project Quran is an initiative aimed at promoting the teachings of the Holy Quran. Our page shines the light of some of the meaningful verses of the Quran with an aim of encouraging the viewers to go to our website and order a free copy of the Quran. COVID 19 Response: Aussie Muslims have UNITED to implement #QuranInAction Unity is one of the fundamental values of Islam. Today, 18 Aussie Muslim organisations (and growing) have joined hands to assist Australia in a time of need. Together we can overcome all struggles. We pray that Allah SWT rids our country and the entire world from COVID19 and all other viruses/diseases- AMEEN. 1000 Food Hampers ??? will be distributed over the next week. To request a hamper, click here. To Sponsor a Hamper, click here. How to contact us: Website –  Email     Human Appeal Australia (HAA) aims to strengthen humanity’s fight against poverty and social injustice. Through the provision of immediate relief and establishment of self-sustaining development programs, we aim to invest in real, effective solutions. By establishing firm and loyal grass root relationships with local, national and international partners we are able to access some of the most hard to reach places at the most vulnerable of times. HAA believes that establishing stable health care, education and income generation programmes, paves the way for empowered, self-serving communities. Through the provision of immediate relief and establishment of sustainable development programmes, we aim to invest in real effective solutions. We also recognise that the provision of food, medical aid and emergency shelter in times of humanitarian crises is essential for the immediate preservation of life. As such, we value the importance of a multidimensional aid approach, and therefore dedicate our time respectively between emergency relief and long term development since 1991. COVID 19 Response: We have so far distributed hundereds of food parcels in South Australia and NSW, we are about to start delivering parcels to the elderly and disavantage people in Victoria in the coming days insha Allah. This link will highlight what we have done so far in Australia. How to contact us: A: 149 Sydney Rd, Coburg VIC 3058  –  Website –  Email   –  T: +61 3 9386 467   Emergency Relief   The Federal Government also has a directory of community organisations in each state and territory providing emergency relief such as food and food parcels: https://www.dss.gov.au/our-responsibilities/communities-and-vulnerable-people/programs-services/emergency-relief   Emergency Relief Services/food support in Hume/Moreland   Salvation Army Craigieburn – 75 Interlink Drive Craigieburn – Maureen Reardon 8339 6104 (food supplies Mon, Wed, Thurs) Uniting Care – 413 Camp Rd, Broadmeadows. (phone intake 9351 3600 Mon-fri 9-5pm – Hume/Moreland food relief). Generous food hampers delivered free to the client’s home, pick up from site may be able to be arranged?? Can also assist any Hume/Moreland resident experiencing financial hardship Helping Hand Mission, 492 Fullarton Rd Airport West, 1300 892 010  maddy@helpinghandsmission.org.au . Very generous food packs for $5-

Mental health and well-being resources:

The following organisations and websites offer some mental health and well-being tips and strategies to continue looking after ourselves and each other during these difficult times.

• Head to Health
• Psychology.org
• Beyond Blue
• Lifeline
• 13 11 14 will continue to be operating 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
• Lifeline Text 0477 131 114 will continue to operate 6pm – midnight (AEDT), 7 nights a week
• Lifeline webchat will continue to operate 7pm – midnight (AEDT), 7 nights a week
• Kids Helpline – for children that may need support 1800 55 1800
• How to deal with anxiety 

Riding the Wave in the Pandemic

Monique Toohey, Managing Director and Principal Psychologist of Nasihah Consulting Group and co-founder of Centre for Muslim Wellbeing, offers advice and reflections on coping strategies during this pandemic. To read, click here.

 

 

 

Mental Health Aspects of COVID-19 – Recommendations for Muslim Community Leaders 

Support for those experiencing financial hardship

As the ongoing spread of the coronavirus continues to affect the global economy, many people in Australia are losing jobs, livelihoods and financial stability. For information and services provided by the Australian government, please visit Services Australia. 

