With this week's announcement of a seven-day lockdown across Victoria, here are some 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 are only 5 reasons to leave home. 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.
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 or email frp@cohealth.org.au. 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 675 398. Select '0' for an interpreter. Select '4' and '4' again for support.
If you have visited a Tier 1 exposure site or have been close to someone with COVID-19, you should contact the Department of Health on 1300 651 160 or via this form.
If you have tested positive to COVID-19, you must stay home and follow directions from the Department of Health.
If you are unsure where you should isolate or do not have a place where you can isolate safely, call the dedicated Victorian Coronavirus Hotline on 1800 675 398.
Some more essential links:
- What to do if you are a close contact
- Financial support for coronavirus (COVID-19)
- Isolation and quarantine – extra help and support
- Mental health resources
- Mental health support services
- 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.
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.
New restrictions on gatherings, travel and masks
From 8pm, Thursday 5 August 2021, 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.
Necessary 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.
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