How to stay healthy

As part of a phased rollout, some Medibank stores will reopen from Wednessday 27 May 2020. We’re really looking forward to welcoming you back so we can help with your health cover needs in person.

As with all COVID-19 related safeguards during this time, we’ve taken a few extra steps to ensure a safer store visit for both yourself and our team. These may include:

• Limits on how many people can be in store at any given time
• Use of hand sanitiser before entry
• Changes in store opening hours

Check out our store locator for current opening hours of our Medibank stores. We look forward to seeing you again!

Our experience over the last few months has shown that when we work together, we can achieve anything. 

In order to return safely to our normal daily routines, we need to increase the community’s ability to track and contain any future COVID-19 outbreaks. The Health Department’s COVIDSafe app is designed to do just that; by tracing the possible movements of COVID-19 and helping to alert people who’ve been in close contact with someone with COVID-19 

You can find more information at https://www.health.gov.au/resources/apps-and-tools/covidsafe-app

So far, our joint efforts to follow public health advice have resulted in flattening the curve and easing restrictions, including those for elective surgeries. Extras providers such as dentists are also re-opening, ensuring your day-to-day health needs can continue to be met.

While we’ll always continue to support the health and wellbeing of our members during this difficult time, we believe a greater uptake of the COVIDSafe app will pave the way for making more health support services available.

Put simply, good hygiene and social distancing.

Good hygiene

Practising good hygiene is one of the most effective ways to protect against infection and prevent the spread of coronavirus.  All of us have a role to play in maintaining high standards to protect our own health and the health of each other.  These measures include:

• covering your coughs and sneezes with your elbow or a tissue

• disposing of tissues properly

• washing your hands often with soap and water, including before and after eating and after going to the toilet

• using alcohol-based hand sanitisers

• cleaning and disinfecting surfaces

Social distancing

Another way to protect the community is social distancing, which is essentially reducing the contact you have with other people.  It includes:

• staying at home if you are unwell, and avoiding close contact with anyone who is unwell

• avoiding large public gatherings if they’re not essential

• keeping a distance of 1.5 metres between you and other people whenever possible

• minimising physical contact, especially with people at higher risk such as older people and people with existing health conditions 

Self-isolation

Self-isolation means you must stay at home for 14 days. You must self-isolate if you have COVID-19, or you have been in close contact with a confirmed case of COVID-19, or you arrived in Australia after midnight on 15 March 2020. The Australian Government has prepared some information around what this means and the advice you should follow.

More testing centres are now open. 

Many states have increased their testing capabilities, with more and more testing centres opening around Australia. So, if you have any symptoms, please find the nearest centre https://www.health.gov.au/initiatives-and-programs/coronavirus-covid-19-gp-respiratory-clinics

The most recent advice from the Australian Government is that health services like dentists, physiotherapists can remain open at this time.

This may change at any time, so please contact your health service provider directly to confirm their availability.

It's also worth asking what additional measures they have in place to ensure everyone's safety.

The symptoms of coronavirus can include fever, coughing, sore throat, fatigue, and shortness of breath.

If you have these symptoms, please contact a health clinic or your doctor, and they will advise next steps, including if you need to be tested.

At this time testing is being prioritised for those that have had recent overseas travel or contact with a confirmed case, and also for health care workers.

Most importantly, if you have serious symptoms such as difficulty breathing, call 000 for urgent medical help.

Understandably, these are stressful and uncertain times. Even if you don't feel ill, you may still find it difficult to cope with things like social distancing and any potential financial pressures. 

You may find it worthwhile to visit Beyond Blue for some very helpful information to help look after your mental health.