The COVID-19 update: Your essential need-to-know guide to the pandemic

It can be confusing to keep track of it all - in particular how it affects the Grampians and Wimmera.

To help, we will be updating this file regularly with new information so you can find what you need in one place.

If we haven't covered something here, let us know at newsdesk@mailtimes.com.au - please put COVID-19: What you need to know in the subject line.

Victoria recorded 35 new cases of the coronavirus across the last 24 hours.

Sadly, a further seven deaths were reported. It takes the state's total death toll to 729. One death was removed from the tally due to duplication.

Active COVID-19 cases in Horsham: 1 (this is a person who contracted the virus in Melbourne and hasn't visited the Wimmera while infectious)

Hindmarsh, Yarriambiack and West Wimmera Shires: 0

Active cases in Northern Grampians: 0

Active COVID-19 cases in Ararat: 0

FOR CORONAVIRUS NEWS: CLICK HERE

-CURRENT FROM 11:59PM 13 SEPTEMBER FOR REGIONAL VICTORIA

Key points

Subject to public health advice, the Third Step can start when:

CURRENT WHEN:

READ MORE: OUR COVID-19 divide: Stories of the lockdown

Subject to public health advice, the Last Step can start after 23 November when: there are no new cases for 14 days, across Victoria.

CURRENT AFTER 23 NOVEMBER AND WHEN: There are no new cases for 14 days across Victoria.

The time period must pass AND the number of cases must be low enough to move to the second step. This is a trigger point for public health review.

Subject to public health advice, when there are no new cases for 28 days and no active cases (state-wide) and no outbreaks of concern in other States and Territories.

CURRENT WHEN: There are no new cases for 28 days and no active cases (state-wide) and no outbreaks of concern in other States and Territories.

This is a trigger point for public health review.

READ MORE: FOR ALL YOUR LOCAL NEWS

Regional Victoria returned to stage 3 lockdown from 11.59pm on Wednesday.

That means people can only leave their homes for one of four reasons: shopping for food or essential items, care and caregiving, daily exercise, or work and study.

In stage 3 lockdown, you cannot have visitors or go to another person's house unless it is for the purpose of giving or receiving care.

You can, however, leave your house to visit a person if you are in an "intimate personal relationship" with them.

Restaurants and cafes will also be forced to return to takeaway only as part of stage three laws.

Beauty and personal services - such as hairdressers - will also close.

Entertainment and cultural venues will also close and community sport will stop.

"These changes will be in place for at least the next six weeks," Mr Andrews said.

"As always, we'll keep reviewing and realigning the restrictions in line with the advice of our health experts - and if we can change things earlier, we will.

"I know there'll also be questions about why restrictions are needed in some communities that have no cases. But as we've learnt over the course of thing, just because you have no cases today - doesn't mean you won't tomorrow."

Social distancing: Distance is a prime method to avoid getting COVID-19. All people are advised to keep a social distance of 1.5 metres in public. If you are going to cough or sneeze, do it into your elbow.

Hand cleaning: Frequently wash your hands in warm, soapy water or use a sanitiser with more than 60 per cent alcohol.

Testing is available to people who have fever, chills or sweats, cough, sore throat, shortness of breath, runny nose, and loss of sense of smell or taste.

The test, which is free, takes around a minute and involves a swab from the back of your throat and nose.

Bring at least one form of identification - for example, your Medicare card, driver's licence or student ID - to the testing site.

If you have symptoms you must return home immediately after being tested and remain in self-isolation until you receive your test result.

A worker support payment is available for Victorians who have been instructed to self-isolate or quarantine at home because they are either diagnosed with coronavirus (COVID-19) or are a close contact of a confirmed case.

For more information: https://www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/getting-tested-coronavirus-covid-19

Below are some of the testing clinics that have been set up in the Wimmera, Grampians and surrounds. Testing clinics may ask you to call to book an appointment. Note, clinic hours may change and new pop-up clinics may open.

Source: Department of Health and Human Services

Can I have visitors to my house?: You cannot have visitors or go to another person's house unless you are giving/receiving care or visiting a person you are in an intimate relationship with. New rules will exist from 11.59 September 13 for people living alone, who can designate a visitor as part of a "bubble"

Can I still dine in at a cafe or restaurant?: Cafes, restaurants and other hospitality businesses will only be open for takeaway and delivery.

Can I meet-up with people outside?: You will only be allowed to gather with up to five people from 11.59 September 13 - at the current time it is only one.

Victoria Police can issues on the spot fines up to $1,652 for individuals and up to $9,913 for businesses who refuse or fail to comply with the emergency directions.

Those fines can go as high as $20,000 for individuals and $100,000 for businesses, should they go through the court system.

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews announced on Tuesday new penalties for those who breach isolation rules.

Mr Andrews said Victorians who failed to self-isolate could receive an on-the-spot fine of $4,957 and those who repeatedly breached the rules faced court proceedings and fines of up to $20,000.

