South Australia's largest employer of people with disability has joined the fight against the spread of COVID-19 by signing-on to make community protection packs for people entering the state from Victoria, News South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory.
Minister for Health and Wellbeing Stephen Wade said the packs include face masks, fact sheets and pre-signed referral forms so new arrivals can go straight to a testing facility without seeing a GP.
"These packs are part of our strong plan to protect South Australians from the spread of COVID-19 and to keep our economy progressing forward against challenging headwinds," Minister Wade said.
"Over the next three months, up to 120 Bedford supported employees will make border entry packs which will be used to help reduce the potential transmission of COVID-19.
"This is especially important, given the increased risk of coronavirus in South Australia due to the rising number of cases in Victoria."
SAPOL will provide the packs to people approved to enter the state from Victoria, NSW and the ACT who arrive at border checkpoints or at the airport.
Arrivals into South Australia will be required to get a COVID-19 test within the first 24 hours of arriving, and again on day 12 of their 14-day self-isolation period.
They will also have to wear a face mask when leaving isolation for testing.
Minister Wade said the partnership with Bedford is another way the Marshall Government was using local workers and facilities to help keep South Australians safe.
"These packs are a part of our plan to help stop the spread of COVID-19 in South Australia.
"We are proud to be partnering with Bedford to secure employment for people with disability and to help protect our state."
Bedford is a National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) provider. It provides meaningful supported employment to more than 1,300 clients at 19 sites in South Australia in areas including hospitality, packaging, manufacturing, horticulture and landscaping.
Bedford's Executive Manager Commercial, Aaron Brumby, said about 47,000 packs will be put together by employees at their Torrensville site during the first three weeks alone.
"These packs will be put together in a clean room with workers to don PPE, including gloves, hat and a gown to ensure there is no risk of contamination," Mr Brumby said.
"We are delighted to have the opportunity to gear up and play our part in the fight against COVID-19."
Bedford is a National Disability Insurance Scheme provider and all the people working on the packs are NDIS participants.
"I think it's important work and I'm very happy doing it," said Bedford employee and NDIS participant, 22-year-old Amee Datson, of Windsor Gardens.
"I love working at Bedford and I'm enjoying learning new skills. I love meeting other people and working together. We all look out for one another."
Ms Datson has NDIS support for an intellectual disability, bipolar disorder and hypotonia (low muscle tone). Like her colleagues, she has supported employment with Bedford through her NDIS funding.
Until recently, Amee and some of her colleagues were working in food and furniture production at Bedford, which is one of the largest employers of people with disabilities in Australia.
But the NDIS provider was quick to pivot its business model to adjust to the economic impact of the global pandemic.
NDIS participant Paul Lock, 51, of Warradale, is also part of the Bedford team making the packs and says he is proud of his new work.
"I hear there are plenty of deaths because of the virus and it feels like it's really important to be doing this," said Mr Lock. "I am enjoying doing something new and I am learning a lot."
Mr Lock lives with an intellectual disability and was born with arthrogryposis, a condition which causes his hands and feet to contract and affects his mobility. He has been working with Bedford for 34 years.
