Geelong to exit lockdown despite six new cases

Greater Geelong will join the Surf Coast in leaving lockdown on Sunday night, despite six new cases being reported and several new exposure sites overnight.

The City of Greater Geelong will join the Surf Coast Shire in emerging from lockdown after 11.59pm Sunday.

Deputy chief health officer Deb Friedman made the announcement on Sunday, which comes despite the discovery of six new Covid-19 cases in the municipality.

Victorian Covid commander Jeroen Weimar also revealed a Geelong case recorded on Friday had attended a protest against vaccines and lockdowns last week.

Each of the positive results have been linked to existing cases.

There was also one new positive case recorded in the Surf Coast Shire, which was revealed on Saturday to be exiting lockdown as planned.

Barwon Health spokeswoman Kate Bibby said of the local cases announced Sunday, a number were known contacts of confirmed cases and already in isolation.
“Investigations are still ongoing for a small number of cases who have not been linked as yet,” she said.

Dr Friedman said while there were still cases emerging in Greater Geelong, the decision to end the lockdown reflected a shift in policy that meant there was no longer a goal to drive down the daily numbers until they reached zero.

The City of Greater Geelong and Surf Coast Shire entered seven-day lockdowns last week following fresh outbreaks, which authorities now believe have been contained.

Senator for Victoria Sarah Henderson questioned what was the health advice that led to the “draconian” lockdowns of Geelong and the Surf Coast in the first place.

“Why was Point Lonsdale unlocked early, but not other virus-free towns?” Ms Henderson said “These erratic restrictions are sapping our region’s hope and confidence.”

New exposure sites were added over the weekend at Chef Fresh in Breakwater, which is a tier one exposure site for September 22 between 8.55am and 1.30pm and September 23 between 5.55am and 2.50pm.

People who attended a tier one site in those times should get tested immediately and quarantine for 14 days from exposure

Multiple tier two exposure sites have been released over the weekend, including:

Woolworths Bell Post Hill Shopping Centre at 290-306 Anakie Road, Norlane on September 22 (8.50pm-9.30pm) and September 23 (7.50pm-8.45pm).

APCO Service Station Lara, 5 Mill Road, Lara on September 22 (4.05-4.40pm)

Xpresso Lounge Cafe at 43 The Centreway on September 22 (7.55am-8.40am)

TSG Lara Village Shopping Centre at 10/120 Station Street on September 21 (1.45pm-2.30pm)

Coles Lara Village Shopping Centre at 2-4 Waverley Road on September 21 from 1:40pm - 2:30pm.

Bunnings North Geelong, 5-19 Princes Highway, Norlane on September 22 (11:35am - 12:40pm and 4.55pm-5.30pm) and September 2 (11am-12.30pm)

Australia Post - Corio Village Shopping Centre, 83 Purnell Road, Corio on September 22 (12:15pm - 1:00pm)

Coles - Corio Village Shopping Centre, 83 Purnell Road, Corio on September 22 (12:20pm - 1:30pm)

National Tiles Grovedale, 3/174-178 Torquay Road, Grovedale on September 23 (10:30am - 11:15am)

The Cheesecake Shop North Geelong, 135 Separation Street, Bell Park on September 21 (11:00am - 6:30pm) and September 23 (9:00am - 3:30pm)

Covid testing at Barwon Health North. Picture: Mike Dugdale

The regions now revert to the same pre-lockdown restrictions as observed across the rest of regional Victoria, except Mitchell Shire, including;

• No travel to metropolitan Melbourne except for limited reasons

• No private gatherings in the home, except intimate partner/single bubble visits

• Up to 10 people at public gatherings

• Childcare open

20 people allowed at religious gatherings; 20 at funerals; 10 at weddings

• Restaurants, cafes, retail, hairdressing, entertainment open for seated services, with patron caps

• Masks must be carried and worn indoors and out except while eating/drinking

• Indoor sports facilities and pools open, subject to caps

These restrictions will change again from 11.59pm Tuesday, when Victoria surpasses a first dose vaccine rate of 80 per cent.

It means in regional Victoria, restaurants will be allowed to host 30 people outside, while masks will be able to be removed for beauty and personal services.

Originally published as Geelong to exit lockdown despite six new cases