THE 90 cases (18 active) of COVID-19 recorded in the municipality by Monday (3 August), came three days after Mornington Peninsula Shire issued a statement that the peninsula was “winning the battle” against the coronavirus.
The shire ranks 30 among the state’s 79 municipalities for the number of recorded coronavirus cases. Frankston, with 107 cases, is 25th.
“Now that we’re at the half-way point of the current six-week lockdown, we can see how the responsible actions of local residents are paying off,” the mayor Cr Sam Hearn said.
The statement was made two days before the state government declared a state of disaster and stage four restrictions for six weeks from 6pm Sunday (2 August), including an 8pm-5am curfew.
The new restrictions, scheduled to end 13 September, include exercising (one hour a day) and shopping (one person a household) only within five kilometres of where you live, if practicable.
Peninsula residents living more than five kilometres from a supermarket can go shopping for “necessary goods and services”, according to Nepean MP Chris Brayne.
“You can visit your nearest supermarket, doctor, baker or butcher, even if they are over five kilometres away,” Mr Brayne said. “This applies to many people and many areas on the peninsula.”
The Premier Daniel Andrews said Sunday was “by far the hardest day – and the hardest decision” he had experienced during his six years leading the state.
He said the latest actions being taken to stop the spread of COVID-19 would be “imperfect … [with] more questions than answers”, but asked Victorians to “please be calm, please be kind, please be patient”.
On Saturday, cases of COVID-19 cases linked to postcodes showed Mornington, with 12 confirmed (3 active) as the highest on the peninsula, followed by Mount Martha 10 (2 active) and Mount Eliza 9 (2 active).
Other postcodes that have had COVID-19 cases on the peninsula are: Sorrento 7 (1 active); Flinders 7 (0 active); Portsea 5 (0 active); Boneo, Cape Schanck, Fingal Rosebud 5 (0 active); Rosebud West 3 (2 active); Pearcedale, Somerville 5 (0 active); Blairgowrie 4 (0 active); Somers 4 (0 active); Arthurs Seat, Dromana, Safety Beach 3 (1 active); HMAS Cerberus 3 (1 active); Crib Point 2 (2 active); Bittern 2 (0 active); Baxter, Langwarrin South 2 (0 active); Moorooduc 2 (0 active); Main Ridge 1 (1 active); Hastings, Tuerong 1 (0 active); Tyabb 1 (0 active); Rye, St Andrews, Tootgarook 1 (0 active).
Postcodes without any recorded cases cover: Balnarring, Balnarring Beach, Merricks North, Merricks Beach; Red Hill, Red Hill South; Merricks, Point Leo, Shoreham and McCrae.
The reported cases indicate the area of residence, not where people were infected.
Cr Hearn said the peninsula had fewer cases than several other non-metropolitan municipalities “and has not seen the spike in cases we’re seeing in the metropolitan region and Geelong”.
He urged residents to continue to look after each other and support “local businesses who are having an incredibly tough time under the restrictions”.
“These are tough times and it’s only natural to feel a sense of despondency, but the reality is we are doing really well and I hope the community can take heart from that.”
First published in the Western Port News – 5 August 2020
