Coronavirus (COVID-19) Information

We want to make sure our villages are safe havens for our residents.

On Monday 11 May Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews announced details of how the state will begin relaxing some of the coronavirus-related restrictions we’ve all been living with for many weeks.

While this is just a first small, cautious step, all Victorians can be proud that the measures they’ve taken to help stop the spread of COVID-19 have gotten us to the point where the restrictions can begin being slowly scaled back.

Under the current restrictions all Victorians have only been allowed to go out for four reasons: shopping for food and supplies; receiving medical care; outdoor exercise; and work and education.

From Wednesday 13 May, a fifth reason is allowed: visiting friends and family.

While independent and serviced apartment residents are now allowed to leave the village to visit family or friends, health officials are still urging all people aged over 70 or with underlying health conditions to stay home.

We’ve reviewed the Premier’s announcement, plus the advice released by health officials, and considered what it means for Weary Dunlop and Nellie Melba retirement villages.

From Wednesday 13 May:

• Visitors will be allowed into the village to see independent and serviced apartment residents. No more than five people are allowed to visit another household, and social distancing should still be practised.
• Group gatherings of up to 10 people are allowed outdoors - but not in communal areas indoors - with people staying 2m apart. 
• Nellie Melba’s café will be open for takeaway service, call and collect, and will accept cashless payment only.
• The serviced apartment dining room will start serving meals again, with diners socially distanced.
• The hair salon will reopen to one resident at a time.
• The bowling green will reopen to a maximum of 10 people at once, staying 2m apart. Gloves and wipes will be provided, and the use of communal bowls is discouraged.
• The village workshops will have a schedule in place allowing up to four people in at once, observing social distancing.
• No more than two people, socially-distanced, can play billiards or table tennis.

The first phase of state government’s lifting of restrictions does not allow us to open all parts of the villages, so the following amenities have to remain closed for now:

• The village centre lounge
• The bar
• Village libraries
• The beauty salon
• The gym
• The pool
• The cinema

Triple-A class can’t yet begin as they used to, but the exercise classes that have been held outdoors and on residents’ balconies will continue.

Live entertainment and church services aren’t yet able to resume either.

Visitors entering the village will go through a security checkpoint where their visit will be recorded. They will then be directed to the main entrance lobby where they will have their temperature checked, sign a declaration, and be given a face mask to wear.

This will help keep COVID-19 out of the village and assist with contact tracing if required.

While I’m sure you’re as pleased as I am that some restrictions are starting to be loosened, the message from the premier and health officials is clear: the fight against COVID-19 is far from over.

Confirmed cases are still being found in Victoria each day, and these numbers could rapidly increase if yesterday’s announcement sparks complacency.

Older people, and those with underlying health conditions, are still as vulnerable to effects of the virus as they were before the lockdown began.

If you have any questions, please contact your village team.