24/03/2020
What’s new?
- As of 13:45hrs 24 March 2020, Victoria has 411 total confirmed cases, and no deaths.
- The shutdown of all non-essential activity across the state commended on midday 23 March.
- The Prime Minister and the Chief Medical Officer announced further restrictions on businesses and places of gatherings. Watch the press conference live steamed on Facebook.
- The Victoria Government will be working to implement these restrictions over the coming days and months.
- Up-to-date epidemiological data is now available on our website.
- Physical (social) distancing measures should be consistently applied, including clinical settings. Keep a full arm-span (about 1.5 metres) between yourself and other people where possible
Current directions arising from the declared state of emergency
- A direction for hospital visitors was signed on 23 March 2020. This direction prohibits non-essential visits to hospitals.
- A direction for non-essential business closure was signed by the Deputy Chief Health Officer today in accordance with emergency powers arising from the declared state of emergency. This direction states a person who owns, controls or operates a non-essential business or undertaking in Victoria must not operate from noon on 23 March 2020.
- This follows directions for aged care and mass gatherings that were signed on 21 March 2020. The Aged Care Directions make provision for restricted access to residential aged care facilities to limit the spread of COVID-19 within a particularly vulnerable population.
Key messages
- Victoria implemented a shutdown of all non-essential activity across the state on 23 March, these restrictions will be expanded from midnight 25 March in line with national recommendations just announced.
- Essential services include health services, supermarkets, banks, pharmacies, petrol stations and convenience stores. Freight, logistics and home delivery are also considered essential and will remain open.
- New restrictions on hospital visitors and workers have been introduced to reduce the spread of coronavirus. Visitors can expect to be screened on entrance and will not be allowed to visit if they meet risk criteria including having a temperature or symptoms of acute respiratory infection.
- Notification is required, by telephone, for all confirmed cases via 1300 651 160, immediately 24 hours per day.
- From 9pm 20 March 2020, any Australians returning from any country outside Australia should now be considered at risk and are required to self-isolate for 14 days.
- All close contacts of confirmed cases will be contacted by the department and told to home quarantine for 14 days.
- Any healthcare or residential aged care worker with a fever or respiratory symptoms should be tested.
- The government is encouraging the community to limit their day-to-day activities outside their homes. Victoria will be introducing notification of close contacts with confirmed cases via text message in the coming days.
- Additional PPE and testing equipment is due to arrive in the coming weeks.
More information
Clinical information
Health services and general practice - coronavirus disease (COVID-19)
Consumer information
About Coronavirus (COVID-19) - information for the general public
World Health Organization - health topic - Coronavirus
Contacts
A public information hotline is provided by Nurse-on-Call – 1800 675 398.
Medical practitioners needing clinical information or to notify suspected or confirmed cases can contact the Department of Health and Human Services Communicable Diseases Section on 1300 651 160 (24 hours).
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