Disclaimer: This news item has been superseded by the information of a further extension on Sunday 29 August. A new news item will go out in coming days as we learn more about the restrictions in Victoria and the City of Yarra. Visit the State Government's website for more information and current COVID-19 restrictions.

Metropolitan Melbourne, including the City of Yarra, will remain in lockdown for a further two weeks to respond to recent cases of coronavirus (COVID-19) in the community. 

With the extension, metropolitan Melbourne will stay in lockdown until at least 11:59pm, Thursday 2 September. The extension and additional restrictions were announced by the Premier on Monday 16 August.

What has changed?

• From Monday 16 August, a  curfew will  be introduced. You must stay at home between 9pm and 5am.
• All outdoor playgrounds, skate parks, basketball courts and outdoor exercise equipment will also be closed.
• Authorised workers will also be required to carry permits when working, and when travelling for work, from 11:59pm on Tuesday 17 August.

Find out how to obtain a Specified worker permit on the Victorian government's coronavirus website.

• As of 1pm Saturday 21 August, regional Victoria will enter the same lockdown restrictions as metropolitan Melbourne.
• All childcare centres and kinders across Victoria will be closed except to children whose parents are authorised workers, vulnerable children and those who cannot be supervised at home. A permit system will apply for these children.

There are still only five reasons to leave home:

1. Food and supplies. 
2. Authorised work ( Permits will be required)
3. Care and caregiving. 
4. Exercise, for up to two hours and with only one other person, plus dependents if they cannot stay home. This includes people from your household.
5. Getting vaccinated.

The following restrictions remain in place until at least 11:59pm on Thursday 2 September:

• Wear a mask when leaving your house – both indoors and outdoors.
• From 11.59pm on Monday 16 August a curfew is in place from 9pm to 5am. There are very limited reasons anyone can leave their home during these times.
• Stay within 5km of your home.
• Practice social distancing wherever necessary.
• Work from home if you can with permits required for authorised workers.
• Private and public gatherings will not be permitted.
• There are to be no visitors to your home excluding intimate partners, and single bubbles

You can find a list of restrictions and essential workers at the Victorian Government’s website.

Impacts on our services

All Yarra Council customer service centres and facilities will remain closed. These include:

• Collingwood Town Hall 
• Richmond Town Hall
• Connie Benn Centre 
• Bargoonga Nganjin North Fitzroy Library
• Yarra Libraries and,
• Yarra Leisure centres

Essential services, including waste and recycling collection, will continue as normal. 

Childcare and kinder will still be open. Schools will remain closed for students excluding the children of authorised workers, vulnerable kids and children with special needs. 

Keep an eye on our service changes page for ongoing updates.

We’re here to help

If you need support or have questions about our services during this time, call us on 03 9205 5555 or email [email protected]

Or you can use our online services to make a request or payment.

COVID-19 information

• COVID-19 updates and information – Department of Health
• Where to get tested – Department of Health
• Case alerts and public exposure sites – Department of Health
• Where to get the COVID-19 vaccine – Department of Health

Mental health support

• Mental health support resources available at Head to Health – Department of Health.
• Crisis and over the phone support available through Lifeline – 13 11 14.
• Counselling, crisis and over the phone support including interpreters available through Beyond Blue.