Remember the adage: most accidents happen in the home? Well, when it comes to children, some of the dangers are hiding in plain sight. Learn how to protect your children and grandchildren from home hazards.
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Victoria’s latest COVID-19 rules, restrictions, and testing guidelines
| Victoria COVID-19 testing and isolation guidelines | ||
|---|---|---|
|
I don't have COVID-19 symptoms |
No action required unless travelling or certain medical procedures, see state or country guidelines for details. |
None. |
|
I have COVID-19 symptoms |
RAT test.
PCR only with referral or as instructed. |
Rest and recover at home if possible, test regularly.
It is strongly recommended you wear a mask if leaving your home.
Seek medical attention if symptoms worsen. |
|
I have been diagnosed with COVID-19 |
Diagnosis can come from either positive PCR or RAT. |
If working in a vulnerable setting, isolate for five days minimum.
Recommended to rest and recover at home, test regularly.
It is strongly recommended you wear a mask if leaving your home.
Seek medical attention if symptoms worsen.
|
|
I'm a household contact – no symptoms |
Wearing a mask is optional if leaving home.
Continually test negative using a rapid antigen test. |
None. |
|
I'm a household contact – have symptoms |
Get tested as soon as possible if symptoms develop. |
Rest and recover at home if possible, test regularly.
It is strongly recommended you wear a mask if leaving your home.
Seek medical attention if symptoms worsen. |
|
Other or casual contact – social, workplace etc. |
Monitor for symptoms, RAT advised. |
Current restrictions in Victoria
Isolation period
People who work in vulnerable settings
If you work in a vulnerable setting such as aged care, disability services, Aboriginal health care or hospital care, you must isolate for a mandatory period of five days. You can leave isolation on day five if you have no symptoms.
On day six or seven, if you have symptoms, even if mild, it is recommended you isolate until symptoms dissapate.
General public
If you do not work in the above settings and you test positive to COVID-19 on a RAT or PCR test, it is recommended that you isolate for at least five days, but it is not mandatory.
On day six or seven, if you have symptoms, even if mild, it is recommended you continue to isolate until symptoms dissipate.
If leaving isolation, it is advised that you do not visit or work at a hospital, aged care facility, disability care facility or in-home care premises until the seven-day period is over.
Masks
Masks are no longer required on trams, trains and buses, or in taxis, rideshare, or tourism vehicles.
However, masks are still strongly recommended in these settings, public indoor environments, in areas where you can't physically distance, if you have COVID-19 symptoms, and for people who are immunocompromised.
Masks are still required for many hospitals, aged care, and indoor areas at health and care facilities.
Elective surgery
Surgeries are available at public and private hospitals, based on capacity, staff availability and the COVID-19 demands of the location.
Vaccines
Some workplaces and individual venues may require vaccination for entry.
Workers in industries such as aged and disability care, healthcare, and emergency services may be required to have a certain number of doses of the COVID-19 vaccine to be considered ‘up to date.’
Entering Victoria
There is no testing, vaccination, quarantine, isolation or permit requirements to enter Victoria in relation to COVID-19.
If you test positive to COVID-19, it is recommended you do not travel, and ensure you wear a mask, social distance, and do not put others at risk.
Masks are no longer required in Australian airports or on domestic flights.
Leaving Victoria
International flights are at the discretion of the carrier and destination you are heading to.
Air travel
Travellers coming into Victoria no longer need to be vaccinated.
It is recommended to complete a PCR or RAT with 24 hours of arriving into Australia. Travellers do not need to quarantine while waiting for a result.
If symptoms arise within seven days, the person is recommended to have a PCR or RAT and self-quarantine until they receive a result.
Cruises
There are no longer any COVID-19 vaccination, quarantine, permit, or testing requirements to enter or exit Victoria on a cruise ship. Individual carriers may have their own mandates.
Gatherings
There are no limits to the number of people gathering indoors or outdoors (including the home).
Retail, entertainment, events and hospitality
Retail venues, cinemas, dance floors and theatres can operate at maximum capacity.
Workplace
Rules requiring general workers to work from home unless they are double vaccinated are lifted, although workplaces can set their own conditions.
Definition of 'contacts'
Close contacts
If you have been in close proximity to someone who has been diagnosed with COVID-19 in a home setting for more than four hours or live with the person, you do not need to isolate. However, it is recommended that you use a RAT and record at least five negative results over the seven day period, wear a mask at home, notify your employer/educational provider, and refrain from visiting hospitals or care facilities.
If you receive a positive result on a RAT or PCR, it is recommended you isolate for at least five days.
Social and workplace contacts
If you spend more than 15 minutes with a person who tests positive to COVID-19, it is advised that you complete a RAT for a fiv -day period.
If you have symptoms, it is recommended that you isolate until you receive a negative report.
Education and chilcare setting contacts
If you or your child have symptoms, it is recommended that you isolate until you receive a negative result.
When you are not a close contact
Those who have isolated with COVID-19 in the four weeks previous to exposure with a COVID-19 positive person are not considered a close contact in their recent recovery period.
Victoria's current COVID-19 restrictions
The following guidelines are presented in the Victorian Government's roadmap, as outlined on coronavirus.vic.gov.au.
| Victoria's COVID-19 roadmap | |
|---|---|
|
Leaving home |
No restrictions |
|
Masks |
Masks are required for certain hospitals, aged care, and indoor areas at health and care facilities
|
|
Travel |
No restrictions on intrastate or interstate travel
Check COVID restrictions for your destination
|
|
Private gatherings |
No limit |
|
Public gatherings |
No limit |
|
Hospitality |
No limit |
|
Weddings |
No limit |
|
Funerals |
No limit |
|
Schools, Childcare and Higher Education |
Schools and childcare are open to all ages
Third-dose vaccine mandates lifted for staff, but workplaces can set individual policies |
|
Workplace |
Some restrictions apply depending on the workplace and industry
Every Victorian business or organisation with on-site operations must continue to have and update a COVIDSafe plan |
|
Retail |
Masks recommended in indoor settings but not required |
|
Beauty therapy |
Masks recommended in indoor settings but not required |
|
Religious gatherings |
If held at or by an organisation or workplace, recommended a COVIDSafe plan |
|
Sport & Outdoor |
If held at or by an organisation or workplace, recommended a COVIDSafe plan |
|
Entertainment |
If held at or by an organisation or workplace, recommended a COVIDSafe plan |
|
Hospitals & care facilities |
Hospitals - Advised to take a RAT before visiting Hospitals may apply their own COVIDSafe settings based on local needs Some mask requirements remain
Aged care - Visitors may be required to wear a mask and show a negative COVID-19 result |
|
Real estate |
No limit |
