BRING YOUR MATES
HOTELS, CARAVAN PARKS TO REOPEN NEXT WEEK
OUR TOURISM OPERATORS’ PLEA TO VICTORIANS AS GOVT REVEALS LATEST RESTRICTIONS TO EASE
KIDS rejoice — playgrounds and skateparks will be reopened tomorrow, meaning children are again free to play at their local park.
Premier Daniel Andrews revealed these public facilities would be reopened in line with the return to some classroom learning.
Geelong West four-yearold Theo Frearson can’t wait to hang off the monkey bars and whiz down the slide.
Dad Alistair said explaining to his children that they couldn’t use play equipment due to COVID-19 restrictions had been difficult and confusing.
“(Parks opening) will be huge for my partner, who has been at home, to be able to have something other than the backyard to offer the children,” Mr Frearson said.
“It’s been really strange to explain to them that areas that were once areas of freedom and exploration are now totally off-limits. It’s going to be great to be able to jump back in and use them again.”
And from 11.59pm on May 31 restrictions will be further relaxed, with Victorians allowed to have up to 20 people in their home and at outdoor gatherings.
Entertainment and cultural venues such as galleries, museums, drive-in cinemas and historic sites will be able to open, as well as zoos and outdoor amusement parks.
Physical distancing and a limit of up to 20 patrons per space will apply, and indoor venues will be required to keep customer contact details.
Swimming pools will also open with limits of 20 people and additional safety requirements in place.
But how the easing of restrictions will be implemented across the region is not yet known, with City of Greater Geelong Mayor Stephanie Asher admitting there was still “a long way to go”.
“We will review the Government’s new directions and move quickly to make decisions on how to best implement these changes across the municipality to ensure we continue to protect the safety of our communities and support local business,” Cr Asher said.
The council could not say if or when the almost 600 council employees stood down during the pandemic would be reinstated, but said staffing would be reviewed as facilities reopen.
“Once these decisions are made, information will be communicated to our community and city employees,” Cr Asher said.
Geelong Regional Library Corporation CEO Patti Manolis said libraries across the region would be reopened under a staged process, with details to be announced later.
“Our communities will need us more than ever before and we are delighted to soon be in a position to open our doors to the public,” Ms Manolis said.
Re-opening of library branches will be staged in accordance with government directives and health and safety requirements.
Surf Coast Shire Mayor Rose Hodge applauded community members for adhering to virus restrictions but urged residents to continue to observe social distancing and to wash their hands.
Cr Hodge said it was hoped the changes would allow people to get out and relax.