A tale of two cities: How Victoria, New South Wales coronavirus restrictions differ
Victoria has enjoyed six consecutive ‘doughnut days’ of zero coronavirus cases and deaths, while New South Wales has recorded at least three new cases every day for the last fortnight — so why are our restrictions harsher? Here’s how we compare.
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Melburnians continue to live under tough lockdown restrictions despite New South Wales recording more active and daily coronavirus cases.
Victoria recorded its sixth day in a row of no new coronavirus cases or deaths on Thursday, while on Wednesday NSW had nine new cases.
Three of those NSW cases came from community transmission, and the rest from hotel quarantine.
They have recorded at least three new cases every day for the last fortnight.
Victoria only has 30 active coronavirus cases compared to NSW, which has 49.
Victorians must wear a face mask every time they leave the house, but in NSW mask wearing is only optional in places where you cannot socially distance, such as public transport.
As for hospitality, Victoria has caps on the number of diners allowed inside and outdoors at restaurants, cafes or pubs — which fortunately increases from 20 to 40 people indoors and 50 to 70 people outdoors on November 9.
Instead, in New South Wales venues use the one person per 4 sqm rule indoors and a 2 sqm rule outdoors — meaning a large 1500 sqm venue, for example, could seat 375 people indoors or 750 people outdoors at one time.
Melbourne restaurateur and Commune Group director Simon Blacher said dining caps were restrictive and didn’t always allow for a great experience.
“The best dining rooms in town are designed around vibe and flow. It makes little sense to cap the capacity of a room that can hold usually 100 to 10 people,” he said.
“The proposition of chopping up spaces is both costly to the operator and counterintuitive,”
“The only logical way of achieving this is a standardised one person per 4spm rule for all indoor spaces without any cap,” he said.
“It is then up to the venue to decide how best to create a great experience.”
Andrea Da Como, Tipico co-owner, said Victoria’s contact tracing was an issue.
“We used to be able to seat sixty people inside. Twenty people inside is not viable for our restaurant,” she said.
“NSW seems more relaxed because they believe in their contact tracing, whilst we are still not 100 per cent. Increasing our restaurant capacity means that we would also be able to employ more staff.”
Jessi Singh, owner of Daughter-in-law, Mr Brownie Rooftop and Mrs Singh, said the venue caps were unfair for larger businesses.
“The hospitality industry is highly regulated and it’s not fair on Victorian venues to have a hard limit on numbers, especially at venues with a large capacity,” he said.
“It’s unfeasible for us to keep a venue open for business if we can’t offer a reasonable number of bookings which is determined by the size of the venue.”
“It would make more sense for Victoria to adopt the rules that are being followed in New South Wales and the rest of Australia.”
Some restrictions will ease for Melburnians on November 8, including the lifting of 25km travel radius and the ‘ring of steel’ between metro Melbourne and regional Victoria.
Until then, Melburnians will continue to live under the strictest lockdown conditions in Australia.
Here’s a breakdown of Victorians and New South Wales residents can and can’t do under lockdown measures from Monday November 9.
HOW WE COMPARE
MASKS
Victoria: Compulsory when outside the home, including in shops. Fines apply for noncompliance.
New South Wales: It is considered important, but not mandatory, to wear a face mask in areas where you cannot maintain 1.5m distance from another person. This includes public transport, taxis, supermarkets and places of worship.
OUTDOOR GATHERINGS
Victoria: Up to 10 people.
New South Wales: No more than 30 people.
VISITORS TO THE HOME
Victoria: Up to two people from the same household can visit another household once a day.
New South Wales: Up to 20 people can visit a household at one time, with no daily limit.
WEDDINGS
Victoria: Up to 10 people outdoors, including the couple and two witnesses. The celebrant is not included, nor is one photographer.
New South Wales: You can have a maximum of 150 people at a wedding or reception subject to the 4 sqm rule. Up to 20 people in the wedding party are only allowed on the dance floor. There cannot be rotation of people on the dance floor. From December 1, up to 300 people will be allowed at weddings.
FUNERALS
Victoria: Up to 20 people indoors and, as of November 8, up to 50 people outdoors.
New South Wales: One person per 4 sqm or 100 people indoors. Funerals at outdoor public places or a place of residence are subject to the same limits.
GYMS
Victoria: From Nov 8, gyms open for maximum of up to 10 people per space, and maximum of 20 per venue.
New South Wales: One person per 4 sqm rule, including staff. Gyms must have a COVID-19 Safety Hygiene Marshall when there’s more than 20 people in the gym. Classes are capped at 20 people, which does not include instructors or assistants.
RESTAURANTS
Victoria: Venue cap increases from 20 to 40 people indoors and 70 people outdoors, up from 50. Maximum of 10 people per group.
Universal QR code check-in system currently being developed. Currently venues use their own QR check-in systems.
New South Wales: One person per 4 sqm rule indoors and one person per 2 sqm outdoors. (eg: A large venue of 1500 sqm in size can seat 375 people.) Group bookings of up to 30 people. QR code sign-in measures compulsory for all hospitality venues from November 23. Businesses will not be required to use the Service NSW QR code system but it will be encouraged.
TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS
Victoria: As of November 9, metro Melbourne’s 25km travel radius and ‘ring of steel’ to regional Victoria will be lifted. Victorians can visit New South Wales without the need to quarantine from 23 November.
New South Wales: No limits to regional travel within NSW.
MAJOR SPORTING EVENTS
Victoria: No crowds at major sporting events.
New South Wales: In September, the NSW government increased crowds at major sporting events from 25% to 50% (up to a maximum of 40,000 spectators) from October 1. Ticket holders must be seated, are seated in chequerboard pattern and in different zones. They cannot mix with fans in other zones, or use the other hospitality areas and toilets outside of their zone. The one person per 4 sqm rule applies to other parts of the stadium. The NSW government allowed the NRL Grand Final to be held at ANZ Stadium, so it could host a crowd of 40,000 at the 83,500 capacity venue, instead of the previously tipped SCG, which has a 48,000 person capacity. This week, ANZ Stadium was hit with a $5000 fine after authorities found patrons in the bar areas congregating across the balcony to watch the Grand Final.
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