Coronavirus community information
As Victoria continues to meet milestones on the roadmap to recovery from COVID, the state government has eased a number of restrictions. From 6pm 29 October:
- you can leave home for any reason and travel anywhere in Victoria
- you can travel interstate subject to the entry requirements of the state you are travelling to
- face masks are mandatory indoors for people aged 12 and over, unless an exception applies. We recommend you wear a mask outdoors if you cannot maintain physical distancing
- check-in everywhere you visit using the Service Victoria app, no matter how long you spend at that location
- you will need to show evidence of being fully vaccinated or carry evidence of a medical exemption to enter many venues. To make things easier, get your COVID-19 Digital Certificate and link it to the Service Victoria App
- up to 10 people can visit your home per day (including dependents)
- you can see friends and family in a public place (such as a park or a beach) in a group of up to 30 people (including dependents).
- early childhood education and care is open
- schools are open with on-site safety measures in place
- religious gatherings, weddings and funerals can be held if everyone present (including workers and attendees) is fully vaccinated (indoors at one person per 4 sqm, or outdoors at one person per 2 sqm for up to 500 people). Indoor dancefloors are closed
- community sport is open indoors and outdoors for training and competition with the minimum number of people required to play
- physical recreation and sporting facilities (including swimming pools, spas and saunas) are open if everyone present is fully vaccinated (indoors at one person per 4 sqm, or outdoors at one person per 2 sqm up to 500 people)
- food and drink facilities such as cafes and restaurants can open if everyone present is fully vaccinated (density limits also apply). Indoor dining is seated service only
- entertainment venues are open if everyone present is fully vaccinated with capacity limits in place
Council services
In line with state government advice, there will be restrictions on Council services to ensure the safety, health and wellbeing of the Hobsons Bay community and Council staff. Council will take a measured and staggered approach when reopening our facilities.
Customer Service
Our face-to-face Customer Service function at the Hobsons Bay Civic Centre in Altona remains closed. The Customer Service team will continue servicing the community through phone, email and the live chat function via Council's website.
Libraries and community centres
Altona North Community Library has reopened and will offer library and customer service functions Monday to Friday 9.30am to 5pm. Please remember:
- check-in via the Service Victoria App is required (assistance can be provided)
- masks are required
- proof of vaccination or exemption is a condition of entry
- there will be no cash onsite (community members who want to pay their rates bill with cash, are able to do so at an Australia Post office
The library will be the first Council building to re-open following the easing of restrictions.
Remaining library branches will stay closed for now, however, click and collect will operate as normal at Altona, Altona Meadows and Williamstown libraries (Newport remains suspended). To reserve your books, search the library catalogue at
https://libraries.hobsonsbay.vic.gov.au/ or have a chat with a librarian on 1300 462 542.
Events and consultation sessions
Council-delivered face-to-face events or sessions will be postponed or delivered online. Visit https://participate.hobsonsbay.vic.gov.au/ for all projects currently on public exhibition.
Sporting and recreation services
Indoor and outdoor sports clubs, sporting and recreation venues, pools and public facilities have re-opened with capacity limits and vaccination requirements in place.
Community Life
Maternal and Child Health Services continue to provide face to face appointments for infants 0-8 weeks, and those babies and children with additional needs/concerns. All other babies and children will be provided with Telehealth appointments, followed by short face to face consultations as soon as able. Breastfeeding support for young babies will continue face-to-face, while sleep-settling and new parent groups will remain online.
Hobsons Bay Occasional Care service will continue to be open for vulnerable children, the children of workers on the Authorised Provider and Authorised Worker list and for children of single parents, if they cannot be supervised at home. Children of parents/guardians who are double vaccinated or have a medical exemption can also attend Council’s Occasional Care program.
General immunisation sessions will still be delivered on Tuesday and Thursday.
Supported playgroups have recommenced for vaccinated families and pre-school field officers services are being delivered both face to face and online or by phone, as per service provider preference and Occasional Care is now open again to all families.
Youth counselling will be delivered both face to face and online, depending on the young person's preference. Intake and assessment services will continue to be delivered over the phone.
Planned Activity Group services will recommence gradually in early December. Delivered meals will continue.
Testing sites
- Altona North Medical Clinic, Circle Health (all ages, appointment required)
6/230 Blackshaws Road, Altona North
Phone: (03) 9393 3900
www.circlehealth.com.au
- 4Cyte Pathology - Altona North - walk through (all ages)
263 Millers Road, Altona North
Phone: 13 42 98
www.4cyte.com.au/Covid19_Location_Altona_North.php
- Your local GP (call before you visit, they may perform the test or refer you to another provider)
- Drive through
Melbourne Showgrounds
Gate 3, Langs Road, Ascot Vale
Please note, the drive through testing site at Bayfit has now closed. For a list of testing sites and current wait times, visit www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au/where-get-tested-covid-19
COVID-19 vaccinations
There are many ways to access COVID-19 vaccinations including through GPs, medical and respiratory clinics and some pharmacists in Hobsons Bay, as well as through vaccinations hubs across Melbourne.
Find a nearby clinic or pharmacy offering COVID-19 vaccines near you below.
Support services
If you need help to isolate, there is support at hand. The Hobsons Bay Community has Heart Virtual Hub has details of several self-help welfare and support services in the community that are available to provide immediate assistance, including food relief, crisis intervention support, emergency supplies, clothing, financial counselling, mental health and family violence assistance. Visit the Hobsons Bay Community has Heart Virtual Hub for details.
Exposure sites
For exposure site updates, please visit www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au/exposure-sites
Department of Health & Human Services Easy English coronavirus resource
Easy English guide - Coronavirus Support for social connections(PDF, 3MB)
COVID-19 Victorian data