COVID-19 Information

For the latest COVID-19 updates, information by Local Government Areas and postcodes, visit the DHHS Victorian Coronavirus COVID-19 data page.

COVIDSafe settings

To find more information visit the Victorian Government's COVIDSafe settings page.

COVID-19: Being ready to quarantine

As there are now more COVID-19 cases in the community, there is a greater chance that we will be exposed to the virus and may develop COVID-19. Even if you are vaccinated, you can still get COVID-19 and will have to isolate at home.

People who are infected with COVID-19 need to stay home to prevent spreading the virus to others. There are some simple things you can do to be prepared in case you, your family or housemates have to go into quarantine at home. 

There is also a handy checklist to help you prepare for isolation and tips to help you manage COVID-19 at home, visit the Checklist for families and individuals to prepare for COVID-19 page.

Information on preparing to isolate is also available in community languages, listen to the National Ethnic and Multicultural Broadcasters’ Council's How to prepare: Isolation at home COVID-19.

To find out more, visit our COVID-19: Being Ready to Quarantine page. 

Getting tested for COVID-19

COVID-19 is now wide spread in our community. It is important that we all do our bit to protect ourselves, our families and our community.

Testing update: Rapid Antigen Tests

Everyone’s first option should be to use a rapid antigen test.

They are quick and highly accurate, particularly if you have symptoms or if you have been in contact with someone who has COVID-19. These tests can be done at home and most will provide you with a result in 15 to 30 minutes.

If you test positive on a rapid antigen test, you are a case and you must follow your checklist and report your result as soon as you can. You don’t need a standard PCR test if you have a positive rapid antigen test.

To report your result, call the Coronavirus Hotline at 1800 675 398, or fill in this online form

After you report, you will receive text messages from the Department of Health.

Immediately isolate from the day you took the rapid antigen test. The length of time you have to isolate depends on your symptoms and where you work.

Follow your Checklist to see how long you should isolate and remember and tell your contacts, workplace and education contacts you have COVID-19.

If you are still waiting on the result of a PCR test but you tested positive on a rapid antigen test, you are now a case and you must report your rapid antigen test.

• If you have symptoms or you are a household or household-like contact, and you can't access a rapid antigen test, you should get a PCR test.
• If you can't access either test at the moment, isolate at home until you can.
• Most people with COVID-19 will experience mild-to-moderate symptoms. See how to manage COVID-19 at home and isolate effectively.

Who should get a PCR test?

Everyone’s first option should be to use a rapid antigen test. They are quick and highly accurate, particularly if you have symptoms or if you have been in contact with someone who has COVID-19.

If you can’t access a rapid antigen test, and you have COVID1-9 symptoms, or are a household contact you should get a PCR test. If you cannot get a PCR test, isolate until you can get one or a Rapid Antigen Test.

There are some circumstances where it is recommended you confirm your positive rapid antigen test result with a PCR test such as when you don’t have symptoms and don’t believe you have been in contact with anyone who has COVID-19.

Remember: if you are getting a PCR to confirm your positive rapid antigen test result, you are still required to isolate before you get a PCR test and while you wait for the result of your PCR test.

You can leave isolation to get tested, get medical help or medical supplies, to escape family violence, or if it’s an emergency.

More information can be found at: https://www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au/rapid-antigen-tests

To find out where you or your children can get tested for COVID-19, visit the Where to get tested page.

If you are unsure about whether you should get a test, get advice by:

• calling the 24-hour coronavirus hotline on 1800 675 398 or your general practitioner
• using the Department of Health and Human Service's (DHHS) online self-assessment tool 

Police Assistance Line and Online Reporting

If you want to report a suspected breach of public health restrictions, such as: isolation, mass gathering and business breaches you can do that online with Victoria Police or call 131 444

Financial support during COVID-19

The Victorian government is offering a range of financial support packages to families, international students and businesses impacted by COVID-19. For further information, visit the Financial and other support for COVID-19 page.

COVID-19 vaccination information

Free COVID-19 vaccinations are available to everyone aged 5 years and over. You need two doses to be considered fully vaccinated against COVID-19.  You can use the online booking system to book an appointment at a vaccination centre or you can call the Victorian Coronavirus Hotline on 1800 675 398. You can also get your COVID-19 vaccine through participating doctor's clinics, pharmacies, or community health services. Read more about how to book a COVID-19 vaccine appointment.