1. If you are experiencing financial hardship, National Debt Helpline offers free financial counselling. 
2. Qard Hassan Victoria NILS offers small, interest-free loans of up to $1500 to people on low incomes for the purchase of essential household goods and services, education and medical expenses. There are absolutely no fees, service charges or any other costs for the borrower. For more information you can click here.  

 

 

 

 

 

Government Stimulus Packages: 

To assist you in understanding the Government stimulus packages announced we provide our “What You Need To Know” guides. The guides include a number of hyperlinks to official government communications to gain further information. There are two guides attached –

1. The First $17.6bn Stimulus Package
2. The Second $66.1bn Stimulus Package

Job matching

Victorian Council of Churches of Social Services and the Victorian Trades Hall Council will be working with the Victorian Government to develop a scheme that matches people out of work with jobs that need doing during the pandemic. That might be hospitality workers helping feed people in isolation, or it could be factory workers helping clean trains and trams. The Victorian Government has announced $500 million to establish this Working for Victoria Fund.

Claiming Centrelink during COVID-19

Navigating Centrelink can be confusing at the best of times. Economic Justice Australia has produced a fact sheet with specific information on how to claim a Centrelink payment during COVID-19. See it here.  
 

Job keeper payments:

JobKeeper payments for businesses, so more Australians can retain their jobs and continue to earn an income. Payments of up to $1,500 per fortnight for each eligible worker are available.

https://www.business.gov.au/risk-management/emergency-management/coronavirus-information-and-support-for-business/jobkeeper-payment

Money & Mental Health – Practical Financial Skills to Manage Money

Due to the COVID-19 situation, money is a big worry for many people at the moment, and this guide is particularly helpful for those who experience mental health problems because of this.

It offers plenty of valuable information such as:

• How financial debt and money worries impact people’s mental health: did you know that 9.5 million adults in the UK suffer from mental health issues as a result of financial anxiety?
• The importance of practical financial skills and how it helps with mental health, including expert advice on combating debt, knowing why people overspend, and how to manage the effects of money pressures.
• Practical, useful tips and advice such as how to budget, analyzing spending habits, where to save on household expenses, how to deal with debt, and how to make money management a habit.
• Other useful information and links to external resources to help develop practical financial skills and healthy habits around money.

Feel free to check out the full guide here.

Legal Advice for people impacted by Coronavirus:

Below are legal support for community organisations and not-for-profits that are grappling with complex legal issues arising from measures to contain COVID-19

1. Justice Connect
2. Legal Aid

How you can help

 

Everyday people have been stepping up to help out the at risk communities around us.
Find an independent local group by clicking here.

This is run by volunteers, and are a great place to find help, or to organise mutual aid on the ground in your area.

 

Halal Food Bank

The boxes cater for 2 adults for 2 weeks (2 meals per person per day ~56 meals per box with $25 worth of contents per box).
Last week, HFB completed packing 80 boxes. However, due to the spread of COVID-19 and its impact on the local economy and employment, they have recently received additional box requests from community aid organisations –
What they need (** urgent items)
– Rice 2kg (or bulk)
– Flour 1kg**
– Pasta
– Veggie cans**
– Fruit cans**
– Dates** (Ramadan)
– Long life Milk 1L
– Tuna large
– Legumes/beans/lentils**
– Sweet items (Jam/Biscuits/chocolate)
– Pasta sauce
– Sugar 1kg**
– Oil small (or bulk)**
– Tea bags (bulk)
HFB requests those wishing to purchase on their behalf to continue purchasing at Coles (who have eased their restrictions) and to try to obtain the above items.
Please maintain social distancing and practice caution. Please also spend responsibly and do not clear out the shelves of a supermarket.
HFB will continue to purchase items. Donations can be made to:
Account Name: Halal Food Bank Melbourne Inc.
BSB: 063212
Account number: 10335295
For a tax deductible receipt send your payment donation details (including reference) to hfbmelbourne@gmail.com. Please include your full name in the email.

