All the Covid restrictions changing in Melbourne, regional Victoria this week
Footy’s back, free travel between metro Melbourne and regional Victoria and gyms reopening statewide — here’s what other restrictions will ease this week.
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Melbourne’s restrictions will be eased further from 11.59pm Thursday, after a week of strict rules that followed the city’s fortnight-long lockdown.
There will be new rules in place for both metro Melbourne and regional areas.
This is what you need to know about the latest changes.
METROPOLITAN MELBOURNE
MASKS
Do I have to wear a face mask?
Masks will continue to be mandatory indoors in Melbourne, but no longer required outdoors unless you cannot social distance.
The change was announced on Thursday ahead of the restriction easing.
Masks must be carried at all times and worn indoors, including at work, for everyone aged 12 years and older.
Exemptions do apply, including when drinking and eating, or for approved health reasons.
SCHOOL, HIGHER EDUCATION AND CHILDCARE
Are schools still open?
Schools have resumed face-to-face learning.
Can I go to university or TAFE?
Higher education and training has resumed.. If you can study from home, you should continue to study from home.
Is childcare open?
Childcare, family day care and kindergarten remain open.
WORKPLACES
Can I still work in the office?
If you can work from home, you should continue to work from home. Office work – 50 per cent return or up to 20 people if total workplace is 40 or less.
SUPERMARKETS, RETAIL AND SERVICES
What do I need to do if I go to the supermarket or shops?
Make sure you use the QR check-in upon entering.
QR check-ins would soon be made mandatory at all workplaces, with very limited exemptions.
What stores/businesses are allowed to open?
All retail can reopen in line with density limits of one person per 4sq m.
Separate entrances required for home business.
Are there density rules at essential shops?
Yes, one person per 4sq m.
RESTAURANT, CAFE, BAR, PUBS
Can I still go out for dinner?
Yes, restaurants and cafes can reopen for seated service with up to 150 people per venue and a maximum of 75 inside. Density quotients of 1 person per 4 sqm applies. Venues can have up to 25 patrons before the density quotient applies.
TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS
How far can I go from home?
The 25km limit has been removed. Travelling further for work, education, care giving and the vaccine is allowed.
Can I catch public transport?
Yes, but masks must be worn.
Can I catch a taxi or ride-share vehicle?
Yes, but masks must be worn.
Can I go on holiday?
Accommodation facilities are open.
Can I book accommodation?
Bookings are only permitted for single households, plus two adults and their dependants.
Can I travel to regional Victoria from Melbourne?
Yes. The 25km limit no longer exists, meaning people can travel freely between metropolitan Melbourne and regional Victoria.
What about travelling to the ski-field?
Travelling to regional Victorian Alpine Resorts is allowed providing visitors have had a Covid test within 72 hours of departing Melbourne. This doesn’t include children aged under 2. Must show evidence of a negative test as a condition of entry into the ski field.
PUBLIC GATHERINGS
Can I have a BBQ with my mates in the park?
Yes, public gatherings have increased from 10 to 20 people outdoors.
Will crowds be back at the footy or races?
Not in Melbourne at this stage.
HOME VISITORS
Can guests visit my home?
Yes, up to two visitors to the home per day, plus dependants.
Can I visit or check in on elderly relatives who need care?
Yes.
Can a tradesperson come to my home?
Yes, for emergency repairs.
EXERCISE RESTRICTIONS
What are the rules on exercise?
No limit on the time spent outdoors to exercise.
Can my kids still play local sport?
Community sport is open for all ages, for both training and competition.
Limited to the number required to participate in and facilitate activity and must be no more than 50 people indoors.
Spectators are not allowed (excludes people like teachers, instructors, trainers, coaches, umpires, carers, parents and guardians).
Can I go to the gym?
Yes you can. Maximum venue capacity 150, no more than 50 people per indoor space Maximum group size is 10 people indoors, 20 people outdoors.
ENTERTAINMENT AND LEISURE
Can I take my kids to the local park or playground?
Yes, you can go to the park or playground.
Can I go to a hairdresser or beauty salon?
Hair and beauty therapy can resume for treatments. Masks no longer required to be worn.
Can I go to the cinema?
Drive-in cinemas are open, but capped at 150 people.
Some entertainment venues and community facilities will also open in line with density limits and additional caps.
Indoor entertainment venues, like cinemas, can open for 50 per cent of seated capacity up to a maximum of 75 people. Group limits of up to 10 people. Density quotient of 1 person per 4 sqm applies
Can I go to a brothel?
Open to a maximum of 50 people indoors. Density quotient of 1 person per 4 sqm applies.
WEDDING, FUNERAL, RELIGIOUS SERVICES
Can I still get married or go to a wedding?
Yes, but weddings are limited to 20 people, up from 10 (including the two people being married, celebrant, two witnesses).
chief health officer Prof Brett Sutton said if a Melbourne couple were to hold their wedding in regional Victoria they would adhere to the regional Victorian wedding limits.
What about funerals?
Funerals are limited to 75 people, up from 50, (and those necessary to conduct the funeral). Children under 12 months old are not counted towards this cap.
Can I attend church?
Yes, but religious ceremonies are permitted for up to 150 people per venue, be capped at 75 people inside. Density quota of 1 person per 4 sqm applies.
HOSPITAL AND AGED-CARE
I’m due to have a baby. Can my partner or a support person be with me?
Yes your partner can be with you.
