Parks Victoria has closed all designated campgrounds and accommodation throughout parks and reserves across Victoria from midnight on 25 March until further notice.
Designated campgrounds are any sites that have infrastructure such as toilets, fire pits or barbecues.
The decision from Parks Victoria came at the direction of the state’s Chief Health Officer.
Parks Victoria CEO Matthew Jackson said existing bookings will be fully refunded and no further bookings will be taken.
“Closing all designated campgrounds across Victoria for all overnight camping and accommodation will help protect the health and safety of visitors and staff,” he said.
“We have a complete list of bookings and will provide full refunds as quickly as possible.”
Parks Victoria advised that non-essential travel should be avoided, and any day visitors to parks and reserves should disperse widely and adhere to social distancing guidelines.
All people currently camping in designated campgrounds are being requested to leave immediately with rangers patrolling.
Parks Victoria said compliance with this directive is enforceable under section 203 of the Public Health and Wellbeing Act 2008 and penalties apply.
Other areas within parks will remain open to allow for exercise, however, social distancing must be practised and those with flu-like symptoms must remain at home.
Parks Victoria has arrangements in place to ensure business continuity, including ongoing urgent recovery efforts in bushfire-affected parks, essential maintenance and firefighting.
For more information on affected visitor sites visit www.parks.vic.gov.au/COVID19.
