COVID-19 update - outdoor restrictions easing

Way to go Bayside! We’ve played our part to help Victoria pass the 70% first COVID-19 vaccination jab target milestone.

In fact, Bayside is leading the way with 80%+ first COVID-19 vaccination jabs across our municipality for residents aged 15+ and 55% fully vaccinated. Let’s keep it up!

As a result of Victoria passing 70% first dose, the Premier has announced a slight easing of restrictions from 11.59pm Friday 17 September - expanding outdoor social interaction, exercise, the distance you can travel from home and more.

The changes include:

There is a new permitted reason to leave home – outdoor social interaction.. Skate parks, outdoor gym equipment, basketball rings and other outdoor leisure equipment will reopen. The time permitted for exercise – and now outdoor social interaction – will increase to four hours per day. The distance you can leave home for shopping for necessary goods and services, exercise and outdoor social interaction will increase to 10 kms. Outdoor social interaction

Outdoor social interaction will be limited to:

One person may meet another person not from their household for a picnic, a walk, or another outdoor activity. Up to five adults (plus dependents) from two households will be able to gather outdoors if all adults present have received both doses of the COVID-19 vaccine.

Masks remain mandatory indoors and outdoors.

We are installing QR codes at our skate parks, BMX tracks and other outdoor exercise equipment. We encourage our community to check in when using these facilities to help contract tracing in the instance of a positive COVID case attending these sites.

If you’re yet to be vaccinated, please book your appointment today – either in state-run centres, or at your GP or local pharmacy. The best vaccine is the vaccine you can get today. If you have any questions or concerns you can talk to a GP, pharmacist or to a senior and experienced immuniser at state-run sites.

To see the latest restrictions, visit the Victorian Government Coronavirus (COVID-19) website.

Testing

If you have symptoms of COVID-19, you should get tested.

The closest testing sites are at Sandringham Hospital (walk up) and Brighton Golf Course (drive through) – see more details on testing.

Stay safe

Bayside is a connected and responsible community and we urge our residents to do the right thing and follow the restrictions.

We all need to do our part to slow the spread of the virus until more of us are vaccinated.

If you, or someone you know needs assistance, is feeling lonely or requires information, we can help. Call Council on 9599 4444 to speak with one of our friendly team or email us on relief [at] bayside.vic.gov.au

For more information visit the Victorian Government Coronavirus website.

QR codes vandals put safety at risk

Vandals are targeting QR signs at Bayside playgrounds, putting the safety of residents at risk.

Less than a week after the signs were erected across the municipality’s 61 playgrounds, several signs have been deliberately damaged.

Destroyed and removed QR codes have been reported to Council at playgrounds at Tramway Parade, Beaumaris, Wishart Reserve, Hampton East and Royal Avenue.

We are encouraging parents to report missing and vandalised signage at your local playground and anyone who witnesses any incidents of vandalism in a playground to immediately report it to us via 9599 4444 or bayside.vic.gov.au

Playground rules

The playgrounds are back in action in line with restrictions in place. Only children under 12 can play with only one parent, guardian or carer in attendance unless a second parent, guardian or carer is required for children with additional needs. Adults should not remove their masks to eat or drink while visiting a playground.

You must check in at the playground using the Victorian Government QR code system.

We know the closure of playgrounds was tough for our community, particularly our younger residents – thank you for your patience and cooperation. 

Exposure sites

Anyone who has visited an exposure site location or have any symptoms of COVID-19, however mild, should get tested. Even if you are vaccinated.

Please check exposure sites regularly as locations are listed throughout the day and overnight.

The symptoms to watch out for are:

loss or change in sense of smell or taste fever chills or sweats cough sore throat shortness of breath runny nose.

The main COVID-19 test sites in Bayside are at Sandringham Hospital (walk up) and Brighton Golf Course on Dendy Street (drive through).

Find out more about COVID-19 testing including opening hours, wait times and locations.

View COVID-19 case data including the Local Government Area and suburb of current cases.

Current restrictions update

The following COVID-19 restrictions apply:

Curfew 9pm to 5am each night Masks cannot be removed in public to consume alcohol Permits are required for essential work.

There are only 6 reasons to leave home. You must stay at home other than:

Getting the food and the supplies you need Exercise for four hours per day Outdoor social interaction or exercise Care or caregiving including getting a COVID-19 test Authorised work or education if you can’t do it from home Getting vaccinated.

Each of us needs to follow current restrictions to get through this current outbreak - for our family, our friends and our broader community.

Reporting COVID-19 breaches

Council staff are not authorised to investigate or enforce breaches of COVID-19 restrictions.

Any concerns should be raised with Victoria Police via the Police Assistance Line on 131 444 or online here

It is up to all of us to do the right thing and follow the restrictions.

Help is at hand

If you are experiencing hardship as a result of COVID-19, we can help. Call Council on 9599 4444 to speak with one of our friendly team or by email to relief [at] bayside.vic.gov.au

The Victorian Government also has a range of support programs, funding and information to help people affected by coronavirus. Find out more here.

Council services

Bayside’s playgrounds are now open. 

Skate parks, basketball rings, the outdoor gym equipment in Dendy Park and seniors exercise equipment in parks will reopen from 11.59pm Friday 17 September. 

Waste services and care for vulnerable residents will continue during the restrictions. Customer service is available via our website and telephone 9599 4444.

Library reservations can be collected via click and collect when you are out for one of the five reasons. Home library deliveries will continue.

The following Council facilities are also closed:

Customer Service Front Counter at Corporate Centre - 76 Royal Avenue Sandringham Brighton, Hampton, Sandringham and Beaumaris libraries will be open for click and collect reservations only. Community facilities including Bayside Community Nursery, Seniors Centres, Men’s Sheds, Peterson Youth Centre and Community Centres Bayside Gallery Volunteering programs Council events during this time have been cancelled or moved online. Checking in

Checking in via the Victorian Government QR code is mandatory in all Council facilities, shops, cafes and other businesses etc regardless of how long you visit.

Checking in helps with contact tracing and keeps Victoria safe and open.

Vaccinations

Council is not a COVID-19 vaccination provider but there are number of vaccination providers in Bayside or within a short distance of Bayside.

Vaccination providers include Sandringham Hospital, Monash Moorabbin, Monash Clayton, Kingston Centre, Prahran Town Hall and numerous GP clinics throughout Bayside. Find out more about vaccinations.

You can book vaccination appointments at state vaccination centres online via the Victorian Government COVID-19 vaccination online booking system or by calling the  Coronavirus Hotline on 1800 675 398.

National coronavirus and COVID-19 vaccine support

In your language:

Εμβόλια κατά της νόσου COVID-19 Covid-19 Vaccinations in Greek

Vaccini per il COVID-19 Covid-19 Vaccinations in Italian

COVID-19ワクチン Covid-19 Vaccinations in Japanese

COVID-19疫苗 Covid-19 Vaccinations in Chinese

Вакцины от COVID-19 Covid-19 Vaccinations in Russian

Stay safe

Bayside is a connected and responsible community and we urge our residents to do the right thing and follow current restrictions. We all need to do our part.

If you, or someone you know needs assistance, we can help. Call Council on 9599 4444 to speak with one of our friendly team or email relief [at] bayside.vic.gov.au

Stay safe Bayside.

Read more news