COVID-19 vaccination third doses

COVID-19 Pfizer and Moderna third doses are now available to anyone aged 16 and over. If you had your second dose 3 months ago or earlier, you are due for your third now. Read more about third doses. You can get a Pfizer or Moderna third dose regardless of which COVID-19 vaccine you received for your initial doses. Book your third dose today at a GP, pharmacy or medical centre or a Victorian vaccination centre.

Anyone aged 5 years and over who is severely immunocompromised can receive three primary doses of a COVID-19 vaccine. This third dose can be provided 2 to 6 months after the second dose.

COVID-19 vaccination fourth dose

ATAGI has updated its recommendations for a winter dose of COVID-19 vaccine to help reduce severe disease from the emerging surge of Omicron BA.4 and BA.5 subvariant infections, and to reduce the burden on Australian hospitals and the healthcare system in coming months.

The updated recommendations are:

• Adults aged 50 to 64 years are now recommended to receive a winter booster dose of a COVID-19 vaccine.
• Adults aged 30 to 49 years can receive a winter booster dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, however the benefit for people in this age group is less certain.
• The interval recommended between a recent SARS-CoV-2 infection or the first booster dose and a winter booster dose is now 3 months.

ATAGI emphasises that people previously eligible for a winter booster dose remain at higher risk of severe disease and death from COVID-19 and should receive a winter booster dose as soon as possible. They include:

• all adults aged 65 years or older
• residents of aged care or disability care facilities
• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 50 years or older
• people who are severely immunocompromised (this will be their fifth dose)
• people aged 16 years or older with a medical condition that increases the risk of severe COVID-19 illness
• people aged 16 years or older with disability, significant or complex health needs, or multiple comorbidities which increase the risk of a poor outcome.

Vaccines for 5 to 11-year-olds

You can now book the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for 5  to 11-year-olds. Read more about Pfizer. Bookings are available at GP clinics and pharmacies through the Australian Government’s Vaccine Clinic Finder. The recommended interval for vaccination in this age group is two doses, 8 weeks apart.

Local GP COVID-19 vaccine providers

The following information lists local general practitioners who are COVID-19 vaccine providers. Vaccinations are also available at the Spurway site, 89-91 Murrumbeena Road, Murrumbeena contact 03 9119 1074 or book online.

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Stay informed

Multilingual resource

Migration Council Australia (MCA) has developed a Government sponsored multilingual resource for Australia’s culturally and linguistically diverse communities about COVID-19, its impact and available support. To download the app, visit the Apple App Store or Google Play. www.myauscovid-19.org.au

Translations

For information about COVID-19 in your language, please see the DHHS translated COVID-19 resources

If you would like any of the information on this page translated into another language, please contact Council’s Media and Communications team on 9524 3333

למידע על קוביד-19 בשפתכם, אנא ראו את המשאבים המתורגמים על קוביד-19 מטעם ״משרד הבריאות והשירותים לאזרחים״

אם אתם מעוניינים לקבל מידע כלשהוא המופיע בעמוד זה מתורגם לשפה אחרת, אנא צרו קשר עם צוות העיתונות והתקשורת של המועצה בטלפון 9524 3333

अपनी भाषा में COVID-19 के बारे में जानकारी के लिए, कृपया DHHS अनुवादित COVID-19 संसाधन देखें

यदि आप इस पेज पर लिखी किसी जानकारी का किसी अन्य भाषा में अनुवाद कराना चाहते हैं, तो काउंसिल (परिषद) की मीडिया और संचार टीम से 9524 3333 पर संपर्क करें।

Per maggiori informazioni sul COVID-19 nella vostra lingua, visitate la pagina DHHS -Risorse sul COVID-19 tradotte.

Se desiderate accedere alle informazioni contenute in questa pagina in un'altra lingua, contattate il team Media e Comunicazione del comune al numero 9524 3333

Информацию о коронавирусе COVID-19 на русском языке можно найти онлайн в разделе переводов Департамента здравоохранения и услуг населению (DHHS translated COVID-19 resources)

Если вам нужен перевод информации, приведенной на этой странице, позвоните в муниципальный отдел СМИ и связи с общественностью по тел. 9524 3333

如需您所用语种的 COVID-19（冠状病毒病）相关信息，请查看 DHHS 的 COVID-19 资源译文

如果您希望将此页面上的任何信息翻译成另一种语言，请致电 9524 3333 联系市政厅的媒体与传播团队。