COVID-19 Community Support Hub

The information below was last updated 17 January 2021.

As of 11:59pm, Thursday 6 January, COVID-19 testing requirements have changed in Victoria.

Getting tested

People who test positive on a Rapid Antigen Test are now considered probable cases and are subject to the same requirements as a confirmed PCR test – they must isolate for seven days and notify anyone they have been in close contact with.

If you test positive on a rapid test, you are now required to report the result to the Department of Health through an online form, or by phone, so that you can access the care and information you need to monitor your symptoms. You do not need to confirm the test result with a PCR test.

Until Rapid Antigen Tests are more widely available, anyone with symptoms, or household contacts who are asymptomatic can still get a PCR test if unable to access a rapid test.

A PCR test continues to be recommended for people who test positive on a Rapid Antigen Test but don’t have symptoms and who aren’t contacts.

For the full update on testing changes, please visit the State Government website.

Local testing sites

The Lardner Park drive through testing location has closed. 

While vaccination efforts ramp up, the Goods Shed in Warragul will no longer be offering PCR testing. People who require a PCR test should book an appointment at the Warragul Respiratory Clinic, located on Stoffers Street, Warragul by calling 5642 6666.

Local exposure sites

The Department of Health will no longer publish new exposure sites. Instead, the Department of Health will use the new alert function in the Service Victoria app or direct SMS message to notify patrons of higher-risk venues where a positive cases have been present - such as restaurants, gyms and nightclubs - and advise them to get tested.

Isolation rules for COVID-19 exposure at public settings have changed.

If you are a contact of someone who tested positive:

Household or household-like contacts

  • You have spent more than four hours with someone who has COVID-19 inside a house, accommodation or care facility.
  • You must quarantine for 7 days.
  • You must get tested on Day 1 of quarantine (or as soon as possible) and get tested again on Day 6 of quarantine.
  • On day 6, you should use PCR tests if you have symptoms, or rapid antigen tests if you don't have symptoms.
  • If you test positive on a rapid antigen test, you must continue to isolate.
  • If you don’t have symptoms and you cannot access a rapid antigen test for your Day 6 test, you can get a PCR test. 

All other contacts

  • Someone who has COVID-19 has informed you that you are their social contact, or a workplace or education facility has informed you that you are a workplace or education contact.
  • If you have symptoms, you must get a rapid antigen or PCR test and stay isolated until they receive a negative result.
  • If you don't have symptoms, you are recommended to use a daily rapid antigen test for 5 days. If you test positive on a rapid antigen test, you must continue to isolate and retest. 
  • If you don’t have symptoms and cannot access a rapid antigen test then monitor for symptoms and get either test if symptoms emerge.

There may be other steps you have to follow. For more information, including the full checklists for different types of contacts, go to the Victorian Governments COVID Checklist webpage.

There is help available to you while you quarantine, go to the Victorian Government's Isolation and Quarantine Support webpage or call the Coronavirus Hotline on 1800 675 398. 

For the latest advice, including information about vaccinations and getting tested, please visit the Coronavirus Victoria website. For translated information, please visit the DHHS Translated Resources webpage.

Local impacts and information

Book your COVID-19 Vaccination

Eligible Baw Baw Shire residents can now book their COVID-19 vaccination on the phone or online.

Residents can book to have their vaccination at the COVID-19 vaccination centre at The Goods Shed, Warragul (located at the Warragul Railway Station car park off Alfred Street) by:

☎️ Calling the Department of Health Vaccination Hotline on 1800 675 398 or,
�� Visiting the Victorian booking website.

The Warragul COVID-19 vaccination centre is open on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9am to 3:30pm.

You can also book to have your vaccination at a participating GP clinic. You can check your eligibility and a list of participating GP clinics at www.health.gov.au

All Victorians who are eligible for a booster are urged to book an appointment as soon as possible. COVID-19 booster doses are recommended for anyone aged 18 and over who had their second dose of a COVID-19 vaccine four or more months ago.

You can get a booster dose from a GP, pharmacy or a Victorian vaccination centre.
For more information, including advice for workplaces with a confirmed COVID-19 case, please go to coronavirus.vic.gov.au. 

