Dear Loyalty club members, customers and friends,

I want to thank you for your support of Penna’s Pharmacies over the last 37 years.

Today we encounter a new type of threat with the emergence of novel coronavirus (COVID-19) and the public concern it has raised. At Penna’s we have been working tirelessly to keep our local community supplied as best we can during this period.

We are securing a supply of flu vaccinations to administer to customers to prevent the risk of coinfection with the standard flu. We are also taking delivery of a shipment of face masks that will be available to those at highest risk over the next few weeks.

We will be co-ordinating care with local medical centres to ensure our patients can be looked after, this will likely include a delivery service to the elderly and isolated in our local community in the coming weeks should the need arise.

I ask that if you or any of your family members have symptoms of COVID-19 they do not visit the pharmacy and instead call the COVID national hotline on 1800 020 080 or your medical practitioner. This service will triage people with respiratory symptoms and those who are concerned about contact with a possible COVID-19 case.

Remember that hand washing is the most effective way to prevent the transmission of viruses. You should:

• Wash your hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, before and after eating, and after going to the toilet.
• Use an alcohol-based hand sanitiser if washing is not possible
• Avoid touching your face during the day.
• Sneeze or cough into your elbow or a tissue (which should be disposed of)
• Avoid shaking hands

We have included a link to the department of health website for further corona virus information. https://www.health.gov.au/news/health-alerts/novel-coronavirus-2019-ncov-health-alert .

Please feel free to share this information with your friends and family.

Warm Regards,
Domenic Penna
Pharmacist & Proprietor of Penna’s Pharmacies