What you need to know

• Victoria’s lockdown has been extended until 70 percent of Victorians receive one COVID-19 vaccination
• The government will consider ending the lockdown in regional Victoria next week, with significant restrictions continuing
• Current strict PPE guidelines across disability services and limitations on prospective resident visits in residential services remain
• Updated fact sheets have been released but do not specifically address the circumstances in which day services are essential 

Restrictions to continue until 70 percent vaccinated

The Victorian Government has announced that the state’s lockdown will continue until 70 percent of eligible Victorians have had at least one COVID-19 vaccination, estimated to be about 23 September.

Next week the government will consider ending the lockdown in regional Victoria while retaining significant restrictions, with the exception of Shepparton.

All restrictions will continue apart from rules applying to playgrounds.

Updated Fact Sheets for Disability

The government has released two new fact sheets for disability providers:

• Fact sheet for community and non-residential disability services
• Fact sheet for community services covered by the Care Facilities Directions 

It is to be noted that the community and non-residential disability services fact sheet does not specifically address the circumstances in which day services are essential and that DFFH is currently developing further guidance for day services providers.

Both these fact sheets explain the requirements that were introduced on 21 August and which have now been extended by the Victorian Government.

Key elements which apply to residential and non-residential providers include:

• Care services for people with particular needs, including disability, are considered essential services and will continue
• Employers can issue permits to employees if the organisation is on the authorised providers and authorised workers list, the employee is working in an approved category for on-site work or the employee cannot work from home
• Employers can provide certified worker permits for workers to carry when working and when traveling for work. This can be shown electronically to authorities if required
• Workers, contractors and volunteers not on the authorised workers list must not enter care facilities (workers carrying out vaccinations and testing are considered authorised and can enter)
• Workers with a permit must not attend work if they test positive to COVID-19 or are a close contact. For residential service providers across Victoria, current restrictions on visitors continue to apply. Visits from prospective residents of the care facility are not permitted
• Existing PPE requirements continue, and are detailed in the fact sheets

For residential service providers across Victoria current restrictions on visitors continue to apply. Visits from prospective residents of the care facility are not permitted.

Vaccination targets

The Victorian Government has set vaccination targets as the triggers to review restrictions.

At 70 percent single dose, the Victorian Government will start to ease restrictions.

Eligibility for a vaccination has been extended to:

• Everyone aged 16 and over
• Young people aged 12 to 15 years if they have an underlying medical condition
• Are an NDIS participant
• Are Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander

Bookings for Victorian hubs can be made online or by calling 1800 675 398. For an interpreter, press 0. Centres are no longer taking walk-ins. Bookings can also be made via the Australian Government's eligibility checker.

Useful links

• Victorian Government disability services sector – COVID-19
• NDS Responding to an Outbreak
• Australian Government Department of Health - COVID-19 vaccine information for disability service providers
• Victoria COVID-19 Response hub
  
  

Source article from National Disability Services