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The outbreak of COVID-19 and other communicable diseases have raised global concerns that will have both short-term and long-term impacts. It continues to be an evolving situation and we will be monitoring and adapting our response to it.
For the latest information regarding COVID-19 restrictions and their impact on the local church, visit our NEWS page here.
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As we adjust to the new normal in regards to COVID-19 we continue to encourage:
COVID-19, Vaccinations & the Church – Link
Latest COVID-19 Update – 23 June 21 – Link
Latest COVID-19 Update – 06 May 21 – Link
Latest COVID-19 Update – 28 January 21 – Link
The Senior Pastor’s Guide to Reopening [1]
Letter to Religious Leaders – 28 October 2020 [1]
CHO letter to places of worship, COVID-19 – 29 July 2020 [1]
Advice for local churches as of March 13, 2020 [V2]
Coronavirus Advice for Local Churches – PDF
COVID-19 (Coronavirus) FAQs – PDF
Coronavirus coverage in the Adventist Record – Link
COVID-19 (Coronavirus) & the AUS Department of Health – Link
COVID-19 (Coronavirus) & New South Wales – Link
Coronavirus global health emergency (United Nations) – Link 1, 2
We are monitoring the unfolding situation in Australia concerning Monkeypox (MPX). It has been declared a Communicable Disease Incident of National Significance in Australia.
Updates regarding MPX and Sydney Adventist Churches will be added here.
Prevention – Link
Monkeypox: Understanding it. Reckoning with it. – PDF
For the latest advice, information and resources, go to www.health.gov.au.
Call the National Coronavirus Health Information Line on 1800 020 080. It operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week. If you require translating or interpreting services, call 131 450.
The phone number of your state or territory public health agency is available at www.health.gov.au/state-territory-contacts.
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COVIDSafe Marshal vests can be purchased for $20. If you are interested or needing some, please contact Pr Pablo Lillo directly at [email protected].
For a list of livestreams head to our Locations page, click on the Church tab, select Churches with Livestreams option and the Go button.
Pastor Glenn Townend, president of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in the South Pacific, issued the following statement regarding the ongoing spread of the 2020 coronavirus (COVID-19) around the world.
How should Seventh-day Adventists in the South Pacific respond? I would urge you to focus on three things:
As this situation continues to evolve, let’s maintain a sense of perspective and not get caught up in the hysteria. As Seventh-day Adventist Christians, let’s be beacons of light in our communities, holding fast to God’s promises and pointing people to Jesus as our source of hope in these troubling times.
The FUND FOR NEEDY PERSONS Committee has acknowledged that some church members wish to support other members facing hardship and poverty because of loss of employment caused by our current pandemic.
The attached application form is to be completed by pastors, treasurers or elders so that church donors can make tax-deductible donations that will benefit others in their church family.
Should you wish to discuss this with Malcolm Rea, Secretary, FFNP, please call him on (02) 49 949 246 or 0401 631 584.
The Greater Sydney Conference runs a charity that gives us the opportunity to provide for those in need. The aim of the Fund for Needy Persons (FFNP) is to restore independence by helping people back on their feet again. Funds are used to help resolve crisis caused by accommodation problems, abuse, unemployment, illness or death.
The FFNP charity is maintained by the generosity of members who give regularly and when the annual offering is collected. Contributions to this fund can be made at eGiving.org.au. Select a church or GS Conference and give under the FFNP charity. Thank you for your support.
Mums At The Table Marketplace
Mums At The Table, a ministry of Adventist Media, has launched a private Facebook group to help mums who are having difficulties buying everyday essentials for their family due to the panic buying phenomena brought on by the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.
The Mums At The Table Marketplace works like any other buy-and-sell groups on Face-book with one big difference: Anything listed on the page has to be free. It will be a dedicated space for group members to both ask for or offer help. Group members are encouraged to list any of their needs, with the idea that someone in their local area may be able to help—either because they have excess of that item or they know where the item could be purchased.
Churches or individuals interested in helping can contact Mums At The Table at [email protected] or visit www.facebook.com/groups/MATTmarket-place.
Mental Health Resources
Social distancing can strain mental health. The South Pacific Division Comprehensive Health team is offering free support to members and community during this challenging time.
People who have returned from a country or region that is at high or moderate risk for COVID-19 should monitor their health closely. If you develop symptoms including a fever and cough you should isolate yourself immediately and urgently seek medical attention. Go to www.health.gov.au/covid19-travellers for the list of at-risk countries.
People who think they may have been in close contact with a confirmed case of coronavirus, should also monitor their health and seek urgent medical attention.
Cleaning
When cleaning, staff should minimise the risk of being infected with coronavirus by wearing gloves and using alcohol-based hand sanitiser before and after wearing gloves. If cleaning rooms or areas of the workplace where a person with a confirmed case of coronavirus or a person in isolation has frequented, staff may wish to wear a surgical mask as an added precaution. If a confirmed case of coronavirus or a person in isolation is in a room that cleaning staff need to enter, they may ask them to put on a surgical mask if they have one available.
General Preventative Hygiene
Practising good hand and sneeze/cough hygiene is the best defence against most viruses. You should:
General preventative measures around people
If the above considerations are observed, at this stage there is no reason to change our regular routines including weekly worship services. It is important to remember that so far, the only people to contract the virus here in Australia have been in contact with people from the hot zone.
While coronavirus is of concern, it is important to remember that most people displaying symptoms such as fever, cough, sore throat or tiredness are likely suffering with a cold or other respiratory illness—not coronavirus.
For the latest advice, information and resources, go to www.health.gov.au.
Call the National Coronavirus Health Information Line on 1800 020 080. It operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week. If you require translating or interpreting services, call 131 450.
The phone number of your state or territory public health agency is available at www.health.gov.au/state-territory-contacts.
If you have concerns about your health, speak to your doctor.
Credit: North New South Wales Conference
