Geelong and the Surf Coast will re-enter lockdown at midnight with restrictions the same as in Melbourne, except curfew, taking effect.
Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews today announced the seven-day snap lockdown, which also includes Mitchell Shire, following an increase in local cases.
Caseloads in greater Geelong and Mitchell Shire have increased in recent days, according to health authorities, with 17 and 15 active cases in these local government areas respectively as of yesterday.
Two new cases each in greater Geelong and the Surf Coast Shire, along with seven in Mitchell Shire, have prompted Victoria’s chief health officer to declare the lockdown.
Under new restrictions residents can only leave home for:
• necessary goods and services,
• caregiving or compassionate reasons including medical care or getting a COVID-19 test,
• authorised work or permitted education,
• four hours exercise and outdoor social interaction in limited groups, and
• to get vaccinated.
Residents can also visit their intimate partner or “single social bubble buddy”. Shopping, exercise and outdoor social interaction will be limited to 10km from the home.
Masks will be mandatory indoors and outdoors with no visitors allowed to the home.
Residents can meet with one other person outdoors or up to four others from two households if all present have received two vaccine doses, plus dependents.
“If you’re in Geelong, Surf Coast or Mitchell Shire, follow the restrictions, get tested if you have symptoms, and get vaccinated if you haven’t already,” Mr Andrews said.
“Regional communities have overcome outbreaks before – and this will be no different.”
Mr Andrews also today released Victoria’s roadmap to reopen. Under that roadmap regional Victoria is set to return to similar restrictions to those prior to this lockdown on September 26.