I’m in the hospital or an aged care facility. Can I have visitors?
No visitors are permitted into aged care or other residential facility settings.
Non-essential contractors are restricted from entry.
Visits from a prospective resident is permitted with no more than one person accompanying.
Can I visit a family member or friend if they’re in palliative care?
There are special exemptions for end of life care.
HEALTHCARE
Can I leave home for medical care?
Yes.
Can I travel outside my 25km to be tested or vaccinated for Covid-19?
Yes you can travel to be tested or get vaccinated but should not go into regional Victoria.
I’m booked in for surgery/a procedure. Will it go ahead?
Not yet. Discussions are being had about resuming elective surgery in Melbourne.
PETS/ANIMALS
Can I take my pet to the vet?
Yes.
Can a vet visit my farm?
Yes.
Can I go to the pet store?
Yes.
REAL ESTATE
Can I buy a house?
Yes. Auctions home will be open and auctions allowed to be held outdoors for a maximum of 50 people.
Can I go to or host an inspection?
Yes, home inspections by appointment only, capped at 10 people and subject to density quotas of one person per 4 sqm.
REGIONAL VICTORIA
When do the restrictions begin to ease?
From 11.59pm Thursday, June 17.
Where do these rules apply?
Regional Victoria, including Geelong.
MASKS
Do I have to wear a face mask?
Masks are not required outside but must be worn inside by anyone aged 12 years and older in regional Victoria.
Exemptions do apply, including when drinking and eating, or for approved health reasons.
TRAVEL
Can I catch public transport?
Yes, but you must wear a mask while travelling.
Can I catch a taxi or ride share vehicle?
Yes, but you must wear a mask while travelling.
Can I go on holiday?
Yes, anywhere in Victoria or metropolitan Melbourne.
Can I book accommodation?
Bookings are permitted for regional Victorians in regional Victoria for households, plus five adults and their dependants.
Can I travel to Melbourne from regional Victoria?
Yes they can.
Can I go to NSW?
Yes, but Victoria’s restrictions must be followed.
PUBLIC GATHERINGS
Can I have a BBQ with my mates in the park?
Yes, public gatherings increase from 20 to 50 people outdoors.
HOME VISITORS
Can guests visit my home?
Yes, increases to five adults daily, together or separately, plus dependants.
Can I visit or check in on elderly relatives who need care?
Yes.
Can a tradesperson come to my home?
Yes.
WORKPLACES
Can I still work in the office?
If you can work from home, you should continue to work from home. Office work – 75 per cent return or up to 30 people if total workplace is 40 or less.
EXERCISE
Can my kids still play local sport?
Community sport is back for all ages, both for training and competition. Spectators allowed within venue limits.
Can I go to the gym?
Yes you can. Maximum venue capacity 300 per indoor space and outdoor patron cap of 1000 people. Maximum group size is 50 people indoors.
ENTERTAINMENT AND LEISURE
Can I take my kids to the local park or playground?
Yes.
Can I go to a hairdresser or beauty salon?
Yes, no need to keep a mask on for the service. Density quotient of 1 person per 4sq m applies.
Can I go to the footy?
Yes, the Friday night blockbuster between Geelong and the Western Bulldogs will go ahead in front of 7000 fans at GMHBA Stadium – provided they are local residents and a member of either the Cats or the Dogs.
What else will be open?
Swimming pools, including indoors, are open with density caps of one person per 4 sqm and a venue capacity of 300 per indoor space and outdoor patron cap of 1000 people. Maximum group sizes of 50 people indoors.
The same rules apply for indoor non-seated venues, arcades, escape rooms, bingo centres, retail betting venues, sex on premises/brothels, karaoke and nightclub venues.
WEDDING, FUNERAL, RELIGIOUS SERVICES
Can I still get married or go to a wedding?
Weddings are permitted with no more than 50 people (including the two people being married, celebrant, two witnesses).
These settings apply to any venue in which a wedding is held, except for private residences where private gathering limits apply.
What about funerals?
Funerals are permitted with no more than 100 people (and those necessary to conduct the funeral).
Children under 12 months old are not counted towards this cap.
Can I attend church?
Religious gatherings are permitted for up to 300 people per venue. Density quotient of 1 person per 4 sqm applies.
HOSPITAL AND AGED-CARE
I’m due to have a baby. Can my partner or a support person be with me?
Yes.
I’m in the hospital or an aged care facility. Can I have visitors?
Visitors are only allowed in limited circumstances, but a parent can accompany a child to the hospital. Visit from a prospective aged care resident is permitted with no more than one person accompanying.
Can I visit a family member or friend if they’re in palliative care?
Visitors are allowed in end-of-life circumstances.
HEALTHCARE
Can I leave home for medical care?
Yes.
I’m booked in for surgery/a procedure. Will it go ahead?
It depends. Emergency surgery and urgent surgery is still allowed but cosmetic surgery or other procedures not addressing significant medical conditions are on hold.
Any cycle of IVF treatment that began before lockdown, a procedure required to preserve eggs for future IVF, or a surgical abortion are allowed.
PETS/ANIMALS
Can I take my pet to the vet?
Yes.
Can a vet visit my farm?
Yes.
Can I go to the pet store?
Yes, but density restrictions will apply.
REAL ESTATE
Can I buy a house?
Yes, auctions can go ahead with no patron caps.
Can I go to or host an inspection?
Inspections and auctions are open with no patron caps. Density quotient of 1 person per 4sq m applies.
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