Coronavirus (COVID-19) Amaze Community Information Hub

Coronavirus (COVID-19) reopening roadmap: metropolitan Melbourne | Victorian Government

From Sunday 11:59pm 22 November 2020 Victoria saw further changes to restrictions: 

• You can now have up to 15 people in your home per day 
• Outdoor gatherings in a public place increased to 50 
• On Christmas Day, you can have up to 30 people in your home. Babies under 12 months do not count in that cap 
• Cinemas, galleries and museums will also be able to host up to 150 people indoors 

Face masks: whole of Victoria | Updated 22 November 2020 

Changes have been made to rules about wearing masks: 

• You will still need to wear a mask when you’re indoors and on public transport – and where you can’t keep your distance 
• If you are outdoors and can keep a safe distance, masks will not be mandatory 

For more details, view the Statement from Premier Daniel Andrews or download the Summary of Last Step Restrictions. 

Coronavirus (COVID-19) reopening roadmap: metropolitan Melbourne | Updated 8 November 2020 | Victorian Government

From Sunday 11:59pm 8 November 2020 Victoria moved into Third Step restrictions

Metropolitan Melbourne has moved into Third Step restrictions joining Regional Victoria with further easing of restrictions. The following changes were made to restrictions:

• Everyone can now travel between regional Victoria and metropolitan Melbourne with no travel distance limits.
• You can have up to 2 people visit you at home each day. Dependents can also attend if unable to be cared for in another setting.
• Outdoor gatherings in public places are limited to 10 people
• Community venues, including libraries and neighbourhood houses are open for up to 20 people indoors and 10 people per space

See the metropolitan Melbourne roadmap summary for more details. 

An Easy English version of statewide changes to restrictions is available here. 

Coronavirus (COVID-19) reopening roadmap: metropolitan Melbourne | Updated 27 October 2020 | Victorian Government

From Tuesday 11:59pm 27 October 2020 Victoria is in Third Step restrictions

Previous restrictions

Summary of changes to restrictions for metropolitan Melbourne and regional Victoria | Updated 15 October 2020 | DHHS

From Sunday 11:59pm 18 October 2020 changes are being made to restrictions in both metropolitan Melbourne and regional Victoria.

Over the coming days more information about the changes to restrictions will be added to our Victoria’s restriction level page and coronavirus Victoria website.

Visit the DHHS website for up to date information regarding restriction changes.

Face masks

Face masks: whole of Victoria | Updated 11 October 2020 | Department of Health and Social Services

• From 11 October all Victorians must wear a fitted face mask when they leave home, no matter where they live. 
• All Victorians must wear a fitted face mask when they leave home, no matter where they live. As restrictions ease and movement increases, the effectiveness of a face mask is even more important. 
• You must wear a fitted face mask that covers the nose and mouth. This means that face shields, bandanas, or scarves or loose snoods, loose Buffs® or loose neck gaiters on their own will no longer be considered a sufficient face covering.  
• There are a number of lawful excuses for not wearing a face mask.
• A face mask with three layers is the option recommended by the Chief Health Officer, as it provides the best protection for you and others. 

More information from DHHS

Amaze has an article with tips on making and wearing masks for autistic people and their families.

A person with disability visiting a relative for care: a person with disability is allowed to go to a relative’s house for care, including for overnight care. Such arrangements would not be subject to Stage 4 curfew or distance restrictions and are able to continue.

A relative or friend caring for a person with disability: A relative or friend can come to your home to help care for a person with disability (although use of elderly or at-risk people discouraged). They can provide support even during the curfew and they can travel more than 5km to get to your home. There is no permit for this but they should carry ID and be able to explain why they need to visit your home to assist in providing care. Link to announcement

Babysitting: People working in jobs on the permitted worker list can have a babysitter come to the home (paid or unpaid). This includes if the permitted workers are working from home.

Support Workers: Support Workers are an essential service where they provide support that ensures health, safety and wellbeing.  They need a permit, and can travel more than 5km, and can provide support around the clock – including during curfew hours.

