Like many people, your life has probably changed significantly due to the physical distancing measures designed to slow the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19) in our community. This may include changes to your employment or loss of family income or new caring responsibilities and living arrangements. These changes can also have significant impacts on your mental and physical health. The behaviour of your partner or family members could also change or escalate during this time. If this behaviour makes you fear for your safety, it could be family violence. The signs of family violence Physical distancing and the fears and uncertainty of COVID-19 can give family violence perpetrators new opportunities to be abusive and controlling. These behaviours could include: Stopping you from leaving the house or visiting the doctor. Increased surveillance, such as monitoring handwashing/personal hygiene. Heightened monitoring and control of who you speak to by phone or online. Greater interference of the relationship between you and your children or other household members. Exploiting any health issues that you or other household members may have to assert coercive control. Forcing you to do things outside of the public health measures currently in place. Remember – you have the right to feel safe, access medical support and communicate with friends and family. You have the right to leave the house for any of the reasons outlined by the government, such as going to work, buying groceries or getting exercise. Get local support If you are finding parenting challenging at the moment, there are services that can support you and your child during this time. Yarra provides support for parents through our Family Support program. Simply call us on 9205 5555 and ask for our Intake Case Worker. There are also a range of free and confidential family violence phone and online support services available to you: safe steps (1800 015 188) – a 24/7 family violence support service. inTouch Multicultural Centre Against Family Violence (1800 755 988) – phone support, information and legal advice for migrant and refugee women in your language. No To Violence Men’s Referral Service (1300 766 491) – telecounselling, information and referrals to help men stop using violent and controlling behaviour. Djirra (1800 105 303) – telephone legal and non-legal support for all Aboriginal people, particularly women experiencing or who have experienced family violence. 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732) – 24/7 national sexual assault, domestic, family violence counselling service. Northern Centre Against Sexual Assault (1800 806 292) – crisis line. Kids Helpline (1800 551 800) – 24/7 confidential telephone and online counselling service for children and young people aged between 5 and 25 years old. WithRespect (1800 542 847) – family and intimate partner violence support, referrals and telecounselling for LGBTIQ+ communities and their families. If you think you or a family member are in immediate danger from family violence, please call Triple Zero on 000. More information Get more information on Support for Families in Yarra.

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In a change to the Local Government Act, Councild can now hold virtual meetings during the COVID-19 pandemic.

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With COVID-19 in circulation, it’s more important than ever to get your influenza (flu) vaccination this year. All Yarra residents are eligible for our annual flu vaccination, which protects against four strains of the influenza virus. It’s only $15 and the best way to avoid getting the flu or a serious combined illness. While the flu vaccine does not protect against COVID-19 (there is no COVID-19 vaccine currently available), it helps protect you, your family and other people who are at risk of becoming seriously ill. It also ensures our emergency departments and hospital beds are available for those who need it most. Keeping you safe We’ve made extra precautions to keep you safe and healthy when visiting our immunisation sessions. Please stay home if you (or anyone in your family) are: feeling unwell (especially with a fever, sore throat or cough) have been a contact with someone who has been diagnosed with COVID-19 have returned from overseas within the last 14 days. Families can attend the clinic together, but only one parent per child will be called up to the vaccination area. If waiting times are longer than 15 minutes, we’ll give you a time to return. Free flu immunisations We also offer free flu vaccinations for: • children aged six months to four years • anyone aged five years and over who has a medical condition that increases their risk of complications from the flu • Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people from six months of age • pregnant women • people aged 65 years and older. Corporate immunisation program If you’re a business or organisation in Yarra, you can also contact us about our corporate flu immunisation program. Stick to the schedule Our regular immunisation service continues with extra precautions in place. We also offer some vaccines that aren’t covered under the National or School Immunisation Program. These include: Chicken pox Boostrix (diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis or whooping cough) Hepatitis B MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) MenACWY. Upcoming immunisation sessions Some locations for our immunisation sessions have changed. Fitzroy Town Hall 1pm to 3pm Tuesday 5 May Tuesday 2 June North Richmond Community Health Centre 1pm to 2pm Wednesday 6 May Wednesday 3 June Collingwood Town Hall 9:30am to 11:30am Wednesday 13 May Wednesday 10 June Edinburgh Gardens Community Room 1pm to 3pm Tuesday 19 May Tuesday 16 June Studio One 9:30am to 11:30am Wednesday 20 May Wednesday 17 June Collingwood Town Hall Monday 25 May Monday 22 June To find out more and view the latest timetable, visit our Immunisations page.

