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Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Updated - 20 October 2020

Travel Exemption to Prepare your Property for Flood or Fire

If you live in metropolitan Melbourne but have property in our Shire and you need to prepare for the flood and fire season, you will need to apply to travel to the Southern Grampains Shire for the sole purpose of preparing your property.

Please fill in the form below to apply for access. If accepted, you will be provided with a letter allowing you to travel to the property stated for the sole reason indicated in the form below.

Letters of Approval are issued for a maximum of 72 hours only (inclusive of travel time).

Please note that while you are in the Southern Grampians Shire, Metropolitan Melbourne Second Step restrictions will still apply to you within the Shire. For more information on these restrictions, please visit the Department of Health and Human Services website

Please visit www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au/emergencies-and-coronavirus-covid-19 for more information about what you can and cannot do with regards to visiting your property in regional Victoria at this time.

TRAVEL EXEMPTION TO PREPARE PROPERTY FOR FIRE OR FLOOD FORM

Victoria's Roadmap to Reopening

Regional Victoria's roadmap to reopening next step was announced Sunday 18 October 2020 and will come into effect from 11:59pm Sunday 18 October 2020.

Visit the DHHS website here for the full Premier's Statement on Victoria's COVID-19 restrictions or
visit for the Roadmap to reopening stages.

Please note, for impacted Council Services, see details here.

Wear a Face Mask or Covering

All residents in the Southern Grampians Shire and Victoria are required to wear a face covering when leaving their residence.

This includes when accessing Council services and facilities such as HILAC, Library, Gallery etc.

Residents are reminded that those who do not wear a face mask or covering will be denied entry to Council facilities and services. Community members are also required to supply their own face mask or covering.

For more information, visit www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/face-coverings-regional-victoria-coronavirus-covid-19.

Contact Council on 5573 0444 for more information or Visit Greater Hamilton for information on local suppliers for reusable masks.

Keeping our Community COVIDSafe

The safety of our communities, customers and staff is our top priority.

The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is working around the clock with health services, the Commonwealth and international agencies to respond to the outbreak of coronavirus (COVID-19) and to keep the Victorian community safe.

Council is closely monitoring the coronavirus outbreak to ensure that we are best prepared to respond to any suspected or confirmed cases within our community.

For the latest COVID-19 updates, visit the Department of Health and Human Services.

Council Services may or may not be impacted in the near future - Council will be guided the Victorian Government and the Department of Health and Human Services about the appropriate action to take and when.

COVIDSafe App

The COVIDSafe app has recently been released by the Australian Government to help stop the spread of coronavirus.

The App download is voluntary and aims to help keep the community safe from further spread by early notification of possible exposure.

COVIDSafe keeps contact information for 21 days to cover the maximum incubation period and testing time with information only accessible for use by authorised state and territory health officials.

Finding out quickly means you can help protect your family and friends from possible infection and slow the spread of COVID-19 in our community.

You can download the App from the App store here.

Red Cross - COVID CONNECT

Red Cross COVID CONNECT is a new national telephone service for the COVID-19 pandemic, to help build social connections and learn ways to better connect with your community.

COVID Connect is for adults of all ages. It is available to anyone and allows for regular access to a friendly human voice, listening ear and tips to improve social connection.

PH: 1800 733 276 www.redcross.org.au

The Red Cross has hundreds of trained volunteers, ready to have a yarn or chat in over 160 languages.

Note: COVID Connect is not a service for people wanting assistance with their mental health or those who require assistance in a crisis.

What is Coronavirus?

Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses which may cause illness in animals or humans.
Coronavirus (COVID-19) is a new virus that can cause an infection in people, including a severe respiratory illness.

The most recently discovered coronavirus causes coronavirus disease COVID-19.

For more information, see the Department of Health Coronavirus frequently asked questions.

11 ways to reduce your risk

Wash hands often with soap and running water, for at least 20 seconds. Dry with paper towel or hand dryer.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.
Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. If you don’t have a tissue cough or sneeze into your upper sleeve or elbow.
Physical distance yourself from others where possible by ensuring a distance of 1.5 metres is kept between yourself and others.
Isolate yourself at home if you feel sick. If you take medication ensure you have adequate supplies.
Phone your GP first if you need medical attention. They will tell you what to do.
Continue healthy habits: exercise, drink water, get plenty of sleep, and now is the time to quit smoking. Call the Quitline 137 848.
Buy an alcohol-based hand sanitiser with over 60 per cent alcohol.
Get the flu shot (available April).
Avoid shaking hands, hugging and kissing.
Stay at home where possible.

Physical Distancing

Physical distancing involves changing our social habits to reduce the risk of transmission of coronavirus. Physical distancing does not eliminate risk of transmission entirely.

You could practice physical distancing by:

Keeping a full arm-span (about 1.5 metres) between yourself and other people where possible.
Avoiding crowds and mass gatherings where it is difficult to keep the appropriate distance away from others.
Avoiding small gatherings in enclosed spaces, for example non-essential business meetings.
Avoiding shaking hands, hugging, or kissing others.
Avoiding visiting vulnerable people, such as those in aged care facilities or hospitals, or people with compromised immune systems due to illness or medical treatment.