The Victorian Government has announced the state will be placed under its sixth COVID lockdown.
From 8pm tonight, Thursday 5 August, Victoria will enter a seven day lockdown
- There are five reasons to leave home – to shop for supplies; provide care; essential work or education; two hours of exercise; and to get vaccinated
- Remain within a 5km radius of your home
- Masks are mandatory indoors (except in the home) and outdoors (unless an exemption applies)
- Private and public gatherings are not permitted
- Early learning and childcare facilities are open. Schools are closed (but open for vulnerable families)
The lockdown affects a number of Council services and events.
Customer Service
Our face-to-face Customer Service function at the Hobsons Bay Civic Centre in Altona will be closed for the lockdown period. The Customer Service team will continue servicing the community through phone, email and the live chat function via Council's website.
Libraries and community centres
All Hobsons Bay Library branches will close but offer a 'click and collect' service. Customers will be able to reserve books online or over the phone and will be advised via SMS when the items are ready for collection between 10am and 4pm Monday to Friday and normal branch weekend hours. No appointments are needed to collect items but customers will need to register via the QR code and provide their library card upon collection. Library staff will place items on a table at the entrance for customers to collect. To reserve your books, search the library catalogue at https://libraries.hobsonsbay.vic.gov.au/ or have a chat with a librarian on 1300 462 542.
Community centres and hubs, will be closed to all patrons, including private bookings. Essential services such as food relief will continue to be supported within Council-run community centres.
Events and consultation sessions
Council-delivered face-to-face events or sessions will be postponed or delivered online. This includes the Laverton Showcase and Love Laverton Parks face-to-face consultation sessions scheduled for this weekend. A Zoom session will be held on Wednesday 11 August. Details can be found at https://participate.hobsonsbay.vic.gov.au/lavertonshowcase
Sporting and recreation services
Indoor and outdoor sports clubs, sporting and recreation venues, pools and public facilities will be closed.
Public amenity and maintenance
Our city's public amenity will be maintained i.e. street sweeping, litter collection, shared trail/open space maintenance, etc.
Playgrounds and skate facilities
Outdoor playgrounds, gym equipment and skate facilities will remain open.
Waste services
Our waste services will continue as an essential service.
Community Life
Maternal and Child Health Services will still see all babies and children in centres, with follow-up Telehealth appointments required. Breastfeeding support will continue face-to-face, while sleep-settling and new parent groups will move online.
The immunisation session on Tuesday and Thursday next week will still be delivered.
Supported playgroups have been suspended and pre-school field officers services will be delivered online and by phone.
Youth counselling will be delivered online. Intake and assessment services will be delivered over the phone.
Planned Activity Group services will pause. Occasional care will still be available on Thursdays and Fridays for current families. We will continue to support our older adult clients with well-being phone calls.
Delivered meals will continue.
Other
Creative studios will close and markets which are not food-based have been cancelled, such as the Williamstown Craft Market and Altona Beach Market.
The Hobsons Bay Visitor Information Centre will also close.
