mteb/FeedbackQARetrieval huggingface dataset:
Accessing health services during coronavirus (COVID-19) restrictions
Elective surgery
Some elective surgery is now available, including:

IVF
screening programs (cancer and other diseases)
post-cancer reconstruction (such as breast reconstruction)
procedures for children aged under 18 years
joint replacements, including knees, hips and shoulders
cataracts and eye procedures
endoscopy and colonoscopy procedures

Around 1 in 4 closed elective surgery lists are reopening as part of this
first stage of a gradual restart.
Accessing health services during coronavirus (COVID-19) restrictions
Remotely (telehealth)
Any Australian with a Medicare card can now access telehealth services via
phone or videoconference.
This service helps protect both patients and health workers from unnecessary
risk of infection. It is available from doctors, nurses, midwives, or allied
and mental health professionals.
This is a temporary measure until 30 September 2020.
You don’t need any special equipment, and can either use your phone or a
computer. You and your provider will decide the best system to use for your
needs.
Providers will bulk-bill consultations for:

Commonwealth concession card holders
children under 16 years
patients who are vulnerable to COVID-19

For telehealth, vulnerable patients are those who are:

isolating at home on the advice of a medical practitioner or a COVID-19 hotline
aged over 70
an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander person aged over 50
immunocompromised or have a chronic health condition
a parent of a new baby
pregnant
meets the current national triage protocol criteria for suspected COVID-19 infection

Otherwise, you can pay by credit card at the time of your consultation.
To make a telehealth appointment, just call your health care provider. Your
provider might also offer any of your existing appointments as a telehealth
appointment.
If you need to make an appointment on behalf of someone else, get information
about their condition before calling. This will ensure you can provide
important details to your provider.
Read more about telehealth services in the consumer fact sheet at MBS
online.
During your telehealth consultation your doctor might need to give you a
prescription. Read more about how you can get medicines, including delivery to your home.
Accessing health services during coronavirus (COVID-19) restrictions
What options are available for accessing services?
If you are struggling to breathe or seriously unwell, and it is an emergency
call 000 immediately. Tell ambulance staff about recent travel and
any potential contact with someone with COVID-19.
Whether for COVID-19 or another health reason, the way you access health care
during the shutdown depends on your circumstances.
You might see your health care provider:

in person, by going to their facility
in person, at your home
remotely, via telehealth

You should keep your regular health care appointments, including home care,
and medical or pathology appointments for chronic conditions. You might be able to arrange a telehealth
appointment for some things.
We are opening GP respiratory clinics around the country to assess people with fever, cough, a sore throat,
or shortness of breath.
healthdirect Coronavirus (COVID-19) Symptom Checker
Answer questions about your symptoms to see if you need to seek medical help
or get tested. This tool is available online at any time.
Accessing health services during coronavirus (COVID-19) restrictions
In person (home visits)
You should continue to receive your usual health care, including any care you
receive at home, such as services under the Commonwealth Home Support
Programme and Home Care Packages.
If you are unwell and think you might have COVID-19, let your provider know
before your appointment.
When receiving face-to-face care at home, your care provider will:

follow all hand hygiene and cough etiquette protocols
stay 1.5 metres from you, unless you need direct care
generally not wear protective gear, unless you have been diagnosed with, exposed to, or are showing symptoms of COVID-19 — if they do, it does not mean they are unwell

Aged care workers with symptoms get tested for COVID-19. If they are suspected
or confirmed to have COVID-19, they will not work.
If you want to start receiving services at home for the first time, check
your eligibility. You can apply
for yourself or on behalf of someone you care for.
For other services, you can either visit your health care provider or book a
telehealth appointment.
If you are isolating, you can also get your medicine delivered to your home.
Accessing health services during coronavirus (COVID-19) restrictions
In person at your health provider
For any general health issues and regular appointments, you can go to your
health provider’s surgery, as usual.
If you have symptoms of COVID-19, let your health provider know when making the appointment.
Also tell them any recent travel or potential contact with someone with
COVID-19.
When attending for treatment, follow the instructions your provider gives you.
This could include wearing a mask (your provider can give you one), sanitising
your hands when arriving and entering through a separate area.
Remember to practise physical distancing.
When receiving face-to-face care, your health care provider:

will follow all hand hygiene and cough etiquette protocols
will stay 1.5 metres from you, unless you need direct care
may or may not wear protective gear, depending on the situation — if they do, it does not mean they are unwell

