As Victoria continued to, unfortunately, regress with clearing up COVID-19, cases hit 671 on Sunday, August 2, forcing Premier Dan Andrews to declare a State of Disaster. Now new measurements are in the form of Stage 3 and 4 for areas across Melbourne and Mitchellshire, bringing another new “norm” to the forefront.
In this article, we’ll cover the latest restrictions, what they mean to you, and how to keep your household expenses under control in the meantime.
Stage 3 restrictions for Mitchell Shire and regional Victoria
Mitchell Shire and regional Victoria have already gotten used to the impacts of Stage 3, but they will inevitably remain here unless cases go down. Enforced measures now include:
- There are only four reasons to leave your home: for shopping and supplies, care and caregiving, essential work and study – if you cannot do these at home.
- Businesses across these areas will be under Stage 3 restrictions.
- Restaurants and cafes must revert to delivery or takeaway models only.
- Beauty and personal services must close.
- Entertainment and cultural venues must close.
- Community sports must stop.
- Face coverings are now mandatory.
The restrictions will be in place for six weeks, with tentative expiry on September 13, 2020.
Stage 4 restrictions for metropolitan Melbourne
- A curfew is now in place between the hours of 8 pm and 5 am. You can only leave your house outside of this bracket if it’s for essential work, medical assistance, care and caregiving.
- Wherever you slept on Sunday, August 2 is where you must stay for the six-week lockdown.
- There are some exemptions for those who do not live with their partner, as well as those who need to travel to work.
- The Night Network will be suspended, just as public transport services will be reduced. PSOs that would typically be across these matters will not be redeployed to enforcement.
- If you are to exercise outside of your home, it must be once a day only, for one-hour maximum. You cannot exercise in groups of more than two.
- Shopping is limited once a day to ONE person per household. You must stay within the five-kilometre radius during these trips.
- Educational facilities like schools, TAFE and universities will be remote learning only.
- Weddings must now not go ahead.
- Face masks and coverings are now compulsory.
- Cafes, bars and restaurants will stay at takeaway models only—those who cannot must close.
The restrictions will be in place for six weeks, with tentative expiry on September 13, 2020.
Managing household bills during COVID-19 lockdown
At Energy Matters, we’ve made sure we’re on the ball of what’s going on in these areas with restrictions and enforcement measures. We understand that this period is a tough one, and for some, the financial burden is tough.
We highly encourage you to check out the below resources to combat bill shock during these new extended lockdown periods:
- COVID lockdown: how to get through
- Surviving COVID-19 lockdown bill shock
- Energy prices have changed: here’s how to beat the surge.
Beyond these, we also highly recommend checking your latest energy bills with the deals available in your area. Remember that offers and rates change regularly, so it’s essential to make sure you’re not paying too much. You can get a free energy health check here, without any catches.
Our professional solar installers in Melbourne will assess and determine your energy needs. We customise a solar panel system in Melbourne to fit the roof size of your property, ensuring you receive the most suitable solar panel system for your Melbourne home, meeting to property’s energy requirements.
