Mayor Stephanie Asher has welcomed the eased COVID-19 restrictions that come into effect for regional Victoria from 10 August.

“The lifting of the strict restrictions will provide a real boost for all regional Victorians ” Mayor Asher said.

“The rolling nature of the lockdowns has had a huge impact on us economically and socially and I really hope we can enjoy a calmer and more consistent period in the coming months.”

Under the changes the City is allowed to reopen venues subject to density requirements and visitor caps such as:

• Swim Sport and Leisure centres;

• Recreation facilities;

• Community hubs;

• Customer Service Centres;

• National Wool Museum;

• The fOrT;

• Belmont Market

• The Carousel; and

• The Potato Shed

Residents should check our website or contact the individual facilities for further details on their operations.

Competitive sport recreation and community activity can also return subject to participant and visitor limits.

“The resumption of competitions and training will allow so many members of our winter and summer sports communities to get back to the activity they love ” Mayor Asher said.

With Melbourne residents still not allowed to travel into regional Victoria except for essential reasons Mayor Asher encouraged locals to back Geelong region businesses.

“The Greater Geelong community has been fantastic in supporting each other buying locally and enjoying experiences within our own region ” she said.

“We’d love other regional Victorians to visit us and enjoy our diverse attractions when they can.

“Our thoughts go out to our Melbourne-based family and friends and we hope they too will be out of this latest lockdown as soon as possible.”

Visitors to City facilities are reminded that it is a Government requirement for regional businesses to verify that visitors are not from the Metropolitan Melbourne area.

We encourage people to be understanding of the need for this process and also to check in to facilities via the QR code.

Further information about support available and how the City is responding to the evolving COVID-19 situation can be viewed here.

Please get tested if you have any symptoms of COVID-19.

COVID-19 vaccinations can be booked at Barwon Healths Norlane community hub.