How to have a COVIDSafe Christmas lunch

THE Health Department has published COVIDSafe advice for hosts and attendees of household Christmas parties at COVIDSafe gatherings. www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au/covidsafe-gatherings.

The advice includes a checklist for hosts of parties, and suggestions for alternative ways of hosting the event in person to reduce the risk of transmission. In short, hosts and attendees can consider these three tips:

* If you have symptoms, don’t go. Get a PCR test instead and stay isolated until you get a negative result.

* If you don’t have symptoms, consider taking a rapid antigen test before leaving home.

* If you’re hosting, consider asking guests to do the same.

* Take extra precautions, especially among those who are elderly or vulnerable. Fewer faces and bigger spaces mean less risk. It's best to wear a mask when talking to people face-to-face. Wash your hands regularly. Open up the doors and windows and get the fresh air flowing through. Keep note of who comes.

* Keep it short and keep it outdoors. This will prevent you from becoming a household contact who must quarantine for 7+ days (because once someone has spent 4 hours with a case in a house, they are a household contact). So have Christmas on the veranda and reduce your time inside a house with others to less than 4 hours. You may still have to get tested, but time in isolation will be shorter.

New Omicron cases

There were 23 new confirmed cases of the COVID-19 Omicron variant identified in Victoria yesterday. The total number of confirmed Omicron variant cases in Victoria is 61.

Of the new Omicron cases in Victoria, 30 acquired their infection overseas and 31 acquired their infection in Australia.

All Victorians can play their part in reducing the spread of Omicron – or any other variant – by getting tested the moment they notice symptoms or as soon as they are told they are a contact, and practising COVIDSafe behaviours such as wearing masks, physical distancing, checking in and getting a booster when eligible.

Masks back on

Deputy Premier James Merlino has announced today that masks return in all indoor settings (except the family home) for people aged 8-years-old and above from 11.59pm on Thursday, December 23.

But there will be no density limits for hospitality; in cafés, pubs, and restaurants.

Mr Merlino has also advised that masks are mandatory at events where more than 30,000 people are allowed to attend. These masks can be removed, while sitting down outside.

He reinforced that there would be no further lockdowns but he did encourage people to take the cautious approach with gatherings of family and friends over the holidays.

“Take advantage of the Festive Season and work from home where you can,” Mr Merlino said.

So, masks are back in indoors from 11.59pm on Thursday night, December 23.