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
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