The following update contains information about Youth Projects and our services across Melbourne and the north west region.

Today, the Victorian Government announced that all of Victoria would enter a 5-day "circuit breaker" lockdown that will begin from 11:59pm tonight until 11:59pm on Wednesday. During this time, all of Victoria will revert back to Stage 4 restrictions as we work toward containing and preventing any outbreak of the highly infectious UK-strain of COVID-19 in our beautiful state. 

How does this effect Youth Projects services?

Most CBD services remain open, and all other programs and services revert to virtual in the meantime. As at 11:59PM Friday 12 February 2-21, our HQ at Glenroy will be closed to the public and service delivery will be as follows:

Community Health

• The Living Room remains open with health, medical & crisis support still accessible. 
• Basic needs such as showers, laundry facilities and care packages are still available but limited numbers of people are permitted within the drop in space at any one time. 
• Throughput of shower and laundry facilities has been reduced to allow for cleaning between use. Screening protocols have been enacted at the front entrance.
• Night Nurses Outreach nurses still operating on the streets. No longer attending shared accommodation facilities. Screening protocols have been enacted. 

Harm Reduction

• We have mobilised a targeted Harm Reduction team, in partnership with other agencies, to deliver a specific response to support people currently in hotel accommodation. This team will continue to adhere to all appropriate guidelines, but must remain working to save lives.
• Fixed Site and Mobile NSPs remain open and accessible. Physical distancing and no-contact measures remain in place.
• Foot Patrol remains active and accessible in the CBD. Physical distancing measures remain in place.
• Substance Misuse services remain open and accessible via The Living Room. Screening protocols and physical distancing remains in place.
• AOD services for young people in the north western and eastern suburbs remain accessible. All face-to-face contacts have ceased – all contact is via phone, video call or email only. 

Employment, Training & Social Enterprise

• Transition to Work, Disability Employment Services and Employability Skills Training will continue to operate, virtually/remotely.
• All face-to-face appointments will temporarily cease.
• Contact will be via phone, video call or email only.
• Crisis support through YHOP will continue to be co-ordinated by phone, video call and email.
• Our social enterprise café on Hosier Lane (Good2Go) will remain closed.
• The Little Social cafes (Rosanna and The Alfred) remain open for takeaway service only.

Corporate Support & Head Quarters

• Although our HQ in Glenroy will remain closed, our corporate teams continue to work, remotely. Our phone and email lines remain open!

Masks/face coverings

All Youth Projects staff working on site or providing outreach services have been directed to wear medical-grade masks at all times when undertaking work duties. All staff are required to wear a medical mask where possible, or other forms of face covering where medical masks are not available whilst performing duties as well as travel to, from or in between locations for work related purposes.  

What does this mean for people accessing our services at physical sites?

Staff reserve the right to refuse entry to any person, client or stakeholder, to our premises, or surrounding areas (including move on orders), to ensure the safety of our people.  Our teams are working with people in very difficult circumstances and refusal will only come as a last resort – but a safe workplace for our staff and people accessing services is paramount. Teams will continue to inform visitors on the latest restrictions and are providing masks and face coverings to people accessing our services, where needed. 

If you haven’t been able to get a medical mask, please follow the World Health Organisation guidelines on how to wear a non-medical fabric mask safely

Please be patient with our teams who continue to rapidly respond to the circuit breaker lockdown. Our people are our most valuable asset and we must ensure their continued wellbeing during these uncertain times.

For more information on the 5-day lockdown and other coronavirus updates, please visit the DHHS website.

News and information about COVID-19 is also available in 63 languages at SBS online.

This can be a difficult time to navigate, so please know that there is support available to you. Our team have put together a list of helpful links, apps and crisis information for you, or anyone you know, who may be struggling.