All the Covid restrictions changing in Melbourne, regional Victoria this week
Restrictions will ease statewide from Thursday night and remain in place for the next two weeks, as the state returns to life prior to the city’s fortnight-long lockdown.
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Restrictions in both Melbourne and regional Victoria will be eased further from 11.59pm Thursday and remain in place during the school holidays.
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. The recommendation to study from home has been removed.
Is childcare open?
Childcare, family day care and kindergarten remain open.
WORKPLACES
Can I still work in the office?
The work from home recommendation has been removed. Office work – 75 per cent return or up to 30 people if total workplace is 40 or less, subject to density quotients of 1 person per 4 sqm.
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.
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 300 people per venue, with density quotients of 1 person per 4 sqm applies. No group limits.
Venues less than 600 sqm have a venue cap of 150 people with a density quotient of 1 person per 2 sqm provided they have a Covid check-in marshall.
Small venues can have 25 people without density limits.
No cap on food court numbers.
TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS
How far can I go from home?
No travel limits apply.
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 15 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?
Advice has changed around Melburnians visiting Victorian Alpine Resorts.
It is now only recommended, not required, that visitors have had a Covid test within 72 hours of departing Melbourne. This doesn’t include children aged under 2.
PUBLIC GATHERINGS
Can I have a BBQ with my mates in the park?
Yes, public gatherings have increased to 50 people outdoors.
Will crowds be back at the footy or races?
Outdoor stadiums can have 50 per cent of the venue capacity up to 25,000
people. The MCG can host 25,000 people.
Indoor stadiums can have 50 per cent of the venue capacity, up to 5000 people.
From 11.59pm on 1 July, and subject to public health advice, indoor and outdoor stadiums will be able to increase to 85 per cent capacity.
HOME VISITORS
Can guests visit my home?
Yes, up to 15 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.
Maximum venue capacity of 300 people indoors and 1000 people outdoors.
Spectators are allowed within venue and space limits.
Can I go to the gym?
Yes you can. Maximum 300 people per venue, subject to a density quotient of 1 person per 4 sqm. Maximum group size 50 people.
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 with maximum 1000 people per venue, per density quotient of 1 person per 4 sqm.
Indoor entertainment venues, like cinemas, can open for 75 per cent of seated capacity up to a maximum of 300 people. No group limits.
Can I go to a brothel?
Yes. Open to a maximum of 300 people. Density quotient of 1 person per 4 sqm applies.
WEDDING, FUNERAL, RELIGIOUS SERVICES
Can I still get married or go to a wedding?
Yes, with a maximum of 300 people per indoor and outdoor venue, subject to density limits.
Dancefloors are not permitted.
Home weddings capped at 15 guests, excluding residents and intimate partners.
What about funerals?
Funerals can accommodate 300 people, plus those necessary to conduct the funeral, subject to venue density limits. Children under 12 months old are not counted towards this cap.
Home funerals capped at 15 guests, excluding residents and intimate partners.
Can I attend church?
Yes. Up to 300 people per venue, density quotient of 1 person per 4 sqm applies. No group
limits.
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 and up to two visitors.
I’m in the hospital or an aged care facility. Can I have visitors?
Yes, two visitors are permitted at a time and up to five per day, except for end of life.
Visitors do not need to be from the same household and there’s no time limit.
Non-essential contractors are restricted from entry.
Can I visit a family member or friend if they’re in palliative care?
Yes, two visitors at a time but no total limit per day.
HEALTHCARE
Can I leave home for medical care?
Yes.
Can I travel to be tested or vaccinated for Covid-19?
Yes you can travel to be tested or get vaccinated.
I’m booked in for surgery/a procedure. Will it go ahead?
All categories of elective surgery can occur.
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. No auction caps.
Can I go to or host an inspection?
Yes. No patron caps. Density quotient of 1 person per 4 sqm.
REGIONAL VICTORIA
When do the restrictions begin to ease?
From 11.59pm Thursday, June 24.
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 15 adults and their dependants.
Can I travel to Melbourne from regional Victoria?
Yes they can.
Can I go to NSW?
Yes, but parts of Sydney have been declared red zones.
PUBLIC GATHERINGS
Can I have a BBQ with my mates in the park?
Yes, public gatherings increase to 50 people outdoors.
HOME VISITORS
Can guests visit my home?
Yes, increases to 15 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?
The requirement to work from home has been removed. 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. Density quotient of 1 person per 2 sqm applies when using a
Covid check-in marshal, otherwise density quotient of 1 person per 4 sqm applies.
Can I go to the gym?
Yes you can. Maximum venue capacity 300 per indoor space and outdoor patron cap of 1000 people. Open, subject to a density quotient of 1 person per 2 sqm applies when using a Covid Check-in Marshal, otherwise density quotient of 1 person per 4 sqm applies
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.
What else is open?
Indoor and outdoor swimming pools are open with a venue capacity of 300 per indoor space and outdoor patron cap of 1000 people. Maximum group sizes of 50 people indoors.
Subject to a density quotient of 1 person per 2 sqm applies when using a Covid Check-in Marshal, otherwise density caps of one person per 4 sqm apply.
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?
Yes, with a maximum of 300 people per indoor and outdoor venue, subject to density limits.
Dancefloors are not permitted.
Home weddings capped at 15 guests, excluding residents and intimate partners.
What about funerals?
Funerals can accommodate 300 people, plus those necessary to conduct the funeral, subject to venue density limits. Children under 12 months old are not counted towards this cap.
Home funerals capped at 15 guests, excluding residents and intimate partners.
Can I attend church?
Yes. No overarching venue limit. Density quotient of 1 person per 2 sqm applies when using a Covid check-in marshal, otherwise 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, your partner can be with you and up to two visitors.
I’m in the hospital or an aged care facility. Can I have visitors?
Yes, two visitors are permitted at a time and up to five per day, except for end of life.
Visitors do not need to be from the same household and there’s no time limit.
Non-essential contractors are restricted from entry.
Can I visit a family member or friend if they’re in palliative care?
Yes, two visitors at a time but no total limit per day.
HEALTHCARE
Can I leave home for medical care?
Yes.
I’m booked in for surgery/a procedure. Will it go ahead?
All elective surgery has resumed in Victoria.
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 2 sqm applies when using a Covid check-in marshal, otherwise density quotient of 1 person per 4 sqm applies.
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