 

Red Cross
 

You may have heard that Australian Red Cross Lifeblood is calling out for anyone who is feeling well to come forward and donate blood. Various factors mean donors are currently unable to donate, but the need for blood never stops. In fact, Australia still needs 29,000 donors every week to meet demand. Donor centres remain open, are sanitised and safe. So, if you’re healthy and haven’t travelled overseas in the last 28 days, please book a donation. https://don8blood.com/2QPRMg5

Due to the COVID-19 crisis, Muslim Aid Australia (MAA) is working to provide essential supplies to those most vulnerable, including the elderly, those in self-isolation, and families in need of assistance in Australia and around the world.

MAA has already begun with the collection and distribution of food hampers across Australia, however more is needed to meet the demand.

Help us raise funds to continue these efforts and expand on our services to help those affected by the crisis.

Donate Today!

As the situation regarding COVID-19 is rapidly escalating, Human Appeal Australia has launched a campaign to help our community, particularly those who are most vulnerable including the elderly. In times like this, it’s important that we come together and create effective solutions for our community.

Donate generously, help out community to stay safe.

NZF Australia is ready to help support vulnerable Muslims with Zakat as COVID-19 spreads, but we need your support.

Donate here

 

As we battle the effects of COVID-19, many families are struggling to put food on the table.

For just $50 you can sponsor a food hamper that will be gifted to an Aussie Family doing it tough. You can contribute by donating here

 

Penny Appeal Australia will be distributing HUNDREDS if not THOUSANDS of Pandemic Relief Kits to the most vulnerable within our populations. The most vulnerable are those who are at increased risk of contracting or spreading the COVID-19 Virus by leaving their home, including any seniors, vulnerable families, and those self-isolating. Let’s all do our part to help Flatten The Curve.

Help Penny Appeal Australia take small change and make a BIG DIFFERENCE! Donate a kit

 

Make a Difference in Your Community by Donating as Little as $10 a Month to Our Food Service

Your support will allow us to continue providing nutritious meals to those in need, and help grow service offerings within the community. Sign up today, every little bit helps.

Donate here

Mosque Re-opening Monday 16 November 2020

The City Mosque will re-open for daily Salah from Monday, the 16th of November.  As per the directions of the Victorian State Government we have opened 20 spaces. Other services at the City Mosque are not available until further notice i.e. community events, education classes etc.

We will make an announcement regarding the Juma Salah in the future.

General Guidance:

Daily Salah (Prayer 5 times a day) opening times will be limited and will be advised.

• The Mosque will be open for a maximum of 1 hour for the duration of each of the daily prayers starting with Fajr and ending one hour after Isha. Session times will be advised.  The Mosque will remain closed outside of these prayer times. Mosque doors will be open 10 minutes before prayer and will be locked when maximum capacity has been reached or when prayer has commenced.
• Upon arrival all visitors must provide their name and number, which can be done by scanning the  at the front entry with your mobile or manually via a log-book which the COVID Safety officer will be responsible for.
• Worshippers must not be sick or show any signs of ?????-19 symptoms. This includes if you are awaiting on COVID-19 test results, been asked to Quarantine or self-isolate or a close contact of COVID-19 case in the last 14 days.
• Respect the directions of the COVID Safety Officer and volunteers on-site

 

 

The Islamic Council of Victoria has a dedicated Islamophobia support page. To view, click here. 

Family Violence

If you or anyone you know are experiencing family violence, please read below on accessing help.

1800RESPECT will continue to operate during the COVID-19 (coronavirus) health emergency, and is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
For those in an unsafe environment, the pressures – financial, health and emotional and wellbeing – that have and will continue to come as a result of COVID-19, could increase the risk of violence and abuse. It’s critical that those impacted by sexual, domestic and family violence know that support is available.

The safe steps 24/7 family violence crisis response phone line will continue to operate as usual 1800 015 188.
DVRCV and DVVic are collating information, resources and responses to frequently asked questions on COVID-19 and family violence at the Lookout website.

 

• For support for men, call Men’s Referral Service on 1300 766 491.
• InTouch Multicultural Centre Against Family Violence – Are you a migrant or refugee woman experiencing family violence at home? inTouch is here to help you, click here to ask for help online or call 1800 015 188 to speak with an inTouch worker.

