Coronavirus (COVID-19)latest for Melbourne readers
The Victorian Jewish Community COVID-19 Taskforce has updated the latest Coronavirus information.
Top Line Updates:
- Metropolitan Melbourne and the Mitchell Shire (Seymour area) will enter Stage 3 Lockdown tonight – Wednesday 8 July 2020 – at 11.59pm
- The lockdown will be in enforce for 6 weeks; that is until at least 11.59pm on 19 August 2020
- Shules will be closed: religious ceremonies can only be conducted via broadcast/live stream
- School holidays have been extended by one week. Schools will be open only to Year 11 and 12 students next week, along with schools specifically for those with special needs
- No visitors are permitted in private homes
- Businesses will return to Stage 3 trading limitations
Metropolitan Melbourne will return to Stage 3 Lockdown from 11.59pm tonight
The public health situation in Victoria is extremely serious. You must adhere to the restrictions for the health and wellbeing of yourself and others.
Stage 3 restrictions will be enforced across Metropolitan Melbourne and the Mitchell Shire Local Government Area (Seymour and surrounds) from 11.59pm tonight – Wednesday 8 July 2020 – for six weeks to stop the spread of COVID19 in the Melbourne community.
You must STAY AT HOME and encourage all community members to stay at home. There are no exceptions – no loopholes – no special dispensations.
There are ONLY four reasons why you should leave your home
(1) Shopping for food and essential items
(2) To give care or receive care
(3) For daily exercise within your local area; and
(4) To work if you cannot work at home OR to study if you cannot study from home
The Chief Commissioner of Victoria Police has stated that there is NO REASON for people to be out of their homes apart from the four listed reasons above. Ignorance will not be accepted as an excuse and people caught ignoring the restrictions can expected to be fined. Those repeatedly found ignoring restrictions may be jailed.
This includes those gathering in private homes illegally.
Shules will close. No services may be conducted inside a Shule except for the broadcasting/live stream of ceremonies. That is the Rabbi and the limited reasonable amount of people required to assist in that broadcast. A reasonable number of people to assist with broadcasting a service is 2-3 people maximum.
Schools holidays have been extended by a week to all students except Years 11 and 12. Schools for those with special needs will still operate. Jewish Day schools will communicate updates with parents directly.
Businesses will return to Stage 3 trading restrictions: that is takeaway food only. Retail stores may open subject to restrictions. Please support your local takeaway and retail businesses during this tough time.
NO visitors are allowed in private homes. None. No exceptions. No loopholes. No special dispensations.
Funerals will be restricted to 10 people plus those necessary to conduct the service.
Weddings will be restricted to five people. The couple, two witnesses and celebrant.
