It is coming to the time of reopening in victoria and cases are settling across melbourne metro areas specifically which is wonderful to see. Our thoughts and prayers go out to all who have needed to deal with COVID-19 first hand through perhaps a loved one or personally.
Please keep in mind that as we are essential workers providing labour hire services to an essential industry, you are allowed to be attending any shifts being offered to you with a Permitted Worker Permit &/or a docket book and ID badge on hand if going through a check point. In particular those travelling into regional victoria, this will apply to you and you may be asked to also evidence where you have worked hence why it is important to have your docket book handy.
We are still NOT officially open to the public in the office. Should you need to pick something up or drop anything off, this can be arranged with the staff however distancing, sanitising and wearing a face covering will apply at all times. Please ensure you do arrange an appropriate time with the staff as the front door is locked at all times at the moment.
Key update: elective surgery
* Non-urgent elective surgeries will resume across Victoria’s regional public and private hospitals from Thursday, 17 September and in metropolitan Melbourne from the end of September.
* The staged resumption will be in line with the Victorian Government’s roadmap for reopening.
* The plan will see regional Victoria increase to 75 per cent of usual elective surgery activity from Thursday, 17 September and 85 per cent from 28 September.
* Hospitals in metropolitan Melbourne will begin to increase up to 75 per cent of usual elective surgery activity from the 28 September, when they enter the Second Step of the roadmap, and 85 per cent of usual activity when they move to the Third Step.
* All Victorian hospitals will move to 100 per cent of usual elective surgery activity when the state enters the Last Step towards COVID Normal, planned for 23 November.
* Importantly, at all times throughout the pandemic, urgent elective surgery has continued across Victoria.
CURRENT AFTER 11:59pm on 27 SEPTEMBER:
* having reached an average daily case rate in metropolitan Melbourne of 30 to 50 cases over a 14-day period with public health advice regarding transmission source.
Key points
* The curfew will be lifted in metropolitan Melbourne from 5am on Monday 28 September.
* There will be higher on the spot fines for breaching rules about visitors to your home and outdoor gatherings
* Only leave home for 4 reasons: school or permitted work (if these cannot be done from home), care or caregiving, to purchase essentials, exercise and recreation
* Stay within 5km of your home except for permitted reasons such as work or education if these cannot be done at home
* Public gatherings: up to 5 people from a maximum of 2 households can meet outdoors for social interaction (infants under 12 months of age are not included in the cap)
* Childcare will open from 28 September and essential worker childcare permits will no longer be required. Standalone (sessional) kindergarten programs from Monday 5 October in line with Term 4
* Schools will see a staged return to face-to-face learning. Primary School students, students in Years 10 – 12 undertaking VCE/VCAL and special schools return in Term 4
* Outdoor exercise with a personal trainer allowed
* Restaurants and cafes open for takeaway and delivery only
From 11:59pm on Wednesday 16 September, regional Victoria is moving to the Third Step
* There are no restrictions on the reasons to leave home.
* Stay safe as restrictions ease by washing your hands regularly, wearing a face covering when you leave home, coughing and sneezing into your elbow, and keeping at least 1.5 metres from others.
* Keep your friends and family safe by meeting outdoors. There is a lower risk of spreading coronavirus (COVID-19) between people if you are outdoors. Groups of up to ten people will be able to meet outdoors.
* Restrictions are easing to allow for cafes, restaurants, beauty and personal care, and some outdoor entertainment venues to open. Restaurants will open in a predominantly outdoor capacity, with a group limit of 10 people, and density limits.
* You must not travel to metropolitan Melbourne except for permitted work purposes, care and compassionate reasons or shopping for food and supplies, if necessary.
* Face coverings must be worn by all Victorians when they leave home, unless they have a lawful exception.
* If you have symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19) get tested and stay home. Stay at home if you feel unwell.
Victorian healthcare worker coronavirus (COVID-19)
The Victorian Government is committed to protecting our healthcare workers and keeping them safe.
The number of coronavirus (COVID-19) cases in healthcare workers has decreased relative to the previous week. This reflects the downward trend of transmission in the broader Victorian population.
Of the total number of coronavirus (COVID-19) cases in healthcare workers (3519), 72.52% of cases were acquired in a healthcare setting, and 14.52% were not acquired in a healthcare setting. 12.95% of cases are either still under investigation or the source of infection is unable to be determined.
Of the healthcare workers who acquired COVID-19 in a healthcare setting, 1273 (49.88%) were aged care or disability workers, 1022 (40.04%) were nurses or midwives, 118 (4.62%) were medical practitioners and 87 (3.40%) were other healthcare workers.
Some interesting numbers for us all to be aware of: (updated 29 Sept 2020 @ 04:39pm)
* 88 Active Healthcare worker cases
* 2552 Healthcare worker cases acquired in the workplace
* 3519 Total Healthcare worker cases
* 107 Furloughed hospital staff
* 38 Healthcare worker cases in the last week
* 3429 Recovered Healthcare workers
The number of recovered cases plus the number of active cases is not equal to the total cases. This is because total cases also includes cases that are deceased or lost to follow up (i.e. not able to be contacted and hence status unknown).
Some resource information:
https://www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/healthcare-worker-infection-prevention-and-wellbeing-taskforce
https://www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/victorian-healthcare-worker-covid-19-data
https://www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/health-services-and-professionals-coronavirus-covid-19
https://www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/aged-care-sector-coronavirus-disease-covid-19
