Coronavirus cases spike in Geelong region but no sign yet of Stage 3 restrictions

TWO schools in the Geelong region shut their doors earlier this week after suspected coronavirus cases, but Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews has not signalled his intentions to extend the stage 3 restrictions now in place across Melbourne.

On Monday morning, a Department of Education and Training spokesperson said the Drysdale and Grovedale West primary schools were closed to all students and staff for at least 24 hours so that further investigations could take place.

In an update to parents late on Monday, Drysdale Primary School principal Phil Dunlop-Moore said an investigation by the Department of Health and Human Services did not confirm the case, and the school re-opened as normal on Tuesday.

On Sunday, Mr Andrews announced face masks would be required for all people in metropolitan Melbourne and Mitchell Shire as of today (Thursday, July 23).

The present advice for regional Victorians, announced on Friday last week, is that that face masks are not mandatory but are recommended in situations where keeping a distance of 1.5 metres is difficult. However, people visiting metropolitan Melbourne or Mitchell Shire must follow the stage 3 rules in place there.

In a press conference on Monday, Mr Andrews was asked whether stage 3 restrictions would be introduced in Geelong, which has seen a recent spike in coroavirus cases.

“Geelong is obviously a much bigger community than many other regional cities, so the number of cases, as a raw measure, is probably not the best guide,” he said.

He also thanked people in regional areas such as Geelong who were wearing face masks.

“I have had reports from the bigger regional cities that a noticeable difference in the number of people doing that. I am grateful to them.”

For the latest advice and updates on the coronavirus in Victoria, head to dhhs.vic.gov.au/coronavirus