Yesterday, Professor Kelly lifted the Hotspot for the Rural City of Mildura for the purpose of Commonwealth support from 11:59 pm last night, 21 October 2021, to align with the Victorian government announcement that lockdown restrictions across the state ceased from midnight last night. The Australian Government Chief Medical Officer also extended the Hotspot for the purpose of Commonwealth support for all Victorian LGAs in Greater Melbourne for a further 7 days until 11:59pm on 28 October 2021, with a review on or before this date. This is in response to the ongoing community transmission in the area.
Professor Kelly congratulates and thanks the people of Victoria for their efforts to get vaccinated and reach the 70 per cent double dose threshold to protect themselves and their community.
Professor Kelly reminds people in Victoria to continue to follow their local Health Department directions as Australia progresses reopening in line with the National Plan, and to continue to book their vaccinations.
See current hotspots for your location.
About hotspots for Commonwealth support
Declaring a hotspot for Commonwealth support enables the Commonwealth to:
- provide personal protective equipment (PPE) from the National Medical Stockpile
- support aged care facilities, including by providing PPE and the single site workforce supplement, and integrating an aged care response centre into the Public Health Emergency Operations Centre
- provide help with contact tracing
- offer testing to those with no symptoms via GP-led respiratory clinics
- reprioritise vaccine supplies, if required
- offer the COVID-19 Disaster Payment* to eligible workers
- offer access to two telehealth consultation items through the Medicare Benefits Schedule.
- provide support for childcare services, including additional allowable absences, gap fee waivers and support payments, if other eligibility criteria are met.
