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News and updates

For the latest exposure sites, please visit: www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au/exposure-sites.
Local testing sites can be found at www.barwonhealth.org.au/coronavirus/where-to-get-tested.
For those experiencing financial or mental health challenges, please refer to www.surfcoast.vic.gov.au/GetHelp. There is help available.
Permits for travel exemptions are now open, find out more about the travel permits

A message from the Mayor - 30 August 2021

Current Restrictions

There are no restrictions on the reasons to leave home but staying COVIDSafe remains important.
Residents of regional Victoria including Surf Coast Shire, must not travel to metropolitan Melbourne (or Mitchell Shire), other than for permitted reasons.
There are no restrictions on travelling to other parts of regional Victoria. If visiting an Alpine resort, you must have a COVID-19 test performed and receive a negative less than 72 hours before entering the resort.
Face masks are mandatory indoors and outdoors for people aged 12 and over and are highly recommended for primary school aged children. You do not need to wear a mask in your own home, or if a lawful exception applies.
If you have any symptoms, no matter how mild, you should get tested for COVID-19.
Businesses in regional Victoria must conduct an I.D. check to ensure that patrons attending do not reside in metropolitan Melbourne or Mitchell Shire.

For more information visit the Coronavirus Victoria website

Remember, get a test as soon as possible if you are experiencing:

✓ Runny nose
✓ Loss of sense of smell or taste
✓ Sore throat
✓ Cough
✓ Shortness of breath
✓ Fever or chills

If eligible, please make a plan to get vaccinated today:

Restrictions are subject to changes at any time. Go to www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/coronavirus or call the 24-hour hotline 1800 675 398 for the latest updates.

Case numbers for Surf Coast Shire

From the Victorian Government

You can stay up to date on the current case numbers in Surf Coast Shire by viewing the Victoria case numbers by location’.

View the latest information about active cases
View the full Victorian case numbers by location and current high-risk locations and outbreaks.

(Please note: Council only has the numbers as published by the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), which reports based on municipality. For privacy reasons, the department does not provide us with specific details of each case)

Vaccinations

COVID-19 vaccinations are now available in Victoria. For more information as the situation evolves, please visit https://www.health.gov.au/initiatives-and-programs/covid-19-vaccines and for a vaccine eligibility checker and updates: https://www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au/vaccine.

You can also check your eligibility, find a vaccine provider or register by calling 1800 020 080.

How to stay informed about COVID-19 developments

The Department of Health and Human Services remains the lead Victorian agency dealing with the coronavirus disease, so we encourage you to stay informed directly through:

The DHHS website
The Coronavirus Hotline 1800 675 398 (open 24 hours, 7 days)
The official Government Easy Read coronavirus resources.

From the Commonwealth Government

“Coronavirus Australia” app, available on Apple and Android devices
WhatsApp channel, which you can access by entering aus.gov.au/whatsapp into your internet browser.
Head to Health website (how to maintain good mental health during the coronavirus pandemic)

Other information sources

VicEmergency advice notification
Consumer Affairs Victoria “COVID-19 and your rights” webpage

Where and when to be tested for COVID-19

Feeling unwell? Get tested

Anyone experiencing symptoms, however mild, should be tested for COVID-19.
The symptoms are:

Fever, chills or sweats, cough, sore throat, runny nose, shortness of breath, loss of sense of smell, headache, muscle soreness. Nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea may also be considered.

For more advice or to find out where to get tested:

Call the 24-hour coronavirus hotline: 1800 675 398
Go to www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/getting-tested-coronavirus-covid-19, which also has a map of where to be tested near your location
Call your local doctor

Local testing locations:

Torquay Community Health Centre (open 9.00am - 5.30pm seven days a week).
Address: 100 Surfcoast Hwy, Torquay
Phone Number: (03) 4215 7815
Lorne Community Hospital (open for testing between 9am – 4pm daily, by appointment only).
Address: Albert Street, Lorne
Phone Number: (03) 5289 4300
Colac Hospital (Emergency Department is open 24 hours/7 days a week):
Address: 2-28 Connor St, Colac
Phone Number: (03) 5232 5100
Barwon Health (Emergency Department is open 24 hours/7 days a week):
Address: Bellerine Street, Geelong
Phone Number: (03) 4215 0000

Children 0-5 years of age will need to attend a screening at a hospital testing station.

Reporting wrong-doing

Victoria Police are out in force keeping Victorians safe. To report people suspected of not following restrictions set by the Chief Health Officer, please call 131 444. Alleged breaches can also be reported online at www.police.vic.gov.au/palolr.

How to apply for a travel permit

Permits for travel exemptions now open

If you live in Melbourne or other restricted regions of Victoria and own a property within the Bushfire Management Overlay (BMO), you can now apply for permission to visit your property for bushfire preparedness.

Find out more about the travel permits

Apply for a travel permit

Surf Coast Shire Council News Archive

Watch Dr Rob Gordon, a clinical psychologist who has spent the past 30 years working with people affected by emergencies and disasters, explain the value of community leaders in the COVID-19 pandemic: