Minister Barr: Further investments to keep Canberrans amp; local businesses informed on COVID-19
- Written by ACT Government
Released 08/04/2020
The ACT Government has established a new helpline to assist Canberrans through the challenges of COVID-19. The COVID-19 Helpline is now live and will operate on 02 6207 7244 between 8am and 8pm daily.
The situation surrounding COVID-19 is uncertain and rapidly changing, and the Government is making significant investments to ensure Canberrans and local businesses are keep up to date with the latest information from a reliable source.
The COVID-19 Helpline will help the community to stay informed and access services such as:
- COVID-19 health advice and referrals;
- requests for advice and information about the business and community stimulus packages provided by the ACT Government;
- requests for assistance by vulnerable and isolated persons, including those self-isolating or in quarantine;
- community reports of non-compliance with health directions by individuals, businesses and organisations for referral to the relevant authorities;
- referrals to the ACT Health Protection Services, ACT Policing and Access Canberra Fair Trading; and
- answer general COVID-19 related enquires.
The COVID-19 hotline adds to the other ACT Government channels available to the community, including the COVID-19 website and online self-services provided through Access Canberra.
Further to the Access Canberra Business Liaison Service, which has already supported over 385 local businesses as they adjust to new social distancing requirements, the ACT Government has also appointed Brendan Smyth as the new COVID-19 Local Business Commissioner.
Mr Smyth, who will also continue as the ACT Commissioner for International Engagement during this time, will be responsible for working with commercial landlords and tenants to mediate mutually agreeable outcomes relating to changes to commercial lease arrangement. The Commissioner will also provide advice to the Government on systemic issues facing the business community in the ACT as we deal with the COVID-19 pandemic.
The ACT Government remains committed to keeping the community informed of the situation as it progresses, and we will continue to explore further ways that we are provide Canberrans with practical and reliable information on the spread of COVID-19 in our community.
- Statement ends -
Section: Andrew Barr, MLA | Media Releases
