Like businesses across Victoria, councils are rolling out changes to how they offer services so they can meet their obligations under COVID-19 Health Directions issued by the Victorian Government.
From 6.00 pm on 29 October 2021, Council is obliged to limit access at some of our facilities to those who can prove they have been double-vaccinated against COVID-19 (or who have a medical exemption). Unvaccinated customers will only be able to access 'essential' Council services, such as our Resource and Recycling Centres, maternal and child health services and limited customer services.
Council CEO Livia Bonazzi said this was a difficult thing for both councils and customers to navigate, but there are good public health reasons for this change. As our Shire opens up to metropolitan Melbourne, it is likely that we will see an increase in COVID-19 cases locally. As of 24 October, 94.4% of our community had been single-vaccinated and 76.6% were double-vaccinated. We hope the vast majority of our community members will be double-vaccinated very soon.
'Limiting access to most of our in-person services to those people who have been double-vaccinated means people can visit our facilities with a greater sense of confidence,' added Ms Bonazzi.
'Services like attending library programs or browsing the library bookshelves will now only be available to those with double-vaccination as these are deemed 'non-essential' services. We have got alternatives in place though – you can give us a call and we can provide you with a 'click and collect' service instead, so you don't miss out on reading material!'
'However, if you plan to visit one of our facilities and can't prove you are double-vaccinated (and don't hold a vaccination medical exemption), please click here or call us on 5772 0333 to check if we are able to offer you the service in person.
'In addition, if you haven't yet managed to download your vaccination certificate on your phone just yet, please give us a call – we are rolling out some sessions to help you do just that. We will also be offering assistance to those who would like to print up their vaccination certificate.
'Please be kind to Council staff – and to staff in businesses and organisations across our Shire – when they ask you to check in and show your vaccination status. I have heard some awful stories about staff being abused by customers when they are simply doing their jobs and enforcing a Victorian law. This is simply unacceptable', said Ms Bonazzi.
