Warrnambool City Council has urged whale watchers to follow social distancing guidelines at the city's viewing platform.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The council's chief executive officer Peter Schneider urged people to follow the guidelines.
"Council is in the process of preparing more signage for the whale viewing platform that will reinforce messages about the ongoing need to observe social distancing," Mr Schneider said.
"It is important to note that while signs are helpful the onus is on all of us to take personal responsibility when it comes to helping stop the spread of COVID-19.
"The directions from the Victorian Government are very clear: maintain physical distance from others and avoid crowds, wash your hands regularly and cough and sneeze into a tissue or your elbow, stay home and get tested if you're unwell."
The Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning confirmed the first sighting of a southern right whale near Portland this week.
On Wednesday there were reports that a whale was spotted breaching at Logan's Beach.
Have you signed up to The Standard's daily newsletter and breaking news emails? You can register below and make sure you are up to date with everything that's happening in the south-west.