Everything you need to know about Victoria’s restriction changes
Melburnians are jumping to book holiday accommodation in regional Victoria after being freed from lockdown — but rules still apply. Here’s a guide to all the relaxed restrictions, and a look at what’s being eased from November 23.
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Metropolitan Melbourne is finally free from its long-running coronavirus lockdown after Premier Daniel Andrews announced restrictions to be lifted on November 9.
A second lifting of restrictions will take place on November 23.
RULES LIFTING FROM 11.59PM SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 8
METROPOLITAN MELBOURNE
TRAVEL
For what reason can I leave the house?
There are no restrictions on reasons to leave home.
How far from my house can I go?
There are no restrictions on the distance you can travel from home.
Can I travel to regional Victoria?
Yes.
I’m from metropolitan Melbourne. Can I rent an Airbnb or accommodation in regional Victoria?
Yes, but bookings are restricted to members of a single household or intimate partners, or members of a single household plus two adults (from any household, and any of their children or dependants).
Members of separately booked groups cannot share bedrooms.
SOCIAL GATHERINGS AND LEAVING HOME
Can I meet anyone outside for social interaction?
Public gathering rules remain unchanged. Up to 10 people can gather outdoors from any number of households, excluding infants under 12 months. More than 10 people can gather in public if they are all from the same household.
Can I have anyone over to my house?
A household can receive up to two different adult visitors per day, either together or separately. Dependants of the visitors are excluded from visitor caps if they cannot be left unattended.
Can I go to work?
If you can work from home, you must work from home.
What about real estate?
Inspections can be conducted for up to 10 people.
EXERCISE AND RECREATION
Can I go to the gym?
Yes, but there are strict density quotients in place of one person per 8sq m. Up to 10 gymgoers are allowed per space and 20 per venue with a maximum group size of 10 per session.
Patrons must continue to wear face masks unless out of breath. Class times must be staggered and there must be a 15-minute time gap to avoid congregation and exceeding group limits.
Will there be changes for other sport and recreation?
Indoor community sport is still not permitted for adults. No change to outdoor physical recreation and community sport rules.
Junior non-contact activities are now permitted where a distance of 1.5m can be maintained for a maximum of 20 children.
Indoor pools can now open to a maximum of 20 swimmers or a density quotient of one per 4sq m, whichever is lower.
Can I watch my child play junior sport?
Spectators are limited to one parent, guardian or carer only, where child requires supervision.
Can my child visit an indoor skate park or trampoline centre?
Indoor skate parks and trampolining centres are open to children aged 18 and under, with a maximum of 20 patrons. Group limits of 10 apply to indoor skate parks.
Are libraries open?
Up to 20 people are allowed at a library or toy library, with a maximum of 20 patrons inside and up to 10 people per space.
CEREMONIES AND RELIGIOUS GATHERINGS
What about religious gatherings?
A maximum of 20 worshippers, plus one faith leader, are allowed indoors.
Up to 50 people, plus one faith leader, are allowed at outdoor religious gatherings.
What about funerals?
Up to 50 mourners are allowed outdoors. Indoor limits of 20 mourners remain unchanged.
What about weddings?
Wedding caps remain unchanged, with up to 10 people indoors or outdoors, excluding the couple, celebrant and photographer.
HOSPITALITY AND LEISURE
Will there be changes to hospitality?
Forty patrons per venue are allowed indoors, subject to density of one per 4sq m, with a maximum of 10 people per space.
Outdoors, up to 70 people are allowed per venue subject to density of one per 4sq m, with a maximum of 10 people per group.
Is live music returning?
Performers must be 5m from the audience, with 2m between performers. Live music should be performed outdoors where possible.
Are there changes to entertainment?
Cinemas, music halls, concert halls and auditoriums can open, along with galleries, museums and the State Library of Victoria.
Zoos, live museums and non-seated outdoor entertainment spaces can reopen with a maximum of 20 people per space.
