Melburnians will be allowed to travel to Geelong for work under permit scheme
Melburnians will be allowed to travel to Geelong for work — but tough conditions will travel with them. It comes as authorities consider lifting indoor limits at hospitality venues.
Geelong
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MELBURNIANS will be allowed to travel to Geelong and regional Victoria for work but tough rules will travel with them.
The rules will prevent Melburnians from visiting Geelong restaurants and shops or gathering in public places with other people.
Premier Daniel Andrews said the move would require a permit, and that permitted workers should only travel between work and their homes in Melbourne.
“People can travel to regional Victoria for work and are not bound by the permitted industries requirement in Melbourne,” Mr Andrews said.
“There are some conditions that do remain. The primary rules that if you can work from home you must work from home remains in place regardless whether you are in metropolitan Melbourne or regional Victoria.
“A person travelling from metropolitan Melbourne to regional Victoria for work must have a valid work permit.
“The worker permit scheme allows the employer in regional Victoria to issue a permit to a worker in metropolitan Melbourne.”
Mr Andrews said authorities were considering if indoor limits at hospitality venues could be increased.
“We are looking at all the options available to us based on the principals... safety and (the time since restrictions were eased).
“As soon as we can take further steps that are safe then of course we will do that.”
Currently 20 patrons are allowed inside pubs, cafes and other venues subject to density limits while 50 people are allowed in outdoor areas of venues.
Mr Andrews said the regional daily two-week case average was at 1.1, and there were 14 active cases of COVID-19 in regional Victoria.
“It does take two weeks plus to get a complete picture; so it’s really important that regional Victorians, whilst there different rules to follow, there are still rules.
“We would remind people that they have to continue to follow those rules that’s how you stay open.
“It’s only when we let our guard down in some ways that we can be contributing to the spread of the virus and that of course compromises everything.”
Meanwhile a $21.3 million package from the state government will boost open hours at alcohol, drug and mental health counselling services, and aim to ensure workers remain at one facility to safeguard against COVID-19.
Mental Health Minister Martin Foley said the package was developed in consultation with service providers.
“This is in response to both increased demand and supporting those services that are at the front line of delivering support,” Mr Foley said.
15 new COVID cases and five related deaths were recorded in Vcitoria on Wednesday. All deaths were linked to aged care.
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Originally published as Melburnians will be allowed to travel to Geelong for work under permit scheme