The Victorian Government has announced that metropolitan Melbourne’s lockdown will be extended to 11.59pm Thursday 2 September with added restrictions to further limit movement.

Major changes that will impact the disability sector are:

• A curfew from 9pm to 5am will be imposed from 11.59pm Monday 16 August
• Authorised workers will require a permit to attend work from 11.59pm Tuesday 17 August

See the table of restrictions attached to the base of the Government’s announcement.

Disability providers should note new requirements for authorised workers and travel:

• Travel to and from work is permitted, even when curfew is in place
• An authorised worker permit will be required to leave the house for work, consistent with the arrangements that were in place last year 
• Permits need to be certified by the employer
• People living in regional Victoria and entering metropolitan Melbourne for authorised work must also carry a permit.

Other changes to restrictions for Melbourne are:

• Exercise with 5km from home is allowed for up to two hours, with one other person plus dependants if they cannot be left unattended. The other person can be from another household.
• When not at home or when exceptions apply, face masks can only be removed to eat or to drink non-alcoholic beverages.
• Outdoor playgrounds, skateparks, basketball courts and gym equipment are closed.

NDS will keep providers up to date as information, such as DFFH fact sheets, come to hand.

Useful links

• Victorian Government disability services sector – COVID-19
• NDS Responding to an Outbreak
• Translated information about COVID-19
• NDS Victorian COVID-19 response webpage