Today, the Premier of Victoria announced pubs, clubs, nightclubs, gyms, indoor sport venues, places of worship, cinemas, entertainment centres, and wedding and funeral venues will close from midday today to slow the spread of Coronavirus in the state.
Restaurants and cafes will only be allowed to provide home delivery or takeaway services.
This will affect many businesses in the Northern Grampians Shire and council will endeavour to assist businesses in any way it can as the pandemic situation continues to evolve.
Council made the decision last week to close its social facilities and urges businesses in the Northern Grampians to follow the advice of the Premier.
For other businesses in our region that will remain open, council urges you to enforce the four-square metre social distancing guidelines and advice on cleaning and disinfecting to reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission.
Council is implementing a plan to help businesses in the region navigate these changes including forming an extended business support team.
The business support team will be working closely with businesses, regional emergency management and council’s environmental health and community safety teams to ensure everyone in the community is best placed to help protect others and comply with the latest rules and regulations.
Everyone has a responsibility to help flatten the curve by keeping distance between themselves and others, working from home if they can, practising increased levels of hygiene, and not participating in social activities or gatherings.
Northern Grampians Shire Council Mayor, Murray Emerson, said for the government to take this step shows the seriousness with which social distancing and other health precautions should be treated.
“Following the Premier’s announcement this morning, I encourage everyone in our region to heed his words and take the messages of social distancing very seriously,” he said.
“By ensuring people do not attend these social venues and by people being sensible and avoiding contact with others, we can safeguard our community against the spread of COVID-19.”
“These rules need to be followed, they need to be treated with critical importance because this illness is dangerous. By slowing the rate of transmission, we can save lives.”
“We are in this together and we have to look after each other. Be kind to the workers of essential businesses staying open, be considerate and think of ways you can help protect the vulnerable and at-risk members of our community.”
Businesses remaining open in the region should follow and enforce the following advice:
– In an occupied space, there must be a density of no more than one person per four square metres of floor space.
– Hand hygiene products and suitable waste receptacles must be made available, with frequent cleaning and waste disposal taking place.
– The Department of Health recommendations for unwell individuals to isolate at home.
For assistance and guidance from council’s business support team, contact our customer service team on
