Your coronavirus restriction questions answered
Have you been sitting around wondering when you can go to the gym, church, out for dinner or camping in regional Victoria? The Addy has tracked down the answers to some our readers’ most common questions about coronavirus restrictions.
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We asked our readers what they wanted to know about changes to COVID-19 social restrictions.
We got more than 200 responses, and have collated answers to some of the most common questions.
Regional Victoria had some restrictions eased under the Second Step of the state government’s road map from Monday.
But the four reasons people can leave home still apply: school or work; care or caregiving; exercise; or to buy food or essentials.
Further easing of restrictions appears imminent, with announcements about regional Victoria transitioning to the Third Step expected this week.
That would see no restrictions on reasons to leave home.
Can I travel around Victoria?
Not right now. Under the Second Step, intrastate travel is not allowed unless for a permitted purpose. Under the next step, intrastate travel is allowed across Victoria’s Third Step area.
At the Third Step, can regional Victorians travel to other regional areas that require them to travel through metropolitan Melbourne to get to? I.E., can someone from Geelong travel to Gippsland through metropolitan Melbourne?
Yes, although motorists are advised to avoid unnecessary stops as they travel through.
Will we be allowed to go camping when we are in the Third Step?
Yes.
When can I go to church or other faith gatherings?
Under current restrictions, places of are worship closed. Outdoor gatherings (not ceremonies) of up to five people, plus one faith leader, proximate to a place of worship, are allowed. Under the Third Step, outdoor religious gatherings for up to 10 people plus a faith leader are allowed, and facilities open for private worship for households or social bubbles, plus a faith
leader.
Is regional Victoria going to be protected from people travelling from Melbourne hot spots when restrictions go to the next stage?
Yes. Victoria Police will continue to work to prevent people travelling to regional Victoria, with Australian Defence Force personnel supporting them at checkpoints.
Can we have visitors to the home and how many?
Under the Second Step in regional Victoria, only people who live alone are allowed to create a ‘single social bubble’. Under the Third Step, people can create a ‘household bubble’ with one nominated household allowing up to five visitors from that household at a time (infants under 12 months of age are not included in the cap).
When will gyms reopen?
Outdoor fitness for 10 people will be allowed under the Third Step. It’s understood the DHHS is consulting the industry as it develops guidelines to ensure safe conditions for all users and workers.
When will the pubs, restaurants and cafes reopen to dine-in service?
Under the Third Step, hospitality venues will be able to offer dine-in service, with predominantly outdoor seated service, a group limit of 10 and density limits.
How long will be have to wear face masks or face coverings?
At this stage it’s likely to be at least until the end of the year. The Department of Health and Human Services said masks will remain a tool in the fight against coronavirus for the “foreseeable future.”
When will beauty services open up?
Under the Third Step, “beauty and personal services” will be allowed to reopen where masks are able to be worn for the entirety of the service. Facials, face tattoos and face piercings would not be allowed to occur.
When does school go back to on site learning?
Under the Third Step, all regional students can expect to return to onsite learning in term four, with safety measures in place. Under the Second Step, the return would have been more staggered.
When does community sport resume?
Under the Third Step, outdoor contact and non-contact sport for juniors, and outdoor non-contact sport for adults, with gathering and density limits, can resume.
When will tattoo studios open?
Tattoo parlours will be open from the Third Step with the requirement that, as per hairdressers and beauty, only services where the client can wear a face covering for the duration of the service are permitted.
When will caravan parks open?
Under the Third Step in regional Victoria.
Can a bubble buddy from Melbourne be a ‘single social bubble’ buddy with someone in Regional Victoria?
No.
When will elective surgery recommence in regional Victoria?
The Department of Health and Human Services said the government was currently developing an elective surgery plan that will ensure the safety of patients and staff, while the fight against coronavirus continues. The DHHS said it will also resume our elective surgery blitz, announced before restrictions, as soon as it’s safe to do so.
Originally published as Your coronavirus restriction questions answered