Victorian Premier, Daniel Andrews has announced a lockdown of metropolitan Melbourne*, as the state records the highest increase in cases since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.
VACC assures members that at this point automotive will remain open as normal and is regarded as an essential service. For members feeling overwhelmed, the Chamber urges them to uptake the free counselling service available.
From Wednesday, 8 July, 11:59pm, metropolitan Melbourne residents must stay at home, leaving only for:
- Shopping for food or essential supplies or services
- To provide caregiving, for compassionate reasons or to seek medical treatment
- Work and study, if it can't be done from home (only VCE students, and special needs students, are set to return to classrooms as normal)
- For exercise (outdoor exercise only, with only one other person or members of your household).
This Stage Three lockdown is set to continue for six weeks until Wednesday, 19 August, 11:59 pm.
Although automotive remains open, other business sectors will be greatly impacted by the new restrictions:
- Cafes, restaurants, pubs, clubs and bars can do takeaway only
- Arenas, food courts, cinemas, casinos and gaming, beauty services, holiday accommodation, campgrounds, pools, playgrounds, saunas, galleries, museums and zoos will close.
*Metropolitan Melbourne, also known as Greater Melbourne, includes 31 municipalities: Banyule, Bayside, Boroondara, Brimbank, Cardinia, Casey, Darebin, Frankston, Glen Eira, Greater Dandenong, Hobsons Bay, Hume, Kingston, Knox, Manningham, Maribyrnong, Maroondah, Melbourne, Melton, Monash, Moonee Valley, Moreland, Mornington Peninsula, Nillumbik, Port Phillip, Stonnington, Whitehorse, Whittlesea, Wyndham, Yarra and Yarra Ranges. Additionally, the Mitchell shire, including towns such as Broadford and Wallan, is not part of Metropolitan Melbourne but is covered by the lockdown.
For more information
Australian Government: COVID-19 Restriction Checker
Department of Health and Human Services: COVID-19 updates
VACC: Essential services (member bulletin)
VACC: Free counselling service for members
Victorian State Government: Restrictions summary document