COVID-19

Explainer

Victoria has updated its coronavirus restrictions. Here's what's changed

At 11:59pm on Tuesday, Victoria's fifth lockdown ended and the state moved to a lighter set of restrictions for at least two weeks.

Trams pictured along Bourke Street in Melbourne on 23 July, 2021.

Trams pictured along Bourke Street in Melbourne on 23 July, 2021. Source: AAP

While Victorians emerged from lockdown at midnight on Tuesday, some COVID-19 restrictions remain in place for at least two weeks.

"Today is a good day, a good positive day, but there is still work to be done," Premier Daniel Andrews said while announcing the end of the state's fifth lockdown since the start of the pandemic.

Here's what changed at 11:59pm Tuesday 27 July.

What rules are lifted?

The Victorian government has ended the stay-at-home orders and the five-kilometre travel limit.

Victorians no longer need a reason to leave their homes and can travel any distance from them.

Schools can reopen, with mask requirements to apply for everyone 12 and older.

Hospitality businesses can reopen for seated service only, with a maximum cap of 100 people per venue and group limits of 10 people, subject to density quotas of one person per four square metres.

Retail and personal service businesses - such as beauty and hairdressers - can reopen, subject to density quotas. Masks can be removed for service.
Live music venues, gyms and dance classes can open again but with density requirements of one person per four square metres. There is a maximum cap of 100 people indoors and 300 people outdoors.

Weddings and funerals are permitted indoors and outdoors for up to 50 people, as are religious gatherings for up to 100 people indoors and up to 300 people outdoors.

Community sport can resume, but spectators are not allowed. Ski fields can re-open but visitors will need to show a negative COVID-19 test result before arriving at the resort. 

Office workplaces can reopen at a capacity of 25 per cent, or a cap of 10 people if the workplace is 40 people or fewer.

Further announcements on any easing of restrictions will be made after two more weeks, Mr Andrews said. 

"This virus is with us until we're all vaccinated, and therefore rules will be with us until we're all vaccinated, and that is some months off."

What rules will still apply?

Masks remain mandatory in indoor and outdoor settings, and a ban on household visits remains.

Mr Andrews said home environments continue to be a risky setting given the highly contagious nature of the Delta variant.

Victorian chief health officer Brett Sutton said preventing household transmission with the Delta variant would be a key part of preventing future outbreaks. 

"Although you can't visit homes, if there are loved ones you haven't seen, see them in a park, go for a walk outside, wear a mask and catch up with them but please don't visit homes," he said on Tuesday. 
Dancefloors remain closed.

Border restrictions are also being applied to four local government areas in New South Wales - Wagga Wagga, Hay, Lockhart and Murrumbidgee - as the Greater Sydney virus outbreak worsens. 

Residents from these regions will need to apply for a permit to enter Victoria.

With AAP.


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By Biwa Kwan
Source: SBS News


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