New changes to Coronavirus restrictions are imminent under the State Government’s Roadmap to Recovery announced on the weekend.
From 11.59pm, Sunday 13 September, some restrictions will be eased into what is known as the “Second Step” on the Roadmap for regional Victorians.
For Northern Grampians Shire residents, the main changes involve social gatherings. Up to five people from a maximum of two households can meet outdoors for social interaction with infants and children under 12 months not included in that quota.
For home visits, a new condition called the “single person bubble” allows for one nominated visitor to visit a person living alone or a single parent with all children under 18 years.
Primary and secondary schools will return to onsite learning from Term 4 with safety measures.
Aside from these two key changes, the other conditions remain the same. There are only four reasons to leave home – school or work (if not able to be done from home), caregiving, essential shopping and exercise.
Restaurants and cafes can remain open for takeaway and delivery only with hairdressers the only personal care service permitted to open.
Regional areas will be able to move to the next step of the roadmap when the daily average number of cases in the preceding 14 days is less than five and there are no cases with an unknown source in the preceding 14 days.
Northern Grampians Shire Mayor, Cr Murray Emerson, congratulated the community on their efforts to keep everyone safe and help move the shire towards a more relaxed set of conditions.
“People in the shire should be pleased to see new conditions which allow them to have a visitor in their home or to catch up with another household outside. I know kids especially will be very excited to be back with their school friends soon,” he said.
“Let’s keep reminding ourselves we’re “in it together” and if we keep abiding by the rules, a more normal existence will return.”
If residents have locally specific concerns or queries regarding Coronavirus matters, they are encouraged to call the Northern Grampians Shire Council COVID-19 hotline on
