As public gathering restrictions tighten to avoid the distressing scenes we are seeing around the world, the East Gippsland community is implored to take care of each, respect each other, and get through this together.

To ensure the number of cases in the region remain low, it is of utmost importance that everyone maintains the physical distancing required to slow the spread of COVID-19.

The message is clear and everyone must adhere to it - Stay home unless it is essential that you leave and save lives.

Stage 3 restrictions came into effect from 11.59pm Monday and will be reviewed after four weeks.

Over the weekend National Cabinet agreed to significant new restrictions on public gatherings and will also enforce that where people can stay at home, they must stay at home.

“My message to every Victorian is that there are only four reasons to leave your home: food and supplies, medical care, exercise, and work or education,” Premier Daniel Andrews said on Monday.

“Most Victorians are doing the right thing and I’m grateful to them. But we continue to see instances of people gathering in significant numbers so we must do more.”

Along with limits on a number of essential items in shops, shoppers will have noticed crosses on the supermarket floors and barricades to maintain distance between customers and register attendants. Take note of these and respect what they are there for. Respecting each other and keeping our distance is the best way to get through the coming months.

One employee infected with the virus can mean shut down of that business for a period, leading to job losses, reduced services and mental anguish.

Use sanitisation products where supplied, maintain distance in the supermarket aisles and if you’re wearing gloves, make sure you change them often. Gloves stop infection getting to your skin, but they do not stop infection spreading to every surface you touch.

Maintaining physical distance is paramount, but that does not mean social connection needs to be lost. Social media comes into its own in situations like this. What better time to learn to FaceTime or Skype with loved ones?

The new restrictions mean there are to be no gatherings of more than two people, except for members of your immediate household and for work or education.

“We will not be breaking up household family dinners – but barbecues with the neighbours cannot happen anymore,” Premier Andrews said.

Playgrounds, skate parks and outdoor gyms will also close.

If people breach these directions, they face on-the-spot fines of$1652 for individuals and $9913 for businesses. Larger fines can also be issued through the courts.

“The events we are living through are unprecedented and are going to mean big changes for everyone from our littlest Victorians to our most senior citizens,” Premier Andrews said.

“Life is going to look very different for a while but if we don’t make these changes now, the virus will continue to spread, and our health system will be overwhelmed.

“And while we’re treating patients suffering from coronavirus, we also need to keep looking after newborn babies, heart attack and stroke patients, and people who need cancer treatment.

“That could be someone in your family, your best mate, your work colleague – or you. To flatten the curve, we are all going to have to sacrifice a lot. But it may be the most important thing we ever do.

“So please: Stay home. Protect our health system. Save lives.”

IMAGE: Many businesses are making the decision to reduce staff or close shop altogether as the restrictions put in place to deal with COVID-19 become more stringent. Members of the community should avoid going out in public now unless it is absolutely necessary and maintain a good distance from others when they do. PICTURED: Brian Harrison served Glenn Dennis last Thursday at Orbost Home Hardware, which is keeping ‘business as usual’ for as long at it can. S192-1221