Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews has unveiled a new testing regime for both State-run and ‘private’ aged care providers across the state.

Under the new agreement between Victoria and the Federal Government, there will be ongoing testing of metropolitan staff every fortnight and regional staff each month.

“Public health services will test all public aged care facility staff, they are often co-located and linked to public hospital services,” Mr Andrews said.

“The Commonwealth will test all private aged care facility staff using private providers.”

Unlike regular coronavirus testing however, workers who are asymptomatic and not linked to a COVID outbreak will not be required to self-isolate while they wait for their test results.

An additional seven million P2/N95 respirator face masks will be provided to providers in the Melbourne and the Greater Mitchell Shire.

There are now 147 active cases in Victoria linked to aged care – 83 among residents according to evidence to Tuesday’s Senate enquiry and 64 among staff and others.