Melbourne enters Stage 4 lockdown – ECEC services to remain open for permitted workers only

Premier of Victoria Daniel Andrews has confirmed that due to the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak and an intolerably high level of community transmission Victoria will enter a “State of Disaster” posture and Metropolitan Melbourne will return to stage 4 lock down. 

“The current rate of community transmission – mystery cases that cannot be traced to home or work – is far too high” Premier Andrews said, using that as a justification for the State entering a  State of Disaster mode from 6pm tonight, a provision last used in the summer of bushfires experienced at the beginning of the year. 

“As we step up our fight against this public health bushfire, we need to use again” he added.

From an early childhood education and care (ECEC) perspective those services operating in the 31 designated metropolitan local areas (please see below for the full list) across Melbourne can remain open but only for the children of essential workers and vulnerable children who cannot learn at home. 

All other children are expected to stay home. 

The new measures, to only accept children of essential workers and vulnerable children, are the first of their kind to be applied to the ECEC sector since the pandemic began, and will come into effect from Thursday 6 August, remaining in place until Sunday 13 September.  

“For the first time in our early childhood settings, the only children who will be attending on site will be children of workers from defined industries or very vulnerable children” Victorian Education Minister James Merlino said.

Regional Victoria will move to Stage 3 “Stay at Home” restrictions and therefore ECEC services in these areas will therefore continue with no limitations of access to families or children. The Mitchell Shire will remain on Stage 3 restrictions. 

To read Premier Andrews’ statement please click here. 

List of affected LGA’s:

Banyule

Hume

Moreland

Bayside

Kingston

Mornington

Peninsula

Boroondara

Knox

Nillumbik

Brimbank

Manningham

Port Phillip

Cardinia

Maribyrnong

Stonnington

Casey

Maroondah

Whitehorse

Darebin

Melbourne

Whittlesea

Frankston

Melton

Wyndham

Glen Eira

Monash

Yarra

Greater Dandenong

Moonee Valley

Yarra Ranges

Hobsons Bay