New restrictions in Victoria ‘regrettably necessary’

Victorians will be offered free mental health support through a $7.3m expansion of Medicare services.

More mental health support will be offered for Victorians facing the toughest lockdown yet, Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt said today.

It comes after Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews declared a state of emergency on Sunday including a curfew and 5km radius for grocery shopping under stage four restrictions for the next six weeks.

In a special message for Victorians, Prime Minister Scott Morrison said “Australians all around the country are backing you in”.

“We all know for Australia to succeed, we need for Victoria to get through this,” Mr Morrison said.

He also thanked the “amazing health professionals” and all those who are on the frontline working to support communities in these “tough times”.

Mr Hunt acknowledged that Victorians would be facing some mental health challenges following Sunday’s announcements.

“These measures today are beyond what any of us could ever have imagined our community would face, but they are with us, because we have had an outbreak in Victoria,” he said.

“(We will be) expanding the better access psychological program under Medicare, providing an additional 10 sessions.

“These will be available for anybody who has used their initial 10 services in a lockdown area under a public health order.”

Mr Hunt said the $7.3 million investment would apply across Victoria, and more areas in Australia if restrictions are introduced.

He said Victoria had a “difficult and hard” six weeks ahead.

“We will need our resilience more than ever before but I see that resilience and see it in the faces of mums and dads, of small business owners, of the people working in the IGA,” Mr Hunt said.

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews says further restrictions will be announced for workplaces on Monday. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Daniel Pockett

The expert medical panel met on Sunday to consider the epidemiological advice and proposals for action.

“They determined, that sadly, more action was necessary,” Mr Hunt said.

“Regrettably necessary.

“We support them with a heavy heart but we do so because they will help save and protect lives in Victoria.”

Australia has now recorded 17,921 cases and 208 deaths.

More than 400 people are in hospital, 46 in intensive care and 30 on ventilation.

The focus on protecting vulnerable people in aged care remains with 47 of 671 positive cases recorded on Sunday among aged care residents.

Up to 12 Australian Defence Force personnel now assisting Opal Aged Care in Geelong for up to three weeks.

Teams have also been on the ground at Cumberland Lodge and Florence Aged Care.

Mr Hunt said their advice was that progress was being made to stop the spread across all facilities.

He said supplies, resources and facilities for hospitalisation was strong.