Coronavirus update for Victoria - 20 June 2021

Victoria was notified of two new cases of COVID-19 yesterday – both are returned international travellers in hotel quarantine.

There were no locally acquired cases.

There were five COVID-19 cases in hospital in Victoria yesterday.

There were 51 active cases in Victoria – 33 are locally acquired and 18 are overseas acquired cases.

The total number of confirmed cases in Victoria since the beginning of the pandemic is 20,685.

Update: Travel permit zones

On 17 June, the Chief Health Officer declared the NSW Local Government Areas (LGAs) of City of Sydney, Waverley and Woollahra as orange zones under Victoria’s travel permit system, effective from 11 June.

Today, the Chief Health Officer has also declared the following LGAs in NSW as orange zones, effective from 11:59pm tonight, 20 June:

• Bayside
• Canada Bay
• Inner West
• Randwick.

If you are entering Victoria from Bayside, Canada Bay, Inner West, Randwick after 11:59pm on 20 June, you are required to obtain an orange zone permit from Service Victoria.

City of Sydney, Waverley and Woollahra LGAs remain orange zones.

Orange zone permit holders must isolate on arrival, get tested, and stay isolated until they receive a negative result. Permit checks are in place for relevant arriving flights at Victoria’s airports.

Out of an abundance of caution, the Chief Health Officer advises against non-essential travel to Victoria from these areas.

NSW Health has published a list of exposure sites online at Latest COVID-19 case locations and alerts in NSW. If you are in Victoria and have been to these locations in the specified times, follow the listed advice and contact us at 1300 651 160.

Queensland health has published a list of exposure sites online at Contact tracing — coronavirus (COVID-19). If you are in Victoria and have been to these locations in the specified times, follow the listed advice and contact us at 1300 651 160.

Flight manifest data will be obtained from the National Incident Room to support direct contact with arrivals about exposure sites.

All arrivals into Victoria must apply for a travel permit at Service Victoria, even if you are entering from a green zone. For more information about Victoria's travel permit system, visitVictorian Travel Permit System.

Victorian public health authorities continue to closely monitor the situation in NSW and QLD and will provide further updates as needed.

Update: Outbreaks

Two cases under investigation this morning were returned travellers who had completed Hotel Quarantine.

Test and serology results were suggestive of historic infections – which was subsequently confirmed by an expert review panel convened today.

The full list of Victorian exposure sites can be seen atCase alerts – public exposure sites.

Anyone who has who has visited an exposure site during the specified dates and times must follow the advice listed.

The Department also manages a number of exposure sites that it doesn’t publish online, particularly if these sites represent lower-risk exposures, if they have comprehensive record-keeping and contact tracing measures in place, or if they identify small, private locations.

Exposure sites are regularly reviewed based on intelligence and evidence, following case interviews.

Update: Vaccinations

Yesterday 12,242 vaccine doses were administered by Victoria’s state-commissioned services.

This brings the total number of vaccine doses administered at state-commissioned services to 897,283.

Victoria’s online booking system is now live at Book your vaccine appointment.

Individuals due for their second dose of Pfizer (three to six weeks after their first dose) are encouraged to book online today or call the coronavirus hotline.

Individuals due for their second dose of AstraZeneca can also book, or walk-up to most sites without a booking. Check the website for walk-up sites and wait times.

The Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) advise that the Pfizer vaccine is preferred for people aged under 60 years.

In line with ATAGI’s recommendations, any person aged 60 years and over will continue to be offered the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine at state vaccination centres.

If you have had a first dose of AstraZeneca with no adverse effects, the clear advice is for you to proceed with a second dose of AstraZeneca. This is safe and recommended by ATAGI.

Information about Victoria’s vaccination centres can be found at Vaccination centres.

Update: Testing

Yesterday, there were 19,502 tests processed in Victoria.

More than 7 million tests have been processed in Victoria since the start of the pandemic.

The Department publishes expected wait times at testing sites as well as updated information about locations and hours of operation at Where to get tested.

General advice

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.

For more information call the 24-hour Coronavirus Hotline at 1800 675 398 or visit Coronavirus (COVID-19) Victoria.

Latest statewide numbers (data reported to 11:59pm yesterday):