Skip to main content

Latest information and advice

Contact us at feedback@whittlesea.vic.gov.au if you need assistance accessing any of the information on this page.

We can also help you access it in your preferred language - call 131 450 for support.

If you require the information in other formats please let us know.  

Latest information

There are things we can all do to make ourselves and others safer. As you live and work, remember these COVIDSafe principles:

  • Get your next COVID-19 vaccine dose as soon as you are eligible. Get vaccinated to protect yourself, your loved ones and your community. If you aren’t fully vaccinated, you’re at a much higher risk of becoming seriously ill or going to hospital. Find out where to get vaccinated.
  • Testing and isolation protocols have changed:
    • If you have COVID-19, or you are a contact of someone who does, read Your COVID Checklist for what to do. You must follow your checklist.
    • If you have symptoms or you are a household (or household-like) contact of someone with COVID-19, you must get tested.
    • Most people should use a rapid antigen test as their first option to get tested. 
  • You can reduce risks by maintaining 1.5 metre distance from others where possible, using hand sanitiser and practising good hygiene.
  • Ventilation and air filtration helps. Consider opening windows to let the fresh air blow through or catching up with friends outside.

For more information about current COVIDSafe settings in Victoria for living and working, dining and shopping, using services, seeing others, getting active and more visit https://www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au/how-we-live

 

Travel restrictions

Stay up-to-date with travel restrictions online.

 

Latest advice

As part of the ongoing management of the coronavirus pandemic, Victoria will make sensible changes to COVID-19 requirements to align with decisions agreed to by all states and territories at National Cabinet. From 11.59pm on Wednesday, 12 October, the pandemic declaration will end. Changes to pandemic management are as follows:

Masks:

  • Masks are strongly recommended to be worn indoors for close contacts.
  • Masks are recommended to be worn on public transport, taxis and ride shares.
  • Masks are also recommended in sensitive settings such as hospitals and care facilities.

Positive cases:

  • Positive cases are strongly recommended to isolate. 
  • Positive cases may now leave home to drive a household member directly to/ from education/ work without leaving their vehicle. They can also leave home to get medical care, a COVID-19 test, or in an emergency, including the risk of harm.

Caps to Care Facilities:

  • Visitor caps to care facilities, including residential aged care and disability are removed, with residents able to see any number of people as long as they test negative on a rapid antigen test that day - healthdirect.gov.au

For more information visit Changes To Pandemic Management | Premier of Victoria

 

COVID-19 booster doses are available to anyone aged 16 and over who has had their second dose of COVID-19 vaccine three or more months ago. 

You can get a COVID-19 booster dose from a GP, pharmacy, Victorian vaccination centre or any local vaccination pop-up centre, visit Vaccinations - Whittlesea Council for details.

Everyone’s first option should be to use a rapid antigen test.

They are quick and highly accurate, particularly if you have symptoms or if you have been in contact with someone who has COVID-19.

  • If you have symptoms or you are a contact, and you can't access a rapid antigen test, you should get a PCR test.
  • Isolation for positive cases is strongly recommended.

If you test positive on a rapid antigen test, you are a case and you must follow your checklist and report your result. 

Your first option should be to use a rapid antigen test.

A Call-to-Test service enables vulnerable people who cannot leave home due to injury, mobility or other eligible reasons to get tested at home. Read more about about to access this service.

If you can't access a rapid test and you have symptoms or are a contact, you should get a PCR test.

Find all the local testing sites and estimated wait times online.

You can pre-register for a COVID-19 test at some locations to save time. Fill out the online form. Check which centres are using the registration form.

Call 1800 675 398 for more information or visit Coronavirus (COVID-19) Victoria | Coronavirus Victoria for more information.

 

Babies and young children aged 6 months to 5 years can receive a vaccine through a GP.
Those aged 5 and over are now eligible for a vaccination appointment. You can book online or by calling 1800 675 398. 

For details on local vaccination pop-ups visit Vaccinations - Whittlesea Council

Many venues can only open for people (including workers) who are fully vaccinated or exempted.

On this page, fully vaccinated means someone who:

  • has received two doses of the COVID-19 vaccine, or
  • has a valid medical exemption.

Vaccination requirements apply to everyone aged 18 years or over, unless you have a valid medical exemption from an authorised medical practitioner.

People under the age of 18 years are considered fully vaccinated.

Vaccination requirements are different for workers. Select workers in critical industries are required to have the third dose of the COVID-19 vaccine by a certain date. Visit Information for workers required to vaccinated for more information.

Face masks are no longer required for most indoor settings, and are strongly recommended in certain settings including in hospitals and aged-care settings, on public transport, and in taxis and rideshare services.

Read more: https://www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au/face-masks-when-wear-face-mask 

 

For most people with COVID-19, recovery at home is the best care option.

You can read more on the Victorian Government's website.

Make sure you are prepared to isolate before you turn positive.

Prepare yourself and others by making alternative arrangements for people or pets that rely on you for care.

  • Talk to family, friends, and neighbours in advance about how you can support each other if one household decides to isolate
  • Make sure you have a few days' supply of essential foods and items such as painkillers, prescription medicines and nappies
  • Plan how you would get supplies once in isolation by understanding online supermarket shopping or finding someone who can help you with this.

If you test positive for COVID-19 or a contact of someone who has, our COVID Checklist
provides all the steps you need to know: https://www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au/checklist

 

Where can I find more information about COVID-19?

The most reliable information on the coronavirus can be found on both the Victorian and Australian government’s websites.

Victorian Government 
https://www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au/

1800 675 398

Australian Government
www.health.gov.au or www.australia.gov.au
1800 020 080

Click here to visit the DHHS website for COVID-19 information translated in other languages.

You can call the coronavirus hotline if you have concerns: 1800 675 398. If you need an interpreter call 131 450.

Additional resources are available on our website.

 

 

Disability Liaison Officer (DLO) program that aims to help people with disability access:

  • COVID-19 testing
  • COVID-19 vaccination
  • advice and prevention through linking people to other health supports.

For more information https://www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au/disability-liaison-officers

Or contact Northern Health Disability Liaison Officer via email DisabilityLiaison@nh.org.au

 People with disability can now contact the Disability Gateway for information and referrals about coronavirus (COVID-19).

The Disability Gateway can help families, carers and support workers, too.

The hotline is available Monday to Friday 8am to 8pm (AEST). It’s not available on national public holidays.

The Council for Intellectual Disability has easy English information 

Women With Disabilities Australia (WWDA) have developed an easy English Guide to Coronavirus 

Read Access Ability Australia's social story about keeping safe during COVID-19.

Watch Don't Forget Us video 

There is information for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Victorians on the DHHS website.

There is also information on the Australian Government website: Health.gov.au resources

 

Return to the coronavirus information menu