Residents react to Horsham Rural City's new COVID-19 cases

Horsham's Bob and Tess Hayes said they had been taking extra precautions since March: cancelling holiday plans to New South Wales, no longer going out for dinner, and getting their granddaughter to do some of their shopping.

"People just need to be vigilant," Bob said.

"(The new cases) create a bit of awareness that it is not going away. That's the biggest lesson we have to take, is that it's not going away. So we have to learn to live with it somehow, and restrict what we do where necessary."

Bob added that he would like to know more about the two cases.

"It's just interesting to know where they came from and where they've contracted it," he said.

"Whether it's been away or whether it was in our area. I would like to know that."

Tess said the two cases were a little bit of a "wake up call".

She said however that most people in the region seemed to be doing the right thing.

"People just need to keep using their common sense," she said. "If we had all used our common sense a long time ago, we might not be in this position."

Caroline Price from Brimpaen said the cases did not cause new concern.

"I think everyone just needs to be cautious," she said.

"I'm not too worried, as long as they are isolating and doing the right thing.

"It doesn't look like they are (doing the right thing) so much in Melbourne ... but hopefully Horsham people are a bit more sensible."

Mrs Price simply hoped she would not have to go back to homeschooling her two young boys Patrick, 11, and Archie, 9.

Patrick agreed that homeschooling was "bad" and getting back to school was "good", to see his friends again.

Patrick added that he would happily wear a mask if it were made mandatory, to help slow the spread of COVID-19.

Horsham's Lacey Rudolph said the two new cases were "a bit frightening".

"It's a bit concerning and a bit worrying," she said. "It's a reminder that we need to be following the guidelines and social distancing."

Grace Hobbs hoped the community would continue to do the right thing.

"I think people might start taking it more seriously now. It's a bit of a wake-up call," she said.

Gary and Faye Kerr were visiting the region from Shepparton.

They said the rise in cases would not make them reconsider their current trip in western Victoria.

"We had booked to go to the south coast of New South Wales, and before that we had booked for Europe, but everything has gone out the window," Faye said.

"So we're here doing the silo tour. We've come via Bendigo and Rupanyup. It's been quite nice."

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