22 June 2018
Coronavirus Update
Due to a concerning increase in the community transmission of coronavirus, the Victorian State of Emergency has been extended until 11.59pm on 19 July 2020 to continue the measures designed to slow the spread of the virus and keep people safe.
The Victorian Government has identified the local government areas (LGAs) of Hume, Casey and Brimbank, Moreland, Cardinia and Darebin as the focus of current outbreaks of concern. In turn, the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee, which is the key decision making committee for health emergencies, strongly discourages travel to and from those areas until control of community transmission has been confirmed.
As of 11:59pm on Sunday 21 June:
· The number of visitors you can have at your home reduced to five (5). Outside the home, families and friends can meet in groups of up to 10
· Restaurants, pubs, auction halls, community halls, libraries, museums and places of worship all stay at a maximum of 20 people in any one space, subject to the one person per four square metres rule
· Businesses like gyms, cinemas, theatres and TABs are open with a maximum of 20 patrons
The advice for every Victorian remains:
· If you can work from home, you must work from home
· Stay home and get tested if you have symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19), however mild
· Practise good hygiene – wash your hands and cough and sneeze into your elbow
· Keep your distance – 1.5 metres away from anyone you don’t live with
While some restrictions have eased and we can do a wider range of activities, a significant number of the new cases are due to physical family-to-family contact. We all need to remain vigilant. We want to spend time with our families, but we need to be more careful. That means limiting the number of people you see and allow into your home. People with any of the symptoms of coronavirus including fever, chills, cough, sore throat, shortness of breath, runny nose or loss of sense of smell – should stay at home and get tested.
Community sport for kids and non-contact competition for adults can proceed. Participants must be able to maintain 1.5 metres between themselves. Indoor sport and exercise can resume with up to 20 people per space subject to the four square metre rule. Public playgrounds, skate parks and outdoor communal gyms are open. There is no limit on the number of people that can use these facilities at any one time. People should not gather in groups of more than 10 and should stay 1.5 metres apart from others where possible.
Travel within Victoria, including for a holiday, is allowed. There are no time limits on holidays. When booking accommodation, you will be able to use shared facilities, such as kitchens and showers. The ski season will commence and accommodation in ski resorts will be open, subject to some restrictions
If you need to travel by public transport, maximise your physical distancing at every stage of your journey. Plan ahead and take services that are likely to have fewer people on them. Spread out along the platform or the bus stop. Spread out on the bus, train or tram to make the most use of the space available.
The Department of Transport is making sure all public transport modes (trains, trams and buses) are undergoing regular cleaning; high touch surfaces like next stop buttons, door handles, Myki touch points, handrails and grab straps, as well as deep cleaning trains, trams and buses, stations and stops every night until further notice. For more information, see the dedicated PTV coronavirus page.
Victorians are encouraged to download the Australian Government COVIDSafe app. The more people who download and use the app, the more useful it will be to public health authorities.
You can also contribute to ongoing research into the spread of flu and coronavirus by participating in the FluTracking weekly survey. With more than 40,000 Australians completing the online survey each week, the study is the largest community-based surveillance system of its kind in the world.
Some people are consuming more alcohol than is health during the pandemic. If you consume alcohol, follow national guidelines and drink no more than ten standard drinks per week and no more than four standard drinks on any one day. If you need support or are finding it hard to control your drinking the organisations listed on the Department of Health website can offer support, counselling and information. Or phone the National Alcohol and Other Drug Hotline for free and confidential advice about alcohol and other drugs on 1800 250 015.
Student Life
If you require support during this time, please contact Student Life on (03) 9286 9891 or email studentlife@boxhill.edu.au.
For International Students, please contact the International Student Wellbeing Officer, Nikki Singh on (03) 9286 9445 or via email at nikita.singh@boxhill.edu.au.
If you have questions about your academic progress and would like assistance with your assessments, please contact the International Academic Advisor, Faz Maghami on (03) 9286 9734 or via email at f.maghami@boxhill.edu.au.