Thank you for your patience and we apologise for the incorrect date on yesterday's email as ANTA staff had not heard the press conference and was referencing the only written date provided by a media outlet.
The 5 day snap lockdown took effect from 11:59pm Thursday 15 July 2021 and is due to end at 11:59pm Tuesday 20 July 2021 - for the State of Victoria.
This is a Stage 4 lockdown. This means you can only leave your home for the following reasons (Stay At Home Directions [VIC] 2):
- Shopping for necessary goods and services
- Care and care giving, including medical care and getting COVID tested
- Exercise (2 hours per day)
- Authorised work and permitted study
- COVID vaccination
You must stay within 5km of your home for shopping and exercise. This limit does not apply to work. If you live further than 5km from essential services, you may travel further to get these. Face masks are required to be worn indoors and outdoors, except in your own residence or in your personal vehicle when alone.
This Stage 4 lockdown restricts all natural therapy practitioners, excluding AHPRA registered practitioners (conditions apply, see below), from working during these 5 days.
Authorised Health Services - Please visit this link for a list of authorised health services. Practitioners who are able to operate by telehealth should do so.
Medications and Supplements
A client can collect herbs and supplements without contact as it is considered for medical purposes, even outside of the 5km radius.
Home and Mobile Services
Under this stage 4 lockdown, this is not advised.
Telehealth
If you are unable to provide telehealth services from your home, you are able to provide this from your workplace provided you are alone.
Acupuncture & Chinese Herbal Medicine
The Victorian Chief Allied Health Officer has confirmed that AHPRA registered members are allowed to continue to operate under the same conditions as Allied Health professions who have clients who require essential clinical care:
- to prevent a significant change/deterioration in functional independence which would result in an escalation of care needs (e.g. an increase in frequency of treatment needed, an increased need for prescription medication due to a significant increase in pain, requirement for specialist input or review, an increase in care needs, and/or a substantial increase to anticipated time associated with a delay in receiving services
- to provide assessment and diagnostic services to clients/patients whose care have been delayed as a result of previous restrictions, with any further delay likely to result in deterioration in functional independence or adverse health outcomes (including access to diagnostic imaging services or assessment for prescription of assistive equipment and technology)
- to provide services that are essential as part of a broader plan of care with a medical practitioner
- to provide services that are part of a conservative management plan to avoid or delay elective surgery (as agreed with treating team)
- to provide services immediately following elective surgery that prevent secondary complications or aid functional recovery (as agreed with treating team)
Routine Care is not permitted.
These restrictions have been implemented by the Victorian government on health advice by the Chief Health Officer.
If there is anything we can assist you with please contact us at [email protected] or on 1800 817 577.