If you need to make an appointment on behalf of someone else, get information
about their condition before calling. This will ensure you can provide
important details to your provider.
If you need medicines, you can still get them from pharmacies.
Boosting cash flow for employers
What you need to know

For most businesses, the cash flow boost will automatically be credited to your account when you lodge your activity statement.
You won’t be disadvantaged if you have been given a deferral for your earlier activity statement or are not required to lodge your income tax return yet. Read more about the impact of lodgment deferrals.
If eligible, the minimum cash flow boost credit you will receive when the March activity statement is lodged is $10,000. See examples of what you will receive.
The cash flow boosts will be applied to reduce liabilities arising from the same activity statement. If there is credit remaining after this occurs, you will generally receive a refund of that amount.
If you are due to receive a refund, we will generally pay it within 14 days.
Any excess credit from the activity statement that received the cash flow boost amount will be refunded to you, rather than offset against other tax debts. However, any excess may still be applied against any outstanding debts with other Australian Government agencies.
Boosting cash flow for employers
Eligibility
Discretion to give you further time
We have discretion to give you further time, after 12 March 2020, to:

hold an ABN
provide us notice that business income or supplies were made.

However, the discretion is intended to be utilised only in very exceptional
circumstances. This can include where you cannot satisfy the condition:

because although you were running an active business prior to 12 March 2020, you were not required to hold an ABN as a matter of law. For example, an entity which operates in the external territories of Australia is not required to have an ABN.
only because you have deferred your lodgment under an extension of lodgment date granted by the Commissioner of Taxation. For example, you had an automatic ATO lodgment deferral in place, as you were affected by the Australian bushfires in late 2019, and you lodge your first BAS after 12 March 2020.

We are unlikely to exercise the discretion to extend the 12 March 2020 date if
doing so would be inconsistent with the integrity provisions. For example,
where steps are taken to set up new entities, or revive dormant entities,
solely for the sole or dominant purpose of accessing the cash flow boost.
Find out about:

