Michaela Meade
Update: Some restrictions are being reintroduced in Metro Melbourne tonight as the number of active coronavirus cases in the area grows to 13.
As from 6pm tonight, masks will be compulsory indoors for anyone 12 years of age and older.
Private gatherings indoors will be limited to five people and public gatherings will be limited to 30 people.
Chief health officer Brett Sutton said the restrictions would remain in place until Friday, June 4, when they will be reviewed.
The reintroduction of restrictions follows a fifth positive COVID-19 case, a man in his 60s, connected to four people who tested positive in the City of Whittlesea on Monday.
Professor Sutton said there was “no immediate link” between today’s case and that of a Wollert man who tested positive after leaving hotel quarantine in South Australia earlier this month.
“It’s possible there’s another missing link,” Professor Sutton said.
Acting premier James Merlino said the restrictions were necessary and would apply to Melbournians wherever they travel outside greater Melbourne.
“We’re giving contact tracers the time they need,” he said.
“It’s harder to trace private gatherings.
“We know that [masks] work.
“The only change [for gatherings]… is that when [people are] not eating or drinking, they’re wearing a mask.”
Mr Merlino said checking in to venues would be compulsory from Friday, May 28.
Earlier: New exposure sites in Epping, Bundoora, Maribyrnong and Reservoir have been identified following four confirmed COVID-19 cases in the City of Whittlesea.
The four cases are a male in his 30s, a male and female in their 70s and a preschool-aged child. They are family contacts who live across three households.
Tier one exposure sites include: Nando’s Epping, Dalton Road between 8pm and 9.20pm on Wednesday, May 19; Highpoint Shopping Centre on May 20 between 5pm and 8pm; Jump Swim School at Bundoora on Friday, May 21 between 8.55am and 10.15am; Woolworths Epping North between 4.45pm and 5.45pm on Saturday, May 22.
Anyone who has attended a tier one exposure site must get tested immediately and quarantine for 14 days.
The health department said anyone who attended Highpoint Shopping Centre needs to get tested immediately and stay isolated until further notice.
Tier two exposure sites include: Epping North Shopping Centre between 4.45pm and 5.50pm on Saturday, May 22; House and Party on Lyndarum Drive in Epping on Saturday, May 22 between 5.15pm and 5.50pm; Urban Diner Food Court, Pacific Epping Shopping Centre between 1.15pm and 2.30pm on Sunday, May 23; and B.T. Connor Reserve in Reservoir between 8pm and 11.30pm on Friday, May 21.
Anyone who has attended a tier two exposure site to get tested urgently and isolate until you have a negative result.
Whittlesea Ranges soccer club played the Preston Lions at B.T. Connor Reserve on Friday night.
The club has said it is conducting its own contact tracing, and will request Football Victoria to move the fixture.
The health department said if you have any symptoms of COVID-19 – such as fever, cough, sore throat, runny nose, chills or sweats, or change in sense of smell or taste – get a test immediately.
Testing at Northern Hospital in Epping is suspended as it is at capacity.
For more information about exposure sites: www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au/exposure-sites
To see where to get tested: www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au/where-get-tested-covid-19
