Tara Murray
Residents of Hillside, Taylors Hill, Taylors Lakes, Sydenham and Burnside are being asked to be on high alert for COVID-19 symptoms with a number of locations in those areas listed as tier two exposure sites on Friday.
The exposure sites date back to May 21, when a positive case attended the Burnside Hub Shopping Centre.
A positive case was at Chemist Warehouse between 9.30am and 9.40am, the Angry Beans Cafe between 9.40am and 9.45am and the Thio Eyecare shop between 9.40am and 10.15am.
On the same day, a positive case visited the Sugar Gum Hotel in Hillside between 7pm and 9.30pm.
Reform Health Osteopath in Hillside on May 24, between 10am and 10.40am, and May 26 between 2.55pm and 3.40pm; Taylors Hill Medical Clinic on May 25 between 10am and 11am and May 27 between 11.45am and 12.45pm, United Chemists in Taylors Hill on May 27 between 3pm and 3.30pm, Mycar Tyre and Auto in Sydenham on May 31 between 2.30pm and 4.15pm, Coles Express in Taylors Hill on May 31 between 4.30pm and 5pm, and Coles Express in Taylors Lakes on June 1 between 5.30am and 5.45am are other exposure sites.
The Department of Health and Human Services said the sites are tier two sites. Anyone at the sites at the times listed must get tested and isolate until they get a negative result.
The new exposure sites come as lockdown restrictions in metropolitan Melbourne eased on Friday.
The five reasons to leave home were scrapped and the 10-kilometre travel limit increased to 25 kilometres. Work, education, care and caregiving and getting vaccinated are the only reasons to go beyond the 25-kilometre zone.
Travel into regional Victoria to visit family and friends or take a holiday remains off-limits.
Outdoor gatherings are increased to 10 people, but visitors still aren’t allowed inside houses.
Masks are still required to be worn inside, and when outside if socially distancing isn’t possible.
Schools could resume face-to-face learning for all students from Friday, and cafes, restaurants and pubs opened with density limits in place.
Hairdressing, beauty and personal care resumed, weddings are limited to 10 people, and funerals to 50.
Swimming pools, entertainment venues and community facilities can open subject to density limits.
Community sport training sessions can resume.
Further changes have been flagged for later this week if things continue to improve, including allowing people from Melbourne to head to regional locations.
