The Victorian Multicultural Commission, in partnership with the Department of Health (DH), invites you to an on-line community information session on the current COVID-19 outbreak.
Message from the Chairperson
I appreciate some leaders may have been invited to multiple sessions and I hope you appreciate our eagerness to ensure the community stays informed, and that we have sufficient information to in turn inform members.
The intention of this briefing is to keep you informed of the developments of the current outbreak and mandatory QR code requirements. Updates on other supports on testing, isolation, and relief supports will also be provided.
Importantly, it provides an avenue for the department and the VMC to listen to community concerns, and provide you information to support members of the community.
The support you can provide as a community, faith and business leader to support this testing effort is critical in ensuring Victoria continues to Stay Safe and Stay Open.
We acknowledge that this meeting time may not be suitable for everyone to attend. We will share key information from this session in a follow-up email to you.
Thank you for helping us keep Victoria COVIDSafe.
VMC Multicultural and Multifaith Community Leader Forum
When: Jun 4, 2021 07:00 PM Canberra, Melbourne, Sydney
Where: online through Zoom
Bookings: Email us for the Zoom Link if you are interested in attending the general Multicultural Forum Community Business Leader QR Code Sessions
We will also be running sessions with the Department of Jobs, Precincts & Regions surrounding the new business rules, how to use QR codes and COVID-19 recovery for Business. The Presenter is an Executive Director and the QR Code message will be translated for Business Owners & Leaders of different communities. Please email us for the Zoom Link best for you.
- Wednesday 9 June 2021 | 6-7pm | Vietnamese
- Wednesday 16 June 2021 | 6-7pm | Indian
- Monday 21 June 2021 | 6-7pm | Chinese
- Wednesday 23 June 2021 | 6-7pm | Arabic
Key Information:
- Businesses need to operate in line with current restrictions
- Businesses need a COVID safe plan and QR codes.
- There is also information in community languages on how to use QR codes
- Available for businesses on infection control free training.
- Available for businesses to clean properly, support & info
- Financial and other support is available ($450 Testing Isolation Payment and $1500 Pandemic Leave Disaster Payment) if workers need to stay home
For those who would like to hear information in their language, please visit Multilingual News Services.
To view and share this information within your communities, you can visit translated information.
If you have had interruptions to your work, school, mental health or family due to COVID-19, cohealth can help you, through the Family Recovery Program. Read the fact sheets in 13 languages and call 9448 6845 Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm. For an interpreter, call 13 14 50 and ask them to call 9448 6845.
For those in need of food relief and essentials, you can contact Relief and Community Support at rcs@dffh.vic.gov.au and 1800 365 100.
Some more essential links:
We understand this is a stressful and upsetting time, especially for our diverse communities, and we will continue to support you as we work together to overcome this latest COVID challenge.
We have done this before and we can do it again, by remaining vigilant and supporting each other.
Viv Nguyen, Chairperson
COVID-19 exposure sites
There are new coronavirus exposure sites across Melbourne as well as some regional areas. If you, or your friends or family, went to any of the exposure sites listed here at the times indicated, please follow the advice given for that particular site.
COVID-19 symptoms to watch for
If you have cold or flu like symptoms, such as a cough, fever, sore throat, shortness of breath or runny nose, even if these are mild, you should get tested for COVID-19.
Restrictions on gatherings, travel and masks
You are not able to have visitors to your home, unless it is an intimate partner. Single person bubbles will also be allowed.
Public and private gatherings are not permitted.
Masks must be carried and worn everywhere, indoors and outdoors, unless at home.
Shops like supermarkets, food stores, bottle shops, banks, petrol stations and pharmacies remain open. Cafes and restaurants will be able to offer take-away only. Gyms, hairdressers, community facilities and entertainment venues are all closed. Non-essential retail may only open for click and collect.
There are only 5 reasons to leave home.
- To shop for essentials
- For authorised work or permitted education
- Caregiving & medical & compassionate reasons
- To exercise for a maximum of two hours
- To get vaccinated.
Getting vaccinated against COVID-19
Vaccination helps protect you from getting sick from COVID-19. The vaccines being used in Australia are very effective at preventing serious illness and loss of life from COVID-19. Vaccination centres are open to people who are eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccine. If you are eligible, please get vaccinated. State Hubs will be offering Pfizer to 40-49 year olds.
Checking in at venues and facilities
Using the Service Victorian QR code to check in when you visit public places helps with contact tracing and keeps Victoria safe and open. When you check-in, you create a record of the time and date you visited a venue. This means that contact tracers can quickly access your contact information and get in touch with you, if you’ve visited a public exposure site. This will help to contain any COVID-19 outbreak.
QR codes are simple and free and the information recorded when you check in is kept private.
Financial supports for people and businesses impacted
You can read about financial and other supports available to people and businesses impacted by the lockdown and COVID-19 in general.
If you have questions or concerns about COVID-19, you can call the coronavirus hotline on 1800 675 398, then press 0 (zero).
Coronavirus hotline
- Coronavirus hotline: 1800 675 398 (24 Hours).
- Interpreting service: If you need an interpreter, call TIS National on 131 450.
- Testing locations: Find a testing location near you.
- Triple Zero: Please keep Triple Zero (000) for emergencies only.
- Coronavirus in-language information
MORE:
Victorian Multicultural Commission (VMC)
Address: Level 3, 1 Macarthur Street, Melbourne VIC 3000
Tel: (03) 9651 5901
Email: contact@vmc.vic.gov.au