Council service announcements in relation to COVID-19

Information last updated: 11 June 2021, 8:40am

From 11:59pm Thursday 10 June, metropolitan Melbourne and regional Victoria will see changes to restrictions.

• There are no restrictions on the reasons to leave your home but staying COVIDSafe remains important.
• You cannot have visitors to the home.
• You cannot travel more than 25km from your home except for work, care, study or to travel your nearest vaccination centre. Travel into regional Victoria is not permitted, except for a number of limited reasons – work, education, care and caregiving, and to get vaccinated (if this is your nearest vaccination location).
• Face masks are mandatory indoors and outdoors.
• Restrictions follow you, for example if attending a funeral in regional Victoria that funeral must apply metropolitan Melbourne rules.
• If you have any symptoms, no matter how mild you must get tested for COVID-19.
• Work from home if you can
• Office capacity limit of 25% or cap of 10 people, whichever is greater

These restrictions may be subject to further changes. 

Our priority is the health and safety of our community and staff, and with this in mind we continue to make decisions that may impact the way we deliver our services, events and programs. Check the list below to see how Council services are impacted. 

Visit the DHHS website for more information on the new restrictions.

Translated COVID-19 Service Announcements

On this page is a complete list of our services and their opening status.

Use the menu below to find information on a particular service.

More information about coronavirus 

For those wanting more information about coronavirus and how to keep yourself and other safe, you can visit the Victorian Government's Coronavirus website that has key updates on the roadmap to reopening and the steps ahead for Victoria.

The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) website also features information about COVID-19 and as well as translated sections in different languages.

The health and safety of our community remains our top priority and we will continue to keep you informed.

Aged and Community Support 

The health and safety of our residents and staff is foremost in our service delivery during COVID 19. As such, we have made changes to the way we deliver some of our services and have also had to cancel some services.  Essential support services continue to be provided with additional health and hygiene practices and measures put in place.    

Home Support services, Personal Support, Respite Support, Delivered Meals and Community Transport will continue, with some adjustments to services.     

Planned Activity Groups/Social Support Groups  

Groups are cancelled until further notice, however we are working with residents to provide alternative social connection opportunities and activities that can be done at home.    

Senior Citizen groups  

Cancelled until further notice. We are working with groups on options for staying connected while staying at home.    

Delivered meals program  

Additional Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP) funding has been provided to provide additional meals to the community during COVID 19.    

If you have any questions or concerns about your service, or find out if you or someone you know are eligible for a service,  please phone (03) 9240 2302.    

Breastfeeding support

Our breastfeeding support at Coburg and Merlynston will continue but restricted number of clients will be allowed and only mum and baby to attend. 

For general enquiries contact our Maternal and Child Health team on 9240 1111 and select option 2.

Citizenship Ceremonies 

The next citizenship ceremony is currently scheduled for 17 June. If you have a query regarding citizenship visit the Department of Home Affairs website or call 131 880.  

Counihan Gallery

The Counihan Gallery is currently closed.

Customer Service Centres 

You can call us on 9240 1111 to talk with our Customer Service Team. 

You can view our online services including bins and collections, new pet registrations, planning enquiries and more. 

You can access urban planning advice via phone (03) 9240 1111 or view advertised plans online. 

Events 

Most Council-run community meetings and information sessions have been cancelled or alternatively consultation is being conducted in a different way.   

Advice about specific meetings and sessions will be provided to relevant participants.   

Event permits for outdoor spaces have been suspended. 

Family Day Care

Our Family Day Care service is still operating.  

If you require child care or are interested in becoming a home based educator call 9240 2300. 

Halls and venues for hire

All council-managed halls, senior citizen centres and meeting rooms are closed from Friday 28 May until further notice.

Any bookings that are not rescheduled will be refunded in full. Please allow us some time to process these refunds. 

Immunisation services

Our Council-run immunisation services are still running and appointments must be made before you can attend.  

Masks must be worn in all immunisation facilities.  

Please call us on 9240 1111 or email sd-immunisation@moreland.vic.gov.au for any queries. 

Libraries

All of our libraries will be closed from Friday 28 May until further notice. Online library services will continue to be available including books and audiobooks. All in-person library programs, events and room bookings have been cancelled.  

Leisure and aquatic centres

As of midnight Thursday 27 May all Merri-bek Aquatic and Leisure Centres will be closed until further notice.

All memberships will be placed on suspension or receive a full credit for the closure period. Please be patient as we process all credits and suspensions

Visit https://www.activemoreland.com.au/about-us/news/temporary-closure-of-centres/ for more information

Maternal and child health

All our Maternal and Child Health Centres are back open seeing clients face to face for full consults from Tuesday 15 June with COVID safe practices.

If you or your child is not well, please reschedule your appointment. A face mask is to be worn by all people over age of 12 and we will provide you with one if you don’t have one.

You will be asked to QR code prior to entry of building for contact tracing purposes. Our New Parent groups and Sleep and Settling training will go back to face to face where we have up to ten otherwise they will remain online until further restrictions are eased.

For further information, call our Maternal and Child Health team on 9240 1111 and select option 2.

Outdoor recreation equipment

Playgrounds will remain open, however skate parks, outdoor gym equipment and other areas with outdoor recreation equipment are closed.

Oxygen Youth Space

Oxygen Youth Space will be closed from 5pm Thursday 27 May 2021 until further notice.

The team is available online and over the phone for all youth support. Please call 9389 8645, email oxygen@moreland.vic.gov.au or visit our Facebook page. 

Parking management

The parking team will still be operating over the duration of the lockdown. Parking Enforcement Officers will only be enforcing Red Zones (No Stopping, Naturestrip, Blocked Driveway, Loading Zones, Clearway etc) and not enforcing green signs. 

Playgroups

All Council-led playgroups will be closed until further notice. 

School Holiday Program

Our Primary School Holiday Program is not currently running. 

Sharps disposals

If you have sharps, needles or syringes that you would normally bring to our Customer Service Centres, you can now take them to Merri Health located at 93 Bell Street Coburg.

For more information you can call Merri Health on 1300 637 744.

Sport and Recreation

Indoor physical recreation and sport activities must not operate. Outdoor physical recreation and sport activities are not permitted. 

All other sporting codes, clubs and associations will need to cease operations from their sporting facility and remain closed to their members and the public until further notice. This includes outdoor sport facilities and indoor sports centres such as gyms, training facilities and pools.  

Businesses 

Business that can remain open

Businesses that are exempt from closing must have a strict COVIDSafe plan in place and act with care to ensure the safety of staff, visitors, and the public.

Those that are allowed to remain open include supermarkets, grocery stores (butchers, bakers, fruit and vegetable stores), bottle shops and petrol stations.

Restaurants, cafes, pubs, bars and hotels can remain open for takeaway orders, but cannot allow diners into their venue.

Businesses that supply goods or service necessary to support any essential provider can remain open such as meat processing or cold storage.

Businesses that are able to continue restricted operations must have a COVIDSafe plan in place.


Businesses that must close

While many retail and office-based businesses will need to pause operations entirely, some retailers will be able to continue operations in a limited capacity with contactless purchasing allowed.

Religious gatherings, indoor sports venues, offices and non-essential retail businesses will be required to work remotely.

Hotel and accommodation providers will be required to close, however, they are allowed to stay open to accommodate those already staying at their venues. No new bookings will be permitted.

Find out more at https://www.victorianchamber.com.au/business-support/crisis-information/covid-19-coronavirus-resources/business-restrictions-state

Waste services 

Our waste and bin collection and recycling services are still business as normal. Learn more about waste collection services.