BENDIGO organisations say it's mostly business as usual despite a further tightening of COVID-19 restrictions in other parts of the state.
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Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews locked down a further two Melbourne postcodes on Saturday as the state recorded its second-highest daily number of coronavirus cases since the pandemic began.
There were 108 new COVID-19 cases recorded on Saturday, with 74 new cases added on Sunday.
Despite the rise in metro areas, the latest Department of Health and Human Services data shows only one active case in central Victoria.
The single case is listed in Greater Bendigo.
Atisha Centre program coordinator Andy Melnic said the minimal cases in Bendigo had boosted visitor confidence during the winter school holidays.
While COVID-19 restrictions ensured the centre was capped at 20 visitors at a time, Mr Melnic said it had been busy.
"We have got quite a few people visiting the centre," he said. "We have had to postpone and cancel certain events because of the restrictions but on the whole, it has gone quite well."
The Bendigo Showgrounds Market introduced new measures at the weekend to ensure the safety of patrons and volunteers.
Bendigo Agriculture Show Society executive officer Ian Furze said the market had banned anyone from the locked down Melbourne postcodes from entering the market.
"We don't have the authority to ask people to present their licence," Mr Furze said. "We only ask them and hopefully they do the right thing.
"We also contacted our stall holders that reside in the hot spot areas and advised them they were not permitted to attend."
Mr Furze said attendance numbers at the market had been strong since it reopened last month.
He said the volunteers and stall owners were being vigilant with enforcing social distancing and hand hygiene. But Mr Furze said the market was prepared if the COVID-19 situation worsened.
"We're monitoring the situation on a daily basis," he said. "If the government decrees more lockdowns, then we will certainly follow it.
"We accept there is a possibility that all businesses, including markets, may have to close again."
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