Moorabool Shire has entered a seven-day lockdown, with rising case numbers causing significant concern.
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At time of writing, 28 positive cases are active in the shire, which stretches from Melbourne's western edge to just east of Ballarat.
According to postcode data, 25 of them are in the Bacchus Marsh area.
WANT TO DOUBLE-CHECK THE BORDER? SEE THE MAP OF MOORABOOL SHIRE BELOW
The lockdown means the entire shire is now under the same restrictions as metropolitan Melbourne, with five reasons to leave the house, but no curfew.
People can leave the house for authorised work and education if it cannot be done at home, essential shopping, exercise near the home, care and caregiving, and testing and vaccination - intimate partners and singles bubbles can visit each other.
A travel limit of 15km will apply, unless getting food, care, or testing or vaccination that cannot be accessed closer.
Social gatherings are permitted outdoors between two people from a maximum of two households. Up to five people can socialise outdoors (excluding dependants), from two households, if every person over 18 years is fully vaccinated.
Schools will be closed except for vulnerable families and/or essential workers.
Playgrounds, outdoor skate parks and communal gym equipment remains open, and outdoor physical recreation facilities such as tennis clubs, golf clubs and cricket grounds are open to five fully vaccinated people for contactless activities at a time.
Indoor facilities will remain closed, including toilets.
SEE THE EXPOSURE SITE MAP BELOW
Exposure sites have been listed on the state government website at the Ballan IGA supermarket, on September 24, 26, and 27, and newsagency on September 25 - all are Tier 2 sites.
Shape It Fitness in Maddingley is a Tier 1 site, on September 27 from noon to 1.30pm - anyone who has been at that site at that time must immediately isolate for 14 days.
Cellarbrations on Main Street Bacchus Marsh on September 27 is a Tier 2 site, and Vinnies Bacchus Marsh on September 17.
More exposure sites are expected to be listed as a major testing operation gets under way.
So far, testing sites are only available in Ballarat and Melton, including drive-through testing - according to the state government, two new sites for testing are opening in Melton this weekend in addition to existing sites in Ballarat, Daylesford, Melton, Melton West, Redan and Sebastopol.
Testing sites in nearby Melton include:
- the Melton drive-through on Barries Road
- a pop-up clinic at the Seniors Community and Learning Centre on McKenzie Street, Melton
- a drive-through clinic at the Melton Football Netball Club at Macpherson Park Recreation Reserve, 783-857 Coburns Road, Melton.
Moorabool mayor Tom Sullivan said council was not given a heads up about the lockdown, and only found out when it was announced in Premier Daniel Andrews' press conference on Friday.
"I thought it was a bit disappointing," he said.
"We could have started putting in all the work to continue council services, it's a bit disrespectful for them to have done that, but since then though, the CEO's been organising staff to make sure council services are kept up to date for the community."
Council has confirmed kerbside waste pickup will continue as normal, with other services to be confirmed.
Cr Sullivan urged residents to stay positive through the next seven days.
"Please look out for each other, take care of each other - we're all in this together, let's make sure we're supportive of other members of the community - the only way we'll get through it is if we stick together," he said.
"We're getting on the front foot - in these situations you prepare for the worst and hope for the best.
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"Stay positive and look out for each other, that's really important."
Moorabool Shire is currently 48.4 per cent fully vaccinated, with 83.8 per cent of residents over 16 with at least one jab.
For more information, visit the Victorian Department of Health and Human Services website, or phone the hotline on 1800 675 398 for advice if you are displaying symptoms.
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