ABOUT 2500 people tuned into Sunraysia’s online COVID-19 community forum on Monday night to receive an update on the current outbreak in the region and to ask questions of COVID-19 response commander Jeroen Weimar.
Here are the answers from Mr Weimar to some key questions.
I’ve been identified as a close contact of a confirmed case. How I do protect other members of my household? Is there alternative accommodation I can utilise while in isolation?
A primary close contact should quarantine away from the other members of the household as much as possible.
If you live in the same house as a primary close contact, you generally aren’t required to isolate unless you have COVID-19 symptoms. If you are advised by the Department of Health to quarantine, please follow this direction. Quarantine makes a significant difference to the speed with which new outbreaks can be contained.
Emergency accommodation is available for people in Victoria who need support to quarantine or self-isolate safely, but it is a last resort. It is preferable that people who need help to quarantine or self-isolate are supported to stay at home so they can keep accessing their regular health and wellbeing services while isolating safely in familiar surroundings.
More information: www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au/what-do-if-you-are-close-contact#who-should-quarantine-stay-at-home
What is the best way I can protect myself, my family and my community during the current outbreak?
The No.1 thing you can do to protect yourself and others from COVID-19 is to get vaccinated. Safe, effective and free vaccines are available for everyone aged 12 years and over.
You also need to follow all restrictions during lockdown, including only leaving your home for one of the six permitted reasons and wearing a mask whenever you do leave home. This will help limit the spread of the virus ensure the lockdown ends as soon as possible.
Will exposure sites continue to be listed publicly?
Tier 1 public exposure sites will be listed online. The department also manages a number of exposure sites which it doesn’t publish online, particularly if these sites represent lower risk exposures, or if they have sufficient record keeping and contact tracing measures in place, or are not attended by members of the public. This can include a school, private social gathering or small office setting.
More information: www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au/case-alerts-public-exposure-sites
Living a cross-border community, does it matter where I get tested? Should it based on where I live rather than where I was exposed?
It is best to try and use testing sites closest to home. You may cross the border to get tested if it is the nearest testing site to where you live.
More information: www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au/information-cross-border-communities
Which state health directives should I follow?
You must follow the health directives of the state in which you are in. The Victorian Department of Health publishes advice for people who live in local government areas with cross-border community arrangements.
How much protection does vaccination provide against COVID?
COVID-19 vaccines are safe, effective, free and available for everyone aged 12 years and over. Getting a COVID-19 vaccine means you are much less likely to spread COVID-19, or get very sick or go to hospital if you get the virus. The more people who are vaccinated, the greater the protection for those vaccinated and the whole community.
More information: www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au/vaccine
Vaccination centres: www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au/vaccination-centres
Is there any support available for those who have to isolate for 14 days?
A $1500 Pandemic Leave Disaster Payment is available for eligible Victorian workers who need to quarantine for 14 days.
If you don’t live with others, you should order food or supplies to be delivered to your house or ask friends, family or your carer drop off supplies to your house. Make sure they drop things off outside your front door and do not come inside.
Delivery of a free emergency relief package can be arranged for people who are unable to access food themselves or do not have support available to them.
More information: www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au/isolation-and-quarantine-extra-help-and-support
What mental health support is available for those doing it tough?
Tips and mental health support resources are available on the coronavirus website. People who are feeling overwhelmed or finding it difficult can also talk to their GP or contact a mental health telephone, text or online counselling service or a general counsellor.
More information: www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au/tips-managing-isolation
Will additional vaccine supply be made available to shorten the wait time between first and second vaccinations?
COVID-19 vaccines require intervals between doses to ensure they are most effective. Victoria has vaccine and supply and if you have not had a first dose of a vaccine you should get one immediately.
More information: www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au/about-covid-19-vaccines
How are our vulnerable communities being supported with testing, isolation and vaccination?
Vulnerable Victorians who have symptoms and cannot leave home due to injury, mobility or other eligible reasons can use the Call-to-Test service and get tested at home. People who will lose income while waiting for a test result can get a $450 COVID-19 Test Isolation Payment.
Victorians unable to get to a vaccination clinic, general practice or pharmacy may also be eligible to get their COVID-19 vaccine at home.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are at higher risk from COVID-19 due to a number of factors, including pre-existing medical conditions and large households.
Since October 1, all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have been able to walk in without an appointment to any state-run vaccination centre across Victoria to be vaccinated.
Increased vaccine supply has been provided to Aboriginal community-controlled health organisations across Victoria to respond to increased demand, with additional support being provided for outreach services such as vaccination vans.
Call-to-Test: www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au/call-to-test-covid-19
Vaccination at home: www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au/vaccination-home
COVID-19 information for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities: www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au/coronavirus-information-aboriginal-and-torres-strait-islander-communities
