Victoria’s state of emergency extended to slow coronavirus spread

THE state of emergency in Victoria will be extended for another three weeks to slow the spread of coronavirus and keep people safe as restrictions are cautiously eased across the state from Monday.

• Coronavirus restrictions that will be eased in Victoria on Monday

Health Minister Jenny Mikakos on Sunday announced the extension, to run until 11.59pm on June 21.

The Victorian Government said the move will allow it to continue to enforce strict physical distancing and isolation requirements, as well as other directions from the Chief Health Officer relating to businesses, working from home, mass gatherings and recreational activities.

The continued high testing rate in Victoria, coupled with the current low rate of community transmission, means restrictions will be further relaxed from Monday, but the government said the battle against COVID-19 was far from over.

People were advised to continue maintaining physical distance from others, take appropriate hygiene precautions, avoid crowds, stay home and get tested if unwell.

Employees were advised to continue to work from home if possible to limit the number of people moving around and help protect those who do have to go to work.

On Sunday, the Department of Health and Human Services said there were four new Victorian cases of COVID-19, with 1557 of the state’s 1649 total cases reported as recovered.

Chief Health Officer Professor Brett Sutton said while it was encouraging restrictions would be eased, residents needed to remain vigilant.

“We are also asking Victorians to continue this amazing effort and get tested if they have symptoms of coronavirus, however mild, because the more tests we do, the more data we have about the prevalence of coronavirus in the community,” Prof Sutton said.

“People with even the mildest of symptoms of coronavirus including fever, chills, cough, sore throat, shortness of breath, runny nose or loss of sense of smell are encouraged to get tested.”