Coronavirus update for Victoria - Friday 5 February

Victoria has recorded three new cases of coronavirus since yesterday.

The total number of confirmed cases in Victoria since the beginning of the pandemic is 20,456.

All three new cases are returned travellers in hotel quarantine. They are two men aged in their 40s and 30s and a child aged under 10.

The number of active cases in Victoria is 24, made up of one locally acquired case and 23 cases in returned travellers in hotel quarantine, an increase of three since yesterday.

Update: New hotel quarantine case

The Department is continuing to follow up close contacts of a Hotel Quarantine worker at the Grand Hyatt Hotel who has tested positive to coronavirus (COVID-19).

Seventeen social and household close contacts of the worker have been identified. All close contacts have been tested and must isolate for 14 days. Sixteen of these close contacts have tested negative with one test result pending.

More than 700 workplace contacts, who worked at the Grand Hyatt during the period of concern, are considered primary close contacts. Workers have been contacted by their respective employers and are being called by the Department to ensure they are isolating and getting tested. They must remain isolated for 14 days from 30 January, or their last day at the hotel, whichever is earlier.

A total of 506 Australian Open players, officials and support staff who were staying at the Grand Hyatt are considered casual contacts. All were tested yesterday and will be released from isolation once they return a negative test result.

There are 14 identified public exposure sites that were visited by the Hotel Quarantine worker.

Out of an abundance of caution, anyone who has visited these exposure sites during these times must immediately isolate, get tested, and remain isolated for 14 days from the time they were at the site - not just until they receive a negative result.

As of this morning, 299 close contacts have been identified in connection with exposures sites. This number is expected to increase.

All current exposure sites can be seen at Case locations and outbreaks. This website is rapidly updated as any new sites are identified.

Five new testing locations opened yesterday and today in Melbourne CBD, Monash Clayton, Dandenong South, Noble Park North and Lakes Entrance and many testing sites across Melbourne’s south-east have extended their operating hours to ensure testing is available for everyone who needs it.

More sites are expected to come online today to meet increasing demand.

Visit Where to get tested to view testing sites nearest you and see real-time waiting information. We thank people for their patience and apologise for any delays. Every test makes a difference.

New statewide restrictions have come into effect:

• The limit on the number of people gathering in a household has been reduced from 30 to 15, meaning the household members plus 15 visitors (excluding children under 12 months of age).
• Masks are mandatory in indoor spaces, including workplaces. If you have visitors in your home, it is strongly recommended that masks are worn during the visit. Masks must be worn in indoor public spaces apart from when eating or drinking. If you are planning to leave your home, take a mask.
• The 75 per cent ‘return to work’ cap in both public and private sectors scheduled for Monday 8 February will be paused and the current cap of 50% will remain in place.

For more information call the 24-hour Coronavirus Hotline at 1800 675 398 or visit the Coronavirus Victoria website.

Update: Western Australia zone change

Victoria’s Chief Health Officer has declared the Perth metropolitan area, the Peel region and the South West region of Western Australia will move from a red zone to an orange zone under Victoria’s ‘traffic light’ travel permit system at 9:00pm Victorian time today, Friday 5 February.

People in orange zones can apply for a permit to enter Victoria provided they have not been in close contact with a coronavirus (COVID-19) case and do not have any coronavirus (COVID-19) symptoms.

On arrival in Victoria, orange zone permit holders must isolate at their home or accommodation, get a coronavirus (COVID-19) test, and continue isolating until they have received a negative result.

The Chief Health Officer has made this determination based on an assessment on public health risks. He will continue monitoring the public health situation in Western Australia and will provide updates as necessary.

Victoria’s travel permit system provides the Department of Health the contact details of arrivals from orange and green zone areas, allowing the Department to advise them of any updated directions should the public health situation change in any state.

To apply for a travel permit to enter Victoria, visit the Service Victoria portal.