The Victorian Government has announced the lockdown in regional Victoria will lift with eased restrictions from 11:59pm Monday 9 August.

Restrictions remaining across all Victoria

Visitors are still not permitted in the home with the exception of intimate partner or single person bubble visits. Masks must still be worn indoors and outside except if at home or an exemption applies.

Please also refer to the updated table of Restriction Changes at the base of the Premier’s announcement.

Visitor restrictions for residential services:

• Visitors are allowed for permitted purposes only such as end-of-life care
• No more than two visitors per day; except dependents of a visitor if care cannot be arranged.

PPE requirements have not changed for any disability settings across the state.

Restrictions that will remain in Regional Victoria

Some key points for providers:

• While leaving the home and travel is permitted across regional Victoria, travel to metropolitan Melbourne remains for permitted reasons only and visitors must follow metropolitan Melbourne restrictions
• Private gatherings are not permitted
• Public gatherings are permitted up to a maximum of 10 people
• Workplaces can re-open with 25 per cent or a limit of 10 people, whichever is greater

Non-residential community services

Non-residential services are permitted to open for all people with disability, with the following restrictions:

• One person per 4 square metres
• Maximum 100 people inside and 300 outside, where density limits permit
• COVID Check-in marshals must ensure attendees check-in

Victorian border restrictions

Disability workers living in NSW border communities and working in Victoria no longer need a permit to travel to work.

Vic-NSW Cross border community residents can also cross the border for reasons including:

• Shop for essentials, medical care, COVID-19 test or vaccination,
• Caregiving or compassionate reasons
• For work or education.
• To provide care and caregiving

Expanded access to AstraZeneca vaccine

The Victorian Government has expanded access to AstraZeneca through state-run vaccination centres for 18 to 39 year-olds, effectively opening access to all people 18 and above.

Centres outside metropolitan Melbourne include:

• Former Ford Factory, Geelong
• Kilmore District Health (Outpatients Building)
• Mansfield District Hospital (Anderson Hall).

AstraZeneca is also available to 18-39 year olds at participating Commonwealth clinics including GPs, respiratory clinics and Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations.

The State Government also announced children aged 12 to 15 with specified medical conditions that increase their risk of severe COVID-19 symptoms are now eligible to receive the Pfizer vaccine at state-run clinics.

Vaccination bookings can be made:

• Online for a Victorian run centre, or by calling 1800 675 398
• Through the Vaccine Eligibility Checker to book at a Commonwealth run centre

Useful links

• Victorian Government disability services sector – COVID-19
• NDS COVID-19 Hub
• NDS Member PPE Marketplace
• NDS Victorian COVID-19 response webpage