OH SNAP, HERE WE GO AGAIN
■ Geelong and Surf Coast to go into lockdown as more infections emerge ■ Local footy finals officially cancelled ■ State reveals detailed Covid road map
THE City of Greater Geelong and Surf Coast Shire have been plunged back into lockdown in a move that has left traders “gobsmacked” and devastated.
Premier Daniel Andrews announced the two local government areas would enter a snap, seven-day lockdown from 11.59pm on Sunday.
The decision comes after more Covid cases emerged at the weekend, with authorities also concerned about traces of the virus detected in wastewater at Aireys Inlet.
Two new cases were detected on the Surf Coast on Sunday, while Greater Geelong also recorded two positive results.
It followed the emergence of four cases in Geelong on Saturday and has taken the current outbreak in the municipality to 20.
Mr Andrews said the lockdown was aimed at controlling the outbreak, but the move has caused headaches for traders just as school holidays had begun.
THE City of Greater Geelong and Surf Coast Shire have been plunged back into lockdown in a move that has left traders “gobsmacked” and devastated.
Premier Daniel Andrews announced the two local government areas would enter a snap, seven-day lockdown from 11.59pm on Sunday night.
The decision comes after more Covid cases emerged at the weekend, with authorities also concerned about traces of the virus detected in wastewater at Aireys Inlet.
Two new cases were detected on the Surf Coast on Sunday, while Greater Geelong also recorded two positive results.
It followed the emergence of four cases in Geelong on Saturday and has taken the current outbreak in the municipality to 20.
Mr Andrews said the lockdown was aimed at controlling the outbreak, but the move has caused headaches for local business owners just as school holidays had begun.
The Sphinx Hotel owner George Ramia said he was shocked by the decision.
“I’m a bit gobsmacked, to be honest,” he said.
“I thought he’d have a little bit of compassion for us people in hospitality.
“I mean, I don’t think there’s been any outbreaks at any of the Geelong hotels.”
Mr Ramia said the North Geelong pub may need to throw away up to $10,000 worth of stock due to the lockdown.
“I understand we get some (financial) relief from the governments, but it doesn’t come even close to what we’re using,” he said.
Geelong-based Liberal Senator Sarah Henderson said that given the small number of cases in our community, it was “very disappointing that Geelong and the Surf Coast have been plunged into lockdown”.
“We are a resilient community but regional Victorians, including the people of Ballarat, can only tolerate so much,” she said. “Where is the health advice to justify locking down so many people in southwest Victoria?”
Damien Cerantonio, from the Great Ocean Road Resort in Anglesea, said the lockdown had forced him to cancel and postpone bookings as visitors arrived for the school holidays.
“We had a few bookings coming (on Sunday),” he said.
“Overall, it’s just devastating for many businesses in the Surf Coast and Geelong region going back into lockdown.
“This weekend coming up was going to be a long weekend and, even without Melburnians, our books were looking very strong.”
Tourism Greater Geelong and The Bellarine chief executive Brett Ince said the move was “extremely disappointing” for local operators.
But he was hopeful the lockdown would lift after seven days, allowing regional Victorians to travel to the local area for the second week of school holidays.
Under the new restrictions, residents can only leave home for six reasons – to shop for necessary goods and services, caregiving and compassionate reasons or to get a Covid-19 test, authorised work, exercise, outdoor social interaction and to get a Covid-19 vaccination.
The travel limit will be 10km, with four hours a day permitted for exercise and outdoor social interaction.
However, unlike metropolitan Melbourne, there will not be a curfew.
Health Minister Martin Foley said the new cases in Geelong involved a worker from Melbourne and a household contact of a construction worker. He said the positive test results on the Surf Coast were linked to trade and construction.
Mr Foley revealed authorities had continued to detect the virus in wastewater at Aireys Inlet that still had no obvious source.