LOCKDOWN RULES EASED: What’s changed in Melbourne and regional Victoria

Some of Victoria’s COVID-19 rules have been eased.

Premier Daniel Andrews unveiled a two-step of lockdown easing process, with the first step beginning at 11.59pm last night.

It comes after the state recorded just two new COVID-19 cases and no new deaths in the past 24 hours.

• Scroll down for a full list of COVID-19 rule changes.

The second phase of restriction easing is scheduled for November 1.

Mr Andrews said “there is a chance” the November 1 easing can be brought forward if cases continue to fall rapidly.

“I have announced today what is safe … but will not undermine the sacrifice, the hard work, the pain, the amazing efforts that Victorians have put in,” he said.

A council consultation process to allow Melburnians with properties in regional Victoria to travel to their properties to make them flood and fire safe will begin on Wednesday.

MELBOURNE

WHAT CHANGED AT 11.59PM:

• TRAVEL LIMIT: The five kilometre travel limit will be extended to 25 kilometres. Melburnians may NOT cross into regional Victoria unless they have a permitted reason to do so
• OUTDOOR TIME LIMITS: The two hour limit on outdoor exercise and socialising will be removed
• OUTDOOR GATHERINGS: Up to 10 people from two households may gather in outdoor public places
• OUTDOOR SPORT: Outdoor sport facilities like tennis courts, skate parks and golf courses reopen, subject to distancing restrictions
• HAIRDRESSERS: May reopen with safety protocols in place
• REAL ESTATE: Outdoor auctions resume with a maximum of 10 people plus required staff. One-on-one private property, commercial and display home inspections permitted by appointment
• POOLS: Outdoor pools can host up to 30 swimmers, indoor pools can open for one-on-one hydrotherapy
• REPAIRS: Non-essential outdoor home repairs, renovations and house painting can happen with up to 5 workers
• CAR WASHING: Solo or automated car washing allowed.
• PET GROOMING: Mobile or home business pet grooming allowed
• PHOTOGRAPHY: Outdoor photography allowed
• ALLIED HEALTH: Full return to face-to-face care.

WHAT CHANGES AT 11.59PM ON NOVEMBER 1:

• LEAVING HOME: Four reasons to leave home removed
• HOME GATHERINGS: A maximum of two people, plus dependents, will be able to visit another home. A maximum of one group of guests is permitted in a home per day
• OUTDOOR GATHERINGS: Up to 10 people may gather in public outdoor spaces
• HOSPITALITY: May reopen with density quotas. A maximum of 20 diners permitted inside (10 per indoor space), 50 diners permitted outside
• RETAIL: May reopen (can prepare for opening from October 28)
• BEAUTY AND PERSONAL CARE: May reopen for clients who can wear a face covering for the duration of procedure/treatment (can prepare for opening from October 28)
• SPORT:
  • Contact sport may resume for under 18s
  • Non-contact sport may resume for adults
  • Outdoor fitness and dance classes resume with up to 10 people.
  • Outdoor pools open for up to 50 people, or subject to density quota, whichever is smaller.
• PERSONAL TRAINING: Up to 10 people may participate in outdoor personal training. Trainer not included in cap
• RELIGIOUS GATHERINGS: A maximum of 20 people may gather for outdoor religious gatherings
• WEDDINGS: Guest limit increases to 10
• FUNERALS: Up to 20 mourners allowed
• OUTDOOR ENTERTAINMENT: Outdoor seated entertainment can host a maximum of 50 people or 25 per cent of fixed venue capacity. Outdoor non-seated entertainment spaces may reopen with density quotas and COVIDSafe plans

REGIONAL VICTORIA

WHAT CHANGED AT 11.59PM:

• HOME VISITS: Two people, plus dependents, allowed to visit another home. Home visits capped at one per day. No household bubble in place
• HOSPITALITY: May seat up to 70 patrons outside and 40 people inside
• RELIGIOUS GATHERINGS: Up to 20 people may gather outdoors
• INDOOR POOLS: Open for under 18s with a maximum of 20 swimmers, one-on-one hydrotherapy allowed.
• CARE FACILITIES: A household may visit someone in a care facility (previously only one person could do so)
• LIBRARIES: Book and toy libraries can open with 20 people indoors

WHAT CHANGES AT 11.59PM ON NOVEMBER 1:

• INDOOR SPORT: Non-contact indoor sport returns for under 18s. Spectators allowed with some limits
• RELIGIOUS GATHERINGS: Up to 50 people may gather outdoors