Eased COVID-19 restrictions in regional Victoria

City of Ballarat is encouraging everyone to get tested, get vaccinated, and do everything we can to minimise the current COVID-19 outbreak in Victoria even with today’s announcement. 

Both the Mayor and the CEO of City of Ballarat have expressed support for the easing of restrictions in regional Victoria from 11.59pm on Thursday 3 June to allow Ballarat to partially open up.  

“We feel for everyone in Melbourne right now, but we are pleased to see a more considered approach to restrictions, allowing Regional Victoria to remain open. I’m sure many Ballarat businesses will be thrilled to see customers through their doors again on the weekend, albeit with capacity limits still in place,” City of Ballarat Mayor Cr Daniel Moloney said.  

“When the time is right, we’re keen to welcome Melburnians back to our city as they have been incredible supporters of our businesses following the past three lockdowns. Most weekends this year have been busy in Ballarat as metro residents sought a regional retreat. We hope for everyone those days return again soon,” Cr Moloney added. 

City of Ballarat CEO, Evan King, said tourism visitation will be impacted over the Queen’s Birthday long weekend but protecting the region from the spread of COVID remains vital. 

“While these restrictions are a positive step for our region, there are unfortunately a number of events over the upcoming long weekend that will be impacted by a Melbourne travel ban,” CEO Evan King said. 

“Unfortunately the Ballarat Junior Basketball Tournament, which always attracts hundreds of visitors over the Queen’s Birthday weekend has had to be cancelled. This is obviously a real blow for our tourism and events sector. We’ll continue to work collaboratively with industry to encourage visitors back to Ballarat as soon as it is safe to do so.” 

Cr Moloney also said the protection of the residents of the Ballarat municipality is the first priority of council and urged residents to keep up the good work in adhering to mask and distancing guidelines.  

“We currently have no positive cases in our city, and we can all do our part to keep it that way by wearing our masks, continue to check into locations using the available QR codes, minimising contact with others, and following the directives of the Department of Health and Human Services,” he said.  

“We can ensure these restrictions don’t last any longer than necessary by taking on the responsibility of staying safe in our everyday lives.”  

City of Ballarat is encouraging those aged 40 years and over who are eligible for a COVID vaccine to get one as soon as possible.  

“This outbreak only highlights the importance of vaccinations and how critical they are in helping stop the spread of the virus,” Cr Moloney said.  

“If you are eligible and able, getting vaccinated is one of the best things you can do to keep yourself and your community safe from COVID. In fact, I am booked in this week to get mine. 

“Those of us that can get the vaccine must do so to help ensure those that are vulnerable or cannot get the vaccine are also protected as much as possible.”  

City of Ballarat CEO, Evan King, echoed the Mayor’s sentiments, praising the people of Ballarat for their dedication to looking out for one another.  

“The people of this city have done an amazing job protecting one another and keeping active COVID cases very low,” he said. 

“Our best defence for maintaining this low level of infection is getting vaccinated and getting vaccinated as soon as possible if you are able to do so. 

“Make sure we all have our own COVID safeguards in place and we are being kind, considerate, and thinking of the health of others and checking with the QR codes wherever we go.” 

For locations for COVID testing clinics in Ballarat, visit the Ballarat Health Services www.bhs.org.au/news-and-events/covid-19-information/testing-for-covid-19/ 

Ballarat’s COVID-19 Vaccination Clinic is located at the Mercure Hotel and Conference Centre, 613 Main Road Golden Point, with bookings and/or walk-ins available seven days a week. 

Bookings for the can be made by calling the Victorian Coronavirus Hotline on 1800 675 398.  

For the latest on restrictions across the state, visit www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au/how-we-live  

Confirmation on changes to council facilities and services under eased restrictions will be confirmed in the next 24 hours, visit www.ballarat.vic.gov.au/whats-open-and-whats-closed for the latest.