COVID-19 restrictions eased across regional Victoria, with even more relief set to come ‘in a matter of days’
The State Government has signalled a further easing of restrictions in Geelong and regional Victoria “in a matter of days” as COVID numbers continue to drop. These are the extra freedoms we could soon enjoy.
Geelong
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COVID-19 restrictions have been eased across Geelong and regional Victoria as new rules allow small public gatherings, visitors to homes, and the reopening of outdoor pools and playgrounds.
And, due to low case numbers in the regions, the state government has signalled a further easing of restrictions could come “in a matter of days”.
At 11.59pm on Sunday night, regional Victoria moved into the “second step” of the government’s road map to reopening, allowing:
OUTDOOR public gatherings of up to five people from a maximum of two households but infants under one year old not included in the cap;
SINGLE social bubbles to be formed. People living alone and single parents are able to nominate one person who they can visit at home for social interactions. Regional singles will only be able to form a bubble with other regional residents and may not visit them if they live with others while those others are home; and
THE REOPENING of outdoor pools and playgrounds.
Schools will move back to onsite learning during Term 4, with safety measures in place.
Geelong West mum Belinda White said her children Hannah, 3, and Austin, 5, were ready to hit the playgrounds.
“It’s been tough, we’ve been home overall with the lockdowns for three months, and during that time with the kids at home it gets really tiresome when they can’t go on the monkey bars, or a seesaw, or a swing,” Ms White said.
“The kids are super excited to have the chance to have that freedom again and get back on the equipment.
“And it’s also a social thing; you see other mums and other kids, it’s quite a nice environment when the kids are able to go there.”
Regional Victoria is likely to move to the “third step” of its reopening in coming days.
See the FULL LIST of what we can do in step two and the looming step three below >>
A review will be triggered when the 14-day rolling average number of cases is fewer than five and when there are no cases with an unknown source for two weeks.
The “third step” will result in no restrictions on leaving home, outdoor public gatherings of up to 10 people, up to five visitors allowed from one other household, hospitality reopening for outdoor seated service only, and all retail to reopen, excluding personal care.
Premier Daniel Andrews said that step would allow “beauty and personal services” to reopen where masks are able to be worn for the entirety of the service. Facials, face tattoos and face piercings will not be allowed during that step.
The state government on Sunday revealed regional Victoria’s 14-day rolling average was at 4.1. It said “regional Victorians could move to the third step in a matter of days”.
Across the weekend active cases dropped from 10 to seven in Greater Geelong, and from 33 to 26 in the Colac Otway Shire. Geelong and Colac are the only two council areas in the five-council G21 region with active COVID-19 cases.
No new cases were recorded in Greater Geelong at the weekend, two new cases were recorded in the Colac Otway Shire. Twenty-four of Colac’s 26 active cases are linked to two outbreaks.
The Surf Coast and Golden Plains shires, and the Borough of Queenscliffe remain free of active COVID-19 cases. Active cases in regional Victoria dropped from 74 on Friday to 52 on Sunday.
Mr Andrews said the falling number of COVID-19 cases in regional Victoria should give the state “hope”.
“What we’ve seen in regional Victoria should give hope to all Victorians. If we all play our part, we can drive numbers down and get through this together,” he said.
WHAT’S ALLOWED TODAY
Play: Playgrounds can re-open.
Swim: Outdoor pools can re-open from today (Kardinia Aquatic Centre will open Friday).
Gather: Groups of up to five (from two households) are allowed to meet outdoors (infants under 12 months not counted).
Visit: Single parents (with kids under 18) or those who live alone can welcome one nominated visitor into their home.
WHAT’S ALLOWED ONCE WE GO TO STEP THREE
Leave home: You will not need to justify why you’ve left your house, but you will need to continue social distancing and wearing a mask.
Gather: Groups of up 10 will be able to catch up outdoors.
Visit: Up to five people from another family/house will be allowed to visit your home, and five people from your home will be able to visit them, providing you nominate each other as your “household bubble” (infants not counted).
Dine out: Mostly outdoor seated service in groups of no more than 10, with density limits.
Bid: Real estate inspections can be done privately by appointment, and auctions can be held outdoors, with gathering and density limits.
Weddings: Up to 10 people allowed.
Funerals: Up to 20 people allowed.
Religion: Outdoor religious gatherings of up to 10 people allowed.
Sport: Contact and non-contact outdoor sport allowed for children under 18, only non-contact outdoor sport for adults, both providing gathering and density limits are observed.
Skate: Outdoor skate parks to open.
Workout: Outdoor fitness training allowed in groups of up to 10.
Travel: You will be allowed to travel to anywhere else that is in Step Three.
Entertainment: Some outdoor venues and events will be allowed, providing they have an approved plan.
Accommodation: Open, but capped by the household bubble rules.
Originally published as COVID-19 restrictions eased across regional Victoria, with even more relief set to come ‘in a matter of days’