Providing more information about your eligibility or ineligibility
PS LA 2020/21 Commissioner's discretion to allow further time for an entity to register for an ABN or provide notice to the Commissioner of assessable income or supplies
COVID-19 Mythbusting
Microwaves sanitise masks
There is no evidence masks are sanitised by microwave radiation. It is also a
bad idea. Firstly, microwave radiation can burn or disfigure certain parts of
the mask. Secondly, if the mask contains metal, it can damage your microwave
oven and set it alight.
Simply putting your mask through your washing machine with detergent is
sufficient to disinfect it. Learn more about the Centres for Disease Control
and Prevention
recommendations.
COVID-19 Mythbusting
Parcels from China can spread coronavirus
There’s no evidence the virus can survive on packages or letters for 28 days.
According to WHO:
“The most important thing to know about coronaviruses on surfaces is that they
can easily be cleaned with common household disinfectants that will kill the
virus. Studies have shown that the SARS-COV-2 virus which causes COVID-19 can
survive for up to 72 hours on plastic and stainless steel, less than 4 hours
on copper and less than 24 hours on cardboard. These were under experimental
conditions using sensitive detection methods".
“As always clean your hands with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand rub
and avoid touching your eyes, mouth, or nose”.
Visit the World Health Organisation for more
information.
COVID-19 Mythbusting
I don’t need to get the flu shot
Influenza (flu) and COVID-19 are two separate infections. While they’re both
viral infections, the viruses belong to two separate groups. The regular
influenza vaccination does not provide immunity to COVID-19. Learn more about
how to protect yourself and others.
It is very important for people to get their influenza vaccination. As
outlined by the Deputy Chief Medical Officer, Dr Nick Coatsworth, “we’re
entering flu season and…one of the biggest messages we have…to the public is
get your flu vaccination”. Some people become very sick with influenza. Having
the influenza vaccination, will help prevent you getting infected with
COVID-19 and influenza at the same time. Learn more about the DCMO'S
response.
COVID-19 Mythbusting
MMS (miracle mineral supplement) is an effective treatment
MMS contains sodium chlorite, which can be used to make chlorine dioxide, a
chemical used as a textile bleaching agent and for disinfection. According to
the TGA,
“products containing… sodium chlorite pose a serious health risk if consumed
by humans and should be labelled with warnings and the word ‘POISON’”.
MMS is not approved by the TGA for any therapeutic use and should not be taken to treat
coronavirus.
Note that sodium chlorite is completely different to sodium chloride or common
table salt.
COVID-19 Mythbusting
If you can hold your breath for 10 seconds, you’re ok
Holding your breath for 10 seconds without coughing does not indicate you are
free from coronavirus. If someone has an acute viral infection, it may be
difficult for them to take a deep breath. However, being able to breathe
deeply doesn’t mean someone is free of COVID-19. People’s symptoms vary and
the only way to determine if you have the virus or not is to get tested.
Learn more about symptoms to look out for.
COVID-19 Mythbusting
BioCharger NG can help treat coronavirus
The BioCharger is not a cure or treatment for COVID-19. As stated by the
manufacturer, Advanced Biotechnologies, “The BioCharger is not a medical
device and for that reason Advanced Biotechnologies suggest that anyone seek
medical attention from their primary care provider if they are experiencing
symptoms of COVID-19”.
The TGA has issued the company with two infringement notices and published a
warning to advertisers and consumers about illegal advertising relating to
COVID-19. According to the TGA, the assertion "that the device could be used
in relation to 'Wuhan Coronavirus'", is "a claim which has no apparent
foundation, and which the TGA takes extremely seriously”. Learn more about
TGA's response or ABC's report on this
myth.
COVID-19 Mythbusting
Hand dryers kill coronavirus
No, hand dryers don’t kill the SARS-COV-2 virus which causes COVID-19. Hand
dryers blow out warm air and are not designed to disinfect materials from
harmful organisms. To disinfect your hands, you should clean with soap and
water or an alcohol-based disinfectant.
Learn more about the World Health Organisation's response to this
myth.
COVID-19 Mythbusting
Hydroxychloroquine is an effective treatment
Hydroxychloroquine is an unproven treatment. Clinical trials around the world
are testing whether it can treat COVID-19. However, according to the
TGA, “these medicines pose well-known serious risks
to patients including cardiac toxicity (potentially leading to sudden heart
attacks), irreversible eye damage and severe depletion of blood sugar
(potentially leading to coma)”. Learn more about hydroxychloroquine.
COVID-19 Mythbusting
Breathing techniques can cure the virus
This breathing technique does not cure the virus. Controlled coughing helps
with conditions such as cystic fibrosis to clear airways of mucus. It is
relatively safe to perform as the mucus in cystic fibrosis usually can’t
infect others. In the case of COVID-19, where people can infect others through
airborne droplets, the opposite is true and this technique could help spread
the infection. Learn more about the ABC's investigation into this
myth.
COVID-19 Mythbusting
UV rays kill the virus
UV lamps should not be used to prevent coronavirus or used on hands or other
areas of skin. UV radiation cannot sterilise; at best in ideal situations, it
can inhibit growth of some microorganisms. Like sunbathing without sunscreen,
UV lamps can cause skin irritation and you run the risk of long-term skin
damage. Learn more about the World Health Organisation's response to this
myth.
COVID-19 Mythbusting
There is a cure/ vaccine for coronavirus
There is currently no treatment or vaccine for COVID-19. Scientists around the
world, including those at the University of Queensland and the Doherty
Institute, are working hard to find a vaccine with the World Health
Organisation estimating a publicly available vaccine is 18 months away. In the
meantime, the best thing people can do is to stay at home as much as possible.
Learn more about the World Health Organisation's response to this
myth.
COVID-19 Mythbusting
5G networks are spreading the virus
5G mobile networks do not spread COVID-19. As stated by the Australian
Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency
(ARPANSA), “[s]uggestions that 5G has caused or is linked to
coronavirus are utterly baseless”. Similarly, the World Health
Organisation has noted:
“Viruses cannot travel on radio waves/mobile networks. COVID-19 is spreading
in many countries that do not have 5G mobile networks."
“COVID-19 is spread through respiratory droplets when an infected person
coughs, sneezes or speaks. People can also be infected by touching a
contaminated surface and then their eyes, mouth or nose."
COVID-19 Mythbusting
Mosquitos spread coronavirus
There is no evidence to suggest mosquitoes carry and spread COVID-19. While
mosquitoes can transmit other viruses like dengue and malaria, they don’t
transmit other well-known viruses like HIV and Ebola. The novel coronavirus is
primarily spread by droplets produced during coughing or sneezing rather than
blood. The SARS-COV-2 virus which causes COVID-19 has been found in blood
samples from infected people, however there is no evidence it can spread via
mosquitoes.
Learn more about the World Health Organisation's response to this
myth.
COVID-19 Relief and Recovery Fund
What initiatives are currently part of the Fund?
Renewing Reef HQ Aquarium
This initiative provides $2.6 million for Reef HQ Aquarium to ensure the
critical systems that control the environment within the aquarium are upgraded
and maintained, supporting the health and wellbeing of the living exhibits
while the aquarium is closed.
For further information, visit www.reefhq.com.au
or contact the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority’s Marketing Team on
0488 073 281 or email media@gbrmpa.gov.au
COVID-19 Relief and Recovery Fund
What initiatives are currently part of the Fund?
Commonwealth National Parks—Support for Tourism—Fee Waivers
From 16 March to 31 December, 2020, the Australian Government is waiving up to
$11.2 million in entry fees to the following national parks managed by Parks
Australia:

Booderee National Park
Kakadu National Park
Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park

Free park entry will provide additional incentives for travelers to visit
these must see destinations once travel restrictions are relaxed.
The Australian National Botanic Gardens, Christmas Island National Park, Pulu
Keeling National Park and Norfolk Island National Park do not charge entry
fees and remain free to visitors.
In addition, up to $772,000 is available to assist businesses operating in
Commonwealth National Parks by:

Providing temporary relief from licence fees and permit charges levied by the Director of National Parks for the period of 1 January 2020 to 31 March 2021. Aside from the immediate respite from some ongoing operating costs, this will also allow business to re-commence operations without having to pay for licences and permits.
Providing rent relief to tenants of the Australian National Botanic Gardens in accordance with the Australian Government's Rent Relief Policy

For more information email
parksonlinefeedback@awe.gov.au; or
visit
www.parksaustralia.gov.au/covid-19.
COVID-19 Relief and Recovery Fund
What initiatives are currently part of the Fund?
Supporting Indigenous Visual Arts Centres
The $7 million contribution to the Indigenous Visual Arts Industry Support
(IVAIS) Program supports Indigenous Art Centres and Indigenous Art Fairs
during the Coronavirus crisis and beyond. Payments will be made directly to
IVAIS-funded Indigenous Art Centres and IVAIS-funded Art Fairs to maintain
operations and employment levels, ensuring that they continue to support
artists and their communities.
For more information phone 1800 006 992, email
ivais@arts.gov.au, or visit
www.arts.gov.au/covid-19-update.
COVID-19 Relief and Recovery Fund
What initiatives are currently part of the Fund?
Levy Relief for Commonwealth Fisheries
The Australian Government is waiving $10.3 million across the final two
instalments of levies for Commonwealth managed fisheries, reducing levies for
the 2019–20 financial year by two thirds. This will support fishers' cash flow
during the outbreak, and help them remain viable and able to return to full
production when the outbreak subsides.
For more information, visit afma.govcms.gov.au/afma-
covid-19-update or contact
the levies area of AFMA: Phone 1300 723 621 or email
levies@afma.gov.au.
COVID-19 Relief and Recovery Fund
What initiatives are currently part of the Fund?
Regional Air Network Assistance
The Australian Government is providing $198 million to assist domestic
commercial airlines to maintain a basic level of connectivity across their
network of regional routes. This will support critical air services connecting
regional Australia to freight, medical testing, supplies and essential
personnel.
For more information go to Assistance to the aviation
sector or
refer to the grant guidelines on the GrantConnect website:
www.grants.gov.au.
COVID-19 Relief and Recovery Fund
What initiatives are currently part of the Fund?
Additional Funding for the Export Market Development Grant Scheme
The Australian Government is providing an immediate cash flow boost to
eligible Export Market Development Grant (EMDG) applicants in the 2019–20
financial year.
The EMDG scheme reimburses small and medium-sized businesses up to 50 per cent
of their eligible overseas market-promotion and export-development activities,
to a maximum of $150,000. This new measure will increase funding for the
2019–20 financial year by almost $50 million so that eligible applicants
receive their full entitlement.
For more information visit www.austrade.gov.au/Australian/Export/Export-
Grants or contact
the EMDG team at Austrade:
emdg.help@austrade.gov.au.
COVID-19 Relief and Recovery Fund
What initiatives are currently part of the Fund?
Regional Airlines Funding Assistance
The Australian Government is providing $100 million to financially assist
smaller regional domestic air service providers to help manage cash flow
issues they may be experiencing as a result of the impacts of the Coronavirus.
This will help these service providers to maintain essential connectivity for
regional and remote communities. Air service providers can apply to the
Government to be considered for support for assistance on a month-by-month
basis, where there is a demonstrated need.
For more information go to Assistance to the aviation
sector or
refer to the grant guidelines on the GrantConnect website:
www.grants.gov.au.
COVID-19 Relief and Recovery Fund
What initiatives are currently part of the Fund?
The following initiatives are part of the COVID-19 Relief and Recovery Fund:

