Changes to Victoria's travel permit system
The government says Victorians should not be travelling to any designated red zones.
UPDATE: JUNE 30
The Local Government Area of Alice Springs is now a red zone under the Victorian travel permit system. Additionally, Alice Springs will be retrospectively designated an orange zone between June 25 - 30. This means anyone currently in Victoria who has been in Alice Springs at any time since June 25 should isolate, get tested and stay isolated until they return a negative result.
Victoria has recorded another day of zero locally acquired Covid cases.
However, due to lockdowns in QLD, NSW and WA, the state government has announced changes to the travel permit system and says Victorians should not be travelling to any designated red zones.
The Perth Metropolitan Region and Peel Region in WA, and Queensland Local Government Areas in South East Queensland and Townsville (including Magnetic Island and Palm Island), will become red zones under Victoria’s travel permit system, effective 1am AEST Wednesday, June 30.
People on flights to Victoria scheduled to depart these areas before red zones come into effect can enter Victoria on orange zone permits from Perth, Peel and Greater Brisbane, or green zone permits if entering from other LGAs becoming red zones.
Local Government Areas in South East Queensland include Brisbane, Gold Coast, Ipswich, Lockyer Valley, Moreton Bay, Logan, Noosa, Redland, Scenic Rim, Somerset and Sunshine Coast.
In addition, the Chief Health Officer has declared the Greater Brisbane orange zone retrospective to 22 June. This means anyone already in Victoria who was in Greater Brisbane between June 22 and 1am June 30 must get tested and isolate until negative.
Greater Darwin – incorporating the City of Darwin, Palmerston and Litchfield – is now a red zone under Victoria’s travel permit system.
Greater Sydney, Central Coast, Blue Mountains, Wollongong and Shellharbour remain red zones under Victoria’s Travel Permit System. The remainder of New South Wales (excluding LGAs along the Victorian border) and the ACT remain orange zones.
Anyone entering Victoria requires a valid permit, exception or exemption.
If you are a non-Victorian resident and you have been in a red zone, other than for transit, you cannot obtain a permit and you cannot enter Victoria.
If you are a Victorian resident and have been in a red zone, other than for transit, you can obtain a red zone permit to enter Victoria but you must travel directly home, get tested, and quarantine for 14 days.
If you have been to a high-risk exposure site interstate, you cannot enter Victoria.
You should not be travelling to a red zone in New South Wales, Queensland, Western Australia or the Northern Territory. If you do travel anywhere, note that the zones can change at short notice.
If you have COVID-19 symptoms, you should not be travelling. You should be isolating and getting tested.
Since the first red zone came into effect in June, the Department has processed more than 5000 red zone permit applications. 1152 were processed yesterday. 38 per cent have returned a test result – all negative.
Since June 11, the Department has processed more than 21,000 orange zone permits. 5007 were processed yesterday. 31 per cent have returned a test result – all negative.
Local outbreaks
If you are travelling within Victoria, a full list of exposure sites is available at www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au/exposure-sites
Vaccinations
The government said second doses of the Pfizer vaccine are currently being administered through the state-run services, including the vaccination clinic at Wonthaggi Town Hall.
The Health Department is calling on people who are scheduled to receive their second dose to come forward and book, either through the online booking system at www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au/book-your-vaccine-appointment or you can ring the coronavirus hotline on 1800 675 398.
Information about Victoria’s vaccination centres can be found at www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au/vaccination-centres.
Testing
COVID-19 symptoms include fever, sore throat, cough, shortness of breath and loss or change in sense of smell or taste. If you are experiencing symptoms, wear a fitted face mask when you get tested.
The Health Department publishes expected wait times at testing sites as well as updated information about locations and hours of operation at www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au/where-get-tested-covid-19
There are local drive through testing sites operating at the Cowes Transit Centre (7 days a week, 9am - 3pm) and at Wonthaggi Hospital.
For more information call the 24-hour Coronavirus Hotline at 1800 675 398 or visit www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au
