Top 5 tips to help stop the spread of coronavirus

• If you can stay home you must stay home – only leave your house for essential shopping, medical care, work or education (if you can’t do remotely) exercise and outdoor recreation, and visiting friends and family – if you really need to.

• Wash your hands often and properly (for at least 20 seconds with soap and warm water)

• Cough sneeze into a tissue/your elbow & avoid touching your face

• If you feel unwell, have been overseas or come in contact with a positive case you must not leave your house/hotel.

• Practice physical distancing – Stay home as much as possible, keep 1.5 metre distance from others, don’t shake hands/touch others.

 

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Key messages

HOW TO REDUCE RISK OF INFECTION: 

Victorians should act now to reduce the risk of infection from coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

The situation is changing rapidly so please visit the Department of Health and Human Services website regularly for updated information.

WHY PHYSICAL DISTANCING MEASURES ARE IMPORTANT:

• The risk coronavirus (COVID-19) poses to the health of Victorians is extremely serious and real.

• The Government has introduced restrictions to stop people gathering in groups of over 20, this includes in homes and public spaces.

• We need all Victorians to abide by these restrictions and take physical distancing seriously.

• Young people are not immune to coronavirus and while you may not get seriously ill with the virus your grandparent, an older neighbour or other vulnerable people in the community you don’t even know could die from this illness.

• We all need to do our part to stop spreading the virus and save lives.

• We understand it’s challenging but stay at home as much as you can – limit trips outside the home to exercise, work or education if you can’t do remotely, getting essentials such as medications and food and visiting friends and family – if you really need to.

• Visit dhhs.vic.gov.au/coronavirus to find out more.

Current measures on physical distancing: 

HOW TO BOOST IMMUNITY 

• Eat a healthy balanced diet with lots of fresh fruit and vegetables – keep ultra-processed foods (eg biscuits, muesli bars, sugary cereals) to a minimum. 

• Keep active –while it’s not possible to go to the gym or play team sport – it’s important we stay active for our health and wellbeing.

• If you're feeling well do some yoga in your loungeroom, YouTube an exercise class, or if you’re able to, go for a run or a walk in a quiet area. 

• Quit smoking – if you haven’t yet, now is the time to quit as smokers are likely to be more severely impacted by coronavirus than non-smokers.

• There is support – Quit Victoria has a range of free resources including the Quitline 13 78 48.

• Reduce your alcohol consumption – stick to the national guidelines of no more than two standard drinks a day. 

HOW TO STAY HEALTHY WHILE STAYING AT HOME

• Eat a healthy diet – order fresh food online or ask a friend and neighbour to help out with food deliveries (safe delivery)

• Stay active if you’re feeling well – online exercise classes, yoga in the loungeroom, go for a walk outside etc

• Keep socially connected to others via phone, social media, email, skype etc

• If you feel anxious, talk to a trusted friend or family member or seek professional help. Phone Lifeline: 13 11 14, BeyondBlue: 1300 224 636 or Headspace: 1800 650 890.

WHAT CAN INDIVIDUALS DO:

TIPS FOR PARENTS:

If you are a parent or guardian, consider the following actions:

• If your child/young person is unwell, do not send them to childcare or school when it resumes.

• Prepare for your child, young person to study at home if possible.

• Plan for the possibility of your children not attending childcare or school because they are unwell. Discuss with your employer if needed.

• When your children are home from school monitor their whereabouts, keep them at home, and prevent them from meeting up with their friends/classmates.

• Try to use active forms of transport when you travel to and from school. This could be walking or riding or try park the car a few blocks from the school and walk the rest. 

• Ensure you follow any new drop off rules at your school, there could be designated gates and maintain physical distancing from other parents dropping off children.

• Use common sense when it comes to visiting grandparents or people with underlying medical conditions. Only see those you need to. Consider using video conferencing, phone calls, text message or social media to stay in touch with elderly people.

• If your child or young person is regularly cared for by grandparents or elderly family members, consider alternative options to prevent the transmission of illness.

• Cancel any unnecessary travel - stay home

TIPS FOR WORKPLACES:

• Everyone who doesn’t need to go into their workplace should work from home if possible. 

• If you do need to be in the office practice physical distancing of 1.5metres between people and abide by indoor gathering restrictions.

• Cancel non-essential activities such as business travel, study visits, and extra-curricular activities.

• Purchase supplies to help limit infection, for example alcohol sanitisers or soap.

• Provide and promote hand sanitiser for use on entering buildings.

• Ensure high standards of routine environmental cleaning.

