What you need to know about the postcodes in lockdown
Residents in Melbourne’s hotspot suburbs are now under strict lockdown orders, with police patrolling the streets. Here’s everything you need to know about the postcode crackdown.
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Your questions on the tough new restrictions that have split Melbourne in two are answered below.
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1. When will the localised lockdown start?
Stage 3 restrictions came into force for the selected “hot zones” at 11.59pm on Wednesday. They will be in place until at least July 29.
2. Is my suburb affected?
All suburbs with the following postcodes have returned to stage three restrictions: 3051, 3031, 3038, 3064, 3047, 3060, 3012, 3032, 3055, 3042, 3021, 3046.
3. If I live outside those postcodes, can I go there?
If you live outside these locations, there’s only four reasons to go in: shopping for food and supplies, care and caregiving, exercise, and study or work – if you can’t do it from home.
4. How will the lockdown be managed?
Road blocks will not be in place, but police will be actively patrolling hot zone suburbs. People moving in and out of restricted suburbs will be randomly stopped in booze bus-type checks and asked to identify themselves.
5. Will fines apply?
Breaches of the restrictions will attract fines of up to $1652 for individuals.
6. Can you visit relatives in the hotspot areas?
Generally, no. The advice is visits into these areas are not allowed. Exceptions exist where visits are for the purpose of caregiving, where no other option is available.
7. Can you visit your partner if they live in the hotspot area?
Partners who do not live together will be able to visit each other at home during the lockdown, even if one of them lives in a restricted postcode. However if visiting a restricted postcode, people must abide by the restrictions and can only leave home for exempted reasons.
8. Will pubs and shops in the hotspot areas be closed?
Pubs, cafes and restaurants will be restricted to takeaway service only.
9. Can I leave my suburb to work or study?
Yes. Under the stage three restriction residents of lockdown suburbs can leave home for work or education, if this can’t be done from home.
10. Can I exercise?
Yes. Exercise is one of the listed exceptions for leaving home however it is limited to either family groups or groups of two.
11. Can I sell my house?
Yes. Home sales can continue, however auctions in restricted suburbs can be conducted online only and open for inspections must be done by appointment.
12. Can people from lockdown areas go on holiday?
No. If people from lockdown suburbs are already on holiday they are free to complete the trip. However residents of those suburbs who didn’t leave for a holiday by 11.59pm on Wednesday July 1 will not be able to go.
13. Will recreational activities be restricted?
Yes. Golf, fishing, theatres, cinemas, pools and gyms in the lockdown suburbs must close.
14. Can you drive through the lockdown area if you don’t stop?
Yes. However you may be randomly stopped by police and asked your reason for being in the area.
15. Will schools in the lockdown areas be reopened once school holidays are over?
Premier Daniel Andrews said he expected schools to be reopened with no health advice to return to remote learning. He said if that changed parents, students and staff would be warned well in advance.
THE 12 POSTCODES IN VIRUS LOCKDOWN
Postcode: 3047
Suburbs: Broadmeadows, Dallas, Jacana
Population: 20,903
Key landmarks: Broadmeadows Central, Kangan Institute, Hume City Council offices
Schools: 13, including Broadmeadows Primary, Dallas Brooks Community Primary, Hume Central Secondary College, Penola Catholic College
Postcode: 3055
Suburbs: Brunswick South, Brunswick West, Moonee Vale, Moreland West
Population: 14,159
Key landmarks: Union Square Shopping Centre, Dunstan Reserve
Schools: 4, Brunswick North Primary School, Brunswick North West Primary School, Brunswick South West Primary School, St Joseph’s School
Postcode: 3046
Suburbs: Glenroy, Hadfield, Oak Park.
Population: 34,063
Key landmarks: Rupert Wallace Reserve, Northern Golf and Shop Academy, Sewell Reserve, Glenroy Library, Moreland City Council offices, Martin Reserve, JP Fawkner Reserve, Oak Park Stadium, Oak Park Sports and Aquatic Centre
Schools: 10, including St Thomas Moore’s School in Hadfield, Oak Park Primary School, Glenroy Secondary College, Corpus Christi School in Glenroy
Postcode: 3042
Suburb: Airport West, Niddrie, Keilor Park
Population: 15,766
Key landmarks: Westfield Airport West, AJ Davis Reserve, Etzel St Reserve, Niddrie Library, Keilor Park Recreational Reserve, Keilor Basketball Netball Stadium
Schools: 4, Niddie Primary, Rosehill Secondary College and St Christopher’s School, St John Bosco’s School
Postcode: 3051
Suburb: North Melbourne
Population: 11,754
Key landmarks: Arts House
Schools: 4,St Aloysius College, North Melbourne Primary School, St Michael’s Primary School, St Joseph’s College
Postcode: 3031
Suburb: Flemington, Kensington
Population: 18,531
Key landmarks: Flemington Racecourse, Royal Park, Dobney Park
Schools: 7, including Kensington Community High School, Kensington Primary School, Flemington Primary School, Mount Alexander College, Debney Meadows Primary School
Postcode: 3060
Suburbs: Fawkner
Population: 14,043
Key landmarks: CB Smith Reserve, Charles Mutton Reserve
Schools: 6, including Fawkner Primary, Darul Ulum College of Victoria, John Fawkner Secondary College
Postcode: 3064
Suburbs: Craigieburn, Donnybrook, Mickleham, Roxburgh Park, Kalkallo
Population: 75,457
Key landmarks: D.S Aitken Reserve, Craigieburn Leisure Centre, Craigieburn Central, Hume Global Learning Centre, Roxburgh Park Shopping Centre
Schools: 18, including Craigieburn Secondary College, Hume Anglican Grammar, Mickleham Primary, Roxburgh College
Postcode: 3012
Suburbs: Brooklyn, Kingsville, Maidstone, Tottenham, West Footscray
Population: 26,298
Key Landmarks: Cedar Meats Australia, Brooklyn Dog Park, Dobson Reserve
Schools: 3, Footscray West Primary, Corpus Christi, Kingsville Primary
Postcode: 3021
Suburb: Albanvale, Kealba, Kings Park, St Albans
Population: 54,191
Key landmarks: Kings Park Reserve, Brimbank Park
Schools: 18, including Albanvale Primary, St Paul’s Kealba, Kings Park Primary, St Albans Secondary College, Victoria University Secondary College
Postcode: 3032
Suburbs: Ascot Vale, Highpoint City, Maribyrnong, Travancore
Population: 29,450
Key Landmarks: Highpoint Shopping Centre, Ascot Vale Leisure Centre, Anglers Tavern Hotel, Maribyrnong Aquatic Centre, Maribyrnong Living Museum of the West
Schools: 6, including St Margaret’s Primary, Maribyrnong Primary, Maribyrnong College and Ascot Vale Primary
Postcode: 3038
Suburbs: Keilor Downs, Keilor Lodge, Taylors Lakes, Watergardens
Population: 27,262
Key Landmarks: Watergardens Shopping Centre, Keilor Shopping Centre, Brimbank Leisure Centre
Schools: 7, including Keilor Downs Secondary College, Keilor Views Primary, St Mary MacKillop Primary, Taylors Lakes Secondary College
Data sourced from ABS (2016 Census), myschool.edu.au, local councils
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