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27 JULY, 2021
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COVID cluster grows By Benjamin Millar Authorities are working to keep a tight lid on the Bacchus Marsh Grammar COVID-19 cluster after two new cases emerged in household contacts of positive cases at the weekend. Victoria’s post-lockdown settings are set to be announced on Tuesday as authorities look to ease the state out of the strict restrictions that have been in force for almost a fortnight. Eleven new Victorian cases were reported on Monday, but as all were quarantining throughout their infectious period there were no new exposure sites. Bacchus Marsh Grammar’s cluster tally sat at seven staff, four students and four close household members who have tested positive to the fast-moving Delta strain.
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fully aware of the size of the task and are wroking to ensure that the process goes well - Andrew Neal
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Thousands of the school’s students and their families who have been isolating since the breakout was detected will have their day-13 tests on Tuesday in a bid to avoid a further fortnight of quarantine. Principal Andrew Neal said the school has been working closely with the health department to ensure that the process will be smooth. “They are fully aware of the size of the task and are working to ensure that the process goes well,” he said. “There will be lines and a wait but we are working together to minimise this.” Moorabool currently has eight active COVID-19 cases and Melton has one. Active tier one exposure sites include Shape it Fitness in Maddingley for July 13 and the BP service station in Maddingley for July 14. The westbound BP service station on the Western Freeway at Truganina has been listed as a tier two exposure site for July 13. The strict lockdowns forced students back into remote learning and have had a drastic impact on struggling Melton and Moorabool businesses.
Top: A pop-up COVID-19 testing clinic at Ballan railway station. (Joe Mastroianni) 243668_03 Above: A fifth lockdown has had a drastic impact on struggling Melton and Moorabool businesses. (Damjan Janevski) 244848
The state government has announced new support packages for businesses most affected by the restrictions. It said 90,000 Victorian businesses and sole traders will now share in up to $484.3 million in support for the 12 days of the public health
action, with automatic top-ups for the lockdown extension to be made in coming days. Eligible Licensed Hospitality Venue Fund recipients will receive $4200, taking the total payment to $7200, while Business Costs Assistance Program recipients will receive
$2800, increasing the total grant to $4800. Microbusinesses not registered for GST could be eligible for the Covid-19 Disaster Payment of $600/$375 per seven-day period. ■ Testing
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