We have come in specifically to send out this notification to ensure members are aware of the current lockdown coming this afternoon. Unlike most of our communications, this one comes with some uncertainty due to the official government website not having all of the information ready at the time of this email. Today and tomorrow members will need to do their own reading to confirm this information.

From 4pm today, 31st July until Tuesday, 3rd August (presumably 4pm), South East Queensland will be in a snap lockdown. Click the link below for the listed Local Government Areas.

Given there is currently very little information listed on the official website, we will give you information based on previous lockdowns, but encourage everyone to check back on the official government website to carefully read through the information for yourselves.

Ingestive Therapists

(Naturopaths, Nutritionists, Herbalists, Ayurveda, Homeopathy)

You can work if your work can be done via telehealth. Previously, you have not been able to work in a face-to-face environment during a lockdown in Queensland. Please check back on the government website to confirm, or wait for further information from us to come on Monday.

Manual Therapists

(Remedial Therapists and Myotherapists, Shiatsu and Oriental Remedial Therapists)

In most lockdowns, the manual therapists who can only operate face-to-face have not been able to do so. It can be assumed this is still the case. This means no clinic work, no home clinic work and no mobile clinic work.

Myotherapists - If you are able to do any telehealth work, you are able to do this. Otherwise, it is likely you fall under the same restrictions as the Remedial therapists for this lockdown.

Please check on the government website when it is updated to confirm this information, or wait for further information from us to come on Monday.

AHPRA Registered Therapists

(Acupuncture & Chinese Herbal Medicine)

Thanks to the last communication from the federal level Chief Health Officer, you are classified as AHPRA-regulated Allied Health. Whilst we cannot currently see what this means for you, in the past you have been able to operate if your client falls under the category of 'Essential Care', not routine care.

This definition has usually been the following:

• to prevent a significant change/deterioration in functional independence which would result in an escalation of care needs (e.g. an increase in frequency of treatment needed, an increased need for prescription medication due to a significant increase in pain, requirement for specialist input or review, an increase in care needs, and/or a substantial increase to anticipated time associated with a delay in receiving services
• to provide assessment and diagnostic services to clients/patients whose care have been delayed as a result of previous restrictions, with any further delay likely to result in deterioration in functional independence or adverse health outcomes (including access to diagnostic imaging services or assessment for prescription of assistive equipment and technology)
• to provide services that are essential as part of a broader plan of care with a medical practitioner
• to provide services that are part of a conservative management plan to avoid or delay elective surgery (as agreed with treating team)
• to provide services immediately following elective surgery that prevent secondary complications or aid functional recovery (as agreed with treating team)

Again, please check the official website in case any of this has changed for this lockdown. Each lockdown has changed the definitions and requirements from previous lockdowns.

Mobile Clinic

No

Home-based Clinic

No. Unless it is via telehealth

Masks

This requirement has not changed for these locations. Masks are still required.

You can also contact the 134COVID (13 42 68) if you would like clarification on the direction/restrictions.

We will provide another update on Monday when we are back in the office and when the official government website has been updated.

We understand everyone's frustration during this time and we want you to know you are not alone. If we can assist you in anyway, please contact us at [email protected].