Victoria’s lockdown extended until 11.59pm on Tuesday 27 July: what this means for you
Today, the Victorian Premier announced the extension of the current lockdown for a further seven days until 11.59pm, Tuesday 27 July, in response to the continuing latest COVID-19 outbreak.
Our campuses and learning centres remain closed to students and staff, excluding essential staff and those students living on campus. Read more about the latest lockdown restrictions.
It is essential that the entire Victorian community monitors the Victorian Government exposure site listing and follows the instructions carefully.
If you feel unwell, it is essential you get tested at a COVID-19 testing site and follow any instructions.
Information about Australia’s COVID-19 vaccination program and the phased approach is being updated based on this latest outbreak. Find out how to get a vaccination if you’re eligible.
What you need to know about lockdown
During this extended time, there remain only five reasons you can leave your home:
- Shopping for the things you need, within five kilometres of your home, unless there are no shops within that distance.
- Care and caregiving, and compassionate reasons.
- Exercise for two hours per day, with one other person or member of your household, within five kilometres of your home.
- Authorised work (see the detailed outline in the updated Table of restrictions).
- To get the COVID-19 vaccination if you are eligible.
Face masks are to be worn at all times – both indoors and outdoors – except if at home or if an exemption applies.
Victoria will also temporarily pause Red Zone Permits for travellers returning to Victoria. This means that for at least the next two weeks, Victorian residents in red zones will require an exemption to enter the state – and these will only be granted in exceptional circumstances.
Read the full table of the latest restrictions and the Premier’s statement.
What this means for your learning and other uni activities
Learning
Scheduled on-campus teaching, events and other activities continue to be paused during the extended lockdown period and we continue with online learning where possible.
Approved on-campus health learning activities that can continue during lockdown will only be held on-campus if essential. Where possible, these activities will be deferred or altered to enable online delivery.
General on-campus learning will recommence as soon as restrictions allow, currently scheduled for Wednesday 28 July. Scheduled learning activities may be revised to include additional online activities beyond this date to ensure continued delivery of learning.
Please check your unit sites for the most up-to-date information.
Clinical placements, other placements and work-integrated learning
Approved student health and medical placements, including those beyond the five-kilometre limit, will continue where partner institutions remain open. Continue to check your unit sites and Deakin email for information.
Work-integrated learning will shift to online or be postponed. If you are affected, you’ll be directly contacted.
Where to get assistance
As we continue to experience uncertainty in our community, it is normal to feel some anxiety and even frustration. Deakin has a range of student support services:
- Make a free and confidential telehealth appointment with a Deakin Counselling and Psychological Support (CAPS) counsellor, or one of our doctors at a Deakin Medical Centre, which remains open for face-to-face pre-booked appointments only.
- Visit our Ask Counselling blog, which contains questions asked by students and answered by Deakin counsellors. All questions and responses are anonymous.
- Access a range of mental health resources in the eWellbeing Hub.
- If you feel unsafe in your home, or COVID-19 restrictions mean that your personal situation could become dangerous or unsustainable, Safer Community is here to support you. This includes assisting you with a safety plan if appropriate or providing advice. All assistance is confidential.
- Deakin’s Multifaith Chaplains offer compassionate support to everyone, whether religious or not. Our chaplains are available for phone consultations.
- Still not sure where to go? Just contact Student Central, who can direct you to the right service.
- For emergency, 24-hour support, contact Triple Zero (000), LifeLine or SuicideLine.
Need more help
You can continue to access a range of Deakin support services online:
- Student Central: Student Central Hubs on our campuses will be temporarily closed, however, you can still contact us by phone and online or book a virtual appointment. If you have a question about your enrolment or course, finances or other issues, contact Student Central.
- Deakin Library: All campus libraries will be temporarily closed. Contact the Library via Library Chat, email or phone.
- Study Support: Access a range of academic and study support online, including help from Language and Learning Advisers, Writing and Maths Mentors, and Smarthinking.
- IT Help: access IT Help online or over the phone, Monday to Friday, 8am–8pm, and weekends, 11am–5pm.
- Disability Resource Centre (DRC): The DRC is available Monday to Friday, 9am–4pm via phone or email.
- Financial assistance: If you’re in financial difficulty, visit our Financial Assistance website for more information and to contact a Financial Assistance Officer for personalised support. Financial support during COVID-19 is also available from the Victorian Government.
Please note: Deakin’s Learning Centres and DeakinACTIVE fitness centres remain temporarily closed.
More information will be provided as soon as possible
- You will receive regular communications from the University and your Unit Chairs about the evolving COVID-19 situation and any changes that affect you.
- Check your unit sites via DeakinSync and monitor your student emails for course updates, information and tips.
- Bookmark our FAQs for the latest information about what services are available and how to access them.
Staying well
- What you need to keep doing to stay well.
- If you feel unwell at all, we encourage you to get tested.
- What you need to know about face masks.
- Health and wellbeing – the latest updates for Victorians.