COVID-19 rules eased: What changes at 11.59pm on Friday

Victoria’s COVID-19 rules will ease significantly at 11.59pm on Friday.

Announcing the changes, Victorian Health Minister Martin Foley acknowledged it’ll be “a challenging winter”.

Under the new rules, patrons no longer have to have two vaccine doses or show their vaccination status before entering venues.

Check-in requirements at venues will be dropped and check-in marshalls will no longer be required.

Masks will no longer be needed for anyone in primary school, early childhood, hospitality and retail settings, or at events of any size.

Close contacts will no longer have to quarantine. They must wear a mask indoors and avoid ‘sensitive settings’. They will need to undertake at least five rapid tests over the seven days they previously would have needed to self-quarantine.

Blanket visitor restrictions in hospitals will be removed, except for masks, but hospitals can still set their own restrictions on an individual basis.

Events with more than 30,000 people no longer require public health approval.

International travellers who don’t have symptoms will not be required to get a PCR or rapid test on arrival. Unvaccinated travellers will no longer need to quarantine for seven days, and pre-departure testing for unvaccinated air crew will be dropped.

The exemption period from testing and quarantine after COVID-19 infection will increase form eight weeks to 12 weeks.

Press PLAY below to hear Health Minister Martin Foley announcing the changes + Neil Mitchell’s summary

Image: Nine