The COVID-19 hotspots you should avoid these school holidays

By Melissa Meehan

A sharp rise in COVID-19 cases will mean the school holidays are very different for some Victorians.

Premier Daniel Andrews announced, on Tuesday, that a number of suburbs across Melbourne would be forced to return to Stage Three restrictions.

The news comes as other states, including Queensland and South Australia, have announced their borders will be closed to all Victorians.

“Too many people are still going out when they’re sick,” Mr Andrews told reporters.

“Too many people are ignoring rules about physical distancing and pretending restrictions don’t matter.

“Yet still, somehow, more than a thousand people, when asked, refused to be tested. It shows us that still, somehow, too many people are not taking this seriously.”

From 11:59pm Wednesday night, postcodes linked to these outbreaks will go into local lockdown.

This will be in place until at least July 29.

Residents in those areas will have only four reasons to be out:

Shopping for food and supplies, care and caregiving, exercise, and study or work – if they can’t do it from home.

Those living outside of those areas are also warned to stay away, but will be allowed under the same four excuses.

The businesses and facilities in these areas that have been able to recently reopen – from beauty parlours to gyms to libraries to swimming pools – will again be restricted.

Cafes and restaurants will again only be open for take-away and delivery.

Regular police patrols, both in these zones and outside them, will make sure people are abiding by the restrictions.

Schools are expected to return, as planned, from July 13.

Suburbs returning to Stage Three restrictions:

3012 Brooklyn, Kingsville, Maidstone, Tottenham, West Footscray

3021 Albanvale, Kealba, Kings Park, St Albans

3032 Ascot Vale, Highpoint City, Maribyrnong, Travancore

3038 Keilor Downs, Keilor Lodge, Taylors Lakes, Watergardens

3042 Airport West, Keilor Park, Niddrie

3046 Glenroy, Hadfield, Oak Park

3047 Broadmeadows, Dallas , Jacana

3055 Brunswick south, Brunswick west, Moonee vale, Moreland west

3060 Fawkner

3064 Craigieburn, Donnybrook, Mickelham, Roxburgh Park, Kalkallo