27 May 2021

Coronavirus (COVID-19): Victorian circuit breaker restrictions

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 7-day ‘circuit breaker’ from 11:59pm, Thursday 27 May 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.
• Visitors and non-essential contractors are excluded from disability accommodation settings across Victoria.
• 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 7-day ‘circuit breaker’ in response to increased numbers of active COVID-19 cases, commencing from 11:59pm Thursday 27 May 2021.

We encourage you to read the full details from the Statement from the Acting Victorian Premier, and Circuit breaker action information (PDF 92.47KB).

As with the previous lockdown 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.

Visitors excluded from residential disability settings

The Victorian government has restricted the entry of visitors and non-essential contractors to disability residential settings.

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

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. 

We suggest that you:

• review and update your emergency plans
• ensure all workers have been trained and have had refreshers on infection control and use of PPE
• minimise staff working across multiple sites
• regularly communicate changes to services and supports to NDIS participants and their families
• ensure all your staff are familiar with and practice sound infection control, physical distancing and hygiene practices
• allow people with disability to have permissible community access for essential supports (such as exercising or attending medical appointments).

Notifying us about COVID-19 infections and service changes

Registered NDIS providers must notify the NDIS Commission using the COVID-19 notification of event form if there are changes to the supports you provide to NDIS participants, such as a temporary cessation of services or change to how they are provided. You must also notify us of any confirmed case of COVID-19 of an NDIS participants or a worker.

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