Covid-19 restrictions Dan Andrews won’t ease at 80 per cent vaccinated
Victoria’s much-anticipated roadmap out of lockdown has finally been released but not all rules will be relaxed when the state hits its 80 per cent target.
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Victoria’s much-anticipated roadmap to freedom has finally been unveiled, with Melbourne’s sixth lockdown to end once 70 per cent of the population is fully vaccinated.
Premier Daniel Andrews said that was likely to be about October 26, with those fully vaccinated to gain more freedoms than those who aren’t.
Once Victoria hits the target of 80 per cent of people aged 16 and older fully vaccinated – predicted to be about November 5 – most of the remaining restrictions will be eased in line with density limits.
However, there are some rules Mr Andrews said must remain in place even after 80 per cent of the state is double-vaxxed in order to “preserve our health system and ensure Victorians can still get the healthcare they need”.
The Premier said there was no alternative to the slow and stagged opening-up plan and flagged the “acute stress” it would place on the health system if it were done too quickly.
“While we’re no longer aiming for Covid-zero, it’s imperative we don’t jeopardise our health system as we open up – too many Victorians rely on it every day,” the Premier said.
At 80 per cent fully vaccinated, Victorians will still be required to wear masks indoors at all times, including at work.
Private gatherings at home will be permitted but limited to 10 people only, including children. This limit will increase to 30 visitors to the home for Christmas.
Public gatherings will be allowed for up to 30 fully vaccinated people, but only five for those who aren’t.
Only those who are fully vaccinated will be able to go to work, and Victorians will still be encouraged to work from home where possible.
The same applies for non-practical adult education where only those with two doses of the vaccine will be allowed on campus.
Those who are not vaccinated will also be unable to attend religious services indoors, and must conduct ceremonies outdoors, in groups capped at 20.
Hospitality food and drink businesses, karaoke venues and nightclubs will only be able to operate seated service.
Food courts will remain closed with takeaway only allowed, and customers will not be allowed to remove their masks indoors to consume food or drinks.
Weddings and funerals will be capped at 150 people indoors and 500 outdoors for those where all guests are double jabbed, while unvaccinated funerals will be limited to 20 people and weddings 10.
”Bubble” rules will apply to holidays, where households nominate another to go on vacation with.
The roadmap announcement brings Victoria in line with NSW as the second Australian state to plan a significant relaxation of restrictions, even as Covid continues to circulate in the community.
“Lockdowns have been about buying time to get to 70 and 80 per cent vaccination,” Mr Andrews said.
“We are fast approaching those milestones. At that point we have got to open the place up, because remaining closed forever has its own cost, in every sense of that word.”
There are now 5262 active cases in Victoria.
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