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Yarra City Council today announced $160,000 of new grants to support our businesses hardest hit by the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Our Supporting Local Business quick response grants will provide a lifeline to local businesses and sole traders struggling with the effects of physical distancing and forced closures. They are aimed at helping businesses and sole traders with making the switch to online trading, improving their shopfronts, marketing and business planning and getting vital training. Small businesses can apply for up to two grants, to a maximum total of $5,000. Sole traders are also eligible for up to two grants, to a maximum total of $2,000. The initiative – part of Yarra’s $7.46 million COVID-19 Community and Economic Support Package announced in early-April – was endorsed at last night’s Council Meeting, the first to be conducted entirely online. The grants follow the Creative Business and Community, Addressing Family Violence and Promoting Food Security grants announced in April 2020. Yarra is committed to ensuring our vibrant hospitality, creative and retail industries adapt to the challenges of COVID-19 and can take advantage of a different economic landscape as we head towards recovery. More grants for Yarra’s community are expected to be announced in the coming weeks as we continue to roll out our $7.64 million support package. Apply now Applications close at 11.59pm on X May 2020. For more information and to apply for a grant, visit yarracity.vic.gov.au/covidgrants

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As at Thursday 19 March 2020, Yarra City Council is proceeding with the special council meeting on Tuesday 24 March 2020.

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To help slow the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19) in our community, we have made some changes to our Maternal and Child Health and immunisation services based on advice from the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS).

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The best way we can all help slow the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19) is to stay home and keep our distance from others, at least 1.5m at all times.

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The Connie Benn Centre is closed from Thursday 25 June 2020 until further notice due to unforeseen circumstances.

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Following the Victorian Government’s announcement  about the reinstatement of Stage 3 restrictions, we will need to make some changes to many of our services. We'll publish more information on any service changes as soon as possible and will continue to keep you updated about impacts to our services as we know more. 

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As we return to stage 3 coronavirus (COVID-19) restrictions, we've compiled a list of resources to help you and your community through this time.

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All residents with symptoms are encouraged to get tested for COVID-19. Find out where you can be tested.

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Yesterday, the Premier announced a State of Disaster for Victoria, with tighter Stage 4 restrictions to curb the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19) across our communities. How does this affect me? A curfew is now in place in metropolitan Melbourne from 8pm to 5am every evening. During this time, you’re only allowed to leave your home for work, essential health, care or safety reasons. If you have to go out during the day (5am to 8pm) for essential supplies or exercise, you must not travel more than 5km from where you live. If you’re going to the shops, only one person from your household is allowed to do so. Visit the DHHS coronavirus website for full details on these new restrictions. Why do we need these new restrictions? These are serious, although very necessary measures that follow continued new COVID-19 cases and deaths across Victoria. We know that many of you will be saddened and distressed by this news. We are too. But we’ve all got to do our part to protect our loved ones, essential workers and some of the most vulnerable people in Yarra – including our public housing residents, older people and people experiencing homelessness. We’re still here for you You can be assured that we’ll continue to deliver the essential services Yarra needs to keep moving. However, there are likely to be more impacts to some programs and services. We’ll know more following the Victorian Government’s announcements later today. These are tough times. Please be kind to each other, and check in on your friends, family and neighbours as often as you can. Stick to the rules – and wear a mask or face covering if you do have to go out for one of the permitted reasons. Get the support you need Remember that if you need support (like food packages, financial support or wellness tips), update on our services or information in your language, you can find everything on our Coronavirus Hub, or by calling us on 03 9205 5555.

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Yesterday, the Premier provided an update on stage 4 restrictions to curb the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19) across our communities.

