As we move into the summer months, including potential heatwaves or long periods of extreme heat, it’s vital we also continue to keep our community safe from COVID-19.
It’s important to prepare yourself and stay safe in the heat. Babies and children, older people and those with a chronic illness are more at a risk during a heat wave.
While managing a heatwave might be a bit different this year due to COVID-19, make sure you always stay COVID safe wherever you are:
Symptoms of heat-related illness can be varied, including tiredness, feeling unwell, cramps, high body temperatures, confusion, shortness of breath and fits. Anyone can be affected by becoming overheated. Early stages of heat-related illness like dehydration, heat rash or heat cramps can be treated by effective first aid:
Heat stroke is a medical emergency so it is important you don’t delay treatment. Call Triple Zero (000) and ask for an ambulance.
Some symptoms of heat-related illness may be similar to COVID-19 symptoms such as fever and shortness of breath. Get tested if you have any COVID-19 symptoms.
Heat can also make existing medical conditions or chronic illnesses worse, so make sure you speak to your GP before summer about how to manage your health in the heat.
When the weather heats up make sure you keep in touch with relatives, neighbours and friends, especially those living alone or who are isolating and waiting for a COVID-19 test result.
Be COVID safe: Give them a call or check in virtually by email, social media or video call. Consider asking them if they are prepared for the heat and a COVID summer:
The people most vulnerable to heat at any time are babies and young children, older people and those who are socially isolated or have a chronic illness, and this risk is increased during a heatwave.
Due to COVID-19, there a re more people staying at home and, if their home is now well prepared for the heat, they might be at risk of developing a heat-related illness.
Prepare to stay healthy in the heat. Think about your home, your health and your community and make plans now.
Many public drinking fountains and water bubblers are closed due to COVID-19 as they are a risk for transmission of the virus. Always remember to carry water with you when you go outside and stay hydrated in the heat.
If you do use a public drinking fountain or water bubbler, do it in a COVID safe way:
If hosting a gathering at home, NSW Health recommends these take place outdoors in the backyard or courtyard and to avoid the hottest part of the day. However, during a heatwave, it can be unsafe to be outdoors due to high temperatures. It is best to postpone or reschedule outdoor gatherings during a heatwave and on extremely hot days.
If you are indoors with your household, it is safe to close windows and blinds and turn on the air conditioning to manage extreme heat. It is important to avoid indoor gatherings in enclosed or unventilated spaces with people who don’t live with, so make sure you keep an eye on the weather and postpone having visitors during heatwaves or extremely hot days.
Fans and air conditioners can be used within your household if there is no one with COVID-19 or self-isolating due to COVID-19 exposure. If a household member has to isolate, please create separate cool rooms within your house. Avoid visitors in your home on very hot days to reduce potential spread of COVID-19 from fan and air conditioner use.
For additional safety, if fans are used, take steps to limit air blowing form one person directly at another to reduce the potential spread of virus.
All air conditioning and ventilation systems should be in good working order and regularly cleaned.
During a heatwave it is best to stay in your well-prepared and cool home. Avoid crowded places if you have other options to stay cool. However, if it is too hot at home, seek out other cool places to protect your health. Know where your local cool places are ahead of time.
If you go to air-conditioned indoor venues like cinemas, libraries, shopping centres and other public buildings, stay COVID safe:
Check the capacity of beaches to see if they are too crowded at the Beach Safe website.
Use Local Government websites to find less crowded local cool places such as national parks and places with shade and breezes. If you can’t be outside or places are too crowded, prepare your home to be cool and stay at home during the hottest parts of the day.
Energy providers work hard to make sure that peak demand can be met in a heatwave.
Having a small emergency kit at home with a torch, batteries, a battery-operated radio and a first aid kit is always a good idea.
Keep an eye on the weather and avoid sitting outside in the sun if it is going to be a very hot day. If you are outside in the heat remember to stay hydrated and seek out the shade and breeze.
We understand this is a difficult situation, please consider reaching out to a family member or friend if you are concerned or need support.
If you can stay home and keep cool, please do so. If your home cannot be cooled, and you need to find a cool place, then please consider going to air-conditioned venues, like cinemas, libraries, shopping centres and other public buildings that are spacious, and uncrowded indoor spaces.
You may like to consider alternative venues such as large, spacious hospitality venues where this isn't crowding. People with medical conditions are especially vulnerable to heat so it is not advisable to be outdoors during a heatwave.
Please continue to maintain physical distancing of 1.5 metres. Face masks should be worn if physical distancing is not possible. If you have a medical emergency, please call Triple Zero (000) or visit an emergency room.
Summer 2020/21 will look a little different this year. As we move into the summer months, including potential heatwaves or long periods of extreme heat, it’s vital we also continue to keep our community safe from COVID-19.
If you are having trouble breathing on a hot day, you should not wear a face mask. Speak to your doctor about a management plan during hot weather. Remember to keep 1.5 metres away from people you don't live with and wash your hands often.
Remember, COVID-19 might re-emerge in the community. While a mask in hot weather may be uncomfortable, for most people it's unlikely to cause you ill.
Most COVID-19 testing clinics are located indoors with air conditioning or are drive throughs where you remain in your car’s air conditioning. We recommend people keep hydrated by bringing a water bottle. For walk-in testing clinics, shade is provided and we also recommend you stay sun smart by wearing appropriate clothing.
Clinics have measures in place to protect staff from the heat.