Geelong Is Changing

Coronavirus: 2020

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This page curates how the Coronavirus impacted on the Geelong region from 2020-2021.

Central Geelong

In February, Oh Dumpling temporarily closed after the owners were self isolating after returning from China. At this point, we had been hearing about how Covid-19 was causing issues overseas but it hadn’t really impacted us locally.

Stage 3 Restrictions: Part 1

Stage 3 restrictions started towards the end of March. I went into town on March 31 and noticed that many businesses had closed or changed their offerings in response to the virus threat. The Little Malop Street mall was also empty, with signs warning people not to use the musical equipment.

On April 25, I walked a different way and was able to see what other businesses had closed due to Covid-19.

The restrictions started to ease around the middle of May. Some businesses had started reopening by May 8th. Significantly more were reopening by late May. Gifts for the Geek moved to 105 little Malop Street mid may.

Stage 3 Restrictions: Part 2

I revisited during late August during the second set of stage 3 restrictions.

I returned in the middle of September, just after the restrictions had eased. Little Malop Street was starting to show signs of life. Central Geelong businesses were tentatively starting to reopen.

After Restrictions

During Spring and Summer, Geelong tried to return to a Covid-safe normal.

I got photos of the signs on business windows in October. Around this time, Geelong Illustrators reopened.

In November, food venues started experimenting with outdoor dining.

I got more photos of central Geelong during summer 2020-2021.

Waterfront

I didn’t take visit the waterfront itself until the week before the restrictions eased. I shared those photos at Restrictions Easing At Geelong Waterfront. I also took some photos in black and white.

While people were allowed to visit the waterfront, social distancing rules meant that some facilities were closed.

By the end of the year, Eastern Beach was returning to a Covid-safe normal. Social distancing circles were introduced at Customs Park. The Christmas tree returned, with strategies in place to ensure public safety.

Northern Suburbs

Corio Shopping Centre

Panic buying had started in Mid March, but there was minimal messaging regarding social distancing and the virus threat. This post collects photos from March 15.

I got photos of many businesses operating under Stage 1 restrictions on March 25. Some businesses had stopped serving the public but most were still operating. Some had put basic signage up as well as marks on the floor for social distancing.

Stage 2 restrictions came into effect on March 26. This meant that nail salons and massage parlours had shut down. Many retail stores had voluntarily closed down.

We got photos on March 26. On March 30, more stores had closed down. There was new signage outside the Chemist Warehouse pharmacy and the jewellery shops had stopped operating.

I took photos at the food court on March 25 and 26. The tables and chairs had been blocked off but many places were still operational.

Most stores remained closed until the end of April. In late April, the Radio Rentals store permanently closed down.

Panic Buying At Woolworths

I do most of my shopping at my local Woolworths.

People had started to stockpile toilet paper around March 7. Hand sanitizer and some medicines were running low in stock, but you could find what was needed at the pharmacy.

By March 15, the government had started to get more serious with its messaging. Panic buying had really started. Many sections had very little stock. By March 16, it was difficult to get fresh fruit and vegetables.

Woolworths had introduced product limits by my next visit on March 18. Unfortunately, many items were out of stock. This made it more difficult to practice social distancing as I had to go to the shops more often to get essential supplies.

My March 30 visit had more social distancing strategies in store. It also involved the first time I had been able to purchase sausages and toilet paper in over 3 weeks. Things had definitely improved by April 6.

By the end of April, product stocks had returned to normal. Social distancing rules were still in place however some buying limits had been relaxed.

Lockdown #3

In February, 2021, the entire state went into stage 4 lockdown. This is because a cluster developed around the UK variant of the strain.

I got photos of the shops at Corio Village which were temporarily closed.

Elsewhere:

I stopped catching public transport at the height of the pandemic locally. This mean that I did a lot of walking locally.

In early April, I was able to get photos of Corio Businesses Impacted By Covid-19.

All playgrounds were closed:

Waterworld was also closed. Nearby, a drive-through Covid-19 testing clinic had opened At Barwon Health North.

Other Suburbs

Belmont

East Geelong

Geelong West

Highton

Newcomb

Bellarine Village Businesses Impacted By Covid-19 (March and May, 2020)

Newtown

North Geelong

Waurn Ponds

Leisurelink Closed Due To Coronavirus (October 2020)

Lara

Covid Signage At Serendip Sanctuary (February 2021)

Community

Spoonvilles

Finch Street, Norlane

Sladen Park Spoonville

Bears

Street Art ‘Bear Hunt’ at The Former Big Shed

The team behind The Bottleworks Geelong development worked with local cafes and artists to create a ‘bear hunt’ walking trail. Three artists painted murals on the sides of the building. These were accompanied by QR codes, which allowed the walkers to get a free coffee at a nearby cafe.

Cafe Savvy Window Displays.

Cafe Savvy had a bear hunt in their windows.

Socially Distanced Bear Hunts In Geelong

Bears and rainbows found in suburbia while getting daily exercise.

Face Masks

Me, Myself and… A Face Mask

This statue can be found at the intersection of Moorabool and Brougham Street. It was often seen without a mask – even it people regularly removed it

The Sphinx Is Wearing A ‘Go Cats’ Facemask

The best ‘Go Cats’ sign I found in Geelong.

Other Impacts

What Businesses Permanently Shut Down?

Littering

Discarded Face Masks Found On Walks (April, 2020)

Public Transport

Geelong Train Station: Coronavirus Response (November, 2020)