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It’s time to #getvaxxedyarra We’re way behind in COVID-19 vaccination rates here in Yarra. Only 60% of us are double-dosed, and 75% have had a first dose. Let’s change this together. It’s now easier than ever to get vaccinated. Visit one of the free and convenient pop-up clinics happening in your area this and next week. You don’t need to make a booking, but you can if you want to. Tuesday 19 and Wednesday 20 October 2021 10.30am to 4pm Drummond Street Services – 100 Drummond Street, Carlton Call 9663 6733 Friday 22 October 2021 1.30 to 4.30pm Headspace Collingwood – 16 Lulie St, Abbotsford Saturday 23 and Sunday 23 October 2021 Saturday: 8.30am to 5pm / Sunday: 10am to 6pm Richmond High School – 4 Griffiths Street, Richmond Monday 25 and Tuesday 26 October 2021 Collingwood Town Hall – Hoddle Street, Collingwood You can also get vaccinated at your local doctor (GP) or pharmacy, or one of the Victorian Government’s vaccination hubs. There are lots of bookings available – protect yourself and your community today. Do you have questions about vaccines? We recently held a community forum about COVID-19 vaccination. You can watch it here. [link to video] Social post There are lots of places to get your free COVID-19 vaccine this week. Protect yourself and your community by dropping in to one of the pop-ups below – no booking required. 👉 Tuesday 19 and Wednesday 20 October, 10.30am to 4pm Drummond Street Services – 100 Drummond Street, Carlton 👉 Friday 22 October, Time? Headspace Collingwood – 16 Lulie St, Abbotsford 👉 Saturday 23 and Sunday 23 October, Time? Richmond High School – 4 Griffiths Street, Richmond 👉 Monday 25 and Tuesday 26 October, Time? Collingwood Town Hall – Hoddle Street, Collingwood For more information visit coronavirus.vic.gov.au/vaccine

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To support community uptake of the COVID-19 Vaccine, Yarra City Council will be running a community forum on Thursday 14 October. Meet the moderator and speakers for the event here.

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We’re resuming some services Some of our centres and services are reopening, following the easing of COVID-19 restrictions in Victoria. We’re excited about welcoming you back to our buildings and facilities. As we take the health and wellbeing of our community very seriously, we’ve put new measures in place to ensure everyone stays safe. You need to provide proof of vaccination In line with Victorian Government requirements, all visitors to Council buildings will need to check in and provide proof that they are fully vaccinated, or a valid exemption. It is also a requirement that all staff working in Council buildings are fully vaccinated. You must check in upon entry Check in QR codes will be located at the entry to our buildings and all visitors will be asked by a COVID-safe marshall to check in and provide proof of vaccination before entering the building. Be kind Like everyone else, we are navigating our way through the easing of restrictions, so please choose kindness, compassion and understanding over the coming weeks. We look forward to welcoming you back and thank you for playing your part in keeping our community safe. Use our online services Did you know you can make payments, report issues and make requests online? Save the trip to one of our centres and use Online Services. And as always, if you’re feeling sick, please stay home and get a COVID-19 test. Upcoming service changes Customer service centres Yarra’s customer service centres will reopen from Thursday 4 November 2021, starting with Collingwood Town Hall at 8.30am. The service desk at Richmond Town Hall will open from 8.30am on Monday 8 November 2021. Our other customer service centres will remain closed until further notice. Yarra Libraries Our Yarra Libraries branches will reopen from 10am on Wednesday 3 November 2021. Visit Yarra Libraries for branch-specific details. Yarra Leisure centres The outdoor Fitzroy Swimming Pool reopened on Tuesday 26 October 2021. Visit Yarra Leisure Road to Reopen for the latest service updates. Yarra recycling centre Our recycling centre in Clifton Hill will reopen on Wednesday 3 November 2021. Other service updates There may be more changes to services as restrictions continue ease. Visit Service Changes for current information.

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As part of our $7.46 million community and business support package in response to coronavirus (COVID-19), on April 9, Council launched two creative grants programs.

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Adapt, not cancel is The Boîte’s message and as a response to COVID-19 they will be moving as many of their upcoming concerts as possible to a video format.

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In line with the Victorian Government announcement on Tuesday 25 May, you will now be required to wear a mask in all our indoor venues from 6pm Tuesday 25 May.

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To respond to the escalating crisis posed by the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak and recent directives from the Victorian and Federal governments, Yarra City Council has made further changes to its services and programs.

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