Many countries have translators available to help those who aren’t sufficiently fluent in the language of the country they live in to understand all they need to know about living in the country. Translators and interpreters provide translations in relation to the key aspects of living satisfactorily in the country. These may include:
- Health information regarding vaccinations, doctors’ visits, dental treatment and today COVID-19
- Laws for rental tenants
- Information about education
- Marriage and divorce laws
- Minimum wages and discrimination in the workplace
Most countries have language requirements before citizens from other countries can migrate to their country but there are situations where this might not be the case such as:
- Asylum seekers
- Refugees
- Parents of immigrants
- Tourists caught up in the current pandemic
- Guest workers who don’t need to be fluent in the language of the country where they are working
In addition to the above groups who will require help with translations of COVID-19 information, there are other people who have got caught up with the pandemic in many countries and have been unable to quickly return home because transport options have been cancelled. If they have to stay in the host country for a while they will need the key information about COVID-19 translated into their own language too. Some countries do better than others when providing translators to translate COVID-19 information. For example, in Australia, this information about COVID-19 is available in 60 languages on each state’s website. Translations are provided for the following facts about COVID-19.
COVID-19 Code of Conduct
- Save lives and help slow the spread of COVID-19 in Australia
- Stay home as much as you can
- You should only leave your house for essential activity
- Don’t invite into your home any family or friends
Remain at Home Except if you are:
- Going out to work or take part in education (if you can’t to do so in the home)
- Shopping for groceries or pharmaceuticals
- Going out to exercise in your neighbourhood, by yourself or with one other individual
- Attending a medical appointment or making a compassionate visit to somebody in your own family group
- Accessing medical services banks, petrol stations and postal services
When you return home to wash your hands for at least 20 seconds with water and soap
Other Things you Need to do are:
- Cover any coughs
- Sneeze into a tissue or you folded elbow
- Don’t touch your nose, eyes and mouth
- Keep at least 1.5 metres distance from anyone else when away from home
- Don’t hug, shake hands or kiss another person
- Tap your debit/credit card and never make any cash payments in any store
- Travel during quiet times and avoid being too close to crowds
Other Facts that are Translated Include:
- How and why to download the COVID-19 Australia cell phone app
- How to subscribe to the COVID-19 Australia WhatsApp service
- How to keep connected
- How you can check on your family & friends by using your mobile phone or by going online
Symptoms of COVID-`19 are:
- Coughing
- Fatigue
- Fever
- Shortness of breath
- Sore throat
- Aching body
Without all these translation services many people who aren’t completely fluent in English will have a hard time understanding what’s going on in a COVID-19 pandemic. If someone needs help with communicating face to face about COVID-19 Australia’s state departments have interpretation services available to keep those with limited English informed and to set up a face to face interactions if required.