• Clean and disinfect high touch surfaces regularly, including desks and keyboards.

• Open windows, enhance airflow, adjust air conditioning.

• Promote preventive actions amongst your staff - lead by example.

• Plan for increased levels of staff absences.

• Plan for what to do if staff arrive sick at work.

 

TIPS FOR OLDER AUSTRALIANS

• The strong recommendation is for people over 70 to self-isolate and stay home as much as possible. People over 60 with chronic conditions and Indigenous Australians over 50 are also recommended to self-isolate.

• If they need supplies or to walk their dog, the safest option is to ask a family member, friend or neighbour to make these trips for them.

• If they must leave the house, older Australians must take extra care – keep at least a 1.5 metre distance from other people, try to avoid crowded streets and practice good hand hygiene to reduce their risk.

• If you’ve got some, carry hand sanitiser that contains at least 60 per cent alcohol, and wash your hands with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds when you return home. 

• Keep socially connected to family and friends with regular phone calls, emails, skype etc

Visit the Department of Health and Human Services for more answers to frequently asked questions.

Can we socialise with friends and family?

· Visits from friends, family, and partners are allowed.

· At any one time you can only have up to 20 people inside your home, including those who normally reside in the household. Children are counted in the total person limit. This means if you are a family of five, you can have 15 visitors.

· If you are visiting someone's home keep at least 1.5 metres between you and others and practise good hand hygiene. If you or your friends, family or partner are feeling unwell you should not visit anyone.

· Use common sense when it comes to visiting friends and family, especially those who are more vulnerable. Only see people if you need to.

· If not necessary, use video conferencing, phone calls, text messages or social media to stay in touch with people.

 

· Can grandparents see their grandchildren now?

· Use common sense when it comes to visiting grandparents or people with underlying medical conditions. Only see those you need to.

· You cannot visit grandparents or family members in aged care or residential facilities.

· Instead try skype or facetime or simply call to stay connected.

· If you’re not sure about your own circumstance or if you feel unwell and are worried about spreading the virus to your family, call the dedicated Coronavirus hotline 1800 675 398 (Victoria).

 

Can I play sport?

· You can now meet with up to 20 people can participate in outdoor group sport and exercise activities, provided you can keep your distance (at least 1.5 metres apart) and they are not competitive.

· Up to 20 people can use public playgrounds, outdoor gyms and skateparks

· Indoor and outdoor swimming pools can be opened to a maximum of 20 people per separate enclosed space and a limit of 3 persons per lane in each pool.

 

Can I go to restaurants/cafes/pubs?

· Yes, restaurants, cafes and other hospitality businesses have been able to resume dine-in services from today.

· Venues are only allowed up to 20 seated patrons per enclosed space. Many restaurants are taking bookings to ensure this limit is maintained.

· Limits will be placed on entry to comply with the density requirements allowed within a single space – one customer per four square metres.

· Venues are required to request contact details, first name and phone number, of every customer to assist in rapid contact tracing.

· Continue to use common sense, and if you are unwell do not visit public venues.

 

Can I go to the supermarket/the shops/the hairdresser?

· Supermarkets and shopping centres remain open.

· It’s still fine to get your groceries and the essential things you need but try to limit trips to the shops, maintain a 1.5 metre distance from other people as much as you can and practice good hand hygiene.

· When shopping be considerate and think of others – don’t panic buy, be nice to checkout operators and people working tirelessly to keep food on the shelves and be courteous to other shoppers – especially those who are older or have disabilities.

· Hairdressers and barber shops remain open with strict measures in place relating to the number of people allowed inside at any one time.

· We’re urging people to consider whether they need to go somewhere – is it an essential trip – ie getting food for the week – or not. Use your common sense and practice physical distancing.

· If you don’t need to leave the house – don’t.

 

How many people can attend weddings and funerals?

· 20 people in addition to the celebrant and couple being married can attend a wedding. If a wedding is held in a home, the rules for private gatherings apply, which means a maximum of 20 people is allowed, including the couple plus the celebrant who is required for the service.

· 50 people can attend a funeral in addition to the personal leading the funeral and other funeral staff, subject to the four square metre rule. If a funeral is held in a home, the private gathering rules apply – that is a maximum of 20 people can be present plus funeral staff.

 

Am I allowed to visit religious centres?

· Places of worship can open for private worship or small religious ceremonies for up to 20 people in a single undivided indoor space, subject to the four square metre rule plus the minimum number of people reasonably required to perform the service or ceremony

 

 

Can places can I go to with my family?

