Free parking will remain in place until July 1 with Warrnambool City Council steadfast it won't follow some others and bring back fees earlier.
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Council chief executive officer Peter Schneider said parking would remain free as part of its efforts to support businesses through COVID-19 restrictions until the end of the financial year when the situation would be reviewed. He said other councils had reactivated paid parking, including the City of Melbourne.
He said the council was aware that other councils had reactivated paid parking, including the City of Melbourne.
"In the current environment people should be conscious about all surfaces they come into contact with and practice good hygiene measures including regular hand washing," he said.
"Similar risks are posed by door handles.
"People must be empowered to take responsibility, which means regular hand washing or sanitiser - which is now in abundance at all supermarket chains."
Mr Schneider said the council's CelloPark app was a great way for people to use a contactless method for paying for parking.
"We regularly have more than 40 per cent of all parking payments made this way," he said.
"The Victorian Government has provided a team of people to clean and sanitise public infrastructure and has commenced."
Two businesses in Kepler Street have signs out the front of shops asking drivers not to park their for the day.
Spokeswomen for the Flower Gallery/Moss Interiors and Bohemia Cafe said they put up signs so customers could get parks.
"We've had people park there in the morning and not move for the day. Then we've had customers saying they couldn't get a park," a Moss Interiors spokeswoman said.
"We just want people to be mindful."
A Bohemia Cafe spokeswoman said the signs were a partial deterrent.
"Some people ignore them, but I've seen others pull in, read the sign, then get in their cars and move," she said.
"One of the bosses has politely asked people to move. It's only a problem when people park there first thing in the morning and leave their car there all day."
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