Crazy Covid-19 rule contradictions baffling Victorians
You can’t visit your parents at their home but you can go to a brothel. Up to 100 people can go to church, but only 50 can attend a wedding. See the Covid rules that have us scratching our heads.
Coronavirus
Don't miss out on the headlines from Coronavirus. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Brothels will be allowed to open under the state government’s easing of restrictions.
Under the changes, brothels and sexually explicit venues can open with a cap of 100 patrons.
They must adhere to a density quotient of 1 person per 4 sqm and must have a Covid Check-In Marshal on site.
Opposition spokesman Tim Smith slammed the rule while Victorians were still banned from visiting their families.
“In Daniel Andrews’ Victoria, for at least the next two weeks, Victorians will be able to visit a brothel but not their mum at home,” he said.
“This is profoundly inconsistent. The Andrews Labor government is really weird.”
The state government confirmed that masks did not need to be worn inside sex venues, provided that a service was being given, or received.
A government spokesman confirmed mask rules inside the venues were the same as for beauty outlets.
Masks do not need to be worn “when giving or receiving a service”, however must be worn at all other times.
But the brothel rule isn’t the only contradiction in Victoria’s set of eased restrictions.
No visitors are allowed to your home but you can hire a babysitter or tradie.
Up to 100 people can attend church but no more than 50 people are allowed at a wedding or funeral.
Addressing the media on Tuesday, Premier Daniel Andrews admitted that sometimes the logic was a little counterintuitive.
“There will be people saying, “Why can I go to the pub but not mum and dad’s place for dinner?
“Well, there is no QR code at mum and dad’s place.
“There is no industrial cleaning. There is not the formality that you get as a hospitality venue.”
Here are some more rules that appear contradictory.
NO VISITORS TO YOUR HOME BUT BABYSITTERS ALLOWED
Babysitters are considered authorised workers as a child care provider. They are allowed to enter another person’s home for the purpose for caring for children. This applies to all children — not just those of permitted workers. This can be a pre-existing or new arrangement.
NO VISITORS TO YOUR HOME — EXCEPT TRADIES
Building and renovation work is allowed at your home. All indoor home services, such as domestic cleaners and tradespeople, are also permitted at occupied and unoccupied homes.
“Workers must wear a face mask indoors and outdoors, unless they have a lawful reason not to wear one, and should maintain physical distancing of 1.5m at all times,” the state government website says.
YOU SHOULD SOCIALLY DISTANCE, BUT CAN VISIT A BROTHEL
A brothel is considered an indoor, non-seated entertainment venue, which means it’s capped at 100 people per space and follows a density quotient of 1 person per 4 sqm.
A Covid Check-in Marshals must ensure attendees check in.
YOU CAN MEET YOUR PARENTS FOR DINNER IN A RESTAURANT BUT NOT AT YOUR HOUSE
You can’t visit your parents at their house for dinner, yet you can sit unmasked near them in a restaurant for hours. Premier Andrews said while the rule seemed counterintuitive, you can’t QR check-in at a private home like you can at a restaurant, which will help contact tracers in the case of an outbreak.
NIGHTCLUBS ARE OPEN BUT DANCEFLOORS ARE CLOSED
The sole reason many visit a nightclub is to a) dance b) dance closely next to other people. Yet these facilities can open for seated service only and cannot open dancefloors.
YOU CAN HOLIDAY WITH ANOTHER FAMILY, HANG OUT WITH THEM ALL THE TIME BUT NOT VISIT EACH OTHER’S CABINS/ACCOMMODATION
Accommodation facilities will be open for bookings permitted for single households, intimate partners or single bubbles.
YOU HAVE TO WEAR A MASK IN RESTAURANTS, BUT YOU CAN REMOVE IT WHEN YOU SIT DOWN
Masks must be worn indoors and outdoors except if at home or if an exception applies.
You also don’t need to wear a face mask if you’re consuming food, drink or medicine.
INTERSCHOOL SPORT ISN’T ALLOWED BUT COMMUNITY SPORT IS
All community sport will be resume but no spectators will be allowed and numbers are limited to those taking part in the activity and those required to facilitate it.
CHURCH CAN HAVE UP TO 100 PEOPLE INDOORS, BUT WEDDINGS CAN’T
Religious gatherings and ceremonies are allowed, with density requirements of 1 person per 4 sqm, and no more than 100 people per indoor space and 300 people per outdoor space.
While weddings can resume, they are capped with a limit of 50 guests plus those conducting the ceremony. Funerals are also limited to 50 people and those necessary to conduct the service. Children under 12 months old are not counted towards this cap.
YOU CAN PLAY COMMUNITY SPORT, SWEAT ALL OVER AND TACKLE YOUR TEAMMATES, YET MASKS ARE MANDATORY IN LOCKER ROOMS
Covid-19 rules say you must “wear a face mask at all times, except when you are strenuously exercising and you are out of breath, or of another exception applies”. This applies to locker room huddles.
YOU MUST WEAR A MASK INDOORS BUT YOU CAN TAKE YOUR MASK OFF WHEN EXERCISING IN AN INDOOR GYM?
Like community sport, you must wear a face mask at all times, except when you are strenuously exercising and you are out of breath, or if another exception applies.
MASKS MUST BE WORN OUTDOORS EVEN WHEN NOBODY IS AROUND
Face masks must be worn both indoors and outdoors when you leave the house unless an exception applies.
Health boss who played key role in Victoria’s Covid response stands down
The Department of Health secretary who became a public figure making tough and controversial decisions during the pandemic will depart amid a leadership reshuffle.
Sutton dragged into legal fight on cancelled Robbie Williams gig
A war of words has broken out about former Chief Health Officer Brett Sutton’s involvement in the decision to pull the pin on Robbie Williams’ Grand Prix concert.