If deemed eligible, a vaccination provider can be found by clicking on the ‘make a booking’ button that will appear.

If you know someone who does not have access to the internet, or anyone who would prefer to speak to someone about eligibility, please call the National COVID-19 vaccine helpline: 1800 020 080

If you can't get to your appointment, funded travel to and from vaccine appointments is available for anyone who receives government benefits through Centrelink (other than the family tax benefit). To organise your trip call 1800 675 398. 

Vaccines for 5 to 11-year-olds

Children aged 5 to 11 can receive the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine from 10 January 2022. 

Bookings are available through GPs and pharmacies across Victoria. Find your nearest provider via the Australian Government’s Vaccine Clinic Finder. You can also get your child vaccinated at your nearest state vaccination centre. Find out more about vaccines for young children or book a COVID-19 vaccine appointment today.

By vaccinating your children, you can:

  • Reduce the spread of COVID-19
  • Protect them from getting sick from COVID-19  
  • Keep schools open, so children can have more face-to-face learning and playtime with their friends.

The recommended interval for vaccination in this age group is two doses, 8 weeks apart.

The interval can be shortened to a minimum of 3 weeks in special circumstances. For example:

  • as part of an outbreak response
  • before the start of significant immunosuppression, or
  • before international travel.

Find out more about COVID-19 vaccines for children. 

For information about Council's immunisation programs, please see our immunisations page.

Current Victorian restrictions

COVID-19 restrictions are being updated to ensure Victorians enjoy more freedoms this festive season, while the Omicron variant is monitored and investigated.

The pandemic orders, which will take effect from 11.59pm Wednesday 15 December and be in place until 11.59pm Wednesday 12 January 2022, update the current COVIDSafe Settings.

This will include:

  • The mandatory vaccination requirement will be removed for all customers in retail, except hair and beauty services, and will also be removed in real estate, places of worship, weddings and funerals. Face masks will be still required for customers and workers in retail settings.
  • Restaurants, cafes, bars and pubs are still only open to fully vaccinated patrons and staff. Workers are required to wear face masks.
  • People under 18 will no longer be required to show proof of their vaccination status at all venues, including hospitality.
  • Face masks no longer need to be worn at weddings, funerals or ceremonial settings. If these events are held at places of worship, there will not be any vaccination requirements or limits on participants, nor any requirement to check vaccination status. If the ceremony is at a hospitality setting, vaccine requirements will apply.
  • Workplaces exposed to a positive COVID-19 case will no longer need to be deep cleaned.
  • Tour and transport operators, gyms and creative arts premises, such as theatres and cinemas, will not need to clean equipment between uses.
  • Workplaces still need to maintain their COVIDSafe Plan.

Face masks will still be required:

  • for workers serving the public at hospitality venues.
  • for workers and customers at indoor retail.
  • for workers in corrections.
  • for workers in meat, poultry and seafood processing.
  • for visitors and select workers in hospitals or care facilities.
  • for people using public transport, taxi and rideshare and planes.
  • for primary school staff and visitors and for students in Years 3 to 6.

For full details on the current restrictions please visit the Coronavirus Victoria - COVIDSafe Settings webpage.

Where to get tested

Click here to find out your nearest COVID-19 testing site and its operational hours.

Council Services Impacted by the Lockdown

The below information may be superseded by the latest Victorian Government advice. For the latest information, please visit the Coronavirus Victoria website.

Services operating with restrictions 

The following services are currently impacted:

  • Customer Service at the West Gippsland Art Centre - Currently closed.
  • Council managed halls/spaces - Open.
  • Markets - Open.
  • Playgroups – Open.
  • Skate parks – Open.
  • Outdoor playgrounds – Open. 
  • Organised sport – Open.     
  • West Gippsland Arts Centre – Booking office open to double vaccinated persons.
  • Swimming pools and fitness centres – Open.
  • Baby capsule hire - not currently available.
  • Maternal and Child Health services:
    • Face to Face or Telephone Appointments available.

The following essential aged care services will continue where it is safe to do so:

  • Meals.
  • Transport.
  • Domestic assistance and personal care.
  • Social Support.

