COMMON questions have cropped up from central Victorians after Melbourne's latest counter-COVID lockdown was announced.
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Central Victoria has escaped the tighter rules imposed on Metropolitan Melbourne and the Mitchell Shire in a bid to quell the spread of the coronavirus.
But with several adjacent borders, queries have cropped up from regional residents. Here's a few of the most common answered.
I have a flight booked at Tullamarine Airport. Can I still travel to Melbourne to catch it?
Yes. Victorians who live outside of the restricted areas may travel through metro Melbourne and the Mitchell Shire.
The Department of Health and Human Services has advised travellers to plan their trips without stops in the restricted areas, unless it is one of the three reasons to go out.
I live in central Victoria but travel to a restricted area for work or school. Are there any restrictions on me when I return to an unrestricted area?
No. Restrictions are determined by your residential address.
DHHS has confirmed there are no additional restrictions on those who have travelled into metropolitan Melbourne or the Mitchell Shire for any of the allowed reasons.
People are required to abide by the Stage 3 restriction rules while in Melbourne.
I'm out of here, how do I get in to NSW?
Understandable. You'll need to apply for a permit though, and meet certain criteria.
Eligibility criteria include:
- NSW residents returning home
- People who live within 50 kilometres of the border
- People providing critical services, such as freight or logistics, maintenance and repair of critical infrastructure
- Boarding school or university students or staff, or accompanying parent or guardian
- Carers
You won't need a permit if you're travelling:
- As an emergency or law enforcement services worker
- For medical or hospital services
- To avoid injury or escape risk of harm
- To attend court or meet other legal obligations
Permits are valid for 14 days from date of issue. Both children and adults must obtain permits for travel. In most instances those arriving in NSW from Victoria will need to self-isolate for 14 days.
Those in restricted areas will not be eligible for a permit.
You can find out more - and apply - on the Service NSW website.
Are the trains running?
Yes, the train to Melbourne are still running. The Department of Transport said it would continue to keep services running to a full timetable, as it had throughout the pandemic.
But a spokesperson warned anyone who was unwell to stay home, and not travel on public transport.
V/Line has warned Swan Hill and Mildura travellers that coaches from Bendigo will run via an altered route, to avoid crossing borders.
Passengers have been asked to allow and extra 30 to 60 minutes for their journey.
The change means coaches will no longer stop in Euston, NSW. A special shuttle service will be in place to take Robinvale passengers to and from Bendigo and Swan Hill.
I have a medical appointment in Melbourne. Can I still attend?
Yes. Medical care is listed as one of the reasons under which those in unrestricted areas can travel to Melbourne.
Necessary work and education, and compassionate reasons are also grounds to enter.
Will my children's school have an extra week's school holidays?
Central Victorian students will return to school as-planned on July 13, despite a delayed start for those in restricted areas.
Metro Melbourne and Mitchell Shire students from Prep to Year 10 will get an extra week's school holidays. Mr Andrews has yet to confirm whether the return to school will be online, or face to face.
Year 11 and 12 students in restricted areas will return to face to face learning on the planned date, as will students at special schools.
A detailed list from the state government confirmed there was no change for regional Victorians.
A Department of Education and Training representative confirmed regional students would begin term three on the date originally planned.
Can I visit my boyfriend or girlfriend in Melbourne or the Mitchell Shire?
Central Victorians may travel to restricted areas to visit a person with which they are in an intimate personal relationship, according to a fact sheet tweeted by Victorian premier Daniel Andrews.
Likewise, those in the Mitchell Shire and Metropolitan Melbourne can visit a second place of residence to stay with an intimate partner who does not live with them.
It is one of four reasons people in restricted areas may travel to lower level areas: work and education if necessary, necessary goods and services, and care and compassionate purposes.
If you travel to metropolitan Melbourne or the Mitchell Shire to visit a partner, you must keep to the restrictions. Those travelling from Melbourne or the Mitchell Shire to visit partners in unrestricted areas, must also abide by the stay at home orders.
My children live part time me, part time with a parent in Melbourne or the Mitchell Shire. What do we do?
People will be able to travel between restricted and unrestricted areas to facilitate shared custody arrangements.
It's one of the few reasons people are allowed to travel out of restricted areas.
The others are intimate partner visits, and emergencies on a second place of residence.
My question isn't answered here. What should I do?
You can find out more about the latest restrictions on the DHHS website.
If you are concerned, you can also call the 24-hour coronavirus hotline on 1800 675 398.
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