UPDATE – Wednesday Feb 08, 2023:
Federal Health Minister, Mark Butler announced that a FIFTH Covid vaccination will be available from February 20 for all Australians aged over 30 who have not had Covid or a Covid vaccination in the past six months.
Australians aged 18-29 will be able to access their FOURTH Covid vaccination.
Mr Butler said people above 65 years remained at high risk of severe illness and death from the coronavirus and so urged them to take their fifth shot if they are eligible.
The rollout of the fifth shot will help “deal with what inevitably will be the next phase of the next wave of COVID sometime over the course of 2023,” Mr Butler said.
At its September 30 meeting, National Cabinet unanimously agreed to end mandatory isolation for most people who test positive to Covid19, effective as of October 14, 2022.
This means that the pandemic emergency response also officially ends as of October 14.
The Synod of Victoria and Tasmania will no longer be providing Covid19 advice on this website.
Synod’s Crisis Management and Communications teams thank everyone who had expressed their appreciation for our attempts to provide guidance throughout the past two-and-a-half years.
Please remember that Covid19 is still within our community. Just as with any other illness, please continue to take care of yourself and those around you, particularly if you or someone close is vulnerable.
For further advice on Covid19 we recommend consulting the federal government or relevant state government websites:
- VICTORIA: https://www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au/
- TASMANIA: https://www.coronavirus.tas.gov.au/
- FEDERAL: https://www.health.gov.au/
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Related documents
| Title | Date modified | Download |
|---|---|---|
| VICTORIA FAQ's September 26 | 27-09-2022 | DownloadPreview |
| TAS FAQ's June 21 | 22-06-2022 | DownloadPreview |
| WORKER VACCINATION STATUS RECORD - CONGREGATIONS | 21-02-2022 | Download |
| COVID CLEANING GUIDE | 02-12-2021 | DownloadPreview |
| CHURCH FACILITIES REOPENING CHECKLIST | 10-03-2022 | Download |
| Poster-A4-Facemasks must be worn | 31-05-2021 | DownloadPreview |
| RECOVERY ACTION PLAN CHECKLIST V6 | 10-03-2022 | Download |
| Victorian Volunteers factsheet - UPDATED - 20200811 | 13-08-2020 | Download |
| VISITOR CONTACTS LOG | 01-07-2020 | Download |
| WASH YOUR HANDS POSTER | 22-06-2020 | DownloadPreview |
| HOW TO USE A MASK POSTER | 22-06-2020 | DownloadPreview |
| COVER YOUR COUGH POSTER | 22-06-2020 | DownloadPreview |
| STAY AT HOME POSTER | 17-06-2020 | DownloadPreview |
| SAFE AT CHURCH POSTER | 23-06-2020 | DownloadPreview |
| CHURCH CAPACITY POSTER | 23-06-2020 | DownloadPreview |
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Thanks for trying to keep us updated about COVID-19 and worship gatherings etc. It would be helpful, however, if you included the changes in numbers that have been announced for June 1 in Victoria. This is increasing to 20 people plus those necessary for the conduct of the worship – 4sqm space permitting. Church Councils and congregation leaders will need to know this to be able to prepare their spaces, as for some congregations it may actually be possible for them to recommence worship together. The information received today only indicates that it will change on June 1 in VIC and June 15 in TAS but not to what!
Regarding the COVID-19 FAQ released on 04 June – Please note the typo on page 2, column 1. The updated ‘Gatherings’ information refers to the maximum allowable number of people in paragraph 3 as 20, but the first paragraph in the italicised block points at the bottom of the column still refers to 10 people. Other references through the document appear to be correct as these all state 20 people.
The June 4 edition on page 3 requires 4sqm per person in private homes.
DHHS at https://www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/social-gatherings-covid-19#how-many-visitors-can-i-have-to-my-housenbsp
does not include the 4sqm. (Below) Did I miss something on DHHS or did you miss the change among all the others n June 1.
Thanks,
David Morgan
How many visitors can I have to my house?
Under new arrangements that will come into effect at 11.59pm on Sunday, 31 May, you can have up to 20 people in your home at any one time, including those who normally live with you in the household. Children are counted in the total person limit.
For example, if you are a household of five people, you can 15 visitors.
If you are visiting someone’s home, you should ensure appropriate physical distancing by keeping at least 1.5 metres between you and others who are not from your household and practise good hygiene. If you or your friends, family or partner are feeling unwell you should not visit anyone or have visitors at your home.
Victorians are being asked to use common sense when it comes to visiting friends and family, especially those who are more vulnerable. That means seeing those you need to – if you need to.
HOT TIP: Preferably use the “Download” link within the “Related Documents” box to access the latest version of the FAQs.
The “Click Here”s within the opening text may inadvertently point to previous issues (like they are currently doing)
Hello,
Thanks for helping us with these updates.
It would be helpful if you could include the definition of ‘publicly accessible floor space’ for congregations to consider when measuring their worship spaces. The latest information from DHHS says “Note: the density quotient, also referred to as the ‘four square metre rule’ is to be calculated by measuring the area which the members of the public can access, such as the table area in a restaurant, but not the food preparation area or in a store room.” My understanding of this is that if a church building measures 100 x 100, but the front 20m is not used by the congregation, but taken up by the pulpit/organ/communion table, it is not part of the publicly accessible floor space. The publicly available space is 80 x 100. I think the FAQs lead to the impression that you just need to measure the space contained by the walls. Please could you clarify this?
thanks, Annette
Nominations and elections for Church Council are coming up soon. Are there approved procedures for this without a physical meeting of the congregation?
Thanks for your great information and tables, etc.
Could you please design a Mask Poster to display at our shared premises – you must/should (and how to wear perhaps).
BTW, based on the Government Directives the number who can attend a essential support group still remains the lesser of 20 or the spatial/density quotient. This has not changed for a couple of months, however your Victorian FAQ shows 10 instead. The rest of your information is great and accurate.
HI. It appears that the link for the current Victorian FAQs actually downloads the January 04 version. It has the old information about face masks being mandatory in all public indoor spaces.
Hello. I wonder whether the Synod has conversations about the necessity of imposing a double vaccination or not before gathering in church? Many church members have indicated this question.
“Masks still recommended if you can’t remain physically distant, if you have symptoms, or are in a high-risk category.” needs to be changed.
If you have symptoms, get a test and isolate until receiving a negative test. Wearing a mask is not good enough.