Tate Papworth
While restrictions may have started to ease, there’s still ample reason for Brimbank residents to remain vigilant.
On Sunday Premier Daniel Andrews announced that as his government continued to wind back restrictions, the messaging has gone from “stay home” to “stay safe.”
An there’s good reason for Brimbank residents to heed that advice with 12 active COVID-19 cases within the municipality, second only to the Melbourne CBD.
It brings the total number of cases within Brimbank to 63.
The number of cases jumped dramatically after the outbreak at Brooklyn-based abattoir Cedar Meats.
There were no new outbreaks related to the facility over the weekend, but five on Friday showed it’s still not contained.
The total number of cases in the outbreak sits at 111, made up of 67 staff and 44 people external to the facility.
While community transmission remains low, Mr Andrews said a number of restrictions will remain in place until at least the end of June.
“One of our most important messages to Victorians is this: if you are working from home, you must keep working from home – at least until the end of June,” he said.
“We just can’t afford to have millions of people moving around our state – taking public transport or using the communal kitchen.
“Let alone when you think about the logistical challenges of getting people in and out of lifts or lobbies.”
But a number of facilities are also set to reopen.
Libraries, youth centres and other community facilities will be able to open with no more than 20 people in a single area, plus those needed to operate the space.
Swimming pools will also open with limits of 20 people and additional safety requirements in place.
Community sporting activities will also be permitted with up to 20 people in undivided spaces, provided the sport is outdoors, non-competition, non-contact, and people are able to play 1.5 metres apart.
The Premier also announced easing of restrictions across the real estate and beauty industries.
Weddings will now be allowed 20 guests, plus the celebrant and couple – and up to 50 people will be allowed at a funerals.
Meanwhile campgrounds and caravan parks will be re-opned – but not with communal facilities like kitchens or bathrooms so we can stay safe.
The Premier said that if community transmission rates continue to remain low and testing rates continue to remain high, the government will look to further relax restrictions from June 22.