"If you are supposed to be at home and you are not then you face the prospect of a fine of up to $5,000," Mr Andrews said.

Read more:

From midnight on Sunday August 2, all Victorians must wear a face covering when they leave the house - no matter where they live.

On Thursday July 30, Premier Daniel Andrews said "this was an appropriate next step".

ADVICE ON MASKS FROM THE DHHS

READ MORE: Wimmera Health Care Group demonstrates how to put on a mask properly

Want to know more: https://www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/face-masks-covid-19

"I understand this will a big step for some. But by covering your face, you're protecting your community, and protecting those extra freedoms your community enjoys," he said.

"By covering your face, you're keeping local businesses open, and keeping local people in work.

"We have low numbers in Victoria, jealously low. We want to protect that."

All masks: Should fit snuggly and cover your nose and mouth.

Surgical masks: Are available from a range of retailers, are single use and should be disposed of in a rubbish bin.

Cloth masks: Must be washed after each wear before being re-used. They should have at least three layers (see graph below). They should not have holes or a valve - which could allow you to breath out the virus. If they have a replaceable filter, that should be change with each wear. Cloth masks should be washed at the temperature appropriate for the fabric after each use and be fully dry before they are worn again. So it's best to have a few. Check the mask regularly as it is will wear and in time need replacing.

Scarves, socks: People have been given leeway due to the shortage of reusable masks and mask in general at the moment to cover faces with any covering, but it has been advised that they do not provide the same level of cover as a mask.

Mask safety: If you take a mask off while you are out you can't put it back on again - it will either need to be binned or, if reusable, washed later. Carry a plastic bag to put them in if you take them off - don't just put them in your back pocket - and if cloth wash them when you get home. Have multiple masks with you if you're going to remove them during the day.

Putting on/removing a mask: Wash your hands for at least 20 seconds with soap and water or use a hand sanitiser with more than 60 per cent alcohol before you put the mask on and before you remove it. Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth and store the used face masks in plastic bag until you can wash them - or throw them straight into the wash if you are at home.

READ MORE: Wimmera Health Care Group demonstrates how to put on a mask properly

Want to know more: https://www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/face-masks-covid-19

For more information: How to make a cloth mask from DHHS

Read more:

Advice from Dr Isabelle Igros, a General Practitioner at Horsham's Tristar Medical Group clinic.

After you get tested: Stay at home until your results come out. If you test negative, stay at home until your symptoms have subsided. A common bug may take a couple of days to a week to resolve.

Ring your doctor if you are worried: This is common and understandable, and your doctor will be able to answer specific questions.

If you need a face-to-face appointment: You should bring your own mask, and organise the appointment with the practice reception. At Tristar, people can sit in their car until it is their turn, then they will be let into the isolation room or keep waiting in the car until the GP is ready for them. If patients aren't sure what they are experiencing, or if it is not improving, they are offered a face-to-face appointment, provided they are masked and not in the waiting room for a long time.

If you test positive: Your GP will be notified, and the DHHS will begin contact tracing. After that, the level of your GP will still offer you the same level of support. Contact them and talk as the first step.

The federal government has made many more types of telehealth appointments able to be bulk billed during the pandemic, to encourage more people to access medical help while staying at home.

Surgery will be postponed in regional Victoria, except for category one patients and the most urgent category two patients. Similar restrictions are also in place at metropolitan Melbourne hospitals.

"We can't have a situation where we are making the sickest patients wait longer because we are treating wholly worthy and important conditions, but not necessarily time-critical conditions," Mr Andrews said.

"We can't put those ahead of people who need that urgent care.

"The sickest patients must get treated quickest. That is always a principle that our public and indeed private hospitals work under.

"This is a regrettable decision but it is very important one in order to preserve sufficient capacity in our entire health system. City and country, public and private ... we need to mirror the restrictions that applied in Melbourne for a few weeks now in regional Victoria as well."

Travel within regional Victoria is allowed for work or study, medical care, caregiving and shopping for food or supplies. Exercise is not a valid reason to travel.

Holiday accommodation and camping is closed except for resident, emergency accommodation and work purposes.

FOR LOCAL SPORTS NEWS: CLICK HERE

Borders

As of Sunday September 13, cross-border community members are somewhat exempt from restrictions of travelling to South Australia from Victoria.

From Wednesday, a Victorian resident will only be eligible for Cross Border Community status if they reside within 40km of the South Australian border.

Furthermore, these residents may only move between Victoria and South Australia for employment or education; to provide or receive care and support; or to obtain food, fuel, supplies or medical care.

These residents must not travel more than 40km into South Australia.

Residents must also produce evidence they have had a COVID-19 test to an authorised officer before they cross, or evidence they have had one in the past week.

For more information, call the SA COVID-19 information line on 1800 253 787 from 9am-5pm or visit www.sahealth.sa.gov.au or www.sa.gov.au/covid-19.

Others who are exempt from the hard border closure are:

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