The following services are not impacted:

  • Family Day Care (enhanced safety measures in place).
  • Community immunisation sessions.
  • Kindergarten enrolments.

Council's Corporate COVID Safe Plan

Baw Baw Shire Council's Corporate COVID Safe Plan outlines the protocols in place to mitigate the introduction of COVID-19 into Council workspaces during current restrictions set out by the Victorian Government for all staff, contractors and visitors that attend a Council workplace.

Click here to download the Baw Baw Shire Council Corporate COVID Safe Plan(PDF, 374KB) (version 2.1 - updated 6 May 2021).

COVID-19 facilities and services reopening information

Click here to download the COVID-19 Facilities and Services Reopening Information Pack.(PDF, 741KB)

In order to protect our community, there are some requirements that need to be met to ensure each facility and program can operate safely. We understand the challenges our community groups, clubs and organisations are facing, and are committed to working with you to support your planning and recommencing activities. 

The COVID-19 Facilities and Services Reopening Information Pack contains important information to assist with the resumption of services during the COVID-19 pandemic.

This information applies to all Baw Baw Shire Council owned and managed buildings and spaces whether they are operated directly by Council - which includes Community Asset Committees (formerly known as Section 86 Committees) - or by a third party (which also includes incorporated groups) under agreement.

Support for ratepayers

Baw Baw Shire Council has introduced several support measures to financially assist ratepayers in response to the coronavirus pandemic.

Initial support measures include:

  • Hardship Policy: If you are the ratepayer of a property in Baw Baw and are experiencing financial hardship then please complete the hardship assistance application form and make arrangements for your rates payments.
  • Access to community support programs: Click here for available services and resources.
  • Talk to us: If you need additional relief, please contact us as soon as possible to check your eligibility for other supports and make appropriate payment arrangements.

Pensioner Concession Card and Veterans Affairs Gold Card holders may be eligible for further rates and levy concessions through the Victorian Government. For more information visit https://services.dhhs.vic.gov.au/concessions-and-benefits 

Support for businesses

Baw Baw Shire Council has launched a support package to financially assist local businesses in response to the coronavirus pandemic.

For details of the support available, as well as further advice, updates and support to help your business respond to COVID-19, please go to the Coronavirus Business Support page.

If you need help, Council’s Economic Development team is ready to help you navigate through all the information available, obtain the right assistance (from local, State and Federal Governments) and access other support resources. For assistance, call 1300 229 229 or email economic.development@bawbawshire.vic.gov.au.

Help and support for mental and physical health

People are social. Isolation can be hard. If you’re feeling overwhelmed or stressed by everything that's going on, it’s okay to feel this way - and it's okay to get help and support. Whatever your age, background, gender or disability there's support waiting for you.

For an index of support services, please visit the Get Help and Support webpage. On this page you'll find contact information for a wide range of services in Baw Baw Shire.

Changes to Council meetings

The below information may be superseded by the latest Victorian Government advice. For the latest information, please visit the Coronavirus Victoria website. 

Council Meetings

Council Meetings are operated in accordance with Chief Health Officer directives.

To register to attend a Council Meeting, please book your attendance here. 

Council meetings will be live-streamed, and archived recordings will be available on Council's website for viewing.

How to make a submission

Council will accept written submissions on any agenda item. Written submissions are to be received by 5.00pm on the Tuesday before the Council Meeting. Submissions can be made via email to via the online form found on this webpage.

Community Members may also contact Council on 5624 2411 and officers will transcribe a submission. Submissions will be limited to 500 words.

Transfer Stations and Waste Collection

The below information may be superseded by the latest Victorian Government advice. For the latest information, please visit the Coronavirus Victoria website. 

Transfer stations

Transfer stations will remain open per normal operation hours. 

Please note that for the safety of all, EFTPOS transactions are the preferred method of payment at all Baw Baw Shire Transfer Stations.

Kerbside waste collection

Kerbside waste collection is continuing as normal.

Soft Plastics

There are no changes to the availability of REDcycle bins in Coles and Woolworths stores.

Bins may be moved occasionally for a variety of reasons, however both Coles and Woolworths remain committed to REDcycle in stores.

If you have any questions, please speak to the Store Manager.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

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