Victorian fishers, boaters face more weeks of COVID-19 pain

The state is grappling with a second wave of COVID-19 infections after tough control measures were introduced in August aimed at stopping the community spread of the virus.

The measures – the toughest in Australia – include a ban on boating in the greater Melbourne area just as the highly anticipated snapper season officially kicks off.

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A slight easing of restrictions announced by Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews on the weekend has made the lockdown slightly more tolerable with a doubling of the time allowed for exercising – people can now spend up to two hours keeping fit – and an hour-long extension of the nightly curfew, which will now run from 9pm to 5am.

However, fishing and boating remain as banned activities under the redefined restrictions.

Instead, greater Melbourne’s fishing and boating community will need to look to October 26, where depending strictly on the numbers of new COVID-19 cases the restriction on recreational activities may be eased under the planned guidelines.

The easing of restrictions to allow boating and fishing will rely on Health Department “trigger points” that depend, among other things, on the number of active cases of the virus.

Regional Victorians under less harsh stage three restrictions have still been able to head out on the water as an approved recreational activity, largely due to the low spread of COVID-19 in more remote communities.

That said, Victorian residents living along the Murray River will need a permit to launch a boat on the NSW-owned waterway despite last week’s creation of a border “bubble” that allows limited movement across the state lines.

In contrast, NSW residents have unlimited access to the Murray River, although they cannot set foot on the Victorian riverbank.

Exemptions are allowed for anyone who gains permission to move commercial vessels such as houseboats and hire boats along the river.

If you’re keen to get your boat serviced before heading out on the water, boat dealerships and service centres in the state should be able to reopen from September 28.

However, delivering your boat to the service centre will look a little different, with businesses required to have a COVIDSafe plan covering their on-site operations.

This will include wearing face masks, good hygiene, record keeping for contact tracing, minimising interactions in confined spaces, and creating workforce “bubbles” to minimise contact between staff and customers.

Physical distancing requirements are also likely to remain in place.

The eased restrictions could also have an impact on boat ramps, with boaters emerging from lockdown expected to rush to Port Phillip and Western Port to make up for lost fishing time.