Playgrounds to reopen, skateparks to remain closed

Published on 11 September 2020

Colac Otway Shire Council will reopen playgrounds across the shire on Monday, in accordance with the lifting of State Government COVID19 restrictions.

Council Chief Executive Peter Brown said Council would sanitise playgrounds before the scheduled reopening on Monday as a precautionary measure.

“Council’s Service and Operations Team will then schedule regular cleans of playgrounds, with additional cleans of high-use playgrounds in Colac and Apollo Bay,” Mr Brown said.

“Restrictions and advice around social distancing, hand hygiene and the wearing of masks remain in place.

“We encourage families to maintain a 1.5-metre distance from anyone they do not live with, and anyone over the age of 12 must wear a mask, unless they have an exemption.

“Council has installed hand sanitising stations in public toilets across the shire and parents are urged to take hand wipes with them to playgrounds, particularly where there are no public toilets,” he said.

“It is important to note that State Government advice to reopen playgrounds does not apply to skateparks, and in accordance with restrictions, skateparks will remain closed until further notice.”

In regional Victoria from Monday, there will continue to be only four reasons to leave home: school or work, if these cannot be done from home; care or caregiving; to purchase essentials; and exercise.

State Government advice on restriction changes from Monday also includes up to five people from a maximum of two households can meet outdoors for social interaction (infants under 12 months of age are not included in the cap) and permission for a “single person bubble” for those people living alone and single parents.

Restaurants and cafes remain open for takeaway and delivery only, with retail and hairdressing open but personal services remaining closed.

For more information about restrictions in regional Victoria, please visit https://www.vic.gov.au/restrictions-roadmap-regional-victoria