Dear Provider,
The Victorian government has announced a seven-day lockdown in a bid to curb the state’s growing Coronavirus outbreak. This ‘circuit-breaker lockdown’ will be in place from 11:59pm tonight until 11:59pm on June 3.
The government has also confirmed that there are more than 75 exposure sites and 10,000 primary and secondary contacts linked to the existing cases, so it is extremely important, with the more rapid spread of this new strain of the virus, that we all remain vigilant to protect ourselves and our clients, no matter where we live.
The authorities also strongly recommend that eligible people are vaccinated against COVID-19 as soon as possible. To find out where your nearest walk/in or appointment vaccination centre is located, please visit the Department of Health website. Note that people over the age of 40 are now eligible to be vaccinated in Victoria, or can register to be vaccinated in the coming weeks in NSW and QLD.
As a result of the lockdown, enhanced restrictions will be in place in Victoria for the duration of the lockdown:
- Public health experts’ prime concern is how fast the COVID-19 B1.617.1 variant is moving. In just 24 hours, the number of cases has doubled
- On the advice of the Victorian public health team, the state will move to ‘circuit breaker’ restrictions from 11:59pm May 27, 2021 until 11:59pm June 3, 2021
- There is a 5km radius restriction in leaving your home across all of Victoria
- Masks must be worn inside and outside (except in your own home)
- There are only five reasons to leave home: food and supplies, authorised work, care and caregiving, exercise (for up to two hours – with one other person), and getting vaccinated
- Providing services to the aged care community is considered to be essential and it is expected that these services will continue. Please note the following:
- All workers are to wear surgical masks at all times (inside and outside services); use the screening questions; practice hand hygiene and social distancing measures
- You may travel outside the 5km radius for work, including to visit or support clients, if this cannot be done remotely
- Essential workers, including health and aged care workers, are not required to get permits but must carry a form of employee identification to show the need to travel and be prepared to provide details of their place of employment, should this be required.
Further details of restrictions in Victoria (including social and commercial) can be found here.
CARE CONNECT WILL CONTACT YOU IF
ANY OF YOUR SERVICES NEED TO BE RESCHEDULED.
IF YOU CHOOSE NOT TO DELIVER SERVICES, PLEASE CONTACT: service@careconnect.org.au
Stay safe, stay well and stay connected by keeping up to date with important health authority guidance and advice, and by logging in to Provider Connect.
Kind regards,
Eileen Keane
General Manager, Service Delivery Partnerships