Having reached a 14-day average of 3.6 active COVID cases and with no mystery cases, regional Victoria has reached the necessary requirements in the Victorian State roadmap to take the next step towards a new normal.
Step 3 means there are no restrictions on reasons for leaving home and some industry restrictions are lifted. Regional Victoria will stay in this third step until zero new cases state-wide ae reached for a 14-day period.
What this means for Greater Shepparton:
- Public gatherings outdoors are allowed up to 10 people
- Outdoor playgrounds open
- Household visits are allowed up to 5 people from the one household
- Schools will see staged return to onsite learning for all students in Term 4 with safety measures in place
- Under 18 outdoor contact and non-contact sport can return
- Adult outdoor non-contact sport can return
- Religious gatherings, weddings and funerals can take place outdoor with up to 10 people
- Outdoor dining – venues will be able to serve patrons outdoors for up to 50 people within a two square metre density limit
- Indoor dining – venues will be able to seat 10 customers for up to four square metre density rules
- Beauty and personal care services will be able to return for services that uphold to mandatory mask wearing
- Regional real estate agents will be able to hold auctions outdoors with up to 10 people.
- And travel can resume for regional Victorians holidaying anywhere in regional Victoria.
What this means for Council Services:
The following Council services will re-open for face to face contact but still adhering to health guidelines, physical distancing requirements and mask wearing.
- Council Customer Service: Over the counter service available from 21 September from Monday to Friday, 9am to 4pm, Online and phone enquiries can still be made between 8:15am and 5pm Monday to Friday. Please note cashless payments only.90 Welsford St Shepparton or phone (03) 5832 9700.
- Visitor Centre: From 19 September will be open seven days a week, 10am to 3pm. Online and phone enquiries can still be made between 9am and 5pm. 33 Nixon St Shepparton. phone 1800 808 839
- Eastbank Café: From 21 September indoor and outdoor dining will be available from Monday to Friday, 9.30am to 2.30pm. 70 Welsford St Shepparton. Phone (03) 5832 9529
- Aquamoves: Outdoor 50m Pool will reopen 22 September and Outdoor Group Fitness Classes are available from 21 September. Limited session times and strict bookings only conditions apply. 25 Tom Collins Drive Shepparton, phone (03) 5832 9400
- KidsTown playground: open seven days a week, dawn till dusk, gold coin donation. Note the Miniature Train will not be running and community BBQs remain unavailable until further notice. 7287 Midland Highway Mooroopna, phone (03) 5831 4213
- KidsTown café: The Dig in Café will be open seven days a week from Saturday 19 September until Sunday 4 October from 10am to 3pm. Cafe hours may be subject to change without notice due to weather conditions.
- Outdoor communal gym equipment: available for use
- Outdoor public playgrounds: including barbecue facilities, sporting fields and off-leash dog parks are now available for use
- Skate Parks: S-cape Skate Park Victoria Lake Shepparton, X-abition Skate Park Ferrari Park McLennan St Mooroopna, Yogi’s Skatepark Flanangans Lane Tatura
- Victoria Lake Holiday Park: Now available to take bookings for guests residing in regional Victoria, 536 Wyndham St Shepparton phone (03) 5821 5431
- Community venues: for hosting essential services, weddings or funerals (for up to 10 people)
Mask wearing, physical distancing, good hygiene practices and contact tracing is still a requirement when leaving the house.
All businesses across Victoria – regional and Melbourne – are required to have a COVIDsafe plan as of Monday 28 September 2020 they can be found on the Business Victoria website.
Greater Shepparton City Council Mayor Councillor Seema Abdullah said this was a tremendous step forward for our region and the community needs to continue working together to reach a new normal.
“This week’s news was welcomed positively within our community and businesses. Everyone is looking forward to getting out and supporting local businesses and catching up with friends, but please don’t let your guard down, continue to stay COVID safe. This means keep your distance, wash your hands regularly, cover your mouth when you cough and sneeze and continue to wear a mask when you leave the house and do not leave if you are feeling unwell,” Cr Abdullah said.
“This year has seen a massive hit on our local businesses and families so please remember to be kind to one another as we work through the changes together to reach the final step of operating within COVID-19 Normal.
“Our local businesses are the heart of the economy and I strongly encourage our locals to visit and support a local business in any safe way possible. I also encourage businesses to look into the recent economic support packages from the Victorian Government.”
As of Saturday 13 September, a new support package of $3 billion in cash grants, tax relief and cashflow support was delivered to Victorian businesses.
Information on these grants can be found through the Business Victoria site.
For more information on Council services please visit our Pandemic page.
