COVID-19 Information
IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR OWNERS CORPORATIONS AND THEIR RESIDENTS
To assist members of our community to understand and plan how to live
with the COVID-19 Virus, Body Corporate Strata Group has consulted with
relevant key authorities to provide reference resources for Owners
Corporations and their residents.
We encourage everyone to abide by the Victorian Government directions
with regard to social distancing and personal hygiene. Please
see:
https://www.vic.gov.au/coronavirus-covid-19-restrictions-victoria
In the event a person tests positive to COVID-19, it is our
understanding the Department of Health and Human Services Victoria
(DHHS) will maintain regular contact with that person and provide
guidelines as to how to manage their health circumstance and
self-isolation.
Should an Owners Corporation resident test positive and be directed to
self-isolate in their residence, we request the resident contact their
Owners Corporation Manager immediately to advise them of their
circumstances.
On receiving advice of a COVID-19 positive resident, Body Corporate
Strata Group will initiate the following steps:
(i) Advise all owners of the presence of a COVID-19 positive resident
at their Owners Corporation (non-owner occupiers should notify their
agents and tenants)
(ii) Arrange a "deep" clean of the common property touch point as soon
as practicable
(iii) Arrange for a temporary sign to be placed in or around the
entrance/s advising of the close proximity of COVID-19 in the building
(iv) Advise recent and scheduled trades and services of the close
proximity of COVID-19 in the building
We are advised that Federal and State Privacy Acts prevent the
disclosure at first instance of the identity of the resident. We are
also mindful that the information pertains to a medical condition,
which is a concern to our legal advisors.
It is important to understand that this is a Community Health issue, we
all have our part to play in helping each other stay COVID-19 safe and
aid those who test positive to the virus.
Affected residents, along with the Owners Corporation community and co-
residents do have an active role in their encouraging all members to
abide by community standards not to cause harm or damage to
others.
The OC Manager does not have and will not have an agreement with or
responsibility for the actions of a resident in isolation. This
is, as it should be, the responsibility of each individual resident and
household. We understand that contravention of strict isolation
guidelines may attract legal consequences in the event of
infringement. This is the responsibility of the relevant health
and reporting authorities.
When advised of the close proximity of Covid-19 to their community, it
would be prudent that all residents remain vigilant to its presence and
should take responsibility for their own personal hygiene. When
in and around the common area of the building, residents should
consider the wearing of a prescribed mask, gloves and the regular
cleaning of hands.
The OC, at its own expense, should consider an increased scheduling of touch point cleaning (hand rails, lift buttons, bins etc) as a public health service to it's resident community. Safe Work Australia guidelines suggest at least a daily clean and disinfecting of touch points. The Owners Corporation committee or representative should instruct their Manager in this matter.
Body Corporate Strata Group has sourced additional relevant
documentation which may be of assistance to Owners Corporation, which
is published below. Further information may also be sourced from;
Your Owners Corporation Manager and Body Corporate Strata Group are
committed to assisting your community to our full capacity to navigate
the Covid-19 environment.
Should you wish to discuss this further or seek additional information
please feel free to contact the Body Corporate Strata Group COVID-19
co-ordinator.