Joy for Geelong businesses as Covid restrictions ease

Bounce Geelong staff are jumping for joy as patrons return to the popular trampolining venue for the first time in 60 days.

Bounce Geelong staff are jumping for joy as patrons return to the popular trampolining venue for the first time in 60 days.

Venue manager Michelle Esmore said the centre had been closed, due to Covid-19 restrictions, since August 21.

“Our team has thankfully been well-supported throughout the lockdown and although they haven’t been able to work during this time, we have taken the opportunity to touch base with them virtually,” Ms Esmore said.

“We know they are itching to get back to doing what they love.”

Under new restrictions numbers are capped at 30 patrons per hour.

Bounce staff Jackson Cone, left, Caitlin Byrne, Imogen Collins and Troy McLean jump for joy at the reopening of the popular Grovedale trampoline centre. Picture: Alison Wynd

“We have been overwhelmed and delighted by the popularity of our venue in the times that we have been able to re-open from lockdowns,” Ms Esmore said.

“This shows how keen the Geelong community is to once again do what they love and experience the benefits of physical movement and social connection at Bounce.”

Bounce Geelong is open Monday to Thursday from 9-5pm, from 9-6pm on Friday and Saturday and 9-4pm on Sunday.

Bookings are recommended and can be made at bounceinc.com.au.

MORE CASES, NEW TIER ONE SITE AHEAD OF RESTRICTIONS EASING

Greater Geelong recorded 21 new Covid cases ahead of restrictions easing.

Acting chief health officer Ben Cowie on Thursday said Geelong’s Covid outbreak was among the largest in regional Victoria.

Golden Plains recorded two new Covid cases and the Surf Coast one.

Barwon South West public health unit director Eugene Athan said a number of the new

cases across the region were known contacts of confirmed cases and had been isolating.

“Any local cases that are unlinked continue to be investigated by the public health unit,” Prof Athan said.

As of Thursday morning there were 24 patients in Geelong hospital with Covid-19, 10 of whom were in ICU.

“In keeping with our role as a Covid streaming hospital the inpatients come from Geelong and across the state,” Prof Athan said.

“We ask the community to remain vigilant and to get tested at the earliest sign of Covid-19 symptoms or following attendance at an exposure site.

“It is also important to get vaccinated as soon as possible.”

The health department listed Luce Fit Australia gym at 1/92 Balliang Street, South Geelong as a tier one exposure site on October 11 between 4.15pm and 5.30pm.

People who attended during that time should get tested immediately and quarantine for 14 days from exposure.

It comes as Victoria hit its 70 per cent double dosed target for people aged 16 and up.

Melbourne will be freed from lockdown Friday while regional Victorians will also gain more freedoms.

All Victorians will be able to have 10 visitors to their home, including dependants, per day.

Regional Victorians will be allowed to gather in groups of 20 outdoors in public.

And 100 fully vaccinated people will be permitted outdoors at venues, and 30 fully vaccinated people indoors at one time at restaurants, cafes, cinemas and gyms.

All students can return to school on Friday in regional Victoria.

Regional Victoria and metropolitan Melbourne will remain on different settings until 80 per cent of residents over the age of 16 were double vaccinated.

Victoria reported 2232 new locally acquired cases on Thursday.

JOY AS ALL KIDS RETURN TO SCHOOL

For Michelle Anderson the days of homeschooling three kids in three different year levels are coming to an end.

“As soon as I told my kids the road map had changed, they were so happy to see their friends again and their favourite teachers,” she said.

“They are very over homeschooling.”

The date of all students to return to the classroom onsite was brought forward from October 26, to this Friday.

Since the beginning of term the state government had implemented a staggered approach to get staff and students back to the classroom.

Ms Anderson’s son Toby has been attending grade 2 at Whittington Primary School full-time since the beginning of term - however his siblings Conner, in grade 4, and Marissa, in grade 5, have only been able to attend twice a week on different days.

Michelle Anderson with Connor, 10, Toby, 7, and Marissa, 11. Picture: Alan Barber

From the second week of the term, grade 3 and 4 students were attending school on Tuesdays and Wednesdays while grade 5 and 6 students have been returning to class on Thursdays and Fridays.

“It has been a bit of a headache,” Ms Anderson said.

“The kids don’t really understand why they can’t all go back to school with each other and why they get two days a week and the other gets all week.

“It has been a bit hard to explain, but they have been getting through it.”

Ms Anderson who said her youngest child, Toby has struggled the most with the disjointed school year, was now looking forward to returning to routine.

“It will be a big help, my kids are very routine-based and not being at school has thrown everything off at home.”

Originally published as Joy for Geelong businesses as Covid restrictions ease