By Jessica Micallef
Sunbury retailers have been forced to shut up shop and thousands of jobs could be forever lost after the state government introduced strict stage four restrictions in metropolitan Melbourne and Mitchell shire in a bid to slow down the spread of coronavirus.
All retail businesses have closed their doors to shoppers for at least six weeks but can still provide a click and collect and delivery service.
Supermarkets, grocery stores, bottle shops, pharmacies, petrol stations, banks, newsagencies and post offices will continue to operate.
Cafes and restaurants will continue to provide takeaway and delivery services only and local butchers, fruit and vegetable shops and bakeries will remain open. Department stores, hairdressers and furniture and homeware stores have closed, with trading restricted to online shopping and click and collect services.
Hardware, building and gardens stores are only open to tradespeople.
Premier Daniel Andrews said he never thought he would have to ask people not to go to work.
“If we are serious about driving this thing down, and we absolutely must be, we need to take unprecedented steps in limiting the movement of people and therefore limiting the movement of this virus,” he said.
“These changes, in addition to the previous restrictions including working from home requirements will mean around one million Victorians are no longer moving around the state for work.
“We have to make this work. Livelihoods are counting on it.”
Regional Victoria, including the Macedon Ranges re-entered stage three lockdown last Wednesday.
This means, there are only four reasons for Macedon Ranges locals to leave their home – shopping for essential items, exercise, care or caregiving and school or work, if it cannot be done from home.
Macedon Ranges residents must also wear masks when leaving their homes for one of the four essential reasons and visitors are no longer allowed at homes.
In light of the restrictions, Macedon Ranges council has closed it’s skate parks, playgrounds, outdoor fitness stations, libraries, leisure, fitness and aquatic centres, outdoor barbecues, the Kyneton Museum and the Hanging Rock Reserve.
All students have returned to remote learning, except for children of essential workers. Specialists schools will remain open.
The council’s chief executive Margot Stork said customer service centres, community halls and other facilities would remain closed until further notice.
“We are all in this together and our Macedon Ranges community is strong, caring and resilient,” she said.
“Our community did a great job in complying with the first round of restrictions and we can support each other to do so again.
“Please take care of yourselves, practice good hygiene and physical distancing, check in on friends, family and neighbours and wear a face covering when out and about.
“Together we can do this.”
As of last Tuesday, there were 491 active cases of the virus in Hume. The municipality has recorded 1054 positive COVID-19 cases since the pandemic began.
The Macedon Ranges has recorded 41 cases of the virus and there were 30 active active cases as of Tuesday.
To date, 147 people have died from coronavirus in Victoria.
For updates on Macedon Ranges council service changes and closures, visit mrsc.vic.gov.au/coronavirus
