Over the last 24 hours, the Victorian Government has confirmed the first positive COVID-19 cases in some time.

In response, the following restrictions will be enforced from 5 pm today (31 December 2020):

• The maximum attendees for household gatherings will be reduced from 30 to 15 
• Masks will be mandatory for all indoor areas when not eating or drinking

While these may not directly affect worksites at this time, actions over the next week in social settings will determine the spread of these cases.

The Victorian Government has identified the following exposure sites:
 

 
If you have been at any of these sites in these timeframes you must get tested and quarantine until directed otherwise.

The list of exposure sites will be continually updated, we urge everyone to check it regularly here and get tested if you have been exposed. 

Victoria/New South Wales Border information

With more positive cases in New South Wales, the following border restrictions currently apply.

Greater Sydney, Central Coast and Northern Beaches

• People who live in or have visited the Greater Sydney area, the Central Coast and the Northern Beaches since 11 December 2020 or in the last 14 days (whichever is later), cannot enter Victoria.
• Those who arrive in Victoria by air (who live in or have visited the Greater Sydney area, the Central Coast and the Northern Beaches since 11 December 2020) will be placed in mandatory hotel quarantine.

Blue Mountains and Wollongong 

• Anyone who has been in or visited the Blue Mountains or Wollongong regions from 27 December will have until 11.59 pm on the 31 December to enter Victoria.
• Anyone intending to return to Victoria from these areas before 11.59 pm on 31 December must apply for a new travel permit through Service Victoria, must get tested within 24 hours of returning to Victoria, and must self-quarantine at home for 14 days from when they last left the region.
• Nobody who has visited these areas will be able to enter Victoria after December 31.
• Police have established checkpoints at certain locations along the Victorian-New South Wales border and will check permits to ensure that people hold a valid permit. Permits can be accessed here 

Border region communities 

• The remainder of Regional NSW remains a 'green zone' area where you can travel into Victoria with a permit. This includes border communities where cross-border travel is required for work and day-to-day activities.
• For members and workers in border region communities, there will be checkpoints across the Victoria/NSW border, please be aware that there could be major road delays at these checkpoints
• Residents of border region communities that need to cross the border will need to provide their driver licence with their residency to prove their eligibility. 
• If your residential address is in the following Local Government Areas, you will not require a permit (but will require photographic identification with your current residential address): 

Victoria 

• Alpine Valleys 
• Benalla 
• Bendigo 
• Buloke 
• Campaspe 
• East Gippsland 
• Gannawarra 
• Indigo 
• Loddon 
• Mildura 
• Moira 
• Shepparton 
• Swan Hill 
• Towong 
• Wangaratta 
• Wodonga 
• Yarriambiack 

New South Wales 

• Albury City 
• Balranald 
• Bega Valley 
• Berrigan 
• Broken Hill 
• Edward River 
• Federation 
• Greater Hume  
• Hay 
• Lockhart 
• Murray River 
• Murrumbidgee 
• Snowy Monaro 
• Snowy Valleys 
• Wagga Wagga 
• Wentworth 

If you do not reside in these areas but are travelling back through the Vic/NSW border you will require a permit.

More information can be found here 

Office re-opening 

Master Builders Victoria will re-open on Monday 4 January 2021. 

We wish you a safe and happy holiday season and look forward to assisting you in 2021.

A reminder

Master Builders Victoria remains available to support our members. Your health and safety, as well as that of our team, sponsors and stakeholders, is of the utmost importance to us. While many of our team has transitioned to working remotely, we continue to deliver our services and products to you and have plans in place allowing this to continue as the effects of COVID-19 unfold. We will keep you notified of any changes that may affect the way we serve you.

Please also note that while our walk-in shops are closed, the online shop is still active. The next round of product deliveries will begin on 6 January 2021. To access the online shop, please click here.

At this time of uncertainty, we encourage members to take advantage of the numerous support resources available to them including:

• Incolink
• Bluehats
• Beyond Blue