Now that Premier Dan Andrews has announced that 10 postcodes across Melbourne’s suburbs will return to Stage 3 lockdown restrictions from 11:59pm on July 1st, here are the hotspot suburbs it affects, what it all means, and what you’re in for if you’re found breaching the new postcode-locked restrictions.
Across the ten postcodes, 36 suburbs will be returning to stage 3 lockdowns – essentially what life was like back in March – and residents must stay at home at all times except for a small number of reasons.
Which Victorian Suburbs Are Going Back To Stage 3 Lockdown?
The suburbs across the 10 postcodes that will revert back to stage 3 restrictions from 11.59pm on July 1 are Brooklyn, Kingville, Maidstone, Tottenham, West Footscray, Alban Vale, Kealba, Kings Park, St Albans, Ascot Vale, High Point City, Maribyrnong, Travancore, Keilor Downs, Keilor Lodge, Taylors Lakes, Watergardens, Airport West, Keilor Park, Niddrie, Glenroy, Hadfield, Oak Park, Broadmeadows, Dallas, Jacana, Brunswick South, Brunswick West, Moonee Vale, Moreland West, Fawkner, Craigieburn, Donnybrook, Mickleham, Roxburgh Park and Kalkallo.
How Long Is The New Postcode Lockdown In Place?
The new lockdowns will be in effect from 11:59pm on July 1, 2020, until July 29, 2020
What Are The Exceptions For Leaving Lockdown?
Dan Andrews has stressed that residents within these suburbs must stay at home, and are only allowed outside for four things: work, shopping for food and supplies, care and caregiving, and exercise. These exceptions are only allowed if you are unable to do these things within your home.
This new lockdown is also a strict ‘zero visitors’ rule, including family.
Andrews also urged for people to stay within their postcodes if they must leave the house, and businesses and facilities like gyms, swimming pools and beauty parlours will once again be restricted from opening. Cafés and restaurants must also revert back to only being open for takeaway and delivery.
Who Will Be Enforcing The Stage 3 Lockdown?
Victorian Police will be doing routine patrols throughout the locked-down suburbs, and on-the-spot fines will be issued to any residents found flouting the stay-at-home orders.
In a press conference held this afternoon (June 30), Dan Andrews also said that “booze bus-type checks” will be active in the main transport corridors in and out of each of the affected suburbs.
He also confirmed that anyone who is currently away from affected suburbs is permitted to see out their holiday, but must adhere to the stay-at-home restrictions once they return to their residences. Dan Andrews has also requested that all incoming international flights to Melbourne be diverted for the next two weeks, until mid-July.
Will There Be Fines For Leaving Lockdowns?
Yes. Dan Andrews confirmed that on-the-spot fines will be issued for residents in the localised lockdowns found breaching the stay-at-home rules. It has not been confirmed how much the fines will be, but flouting the stage 3 lockdowns in March attracted individual fines of up to $1,652 and fines of up to $9,913 for businesses.
On July 1st, the NSW health minister Brad Hazzard confirmed that Victorian hotspot residents found attempting to enter NSW during the lockdown will face fines of up to $11,000, or six months jail time. NSW residents returning from these hotspots will also face these hefty penalties if they do not enter straight into hotel quarantine upon returning.
Will There Be More Testing Sites In The Hotspot Suburbs?
Yes. The Victorian health minister Jenny Mikakos has confirmed that at least another 12 testing locations will open up in the hotspot suburbs, as well as mobile testing locations,
so the residents within the postcodes can get the COVID-19 test easier.
These new sites are expected to open this afternoon (Wednesday, July 1), and include the Wingate Avenue community centre, the Maribyrnong community centre, Fairburn Park Pavilion in Ascot Vale, Niddrie community hub, Glenroy library, and AG Gillon oval.
The mobile testing can be found at Broadmeadows’ global learning village, Fawkner basketball courts, Albanvale and Maidstone community centres.
What Happens If This Shutdown Doesn’t Work?
If the postcode lockdown doesn’t help to curb the number of positive coronavirus cases found in the state, Dan Andrews said that the stage 3 restrictions could once again expand to include the entire state of Victoria.
