The world is in a difficult time right now with the Coronavirus (COVID-19) making people unsure about what's going on and if we're safe.

It's important we stay up-to-date with changing restrictions happening throughout Victoria so you and your family and friends can stay safe.

We will endeavor to keep Community updated through our channels and encourage everyone to regularly check Coronavirus.gov.au

Current COVID-19 Safe Settings in Victoria

Further easing of COVID-19 Restrictions for fully vaccinated Victorians

From 11.59pm, Thursday 18 November 2021, almost all COVID 19 restrictions will lift for fully vaccinated (double dosed) Victorians.

Premier Daniel Andrews announced today that the state will soon achieve the 90% double-dosed (people aged 12 years and over) target which will see the State enter Phase D of the Roadmap and life returning to as close to normal for fully vaccinated Victorians.

Major changes that come into effect tonight for fully vaccinated people:

Social & Recreational:

• No limits on the number of people you can gather with in your home and public places (e.g. beach, park)
• Attend sporting and recreational facilities such as (e.g. gyms, swimming pools and sporting grounds) and sporting events
• Host and attend weddings, funerals and religious ceremonies with no capacity or density limits. (Note: density limits will still apply if vaccination status isn’t being checked at the event.)
• Attend restaurants, venues, cafes, nightlife venues open with no capacity or density limits (Note: all patrons and workers must be fully vaccinated)

Work:

• Workplaces are open but staff need to be fully vaccinated if
• you are a worker or volunteer who is required to be vaccinated if working outside your home
• working onsite at a premises open to fully vaccinated people (e.g., restaurant)

Retail:

• Venues you can attend ONLY IF you are fully vaccinated include non-essential retail stores (e.g. Bookstores, clothes shops), personal services (e.g. hairdresser, beauty salon), library and other community spaces, creative art premises and real estate services (e.g. auctions, open for inspections). NOTE: Vaccination requirements don’t apply to essential retail stores (e.g. supermarkets, post office)

Education:

• Schools, early childhood education centres are open to all ages.
• Students (years 3 and above), teachers and staff must wear masks indoors.

Masks:

• Masks are only required in limited settings including retail, health care, aged care, justice facilities, primary schools and public transport, taxis and rideshare.
• Masks are recommended is you can’t physically distance.

For full details of the easing of restrictions read the Premier’s media release here - https://www.premier.vic.gov.au/more-freedoms-come-victoria-hits-90-cent-vax-rate 

Further information regarding current COVID Safe settings can be found here - https://www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au/coronavirus-covidsafe-settings

See the following link for the full list of exposure sites - https://www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au/exposure-sites

For all other COVID-19 information including the vaccine program, please visit www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au.  

Remember that if you are feeling unwell and think you have symptoms of COVID-19, seek medical advice and get tested. If you want to talk to someone about your symptoms, call the National Coronavirus Helpline for advice on 1800 020 080.

If you feel sick 

If you are feeling unwell and think you have symptoms of COVID-19 (such as fever, sweats or chills, sore throat, shortness of breath and/or loss of sense of smell or taste), seek medical advice and get a free test.

• Get tested - Call your local Aboriginal health service or the COVID-19 hotline 1800 675 398 to find out where. A list of testing sites can also be found here.
• Work-from-home, if you can and are well enough to do so.
• Keep-up-to date with the latest COVID-19 information

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are a high-risk group (due to higher rates of pre-existing medical conditions such as diabetes, heart and lung disease) so it's important that we get tested as soon as we present with any coronavirus symptoms.

If you believe you were at an exposure site

If you have been a Tier One exposure sites, you are required to get tested urgently and isolate for fourteen days. The Department of Health will be in contact with you to discuss what you need to do and complete an interview. If you have any questions you can contact the Department of Health on 1300 651 160.

The advice for those who have visited Tier Two sites is to get tested urgently and isolate until you have a negative result.

Please see the following link for the full list of exposure sites - https://www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au/exposure-sites

For more information and advice on what to do if you or a member or your household and/or family have visited an exposure site check out the self-assessment tool on the Coronavirus website. 

Call your local Aboriginal health service or the COVID-19 hotline on 1800 675 398 to see where you can get tested.