The Victorian Government has announced restrictions will ease in Melbourne and regional Victoria from 11.59pm Thursday, 17 June.

Travel restrictions have been lifted and all Victorians can move freely between metropolitan Melbourne and regional Victoria.  Masks must continue to be worn inside and recommended for outside when social distancing is not possible.

There are some different restrictions for Melbourne and Regional Victoria

Melbourne

• Visitors in the home are limited to two people and their dependents per day.
• Workplace densities in both the public and private sector are increased (50 per cent or up to 20 people if the total workplace is 40 or less). However, if you can work from home, continue to do so.
• Non-residential disability services are permitted to open following the one person per 4 sqm rule. Venues must not exceed a maximum capacity of 150, including no more than 75 people indoors and a maximum group size of 10 people.

Regional Victoria

• Visitors in the home are limited to five people and their dependents per day.
• Workplace densities are increased (75 per cent or up to 30 people if the total workplace is 40 or less). However, if you can work from home, continue to do so.
• Disability accommodation residents are permitted to attend employment, day centre or community activities.
• Non-residential disability services must adhere to a density limit of one person per 4sqm. Venues must not exceed a maximum capacity of 300 and a maximum group size of 50 people.

Residential service visitors

Visitors are not permitted in residential care facilities, except for end-of-life reasons and other essential care and support purposes. Prospective residents are now permitted to visit a care facility with one person accompanying them.

PPE

All disability staff, contractors and volunteers must wear a surgical mask that covers the nose and mouth at all times while indoors. Masks are strongly recommended for outdoors where social distancing cannot be achieved.

In residential disability services, staff, contractors and volunteers must also wear:

• eye protection (face shields are preferred) when supporting COVID-19 negative residents.
• P2/N95 respirator, eye protection (face shields are preferred), disposable gloves, disposable fluid-repellent gowns and exercise hand hygiene when supporting residents confirmed with COVID-19 and when supporting residents with low-risk suspected COVID-19.

Worker Mobility – residential services

Residential service providers are advised that the requirement for all providers to restrict worker mobility remains in place. Providers who are unable to meet this requirement due to workforce availability or any other practical service delivery impacts need to:

• demonstrate that systems are in place to minimise movement across worksites
• maintain a record for any staff working at more than one worksite for two or more different employers
• request the worker to provide a written declaration advising that they are working at more than one worksite, including the details of the other worksite to each employer.

Testing

As Victoria heads deeper into Winter it is vital that anyone with COVID-19 symptoms, no matter how mild, should get tested and stay home until they receive a negative result. If you require support to arrange testing or manage an outbreak, email: RREMoutbreak@dffh.vic.gov.au.

Useful resources

• NDS COVID-19 Hub
• NDS Member PPE Marketplace
• Victoria COVID-19 Response hub
• COVID-19 toolkit