Support workers and babysitters will need a permit – visit the Business Victoria website for permit information.

Metropolitan Melbourne

• Schools
  • In Term 4, from 12 October, there will be a phased return for onsite learning for Prep to Grade 6, Year 7, VCE (Years 11 and 12 or those doing VCE or VCAL subjects) and specialist schools.
  • Students in Years 8-10 will continue remote and flexible learning, with a phased return to onsite learning from 26 October.
  • Any Year 8, 9 or 10 student with a disability can return to school as of 11 October. Speak to your school or DET for more information.
• Adult education: only onsite for those on permitted list

Regional Victoria

• All students returned during the week of 12 October.

For more information contact the Department of Education.

Disability Support Workers can be used to assist the needs of children and young people who are learning from home.

The Prime Minister in a press conference on 6 August

I also can confirm that families will be able to use their NDIS plans flexibly to support access workers in their homes, particularly in instances where children with a disability can no longer attend education or other day programs. Families should discuss their needs with their provider or contact the NDIA to seek assistance. What this means is if a family normally had a child attend a day program or special school and those facilities are not open, the family can use their existing plans flexibly to get disability support workers into their home to assist. Disability support workers are considered essential workers in Victoria. 

For further information:

• read the NDIS information pack for families and carers of school aged NDIS participants
• see the Victorian Department of Education and Training website  for details about school operations 
• read how the NDIS works with the education system 
• see the NDIS FAQs about coronavirus (COVID-19), the NDIS and education.

Flexibility in NDIS Plans introduced during the first lockdown continues – there has been a lot of changes, and you can keep up to date on the NDIS website – or speak to your LAC or service coordinator for advice. 

Purchasing personal protective equipment (face masks, shields, gloves and other PPE) 

To better support NDIS participants during the extended coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, we have made a temporary change to funding arrangements for personal protective equipment (PPE).  

These changes apply where coronavirus (COVID-19) is active your community, and the use of PPE is consistent with current health advice.  

You can now recover the costs to purchase PPE items using your NDIS funds, if you; 

• receive an average of at least one hour a day of face-to-face daily living supports, and
• live in Victoria or New South Wales.

Plan and self-managed participants can purchase PPE and record and claim their purchases in the usual way. Agency-managed participants can purchase PPE through registered providers. 

If you need PPE items like face masks, face shields and gloves, and the use of these items is directly related to your face-to-face daily living supports, you can use your core supports budget to purchase these items.  

Previously only participants who used PPE as a regular part of their support arrangements were able to access PPE through their NDIS funds. 

For more information visit the NDIS website.

Apply Online | NDIS

The NDIS is making it easier for people to apply for the NDIS. You can now download the NDIS Access Request Form (ARF) and Supporting Evidence Form (SEF) online to apply for the NDIS. Click here

Getting tested for coronavirus (COVID-19) | The Victorian State Government Department of Health and Human Services

Up to date information on getting tested for coronavirus in Victoria including eligibility criteria, where to get tested and what happens during and after you get tested.

Call-to-Test service for vulnerable Victorians in the Melbourne Metropolitan Area | 10 August 2020 | The Victorian State Government Department of Health and Human Services

The new Call-to-Test service will enable some of our most vulnerable to get tested for coronavirus (COVID-19) at home with a qualified health clinician. The service will provide access for people who cannot leave home due to injury, mobility or other eligible reasons.

Access to the Call-to-Test service will be available to individuals who have coronavirus (COVID-19) symptoms and meet the following criteria:

• people with an injury, chronic health issue, or frailty affecting mobility
• people with moderate to severe physical or psychosocial disability
• people with moderate to severe mental health or behavioural issues not otherwise classified as a psychosocial disability
• carers for a person with moderate to severe disability

People without symptoms may be eligible if they have been identified by the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) as being a close contact, have received direction from DHHS to be tested, and meet any of the criteria detailed above.

