Coronavirus fishing and boating update - Thursday, 14 October 2021

From 11:59pm on Wednesday, 13 October lockdown restrictions are in place for metropolitan Melbourne and the Rural City of Mildura. Lockdown restrictions have been lifted in the Mitchell Shire.

In metropolitan Melbourne and the Rural City of Mildura (restricted regional LGAs), the reasons to leave home are:

  • shopping for necessary goods and services
  • care and caregiving
  • authorised work and permitted study
  • socialisation or exercise - within 15km of home, for up to four hours, with one other person or up to five adults from two households if everyone over age of 18 has had two vaccination doses (plus dependents if they cannot be left unattended)
  • receiving a COVID-19 vaccination

A stay at home curfew remains in place for metropolitan Melbourne and you cannot leave home between 9pm and 5am. No curfew is in place for regional Victoria, including restricted regional LGAs.

In metropolitan Melbourne and restricted regional LGAs, the limit on the distance you can travel from home has been extended to 15km. Recreational activities such as fishing and boating are permitted for up to four hours per day within 15km of home. Exercise can be undertaken with one other person or with up to five adults from two households if everyone over age of 18 has had two vaccination doses (plus dependants if they cannot be left unattended). Face masks must be worn at all times unless a lawful exemption applies. Metropolitan Melbourne and residents from restricted regional LGAs cannot travel into regional Victoria for the purposes of exercise, such as fishing.

Regional Victoria

In regional Victoria (except restricted regional LGAs), the reasons to leave home do not apply and there is no distance or time limit when you leave home.

Recreational boating and fishing are permitted in regional Victoria with no distance or time limit and in groups of up to 10 people. A face mask must be worn at all times, unless a lawful exemption applies. Regional Victorian residents cannot travel into metropolitan Melbourne or regional LGAs with lockdown restrictions for the purposes of exercise, such as fishing or boating.

Regional Victorian residents (except those from restricted regional LGAs) are able to launch a vessel and travel along the Murray River provided they do not dock or set foot on the New South Wales side of the river. Residents of the City of Mildura must remain within 15km of home when fishing and boating.

The Golden Tag Competition is suspended due to the restrictions on travel within Victoria.

For more information, including FAQs, visit coronavirus.vic.gov.au

The Victorian Government has released its roadmap for the easing of restrictions subject to vaccination levels.

It’s essential to regularly check the list of exposure sites and get tested if you have even the mildest of symptoms.

Please stay safe, take care and get vaccinated if you’re eligible.