Regional Airlines Funding Assistance
Regional Air Network Assistance
Airfreight Support
Levy Relief for Commonwealth Fisheries
Additional Funding for the Export Market Development Grants Scheme
Supporting Indigenous Visual Arts Centres
Crisis Relief for Regional Arts
Support Act: Crisis Relief to Artists, Crew and Music Workers
Supporting Australia's exhibiting zoos and aquariums
Commonwealth National Parks—Support for Tourism—Fee Waivers
Temporary waiver of Environmental Management Change for the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park
Renewing Reef HQ Aquarium
COVID-19 Relief and Recovery Fund
What initiatives are currently part of the Fund?
Supporting Australia's Exhibiting Zoos and Aquariums
This $94.6 million initiative provides vital funding to exhibiting zoos and
aquariums whose tourism revenue stream has stopped as a result of the travel
and social distancing restrictions in place to limit the spread of
Coronavirus. Funding will assist these businesses with the fixed operational
costs associated with caring for animals, and will help exhibiting zoos and
aquariums to remain viable and ready to welcome tourists when restrictions are
eased.
For more information visit www.austrade.gov.au/Australian/Tourism/Tourism-
and-business/Grants/supporting-australias-exhibiting-zoos-aquariums-
program/zoosandaquariums or contact the Austrade Programs Team by emailing
ZandAGrants@austrade.gov.au or calling
1800 048 155.
COVID-19 Relief and Recovery Fund
What initiatives are currently part of the Fund?
Airfreight Support
The Australian Government has set up a $110 million International Freight
Assistance Mechanism
(IFAM) to keep open key international freight links with
trading partners for goods coming into and going out of Australia.
IFAM will support the efforts of businesses trading internationally, including
in the agricultural, seafood and healthcare sectors, to re-establish key
global supply chains, which have been disrupted by COVID-19, supporting the
international economic recovery. IFAM is essential to helping secure items
critical to the ongoing health response in Australia, such as essential
medical supplies, medicines and personal protective equipment.
IFAM is a targeted, emergency and temporary measure helping Australian
business in its efforts to deal with the COVID-19 crisis.
Businesses in the agricultural and seafood sectors wishing to access the
mechanism can register their interest at
haveyoursay.agriculture.gov.au/international-freight-
assistance or by calling the Department of Agriculture, Water and the
Environment on (02) 6272 2444.
COVID-19 Relief and Recovery Fund
What initiatives are currently part of the Fund?
Temporary waiver of Environmental Management Change for the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park
This $8.1 million initiative temporarily waives the Environmental Management
Charge for the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park until 31 December 2020.
For more information, visit www.gbrmpa.gov.au or
email emc@gbrmpa.gov.au and for media enquiries
email media@gbrmpa.gov.au.