Update, 10.30am
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Playgrounds and skate parks across the Wimmera are now closed to the public.
Ararat's skate Park and 29 playgrounds around the municipality were closed on Monday, and in the Northern Grampians Shire, public barbecues, playground and drinking fountains are shut, but parks and gardens will remain open.
Ararat Rural City Council chief executive officer Dr Harrison urged all residents to abide by the State Government's stage 3 restrictions that came into effect at midnight on Monday and included no gatherings of more than two people who are not family members.
"These decisions have not been made lightly and Ararat Rural City Council supports the measures put in place to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. Please, I urge residents to listen to the authorities and help protect the health of themselves, their loved ones and the community as a whole by staying home," Dr Harrison said.
He said that if breached, these restrictions could see people fined more than $1600 on the spot and businesses more than $9000.
In an announcement on Monday morning, the Premier Daniel Andrews told Victorians there are only four reasons people should leave their home: Food and supplies, medical care, exercise, and work or education, complying with social distancing rules at all times.
Hard, shiny surfaces such as plastic, stainless steel, benchtops, and likely glass can support infectious virus, expelled in droplets, for up to 72 hours, according to research published in the New England Journal of Medicine this month.
Earlier, Friday
Horsham playgrounds, skate parks, water fountains and a range of other public facilities have been closed in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Horsham Rural City Council community services director Kevin O'Brien said the closures affected all public playgrounds in the municipality.
Under the closures, playgrounds and other facilities with fencing will be locked, with electrical supply switched off for public barbecues.
Signs will be erected at other open playgrounds, advising of the closure.
Shared pathways, boat ramps, bike tracks and open green space will remain open.
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"By their nature, these facilities encourage congregations of people in large numbers or enclosed spaces, and that's something we all must avoid at the moment," Mr O'Brien said.
"We can't physically shut off every playground and other facility that falls under these new arrangements, but we urge the community to take heed of them, for everyone's sake."
In the Northern Grampians Shire, public barbecues have been closed but mayor Murray Emerson confirmed parks and playgrounds would remain open until council received instructions from the state or federal government to close them.
"'Caution' signs will be put up at the playgrounds with health advice and we will be closing the public barbecues as the surrounding surfaces are a point of concern for COVID-19 transmission," he said.
"Although parks are open, it's very important people keep their distance from others when using them and if using the play equipment, children should be washing hands thoroughly and not touching their faces or other people."
Cr Emerson said ideally people would stay at home, but recognised it was important for people to have places to exercise.
"If you do go out, follow the advice of social distancing and do not congregate with other people or meet up in groups," he said.
"This is not just about protecting ourselves, it's about protecting everyone in the community and we all have the responsibility together to help slow and stop the spread of this illness."
Ararat Rural City chief executive officer Dr Tim Harrison said the council would consider access to playgrounds in the coming days.
