The Australian Government Chief Medical Officer, Professor Paul Kelly, declared the Greater Melbourne area a COVID-19 hotspot for the purposes of Commonwealth support from 11:59 pm on 27 May 2021. This was for an initial period of seven days, with a review on 4 June 2021, at which point the hotspot declaration was extended until 11:59 pm on 10 June 2021.
Yesterday the Victorian Government announced a lifting of movement restrictions in the Greater Melbourne area. The majority of recent cases have been in known contacts who are already in quarantine or isolating, alongside tens of thousands of negative tests. With this reassuring situation, the Chief Medical Officer Professor Paul Kelly has decided to lift the declaration of Greater Melbourne as a hotspot from 11:59pm on 10 June 2021.
Public health measures will remain as per the Victorian Health advice, such as masks must be worn indoors, except in the home, offices can return with 25% occupancy or a cap of 10 people, whichever is greater and restaurants and cafes can open with a maximum of 50 people, to help prevent ongoing community transmission.
Professor Paul Kelly encourages members of the public to continue to follow the directions of their relevant state or territory health department, including monitoring their website for updates.
The Australian Government's support to residential aged care facilities through the Victorian Aged Care Response Centre, including testing, vaccination and support for single site worker arrangements continues.
Read more about listing areas as COVID-19 hotspots.
