Tougher restrictions enforced in Victoria | COVID-19
Metropolitan Melbourne and Mitchell Shire have been moved to Stage 3 COVID-19 restrictions.
Mitchell Shire takes in regional towns of Broadford, Heathcote and Kilmore, North of Melbourne.
Premier Daniel Andrews announced the new restrictions today.
Here is his statement.
2020 has not been the year any of us wanted.
Cancelled events.
Plans put on pause.
Uncertainty about what the future holds. And I guess that’s why so many people want to pretend this is over.
Others don’t have that luxury.
In the last 36 hours we lost two more Victorian lives to this deadly virus.
We don’t yet know their names, their stories or the circumstances in which they died.
All we do know is that – except for the company and compassion of the medical staff who cared for them – they would have died alone.
No family. No friends. No holding hands. No goodbyes.
Denied the last quiet moments that we all hope for.
That’s how dangerous and infectious this disease is.
Thankfully, it’s a fate that most Victorian families have not been asked to endure. And I think, for some, that’s led to a creeping complacency.
But although today it’s someone else – tomorrow it could be you, or me.
I know a lot of people aren't scared because this feels like something happening to other people in other parts of the world.
But you should be scared of this. I’m scared of this. We all should be.
Yesterday, we reached a grim new milestone, the most cases in a single day.
Today, we surpassed it.
It’s clear we are on the cusp of our second wave – and we cannot let this virus cut through our communities.
It’s why based on the advice of the Chief Health Officer and across metropolitan Melbourne and Mitchell Shire, Stage 3 “Stay at Home” restrictions will be reinstated from 11:59pm on Wednesday July 8.
For six weeks, and if you live in these areas, there’ll be only four reasons to leave your home: Shopping for food and essential items. Care and caregiving.
Daily exercise. Work and study – if you can’t do it from home.
Otherwise: Stay home. Stay home. Stay home.
In case it needs repeating, stay home.