· Galleries, museums, national institutions and historic sites may now host up to 20 visitors per separate space, provided the one person per four square metres rule can be observed at all times.

· We recommend you check with the venue either on their website or social page to ensure they are open and if you need to reserve a time to visit.

· Zoos are allowed up to 20 visitors per separate indoor space subject to the four square metre rule, with an overall cap for the overall outdoor space based on the four square metre rule

· Outdoor amusement parks and outdoor arcades can have up to 20 customers at once, provided the one person per four square metre rule can be observed at all times

· Drive-in cinemas may operate subject to any food and drink operations meeting the same requirements for other cafes, restaurants and take-away outlets.

· Although venues are begginning

· Can I travel and stay outside of my home?

· Yes, you can now stay in a holiday home or private residence

· You will be also able to stay in tourist accommodation, including caravan parks and camping grounds, where there are no shared communal facilities (e.g. kitchens and bathrooms)

· Tourist accommodation can open to guests provided there are no shared communal facilities such as kitchens or bathrooms

 

 

 Should I be taking public transport?

· If you can avoid public transport do so. That’s not possible for everyone so if you do need to travel try to avoid peak times.

· Wash your hands thoroughly after travelling, avoid touching your face and cough/sneeze into a tissue or your elbow.

 

 

What's the safest way to co-parent - is it okay for the child to go between their parents' homes?

· Provided both parents are feeling well, are staying home as much as possible and practicing physical distancing and are washing their hands often, it’s ok for a child to spend time at both parents’ homes.

 

 

Can couples living in separate houses with their own families can see each other?

· While the Stay at Home direction requires people to limit their social interaction, particularly social visits to people’s houses, partners living separately are able to visit each other at home.

 

I am caring for an elderly parent/friend who lives alone. Can I visit them?

· Yes, this is permitted. However, if you are preparing meals and providing other help for the elderly person, be mindful of the risks of transmitting the disease to them.

 

Older people are especially vulnerable to coronavirus.

· If you are delivering meals, think about leaving a package on their doorstep without making physical contact.

· If you are doing cleaning chores or other housework, think about having them sit somewhere comfortable and away from you while you work, so you are not in close contact.

· Make sure they are feeling well and ask them if they have enough of their regular medications whenever you visit.

 

Is making food for friends and neighbours okay?

· Yes, people are able to make food for their friends and neighbours, especially those who are more vulnerable and unable to go out and buy supplies.

· Make sure you wash your hands regularly when preparing food.

· Always maintain physical distancing, and don't prepare food for others if you are not feeling well.

 

Can I use taxis and ride-shares?

· Yes, but only if it’s for one of the five reasons we have for leaving home – eg for work or study, health care, essential supplies like food and medicines, exercise or for visiting friends and family in their homes.

· Make sure you sit in the back seat.

· The less time we all spend out of our homes, the faster we will all be able resume normal life again.

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Downloadable assets

 

These assets can be printed out or shared on your digital channels to help inform people about reducing the risk of coronavirus.

 

Asset	Institution	Description
Digital assets promoting COVIDSafe app	Victorian Government	Assets to promote downloading the COVIDSafe app.
Digital assets for physical distancing	Victorian Government	An assortment of assets for different digital platforms with the message "Staying apart keeps us together".
Web graphics about getting tested for coronavirus	Victorian Government	Images designed for social media and other digital platforms with information about getting tested for coronavirus.
Social media tiles	Victorian Government	Images designed to be posted on social media platforms.
Facebook/Instagram carousel images	Victorian Government	Sequential images designed for people to scroll through on Facebook and Instagram.
Desktop banners Version 1 Version 2	Victorian Government	Animated GIF files that can be embedded on websites and other platforms.
Mobile banners Version 1 Version 2	Victorian Government	Animated GIF files designed to be displayed on mobile screens.
Informative posters A3 poster A0 poster Display image	Victorian Government	Posters from Department of Health & Human Services with tips on how to help stop the spread of coronavirus.
Managing coronavirus during Ramadan	Victorian Government	This pack provides links to a range of translated materials including social media content, print advertising and audio recordings to help communicate coronavirus information during Ramadan and Eid.
Stop the spread social media images and posters	National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (NACCHO)	Shareable assets designed for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities
Coughs and sneezes poster	Aboriginal Health & Medical Research Council of NSW	Information for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders about coronavirus.
Tips for parents School holiday ideas Keeping active at home	Outer East Primary Care Partnership (OEPCP)	Guides for parents with fun activities that can be done at home.