MORNINGTON Peninsula Shire mayor Cr Sam Hearn has called for calm following last week’s declaration of a state of emergency and the introduction of stage four restrictions to stop the spread of COVID-19.
“As we navigate the next six weeks let’s do our best to be patient, resilient and calm. This situation is unfamiliar to all of us,” Cr Hearn said.
“We are in this together and if we all do the right thing we will be on the other side of this sooner.”
Changes to the daily lives of Victorians include:
An 8pm-5am curfew (the only reasons to leave home during these hours are for permitted work, essential health, care or safety).
Face masks/coverings are mandatory.
Exercise limited to a maximum of one hour a day within five kilometres of home with one other person.
Shopping limited to one person a household a day also within five kilometres of home (on the peninsula travel is allowed if a supermarket is further than five kilometres).
Students (including years 11 and 12) began learning from home from Wednesday 5 August; from Thursday 6 August kindergartens, family day care and early childhood education services were only open to vulnerable children and children of permitted workers.
The Night Network (bus route 970 to Rosebud) has been suspended.
If you can’t leave home because it would mean leaving a young child or at-risk person alone they can accompany you.
Services continuing as normal are the emptying of rubbish, recycling and green bins.
Tips and hoppers are closed to the public but open for commercial use.
The shire’s 2019-20 waste voucher expiry date has been extended to 31 December.
Closed: Mount Martha Golf Course, boat ramps (except for commercial fishing), playgrounds, skate parks, community halls and houses, Mornington Peninsula Regional Gallery (online activities), libraries (Zoom events, including childen’s storeytime), recreation centres and swimming pools (online fitness and nutrition advice).
Open for those living within five kilometres: The Briars, Mount Martha (pedestrians only); beaches, cemeteries, and sporting fields (personal exercise only).
Modified services include the shire’s customer service (phone and online only), aged and disability care, maternal and child health and immunisation, family day care, youth services and the animal shelter.
Help: Beyond Blue 1800 512 348, Lifeline 13 11 14 or facing threat of family violence 1800 737 732.
Food and emergency relief: Mornington Community Information and Support 5975 1644; Westernport Community Support 5979 2762; Southern Peninsula Information and Support 5986 1285.
COVID19 testing: 24-hour coronavirus hotline 1800 675 398; Rosebud Hospital clinic at Eleanora House 10am-6pm dailys; Frankston Hospital 12 Hastings Road, Frankston, 10am-6pm; Monash University Peninsula Campus, Moorooduc Highway, Frankston, 8.30am-4pm; Atticus Health Medical Clinic Hastings (appointment only); Rosebud Respiratory Clinic (appointment only).
First published in the Southern Peninsula News – 11 August 2020
