What you need to know

• Victorian Government announces eased visitor restrictions from Saturday 25 June
• Requirements to wear face masks remain unchanged for the disability sector
• Disability organisations will be able to introduce their own visitor rules
• Important NDS member meeting, Living with COVID-19, this Friday will provide updates on future COVID-19 management in Victoria

The Victorian Government announced more restrictions will be eased across the state under new COVID-19 pandemic orders, which come into effect from Saturday, 25 June. However, several restrictions in disability settings will remain until the end of winter.

Visitor restrictions lifted

Visitor limits for residential disability facilities will be removed, with no limits on the daily number of visitors, provided they test negative on a rapid antigen test that day.
People can visit for limited reasons, such as end-of-life visit, without having a test.
Disability organisations will be able to introduce their own visitor rules to enable them to respond to the local risk.

Face masks

Face masks will remain in disability residential facilities and non-residential and community settings. Service providers are advised to continue using the existing guidance.

Vaccinations

The vaccination mandates for disability workers remain in place, with all workers requiring three doses.
The government is providing free influenza vaccinations for the month of June through GPs and community pharmacies for all Victorians aged six months or older. Providers are encouraged to remind staff, families and carers that they only have a few days remaining to access free influenza vaccination.
There is no interval required between receiving a COVID-19 vaccine and an influenza vaccine. People who are eligible for a booster or winter COVID-19 vaccination can book to receive both at the same time. Anyone with questions about a COVID booster or influenza vaccination due to existing health concerns, should discuss their situation with their GP.

Isolation restrictions eased

Providers can inform their workers, families, carers, and participants that anyone who tests positive must still isolate for seven days from the day they took their test, but may now leave home to drive a household member directly to or from education or work, without leaving their vehicle.
They can also leave home to get medical care, a COVID-19 test, or in an emergency.

Important NDS Living with COVID-19 meeting 24 June

NDS has scheduled another member meeting with representatives from the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing, the Department of Health, and NDIA on Friday 24 June 12pm to 1pm AEDT.
Register to hear updates and discuss emerging developments regarding COVID-19 management, including increased regional local primary health units’ responsibility for outbreak management and support, and how this will impact the disability sector.

Final Infection Prevention Control Advice and Response (IPCAR) webinars

Disability support workers have just two weeks left to attend free one-hour webinars on infection prevention and control delivered by the Department of Health IPCAR unit.
The webinars are designed for workers in residential, non-residential, and community-based settings and cover:

• basic IPC principles and their application
• question and answers with IPCAR educators in the team.

Registrations are not required. You can find the direct Microsoft Teams links on the website. Only four sessions are remaining:

• Every Wednesday at 11am (until the last session on Wednesday, 29 June)
• Every Thursday at 11am (until the last session on Thursday, 30 June)

Useful Links

#Itsnotlatetovaccinate videos
Free flu shots for all Victorians

Article sourced from National Disability Services