WWDACT e-Bulletin no 8, 2020 – 13 May 2020

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Message from the Chair

Dear Members and Colleagues, 

Congratulations to all of us that we have come thus far in flattening the curve. It has been good to see that the ACT Government has announced some easing of restrictions to start in time for the weekend. From 11.59pm on Friday 15th May: 

  • cafes and restaurants will be allowed to open, with up to 10 diners at any one time; 
  • Playgrounds, outdoor fitness areas and skate parks across Canberra will reopen; 
  • Dog parks will reopen; 
  • Tidbinbilla Reserve will be reopened, while Namadgi National Park will remain closed for recovery from extensive bushfire damage; and 
  • Community centres, clubs and halls will open for small gatherings of up to 10 people at a time. 

Even better news is that Woden, Gungahlin and Dickson libraries will open on Monday 18th May. Naturally there will be clear distancing restrictions in place. Other libraries will open in due course. 

Our vigilance in maintaining our physical distancing of 1.5m and washing hands frequently will need to continue. But it will be great to have a little more freedom to be out of the house. 

Women have been disproportionately affected by Covid-19, and it is important as governments plan recovery that they take gender into consideration. The Equality Rights Alliance (ERA) which is a government funded consortium of women’s organisations, has been looking at our Right to Health during and post- Covid-19. In its Statement on Health, ERA has identified that ableism has to be avoided and that governments must ensure equitable access to health care as an underpinning value in all medical decision making frameworks, policies and guidance with human rights standards. This sits beside the government’s Management and Operational Plan for People with Disability. The Easy English version of the Plan has just been released and is available at the same wibpage. 

WWDACT continues to host social meetings on Saturdays at 1pm. Check our Facebook Page for the links on how to join us there. 

Regards, and stay safe, 

Sue Salthouse 
 

Chair WWDACT