Hotspot details
Today, Professor Kelly has extended the Hotspot for all LGAs in Greater Melbourne for the purpose of Commonwealth support until 11:59 pm on 4 November 2021 for review on or before this date.
The continued occurrence of cases in the community and movement of active cases poses an exposure risk across these areas.
Professor Kelly congratulates and thanks the people of Victoria for their efforts to get vaccinated to protect themselves and their community.
Professor Kelly reminds people in Victoria to continue to follow their local Health Department directions as Australia progresses reopening in line with the National Plan, and to continue to book their vaccinations.
If Victoria reaches the double-dose COVID-19 vaccination rate of 80 percent for people aged 16 and over before 4 November 2021, the hotspot declaration will be lifted.
Under the National Plan agreed to by all First Ministers, the Commonwealth's hotspot declaration automatically ceases within a particular state or territory once the 80 per cent fully vaccinated rate has been reached within that jurisdiction, with hotspot-related support to cease two weeks thereafter.
See current hotspots for your location.
About hotspots for Commonwealth support
Declaring a hotspot for Commonwealth support enables the Commonwealth to:
- provide personal protective equipment (PPE) from the National Medical Stockpile
- support aged care facilities, including by providing PPE and the single site workforce supplement, and integrating an aged care response centre into the Public Health Emergency Operations Centre
- provide help with contact tracing
- offer testing to those with no symptoms via GP-led respiratory clinics
- reprioritise vaccine supplies, if required
- offer the COVID-19 Disaster Payment* to eligible workers
- offer access to two telehealth consultation items through the Medicare Benefits Schedule.
- provide support for childcare services, including additional allowable absences, gap fee waivers and support payments, if other eligibility criteria are met.
