16 July 2021

Coronavirus (COVID-19): Five-day lockdown in Victoria

The Victorian Government has issued directions that affect all providers in Victoria, including those delivering supports in disability accommodation settings.

Key points

• Victoria is entering a five-day lockdown from 11:59pm on Thursday 15 July 2021.
• Disability workers are considered essential workers and should continue providing supports to people with disability where possible in accordance with the restrictions.
• Masks must be worn at all times when outside the home, including when providing disability supports.
• No visitors are allowed into disability accommodation settings, unless an exception applies.
• Disability workers are strongly encouraged to get vaccinated against COVID-19.
• NDIS providers should review their outbreak management and business continuity plans and take steps to prevent the risk of infection of NDIS participants and workers.
• Notify the NDIS Commission of any significant changes to services or supports as a result of the new restrictions.

Updated Health Directions

The Victorian Government is imposing a five-day lockdown in response to increased numbers of active COVID-19 cases, commencing from 11:59pm on Thursday 15 July 2021.

We encourage you to read the full details from the Statement from the Victorian Premier, and the table of restrictions (94.63KB).

As with previous lockdowns in Victoria, masks must be worn when outside the home, including when providing services and supports to people with disability.

Disability workers are essential workers

Disability workers are classified as essential workers under these restrictions.

Visitor restrictions for residential disability settings

No visitors are allowed into residential disability settings, unless an exception applies. Further information on visiting residential disability accommodation can be found on the Victorian coronavirus website.

We encourage you to read the full details from the Acting Chief Health Officer.

As these restrictions will impact your visitor management policy, you should clearly communicate this temporary change with the NDIS participants you support and their support networks using their preferred form of communication. You should explore alternative ways for people with disability to connect with their support network, such as phone or video calls.

Vaccination advice for disability workers

The Australian Government Department of Health (Department of Health) has issued a Disability Provider Alert containing important information about the continued rollout of the COVID-19 vaccine.

National Cabinet strongly encourages all disability workers to get vaccinated against COVID-19, to protect your own health and the health of the people with disability you support.

We encourage you to read the full details on the Department of Health website.

Outbreak preparedness

For guidance on preventing and managing COVID-19 outbreaks in disability residential settings, please refer to the Communicable Diseases Network Australia’s (CDNA) disability supplement.

Additionally, the NDIS Commission’s fact sheet on outbreak preparedness provides information on preparing for, preventing and managing an outbreak in disability settings. 

You should:

• review and update your emergency plans, including arrangements to ensure that you meet your obligations to maintain continuity of support to NDIS participants
• ensure all workers have been trained and have had refreshers on infection control and use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
• minimise staff working across multiple sites
• regularly communicate changes to services and supports to NDIS participants and their support networks
• ensure all your staff are familiar with and practice sound infection control, physical distancing and hygiene practices
• provide support to people with disability to have permissible community access for essential supports (such as exercising, essential shopping, accessing the vaccine, or attending medical appointments).

Notification of changes or events

You must notify the NDIS Commission of any change or event that significantly affects your ability to comply with any of your conditions of registration, including compliance with the NDIS Practice Standards. You must use the COVID-19 notification of events form  to report these changes.

Your requirements to notify the NDIS Commission of reportable incidents under the National Disability Insurance Scheme (Incident Management and Reportable Incidents) Rules 2018 are separate from the COVID-19 notification of changes or events and remain unchanged.  

Further information, alerts and resources

The Coronavirus (COVID-19) information webpage on the NDIS Commission website contains links to updates, training, alerts and other resources.

We also have a COVID-19 webpage containing information for people with disability, and a webpage of frequently asked questions about COVID-19 for all stakeholders.

Contact us

Call: 1800 035 544 (free call from landlines). Our contact centre is open 9.00am to 5.00pm (9.00am to 4.30pm in the NT), Monday to Friday, excluding public holidays.

Email: contactcentre@ndiscommission.gov.au

Website: www.ndiscommission.gov.au