City of Ballarat services during lockdown extension

20 July 2021 1:00pm

The state of Victoria remains under lockdown restrictions in an effort to combat the spread of the Delta Variant of the Coronavirus, this includes the City of Ballarat.

Several City of Ballarat services and facilities will be closed until at least Wednesday 28 July as per the directions of the State Government.

City of Ballarat Mayor, Cr Daniel Moloney has praised the continued work of local health authorities, not just for facilitating the roll out of the COVID-19 vaccine across the city in recent months, but for prompt action over the weekend in response to Tier 1 hot spots in the greater region.

“The quick messaging from Ballarat Health Services and Grampians Health to our community last week was critical following the hot spot alert at the Ballan Mobil Service Station and again when a family member of a Ballarat Clarendon College student tested positive,” Cr Moloney said.

“We’ve seen the likes of Bacchus Marsh and Mildura experiencing their own scares over the weekend and the last thing we want is an outbreak in our community.

“City of Ballarat will continue to work closely with our health authorities such as Ballarat Health Services and Grampians Health to support the monitoring of this fast-moving situation.”

Due to current restrictions, services such as the Ballarat Aquatic and Lifestyle Centre, the Ballarat Art Gallery, the Eureka Centre, the Town Hall including the Ballarat Information Centre, and other council services will be temporarily closed.

The Ballarat Libraries will be closed but will offer a click and collect service from 10am-5pm on weekdays and 9.30am-12pm on Saturday, throughout the lockdown period.

Essential services such as meals on wheels, Council-run childcare centres and kindergartens, the Ballarat Transfer Station and Maternal and Child Health will remain operational.

City of Ballarat CEO, Evan King, said while the lockdown will impact some facilities, Council will ensure essential services continue to operate.

“We all have a part to play in protecting our city. Please make sure you continue to check in wherever you go, wear masks and ensure social distancing,” he said.

“While these restrictions will force us to once again shut some of our facilities, Council will continue to do all that we can to keep our core services running.”

“Those that rely on our essential services need us more than ever and we will continue to provide these services uninterrupted.”

Under the restrictions, residents of Ballarat and surrounds have five reasons to leave home:

To shop for food and supplies,
Authorised work,
Care and caregiving,
Exercise, for up to two hours and with one other person or members of your household, and
To get vaccinated.

City of Ballarat Mayor, Cr Daniel Moloney said the low case numbers in our region are a testament to people doing their part to keep each other safe.

“I want to thank everyone in our city who is doing the right thing to help stop the spread, wearing masks, staying home where we can, checking in, and keeping our distance from one another. Everyone in Ballarat has done a spectacular job keeping cases down and the community safe but the fight is not over yet,” he said.

“While this latest round of lockdown is disappointing news for many in our community who have been through so much already, our local businesses will endure with our support.”

“This is a difficult time for our local businesses and tourism industries in particular so I encourage everyone to shop local and support Ballarat businesses where possible. Grab a coffee or a takeaway meal and be kind to retail workers in the city.”

“If you are able, I encourage everyone to get a COVID vaccine as soon as you can. Getting vaccinated is our best chance to end this pandemic.”

The federal and state governments have several programs and packages to help support local businesses.

For more information on state or federal government business support visit

www.business.gov.au

www.business.vic.gov.au

To find out more about what City of Ballarat services will be affected visit www.ballarat.vic.gov.au/whats-open-and-whats-closed

For the most up to date state government COVID information on restrictions visit www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au