
Staff writers
Regional Victoria will return to Stage 3 “Stay at Home” restrictions as of Wednesday at 11.59pm.
The move is part of a State of Disaster declared by Premier Daniel Andrews today.
Under the restrictions there are only four reasons to be out in regional areas: care and care giving, daily exercise, work and study – if you can’t do it from home.
Regional schools will return to remote and flexible learning – across all year levels, with the exception of specialist schools.
Onsite supervision will again be made available for students who need it, including children whose parents are permitted workers and vulnerable kids who can’t learn from home.
The changes mean that restaurants and cafes will only offer delivery and take away, beauty and personal services will have to close as will entertainment and cultural venues.
Community sport will also have to end.
Face masks or face coverings will continue to be compulsory as of 11.59pm on Sunday night for people over the age of 12 when they leave the house.
The Stage 3 “Stay at Home” restrictions will be in place for regional Victoria for at least the next six weeks.
The Premier said based on the current numbers, it is clear there is a real and growing threat in some regional communities.
“The thought of this virus getting into regional aged care – and wiping out entire generations within our regional communities – is something that keeps me up at night. I know I’m not alone,” Mr Andrews said.
“We must do more. We must go harder. It’s the only way we’ll get to the other side of this.”
Victoria recorded a total of 671 cases of coronavirus today.
The Latrobe Valley recorded its eighth case of coronavirus today, the second new case in as many days.