Tara Murray
Whittlesea and Hume will be in stage 4 lockdown for at least another two weeks from September 13 as part of the state’s roadmap out of COVID-19.
On Sunday, Premier Daniel Andrews announced a “steady and safe” plan to what he described as a “covid normal”.
He said Victoria risked a third wave of coronavirus by Christmas if restrictions were lifted too quickly.
“I want to get the place open, and I want to keep it open,” Mr Andrews said. “There is no choice for us, there is only one option.
“I want a Christmas that is as close to normal as possible, and this is the only way.”
The plan comprises four steps for metropolitan Melbourne, beginning on September 13.
Under the first step, stage4 lockdown will be extended for two weeks however outdoor exercise will be increased to two hours a day and the curfew will begin at 9pm.
Public gatherings will increase to two people for a maximum of two hours and playgrounds will reopen.
People living alone will be able to form a ‘single social bubble’, enabling one person to visit them.
Further restrictions will be eased from September 28, subject to public health advice and if average daily cases are 30 to 50 in metro Melbourne over the previous 14 days.
There will be a return to face-to-face teaching for junior pupils, VCE and VCAL and specialists schools from October 12.
Restrictions will be eased further once the daily average cases of coronavirus is less than five new cases, while November 23 has been slated as a possible date for the introduction of step four.
The roadmap to reopening comes as Whittlesea council announced further pandemic relief measures, allocating an additional $800,000 across two programs.
Council will commit $500,000 to a Business Relief and Resilience Program to help local businesses get back on their feet, with grants of $5000 available.
The other $300,000 will be used extend the Emergency Relief Fund which was formed in April.
Whittlesea panel of administrators chair Lydia Wilson said residents and businesses need more relief and support right now for recovery to be achievable in the future.
“The initial $200,000 Emergency Relief Fund is almost exhausted, having provided financial grants to 18 non-government organisations on the frontline.
“The Business Relief and Resilience Program will provide financial support and local economic stimulus initiatives to help maintain business viability, re-activate our shopping precincts and boost our local economy.”
The number of active coronavirus cases in Whittlesea and Hume continues to fall, with 79 cases in Whittlesea and 128 cases in Hume as of Sunday
