For the rest of regional Victoria, taking effect from Monday, October 18, it was announced limits on people at venues and gatherings will be increased for a number of industries, while other industries will open up.
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The following restrictions have been eased.● Two people plus dependents are allowed into the home. The bubble is gone, you can have as many different families visit you but they can only be two adults and dependents at a time per day;● Outdoor religious gatherings will increase to 20 people;● Indoor pools will open for those 18 and under, a maximum of 20 swimmers;● One-on-one hydrotherapy with health professionals will also be allowed;● Libraries, toy libraries will open again, a maximum of 20 people; and● Households can visit a care facility rather than one person at a time.Another batch of restrictions will be eased on November 1:● Non-contact indoor physical recreation for under 18-year-olds, for instance dance classes, will be allowed again with a maximum of 20 people; and● Non-contact indoor community support for under 18-year-olds with limits on spectators, that will be allowed again also.Christine walks for Parkinson’sBenalla Rural City Council has confirmed that despite being able to open, due to only finding out on Sunday, Benalla Library will not open until Thursday, October 22.When it does open it will be only for 20 visitors at a time with a 15-minute time limit.While book lending will be available, other classes and activities the library hosts will not be available until further notice.
Benalla appears to have dodged a bullet with the person who caused spikes in Kilmore and Shepparton visiting the Rural City on the same day.
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However it appears they only went to the one business in Carrier St, which has since reopened after staff returned negative results after 14 days of self-isolation.
A cafe on Nunn St was also forced to close its doors for a couple of days as a staff member had travelled to one of the locations in Shepparton which was impacted.
They too have been able to reopen after staff returned negative tests.
The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) confirmed Shepparton would be held back as it awaits the results of further COVID-19 tests.
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With many people from Benalla travelling to and from Shepparton for a variety of reasons it remains important to practice social distancing and follow regulations.
“Shepparton locals have done an amazing job - responding to the call to get tested, to keep their community safe,” a DHHS statement said.
“Every decision we've made since the beginning of the pandemic is based on data and advice from the public health experts and as we take cautious steps towards COVID Normal, we'll continue to work with them to keep Victorians safe and slow the spread of this deadly virus.
“While we've announced some changes to the roadmap for regional Victorians today, those that relate to indoor restaurants and cafes, will not apply to Greater Shepparton at this stage.”
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“Hundreds of close contacts will now undertake testing at around day 11 since their last possible exposure. These test results will be available in the coming days, and are critical for giving us the certainty to make that change.”
“That means that the current rules apply where venues can serve up to 10 people per space indoors (for a maximum of 20 patrons) for one extra week. The delay only related to indoor patron caps - outdoor venues can still move to 70.
“This decision, based on the advice of our public health team, is a precautionary measure to keep the Shepparton community safe - and as more people get tested and get their results, we'll proceed with the changes announced today.”
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