By Ewen McRae
Melton will be in stage 4 lockdown for at least another two weeks after the state government unveiled its roadmap to reopening.
The extension of stage 4 was announced by Premier Daniel Andrews on Sunday, with the only changes to be an extension of the curfew (9pm until 5am), and an extension of allowable exercise outside the home to two hours.
From September 14, people living alone will be able to nominate a friend or family member who is able to visit their home as part of a ’bubble’ arrangement.
Regional Victoria, including Moorabool, will work to a different roadmap to reflect the lower case numbers, with some facilities and businesses opening sooner.
The state government roadmap lists the steps needed over the next few months to enable the state to reopen, with the final changes not expected until late-November.
It comes as local numbers of COVID-19 continue to drop.
Active cases of the virus in the Melton municipality fell to 113 in the week to September 6, which is still the fifth-highest number for a Victorian local government area.
Moorabool’s number’s also improved, with just eight active cases as of September 6.
Mr Andrews said while the decision to extend stage 4 lockdown was difficult, the scientific modelling showed that opening up too early would almost certainly lead to a third wave of the virus.
“This job, the great honour that I have to lead our state, every day is filled with decisions that are really, really difficult … you are not quite certain which option you choose,” he said.
“Others are difficult because you know what the consequences of those decisions will be. Some of them are indeed heartbreaking. This is not a 50-50 choice.
“The only way we can manage it is to get these numbers down to such a low level that it’s a fair fight.
“You can chase those numbers if you have everything shut down … but no public health response… will work if you’ve got the whole thing out of control.”
For a full list of changes see www.vic.gov.au/roadmap.
