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News and updates

From 6pm on Friday 26 March, masks will no longer be required in retail settings, but Victorians will still need to carry one with them at all times and wear it on public transport, in rideshare vehicles and taxis and in sensitive settings such as aged care facilities and hospitals.

Victorians will be able to host up to 100 people in their home per day. Outdoor gatherings in public places – the beach, the park – can also increase to 200 people.

There will no longer be limits on class sizes for outdoor and indoor physical recreation or fitness classes – and unstaffed gyms will be moving from a density limit of 1 person to 8sqm to 1 person per 4sqm.

The 75 per cent cap on private and public offices workers will also be removed. While all workplaces are still required to ensure people can work from the office in a COVID-Safe way – with a density limit of 1 person per 2sqm – they will no longer be required to permit workers to work from home.

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.

Tell us how you have been affected by COVID-19 in our COVID-19 Impact Survey.

Latest news from Surf Coast Shire Council

A message from our Mayor, Cr Libby Stapleton:

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: