VIC COVID-19 Update: Lockdown extended until 27 July
What you need to know
- Victoria’s lockdown has been extended until 11.59pm Tuesday, 27 July
- Disability workers providing essential care are authorised to travel outside the 5km radius
- Residential visitor restrictions have been clarified
- Students with disability can return to onsite learning as needed
Facemasks must be worn at all times other than at home or if an exemption applies. Only authorised workers may leave home to work.
Victorian border restrictions
Disability workers living in Victorian cross-border communities are advised to monitor the Victorian Government website in case evidence requirements change relating to essential border crossings.Disability services restrictions
Restrictions remain in place for disability settings as detailed in the Table of Restrictions [PDF] from the Premier’s 15 July announcement.All providers are permitted to deliver essential services and support via a mixture of in-person and virtual. The wellbeing of participants and residents should be monitored and the frequency of visits modified if the risks increase.
Service delivery may include telehealth, telephone contact or other digital platforms. Where possible, children should be supervised when using these platforms.
Community and non-residential service providers
There is information and detailed restrictions available on this Factsheet for Community Services | Victorian Department of Health and Human Services website.Residential service providers
See Factsheet for Community Services covered by care facilities directions | DHHS website for detailed restrictionsAuthorised workers
Authorised workers, contractors and volunteers not on the Table of Restrictions Authorised Worker List must not enter care facilities (note: workers carrying out vaccinations and testing are considered authorised and can enter).Visitors
Visitor permissions have been identified in more detail.End of life care visits
- Can include two visitors at a time (a group may exceed the “two visitors at a time” rule if dependents of a visitor are in the group and care for the dependents cannot be arranged)
- Do not have to be from the same household
- No time limits
- No specified purpose required
- No daily limit.
Visits for specified purposes
- To provide essential care or support for the resident’s immediate physical or emotional wellbeing
- Is the parent, carer or guardian of a person under the age of 18
- As a nominated person (as defined in the Mental Health Act, 2014)
- As an interpreter or to provide language support
- To learn to support the resident’s care upon discharge
Visitor restrictions for the specified purposes above
- Two visitors at one time
- Do not have to be from the same household
- No time limits
- No more than two visitors per day
- A group may exceed the “two visitors at a time” rule if dependents of a visitor (or patient in hospital) are in the group and care for the dependents cannot be arranged
Statutory bodies such as Community Visitors and the Disability Services Commissioner can continue to visit care facilities.
PPE requirements
Authorised disability support workers must wear a surgical mask that always covers the nose and mouth, indoors and outdoors. This includes all authorised visitors in residential settings.All residential disability services, staff, contractors and volunteers must:
- Wear eye protection (face shields are preferred) when supporting COVID-19 negative residents
- Use P2/N95 respirators, eye protection (face shields are preferred), disposable gloves, disposable fluid-repellent gowns and hand hygiene for all suspected (low and high risk) and confirmed cases
Useful links
- The updated Victorian Government disability services sector – COVID-19 website
