The overall COVID-19 case numbers in Victoria continue to trend downwards and Premier Daniel Andrews says plans will be released this Sunday [[Sept 6]] for how the state will go about gradually easing its restrictions.
Federal Treasurer Josh Frydenberg called for Victoria to release its plan with the current restrictions in place until September 13th.
Melbourne is in a stage 4 lockdown with nightly curfews while regional Victoria is under less stringent, stage 3 restrictions.
Mr Frydenberg told SBS News Victoria's management of COVID-19 represents the biggest public health policy failure by a state government in living memory.
Hundreds of elderly Australians have now died of COVID-19 and aged care lobby groups and unions say the sector is still chronically underfunded.
The Health Services Union, which represents aged care workers, says $20 billion is needed over the next four years to lift the quality of aged care.
The Council on the Ageing says overall staffing levels need to increase.
Aged Care Minister Richard Colbeck says the sector will receive $563 million and part of that funding is to lock in what's called the single site worker program.
It's designed to stop aged care staff working at multiple aged care homes to try to avoid mass outbreaks caused by an infected worker spreading the virus at more than one nursing home.
Metropolitan Melbourne residents are subject to Stage 4 restrictions and must comply with a curfew between the hours of 8pm and 5am. During the curfew, people in Melbourne can only leave their house for work, and essential health, care or safety reasons.
Between 5am and 8pm, people in Melbourne can leave the home for exercise, to shop for necessary goods and services, for work, for health care, or to care for a sick or elderly relative. All Victorians must wear a face covering when they leave home, no matter where they live.
People in Australia must stay at least 1.5 metres away from others. Check your state’s restrictions on gathering limits. If you are experiencing cold or flu symptoms, stay home and arrange a test by calling your doctor or contact the Coronavirus Health Information Hotline on 1800 020 080. News and information is available in 63 languages at https://sbs.com.au/coronavirus.
