Coronavirus in Ballarat: Changes to restrictions announced
The state government has announced several changes to restrictions in regional areas, including Ballarat.
According to a state government media release, some changes will begin from 11.59pm on Sunday, September 13.
A major change will be for people living alone and single parents, will be able to have a bubble, allow isolated Victorians to nominate one other person to help them through this - a friend or family member that can visit them in their home.
"Up to five people will be able to gather together in outdoor public places - the park, the beach - up to a maximum of two households," the release states.
"By limiting it to two households, we're again limiting the virus's ability to spread.
Outdoor pools and playgrounds in regional Victoria will also open.
THE LATEST IN BALLARAT: Active COVID-19 cases in Ballarat fall for third consecutive day
Religious services can be conducted outside with a maximum of five people, plus a faith leader.
Schools will begin a staged return to on-site learning from term four for all VCE and VCAL students, including for the General Achievement Test on October 5.
In regional Victoria, all students will return to onsite learning between October 12 and 16.
Premier Daniel Andrews used the example of Colac where one case led to 24 cases in a number of days in less than a week of the dangers of opening up too quickly.
"If we open up too fast, very high likelihood we're not opening up at all, we're third wave. In and out of lockdown, restrictions, before the end of the year.
"We can't run out of lockdown, we have to take steady and safe steps out of lockdown to find that covid normal.
"We must take steady and safe steps to find covid normal and make sure that in opening up we can stay open."
The state government will provide more answers on www.vic.gov.au/roadmap
However, strict stage four restrictions will continue in metropolitan Melbourne until at least September 28, though the curfew will be extended to 9pm and exercise and time outside the house will be extended to a maximum of two hours per day
"The way we have arrived at those industries being able to resume is a difficult set of judgments that weigh up the risk and economic benefit," Mr Andrews said. "We believe we have struck a balance, not a perfect balance, no such thing, and some industries will be disappointed."
On Sunday, another 63 new cases were confirmed across the state, and five deaths.
In Ballarat, there are currently two active cases, down from three on Friday.
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