A message from Greg Hunt:
Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update for Victoria
Dear Bernard
Today is one of the hardest days in Victoria’s history. In terms of health for the families that have been affected, with the lives of their loved ones, or those that have been infected.
In terms of the economy, small business owners who will face new challenges, people focusing on their jobs, their income, their mortgages, or their business overdrafts.
And, of course, for mental health, this will be a very significant challenge for so many Victorians. The news of an extended lockdown, the news of an expanded lockdown, this will weigh heavily on many.
We will be, as a consequence, in a decision signed off by the Prime Minister this afternoon, expanding the Better Access psychological program under Medicare, providing an additional 10 sessions, and I’ll have more to say on that in a minute.
This is all part of the need and the supports for resilience. We will need our resilience more than ever before, but I see that resilience. You can never underestimate Australians and never underestimate Victorians, and at this time, they will rise to the most difficult of challenges.
It is a regrettable but necessary response to the current coronavirus outbreak in Victoria, that Premier Andrews today announced further restrictions across the state.
From tonight, Melbourne will enter Stage 4 restrictions for six weeks, with a curfew for metropolitan Melbourne in effect from 8pm to 5am, and regional Victoria will also enter Stage 3 restrictions from midnight on Wednesday.
For full details click here.
https://www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/coronavirus
To assist people through this time, the Australian Government will provide 10 additional Medicare subsidised psychological therapy sessions for people subjected to further restrictions in areas impacted by the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. The new items will cover face-to-face, telehealth (video) and phone sessions.
The Australian Government is also offering every support we can to Victoria and already have 1,500 Australian Defence Force personnel on the ground helping in the doing house checks and contact tracing. Our AUSMAT specialist health teams are assisting our Victorian Aged Care Response Centre, providing clinical care and infection control.
We all have a role to play in reducing the spread and once again flatten the curve. The Australian Government will continue to support Victoria through this process.
During this time, please remember to check on those you care about – phone your neighbour, your family, your friends and remember that immediate advice and support is available for anyone experiencing distress through Beyond Blue (1300 224 636), or the Government’s digital mental health gateway, Head to Health.
But most importantly, while we all focus on the warning signs of a COVID-19 infection, it is vital that we continue to manage our own health and to stay in contact with our GP as is necessary. Telehealth is available to ensure this can happen and face to face services are also available and safe. For more information on your GP’s capacity for Telehealth, please contact your local practice.
For more information specific to Victoria, visit https://www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/coronavirus. For Australia wide information, visit https://www.australia.gov.au
We are all in this together and we will get through it.
Where can I get tested?
If you have any of the symptoms of COVID-19, however mild, I urge you to get tested.
What symptoms do you need to be given a test?
Any of the following:
> Fever
> Chills or sweats
> Cough
> Sore throat
> Shortness of breath
> Runny nose
> Loss of sense of smell or taste
> In certain circumstances headache, muscle soreness, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea may also be considered.
Where do I go for a test?
If you think you need to be tested, please call ahead to your GP or call the 24/7 Victorian hotline on 1800 675 398.
If you have serious respiratory symptoms, please call 000 immediately.
The COVID-19 test is free for everyone. a list of current sites is available at https://www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/getting-tested-coronavirus-covid-19
For more information about what’s available near you, call the Victorian Government COVID-19 helpline on 1800 675 398.
Greg Hunt MP
Federal Member for Flinders
Federal Minister for Health
