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Vic COVID-19 update: More restrictions easing Friday
23/06/2021
What you need to know
- Victorians can have 15 visitors per day at home
- Community and non-residential disability services venues can have up to 300 people with no limits on group numbers
- PPE restrictions have eased for residential services in regional Victoria
- Masks must still be worn indoors
The Victorian Government has announced restrictions will ease in Melbourne and regional Victoria from 11.59pm Thursday, 24 June.
For all Victorians, visitors in the home are limited to 15 people including dependents per day, together or separately. There is no longer a requirement to work from home. Masks must continue to be worn inside and are recommended for outside when social distancing is not possible.
There are still some restrictions which differ in Melbourne and Regional Victoria.
Melbourne
- Workplace densities increase (to 75 per cent or up to 30 people if the total workplace is 40 or less) subject to one person per 4sqm.
- Community and non-residential disability services are allowed a maximum of 300 people in venues, with no limits on group numbers subject to the one person per 4sqm rule.
- Venues smaller than 600 sqm (excluding those covered by the Care Facilities Directions [Word]) can operate with a density limit of one person per 2sqm, or a maximum of 150 people, provided a COVID Check-in Marshall is stationed at the entrance to confirm a successful check-in or record details manually.
Regional Victoria
- Workplace densities stay at 75 per cent or up to 30 people if the total workplace is 40 or less. However, the density limit has been reduced to one person per 2sqm.
- Community and non-residential disability services density limit is now one person per 2sqm provided a COVID Check-in Marshal is stationed at the entrance to confirm a successful check-in or record details manually. Caps on maximum numbers at venues and group numbers have been removed.
QR codes
All workplaces including supported employment settings and care facilities must use the Service Victoria app to record anyone, including staff, entering the premises.
All services must have alternative manual or electronic record options for people who cannot use a QR code or do not have a compatible device.
Essential support groups and health services are not required to keep records if confidentiality is required. Workers do not need to use the Service Victoria app if supporting people in their private home. Residents of care facilities are not required to use the Victorian QR check-in when entering their own accommodation setting.
PPE
Indoors, all disability staff, contractors and volunteers must wear a surgical mask that always covers the nose and mouth. Masks are strongly recommended for outdoors where social distancing of 1.5 metres cannot be achieved.
In Melbourne, residential disability services, staff, contractors and volunteers are required to:
- wear eye protection (face shields are preferred) and face masks with COVID-19 negative residents
- use a P2/N95 respirator, eye protection (face shields are preferred), disposable gloves, disposable fluid-repellent gowns, exercise hand hygiene for all low and high-risk suspected and confirmed COVID-19 cases
In regional Victoria, residential disability services, staff, contractors and volunteers:
- no longer need to wear eye protection with COVID-19 negative residents
- no longer need to wear a P2/N95 respirator, but must wear a surgical face mask, eye protection (face shields preferred), disposable gloves, disposable fluid–repellent gowns and exercise hand hygiene, for supporting low-risk suspected residents
- must use a P2/N95 respirator, eye protection (face shields are preferred), disposable gloves, disposable fluid-repellent gowns, and exercise hand hygiene when supporting residents confirmed or high risk suspected with COVID-19
Useful resources
- The updated Victorian Government disability services sector – COVID-19 website. Note DFFH Fact sheets for care facilities, community and non-residential settings, dated 21 June, have been posted to this webpage.
- NDS COVID-19 Hub
- NDS Member PPE Marketplace
- Victoria COVID-19 Response hub
- COVID-19 toolkit
For any enquiries, please contact Sarah Fordyce, State Manager Vic, submit enquiry/feedback, 0447 441 505