You will need to a General Practitioner (GP) referral for a coronavirus (COVID-19) test to access the service, unless you have been directed by DHHS to get a test, as well as demonstrate you are not able to access existing testing sites through family or community supports. The operator will discuss options available to you and support you through the process.

Call the coronavirus (COVID-19) hotline on 1800 675 398  and select option 9 to find out if you are eligible for this service.

Coronavirus COVID-19 Daily Update | The Victorian State Government Department of Health and Human Services

This Chief Health Officer daily update is intended to provide clinicians and the Victorian public with information about the number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Victoria, as well as relevant public health response activities in Victoria.

Regular Updates | Premier of Victoria 

Premier Dan Andrews is providing regular statements on the situation in Victoria, including key information on shutdowns, Victorian Government support, and other important information. There isn’t one link for these statements, so please look for the most up to date “Statement from the Premier” links on the Premier’s website.

Victorian State Government Department of Health and Human Services: Coronavirus Hotline

If you suspect you may have the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) call the dedicated hotline – open 24 hours, 7 days. 1800 675 398. The hotline is now also open for general information on coronavirus, including rules on staying at home.

Please keep Triple Zero (000) for emergencies only.

Coronavirus (COVID-19) health alert | Australian Government Department of Health

The World Health Organisation has announced that COVID-19 is a pandemic. Find out how the Australian Government is monitoring and responding to the outbreak, how you can help slow the spread of COVID-19 in Australia, and what to do if you have symptoms. There is also reports on the latest official medical advice and case numbers.

Supporting Victorian workers get tested and stay at home payment | Victorian Department of Health and Human Services

The Victorian Government has announced a one-off payment of $1,500 is available to workers who are unable to work during their isolation, have no income during this period, and are not entitled to any paid sick leave, special pandemic leave or other income support.

The Government will now extend the scheme to ensure that as soon as a person is tested, they will be eligible for a $300 support payment as long as they meet the eligibility of the existing scheme.

More information here

Economic Support Payment, Child Care Subsidy, Jobseeker obligations, Centrelink information | Services Australia 

Access information on eligibility for the Economic Support Payment, other Centrelink services, and the changes to Newstart and Sickness Allowances here

Talking to the person you support about the coronavirus | Scope Australia

Coronavirus information in your language | SBS Australia

Information for NDIS participants and families about the Coronavirus | Every Australian Counts

Information on

• NDIS
• Easy Read and visual resources
• Languages other than English
• Other helpful websites
• Support, mental health and wellbeing
• Providers and workers
• General information about coronavirus

Posters | World Health Organisation (WHO)

• Coping with stress during the COVID-19 outbreak
• Coping with stress during the COVID-19 outbreak (for children)

Amaze Autism Advisor service

Our Amaze Autism Connect advisors provide trusted and accurate information about autism and supports to Victorians. 

Open from 8am to 7pm, Monday to Friday

• Phone: 1300 308 699
• Email: info@autismconnect.org.au 
• Webchat: www.amaze.org.au/autismconnect/ 

Parentline Victoria

​​Parentline is a phone service for parents and carers of children from birth to 18 years old. We offer confidential and anonymous counselling and support on parenting issues.

• Phone: 13 22 89
• Website: https://www.education.vic.gov.au/parents/services-for-parents/Pages/parentline.aspx 

Kids Helpline

Kids Helpline is Australia’s only free, private and confidential 24/7 phone and online counselling service for young people aged 5 to 25.

• Phone: 1800 55 1800, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
• Website/webchat: https://kidshelpline.com.au/

Lifeline

Lifeline is a national charity providing all Australians experiencing a personal crisis with access to 24 hour crisis support.

• Phone: 13 11 14
• Website/webchat: https://www.lifeline.org.au/

Beyond Blue – Looking after your mental health during the coronavirus outbreak

Beyond Blue recognises and understands the feelings of anxiety, distress and concern many people may be experiencing in relation to the coronavirus (COVID-19) and offers wellbeing advice here.

• Phone: 1300 22 4636
• Email: Click here
• Webchat: Click here