Last updated: 11:30 pm 12 May 2020

Coronavirus (COVID-19) update

The Victorian Government is directing all Victorians to stay at home to slow the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19). Every Victorian must play their part. By staying at home and limiting contact with other people, we can protect the elderly, the at-risk, and our healthcare workers and each other.

There are five reasons that you can leave home:

• shop for food and other necessary goods and services
• access medical services or provide caregiving – for example, this includes shared parenting obligations or providing care and support to an unwell, disabled, elderly or pregnant friend or relative
• attend work or education where you can’t do those things from home
• exercise and participate in some recreational activities adhering to the rules
• visit friends, family and loved ones while adhering to the rules.

Some restrictions have been cautiously eased to allow people to look after their own, and others’ health, wellbeing and social connection, however, the message remains clear: If you can stay at home – you must stay at home.

Most of our parks, reserves and historic places are now open for day-use activities, provided that physical distancing of 1.5 metres between people and maximum of 10 people is observed at all times. There are nine sites (listed below) that will remain closed to comply with physical distancing measures to slow the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19).

Due to the rapidly changing nature of the situation, Parks Victoria staff will monitor visitation rates with the possibility of further changes to park closures, pending advice from health authorities. 

Current closures

• BBQ facilities, water fountains, playgrounds and outdoor gyms remain closed.
• Camping and overnight activities are not permitted and all campgrounds remain closed.
• All Parks Victoria Visitor Information Service Desks and Centres are also closed to the public until further notice.

The following visitor sites remain closed:

• Buchan Caves Reserve - visitor centre, cave tours and camping area closed. 

• William Ricketts Sanctuary

• Lower Glenelg National Park - Princess Margaret Rose Cave is closed until further notice.

• Point Nepean National Park - underground tunnels closed until further notice.

• Serendip Sanctuary 

• St Kilda Pier - the pier remains open however, the penguin viewing platform is closed until further notice. 

• State Coal Mine - café and underground tours are closed until further notice.

• Twelve Apostles Visitor Centre and lookouts

• Werribee Park - mansion tours are closed until further notice. 

Restrictions

• 1000 steps/Kokoda Memorial Walk will be restricted to a singular direction to maintain physical distancing. Visitors will be permitted to go up the steps from Ferntree Gully Picnic Ground and descend via the Lyrebird Track to the carpark. Physical distancing of 1.5 metres between people and maximum of 10 people rules should be observed at all times.
• All events, filming and photography are now restricted to a maximum of 10 people. Weddings allow 10 guests in addition to the couple and celebrant. Funerals allow 20 mourners indoors, and 30 outdoors plus people to run the funeral.
• Fishing, including charter fishing, fishing from the shore and from a boat is permitted, with anchoring allowed only while fishing, and at all times in groups of no more than 10 people and physical distancing of 1.5 metres must be maintained. For more information visit the Better Boating Victoria website.
• Beaches are open and are accessible for exercise in groups of no more than 10 people and physical distancing of 1.5 metres must be maintained.
• Recreational boating and other boating activities including water-skiing and wakeboarding, kayaking, canoeing and paddle-boarding, sailing, windsurfing and jet-skiing are permitted in groups of no more than 10 people and physical distancing of 1.5 metres must be maintained. For more information visit the Better Boating Victoria website.
• Hunting (including duck hunting for the remainder of the 2020 season) is permitted. Groups must be limited to no more than 10 people and physical distancing of 1.5 metres must be maintained. Some wetlands, or parts of wetlands, are closed to hunting or are further regulated during the 2020 duck hunting season. For more information visit the Game Management Authority website.

For more information about outdoor recreational activities restrictions visit the Department of Health and Human Services website.

Common questions

How long will these areas be closed for?
Until 11.59pm on 31 May 2020. These sites will remain closed until advice changes. Until then, Parks Victoria will monitor advice from the Department of Health and Human Services. 

Is my health at risk if I visit other sites that are not closed?
We encourage everyone to follow the health advice provided by the Department of Health and Human Services. Current advice for all Victorians is to stay at home to slow the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19).

Will you be enforcing the closures?
Closures will be enforced. Signs will be in place at all closed locations and patrols will be undertaken.
Compliance with this direction is enforceable under section 203 of the Public Health and Wellbeing Act 2008 and penalties apply.
Victoria Police can issue on the spot fines of up to $1,652 for individuals and up to $9,913 for businesses who don’t follow these directions.

For up-to-date health information, visit www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au .