Guidelines for safe campaigning

Published on 27 August 2020

Local Government Victoria (LGV) works with the local government sector to provide advice and support to councils across the state. With the 2020 local government elections taking place in October, LGV have issued guidelines for safe campaigning during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.  

The document provides advice for candidates in areas under Stage 3 and Stage 4 restrictions, helping them to understand how to comply with the directions of the Victorian Chief Health Officer whilst undertaking campaigning activities.  

In regional Victoria, the Stage 3 (Stay at Home) restrictions allow people to leave home for four reasons only: to buy food and essential supplies, to give and receive care and healthcare, to exercise, to go to study or work (if study or work can’t be done from home). Face coverings must be worn when outside the home.  

Campaigning for election is considered a work activity, and this therefore a permissible reason to leave home under these restrictions. However, the work must be done in a way that minimises the risk of COVID-19 transmission.  

The guidelines provide a useful table for candidates to follow when assessing the types of campaign activities they may undertake.  

On the Non-permissible activity list for candidates in Stage 3 areas:  

On the Permissible activity list is:  

All permissible activities listed come with clear guidelines on how they are to be conducted, including the maintaining of good hand hygiene and social distancing.  

To complement this, the Victorian Local Governance Association (VLGA) is running a live panel discussion titled ‘Campaigning in COVID – It’s all about Social Media’. This session will take place on Friday 28 August, 1pm – 2.30pm. To register for the event visit the visit the VLGA website.

To access the full safe campaigning guideline document, please visit the Local Government Victoria website.