COVID-19

The ACDC Project and the Challenges of the Covid-19 Pandemic

Covid-19 presents significant and unique challenges for ACDC. The ACDC project may be impacted in the following ways:

• People are less forthcoming in their willingness to engage with People Connectors
• The risk of infection for people or People Connectors
• Legislated requirements for reduced travel, social engagement, or lockdown

Across Australia now, there has been significant reductions in new infections, but as restrictions are eased there is a significant risk of new local outbreaks or of a ‘second wave’. ACDC will be responsive to these risks.

The ACDC team has considered many possible impacts of Covid-19 and developed risk mitigations for each, as well as a Covid-19 contingency plan, and the project management has open communication with the NDIA to discuss new developments and the impact on the project.

In particular, the guidelines for, and the training of, People Connectors will be developed to be sensitive to the impact of Covid-19 and the concerns of people and communities. CHMA does not wish to expose people to potential Covid-19 infection.

Government guidelines will be reviewed followed at each site, state and nationally, and the right balance between social distancing and infection control, and positive warm engagement will be sought. A strategy for engaging with communities to monitor and respond to potential outbreaks will be developed.