ICV Recommendations of the Burial Process

The ICV consulted with members of the Medical community (Muslims Health Professionals Australia), religious leaders, and most Funeral Directors in Victoria. After extensive consultation and discussion, the following guideline has been produced on handling and burying of a deceased Muslim who has died due to COVID-19.

ICV Recommendation of the Burial Process v1.2

Travel Advice and Visa Conditions:

Incoming travel advice – Department of Home Affairs (also available in some languages other than English), click here. Please be aware the State Government may have significant financial penalties for anyone failing to self-quarantine upon return to Australia.

Outgoing travel advice – DFAT Smartraveller, click here.

Please see below for statements made by community organisations.

 

Open Letter to the Crisis Council of Cabinet Multicultural CEO Network

Open Letter to the Crisis Council of Cabinet Multicultural CEO Network
Australian Federation of Islamic Councils (AFIC)

 

 

Victorian Multicultural Commission

Click here to read the VMC Unified leadership statement.

 

No Worker Left Behind

ICV along with other 123 major organisations signed an open letter to the government on the Jobkeeper policy.

 

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Utilities 

 

Under the Victorian Government Utility Relief Grant Scheme, Victorians can apply for a maximum of $650 on each utility type in a two-year period (or $1,300 for households with a single source of energy (e.g. electricity only). You can apply for separate grants for each utility (electricity, gas and water). Customers should call their electricity, gas or water retailer to request an application. https://services.dhhs.vic.gov.au/utility-relief-grant-scheme · All utility retailers are required to have a Financial Hardship policy, customers will need to contact their retailer directly: https://www.aer.gov.au/consumers/useful-contacts-for-customers/energy-retailer-contact-details ·

 

A person who is receiving Centrelink for the first time will get a concession card which they should apply to their utility accounts (if they are the account holder). This will provide an ongoing discount on rates.

 

• The Australian Energy Regulator has set out 10 expectations of energy providers including o Do not disconnect any residential or small business customers who may be in financial stress, without their agreement, before 31 July 2020 and potentially beyond. o Defer referrals of customers to debt collection agencies for recovery actions, or credit default listing until at least 31 July 2020. https://www.aer.gov.au/publications/corporate-documents/aer-statement-of-expectations-of-energy-businesses-protecting-consumers-and-the-energy-market-during-covid-19

 

Rent Assistance 

 

Under current laws, there are no specific exemptions or changes to the ordinary process relating to rent arrears and notices to vacate, due to events like Covid-19. · Contact your landlord/real estate agent to let them know you have been impacted. · Tenants Victoria have a guide to support maintaining tenancy in this time: https://www.tenantsvic.org.au/advice/coronavirus-covid-19/rent-arrears-and-covid-19/

 

Rent Reduction and Rent Relief Grant

Are you experiencing financial hardship due to COVID-19? If you are having trouble paying your rent you can ask the landlord for a rent reduction.

Click here to download the step by step guide put together by Tenants Victoria to make it easier for you to apply to reduce your rent and for the Victorian Government’s Rent Relief Grant of up to $3000. You do not need to be an Australian citizen or permanent resident to apply. Everyone can apply, including international students and people on refugee and temporary protection visas.

This guide has everything you need including useful tips and links for letters to the real estate agent or landlord and the grant application website. If you need help or have any question on rent reductions and the Rent Relief Grant, please contact the Tenants Victoria community engagement team via email at rentrelief@tenantsvic.org.au or text on Whatsapp +61 400 164 221.

 

Housing 

 

Renters will have a moratorium on evictions. Federal Government has announced that all states and territories will put a moratorium on evictions of persons under financial stress caused by the Covid-19, for the next six months · Home loan customers in financial difficulty can defer their mortgage payments for up to six months. Contact bank directly.

