VMC | UPDATING | Restrictions Victoria Wide | Thursday 15 July 2021 | from 11.59 pm

[Edited extract from public address]

With today’s announcement of a five-day lockdown across Victoria, we are here to share the facts you need to know, as well as key information on supports and services that are available to you and your community. Please share this information with your friends and family.

Message from the Chairperson

There will be only 5 reasons to leave home from 11:59pm tonight, 15 July. You can leave home to get the food and supplies you need, for exercise for up to two hours and no more than 5kms from your home, for care or caregiving, work or education if you can't do it from home or to get vaccinated at the nearest possible location. You must wear a mask indoors and outdoors at all times.

We will be holding a Community Forum tonight at 7pm with Department of Health for our multicultural and multifaith communities, so you can ask questions about vaccines, restrictions & more. You can pre-register for this forum here.

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 the translated information on this page.

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:

• Financial support for coronavirus (COVID-19)
• Isolation and quarantine – extra help and support
• Mental health resources 
• Information for people with disability - coronavirus (COVID-19) 
• Emergency relief packages 
• COVID business information 
• COVIDSafe religion and ceremony guidance

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.

This snap lockdown will let our dedicated public health team work to the best of their abilities. The pace with which this virus moves requires our focused attention and to follow all the public health directions.

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.

• See current list of exposure sites

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.

• Here is a list of places you can get a COVID test

New restrictions on gatherings, travel and masks

From 11:59pm tonight, Thursday July 15, you will not be able to have visitors to your home, unless it is an intimate partner. Single person bubbles will also be allowed.

Public and private gatherings will not be 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 will also remain open. Cafes and restaurants will be able to offer take-away only. Gyms, hairdressers, community facilities and entertainment venues will all close. Non-essential retail may only open for click and collect.

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. You can also speak to your GP about vaccination.

• Find a vaccination centre near you

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.

• Read about Victorian Government QR Code Service

Financial supports for people and businesses impacted

For people and businesses impacted by the lockdown and COVID-19 in general.

• Read about financial and other supports available

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
Website: www.multiculturalcommission.vic.gov.au