A new COVID-19 testing push for regional Victoria has begun today (14 August) to ensure the State is catching and containing the virus wherever it can.
In a statement, Premier Daniel Andrews said that to ensure every Victorian could get tested, stay home and not worry about lost income, the Coronavirus Test Isolation Payment would be increased to $450 across the State.
“We want to be absolutely sure no one is forced to choose between providing for their family and doing the right thing in getting tested and staying home,” Mr Andrews said.
“To date, regional Victorians have done a remarkable thing: staying safe and slowing the spread,” he said.
“But in recent days, the data confirms some concerning new trends.”
Mr Andrews said Geelong had almost half of all regional cases, Ballarat had the highest growth rate in the past week, and Bendigo, while stable, produced a stubborn number of active cases.
“And as we know, in every regional community across the state, all it takes is one positive case,” he said.
“We’ll begin a massive regional testing effort to ensure we’re uncovering every single case we can – while asking every regional Victorian to remain vigilant and keep safe.”
The Premier said that regional testing capacity would be expanded with additional staff across a number of sites in Greater Geelong, Ballarat and Bendigo.