 

Phone/internet · Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman (TIO) 

 

Vulnerable and at-risk residential consumers and small businesses can now call 1800 046 686 or 03 8600 8308 for assistance with unresolved phone and internet complaints. https://www.tio.com.au/reports-updates/prioritising-complaints-vulnerable-and-risk-residential-consumers-and-small · TELSTRA: Not charging late payment fees or suspending services for bills that become overdue between Thursday 19 March and Thursday 30 April 2020 · OPTUS: Waiving of late payment fees for all our customers until 30 April. Stopping disconnection and credit collection activities until 30 April

 

Childcare 

 

April 2nd, the Federal Government announced free childcare. · The new package will not be means tested and will replace the current childcare funding platform for the duration of the coronavirus pandemic. · Childcare centres will prioritise children of essential workers who can’t care for their children at home and those who are vulnerable. They will then try to accommodate parents who have taken their children out of care. · Prime Minister Scott Morrison said that the health advice on sending children to school or childcare had not changed and that there is no health risk to children going to school or going to childcare. Click here for more.

 

Funded Agency Channel

 

 

Multilingual resource for COVID-19

Migration Council Australia (MCA) has developed a multilingual resource for Australia’s culturally and linguistically diverse communities about COVID-19, its impact and available support. With the MyAusCovid-19 app you can:

• Browse articles to find out more about COVID-19, tips for prevention, caring for individuals and community, information on government response, and access to health care, financial assistance and support
• Search for topics or points of interest
• View short animations with helpful summaries of specific topics
• Find useful tips and contacts to help you adjust during COVID-19

Please access more information here.

Managing Coronavirus Together – Stakeholder Pack “Testing”

The Victorian Government is committed to keeping Victorians informed about the outbreak of coronavirus (COVID-19) and is providing translated information in up to 48 languages.

As a key stakeholder with important connections across Victoria’s multicultural communities, we ask for your support in sharing this information widely through your networks.

Access to translated information is particularly important for people who are isolated from friends, family and their usual support network. Making sure people understand what they can do to reduce their risk of coronavirus, is key to slowing its spread. Information provided by the Victorian Government is the most relevant source of information for people living in Victoria.

Advice and information from overseas sources may not always apply to the situation in Victoria. This pack (attached) provides links to a range of translated materials including posters, social media content, audio recordings and dubbed videos to help you share this information with your networks.

The Victorian Government has announced a massive expansion of testing, which will help inform decisions about slowly lifting restrictions ahead of the State of Emergency being reviewed on 11 May. Up to 100,000 Victorians will be tested for coronavirus over the next two weeks as part of a major testing blitz across the State.

While the number of cases is low, there is still a chance that the virus is present but undetected in the community. By increasing the testing for coronavirus (COVID-19), we can better track the spread of the virus. This update to the campaign stakeholder kit contains communication assets in 15 languages including social media posts, banners, audio messages and downloadable assets, created to encourage Victorians to get tested if they have any symptoms related to a common cold or flu, like fever, chills or sweats, cough, sore throat, shortness of breath, runny nose or loss of sense of smell.

What you can do to help

You can help by:

• Sharing the materials that you can access from this stakeholder kit with your community by email, social media or through messaging apps you use like WhatsApp, WeChat, Messenger and others.

• Directing people to the Victorian Government’s coronavirus website for current information and updates: www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au/translations

• Advising anyone who is concerned to call the coronavirus hotline on 1800 675 398 (24 hours). For translator support, call TIS National on 131 450.

 

 

Staged return to face-to-face schooling with translated resources.:

 

• The Department has translated key information for parents and carers regarding the staged return to on-site schooling into 23 community languages: Staged return to on-site teaching: advice in your language
• The Department has translated information sheets to support parents and carers to talk to their children about COVID-19 into 20 community languages:
  • Coronavirus (COVID-19) advice for parents, carers and guardians (The translated files can be found under ‘Talking to your child’- ‘Advice in your language’)
  • This information sheet is also available as an Easy English version which includes pictures- Talking to your children about coronavirus (COVID-19)- An Easy Read guide for parents and carers