Stage 4 Restrictions Announced for Metropolitan Melbourne

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Yarra Ranges is included in the Victorian Government’s announcement of Stage 4 restrictions for Metropolitan Melbourne, from Sunday, 2 August.

In addition to the restrictions already in place from Stage 3, and the mandatory wearing of face masks or coverings when leaving you home, the following changes have also been made:

  • There is now a daily curfew in place from 8pm-5am, with the only acceptable reasons to leave home during this period being for work, medical care and caregiving
  • Exercise is now limited to one-hour per day within a 5km radius of your home, and group size is now limited to two, regardless of if you’re in the same household or not.
  • Shopping for essentials is now limited to one person, per household, per day within a 5km limit of your home. If your nearest store for essential shopping is further than 5km away, you may still visit it.
  • All Victorian students will move to remote learning from Wednesday, 5 August.

These restrictions will be in place until Sunday, 13 September.

A number of new restrictions were also announced in regards to how businesses will operate during this period.

Businesses that will continue to be able to operate include supermarkets, grocery stores, bottle shops, pharmacies, petrol stations, banks, newsagencies, post offices and those working in the frontline response.

Businesses that will have to cease onsite operations for the next six weeks include retail, some manufacturing and administration. These businesses will need to be closed by 11.59pm Wednesday 5 August, unless there are specific circumstances that mean they need longer to be able to safely shut down.

Retail stores will be able to operate by contactless ‘click and collect’, and delivery services with strict safety protocols in place, while hardware stores can remain open onsite for tradespeople only.

Other industries that will be able to remain operational, but with a lower workforce at any given time, include meatworks, warehousing and distribution, and construction.

Businesses that suffer significant losses or need to close as a result of the restrictions, can apply for up to $10,000 through the expanded Business Support Fund.

To read the Premier or Victoria’s full statement in regarding the restrictions as they relate to businesses, click here.

Getting support

We understand that these restrictions will have a major impact on our local businesses, and indeed the wider Yarra Ranges community.

/Public Release. View in full here.