MASKED UP AND BACK TO STAGE 3

$OUR NEW \\u2018NORMAL\\u2019: The mandatory wearing of face masks or face coverings when away from your private residence was being fully adhered to in Wangaratta\\u2019s CBD on Monday. \\nPHOTO: Jeff Zeuschner$

OUR NEW ‘NORMAL’: The mandatory wearing of face masks or face coverings when away from your private residence was being fully adhered to in Wangaratta’s CBD on Monday. PHOTO: Jeff Zeuschner

WANGARATTA, and rest of regional Victoria, will revert back to stage 3 restrictions from midnight tonight, for the next six weeks, as the state attempts to reign in the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic.

NEM Author

August 3, 2020 • 02:00

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While the nature of restrictions in the Rural City of Wangaratta towns from tonight is a far cry from the stage four restrictions of Melbourne (including curfew and 5km travel rules), locals are still encouraged to minimise community interaction.

Meatworks will be the only regional industry directly impacted by the measures associated with the stage four changes for Melbourne which Premier Daniel Andrews announced on Monday.

Locally, many of the rules from the stage three lockdown experienced in March will remain the same but there will be some key differences.
The same four reasons to leave the house remain but this time around you cannot have visitors or go to another person’s house unless it is for the purpose of giving or receiving care.

The State Government confirmed on Monday you can leave your house to visit an ‘intimate partner’.

Restaurants, cafes and bottle shops will move to takeaway only while pubs, bars, nightclubs and beauty services will close, but hairdressers can remain open.

Exercise is still a permitted reason to leave your house but swimming pools, playgrounds and gyms will shut.

All community sport will stop except for golf, tennis and boating.

Students will return to flexible and remote learning, except at specialist schools which will maintain onsite learning.

Religious services must only be conducted online.

Weddings will be cut to include five people while the limit is 10 people for funerals.

Holiday accommodation and camping venues will close with travel within Victoria allowed only for work and education.

Mr Andrews said all businesses who suffer significant losses or need to close as a result of the reintroduction of stage three can apply for a $5000 grant.

Dinner Plain has confirmed it will retire its managed toboggan slope from tomorrow due to the stage three restrictions.

Falls Creek and Mt Hotham alpine resorts and Mt Buffalo were yesterday awaiting confirmation of a likely closure to the public.

For more information about coronavirus, including restrictions and health advice, please visit www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au or phone 1800 675 398.