Casinos and electronic gaming venues can reopen with strict density limits.
But adult entertainment venues and brothels remain closed, along with nightclubs and karaoke venues. Arcades, entertainment parks, escape rooms and bingo centres also cannot reopen.
Will there be changes to shopping, retail and personal services?
No.
HEALTH
Can I visit a nursing home?
One household can visit a patient in a care facility once a day for two hours.
Can I visit a hospital patient?
One household can visit a hospital patient once a day for two hours. People aged 16 and under can also visit.
Is there still a time limit on visiting the maternity ward?
No.
What about masks?
Mask rules remain unchanged.
REGIONAL VICTORIA
TRAVEL
Can I travel to metropolitan Melbourne?
Yes.
I’m from regional Victoria. Can I rent an Airbnb or accommodation in metropolitan Melbourne?
Yes, but bookings are restricted to members of a single household or intimate partners, or members of a single household plus two adults (from any household, and any of their children or dependants).
Members of separately booked groups cannot share bedrooms.
LEAVING HOME
Are there changes to real estate?
Inspections can be conducted for up to 10 people.
ENTERTAINMENT
Are there changes to entertainment?
Cinemas, music halls, concert halls and auditoriums can open, along with galleries and museums.
Zoos, live museums and non-seated outdoor entertainment spaces can reopen with a maximum of 20 people per space.
Electronic gaming venues can reopen with strict density limits.
But adult entertainment venues and brothels remain closed, along with nightclubs and karaoke venues. Arcades, entertainment parks, escape rooms and bingo centres also cannot reopen.
Is live music returning?
Performers must be 5m from the audience, with 2m between performers. Live music should be performed outdoors where possible.
HEALTH
Can I visit a hospital patient?
One household can visit a hospital patient once a day for two hours. People aged 16 and under can also visit.
Is there still a time limit on visiting the maternity ward?
No.
Any other additional changes in regional Victoria from November 9?
Play centres are open with a patron cap of 20 and group limits of 10. Spectators are limited to parent or guardian, where the child requires supervision.
Community venues are open for all purposes statewide with a maximum of 20 patrons inside and up to 10 people per space. But no more than five people are allowed per space if singing or using wind instruments.
RULES LIFTING FROM 11.59PM SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 22
STATEWIDE VICTORIA
Any changes to mandatory mask rules?
Mask rules remain unchanged.
TRAVEL
Can I have anyone over to my house?
A household can receive up to 10 visitors at a time.
Can I meet anyone outside for social interaction?
Up to 50 people can gather outdoors from any number of households, excluding infants under 12 months.
Can I book holiday accommodation for multiple groups?
Yes, but the private gathering cap of 10 people from any number of households applies.
SOCIAL GATHERINGS AND LEAVING HOME
Can I make a big group booking for a Christmas break-up?
Indoor hospitality venues can take bookings for a group size of up to 20 people, subject to density quotients.
Overall venue capacity will increase to 100 indoors and 200 outdoors.
Can I go to work?
Unchanged. If you can work from home, you must work from home.
CEREMONIES AND RELIGIOUS GATHERINGS
What about religious gatherings?
Up to 100 indoors in groups of 20, and up to 500 outdoors with a group size of 50.
Can I have a big wedding?
Up to 100 members of the public can attend a wedding. Private gathering limit applies to weddings at a private residence.
Any changes to funerals?
Up to 100 mourners can attend a funeral. Private gathering limit applies to funerals at a private residence.
EXERCISE AND RECREATION
Any changes to community venues?
Up to 100 people at libraries, toy libraries and community venues, with a group limit of 20 people.
Limits for amateur singing or wind instrument groups remain unchanged.
What about gyms?
Up to 100 people can visit the gym subject to density quotients, with a group size of up to 20 people.
Can I play indoor sport?
Patron cap of up to 100 people for indoor and outdoor sport community sport, with a group size of up to 20 people subject to density quotients of one person per 4sq m.
Large sporting venues can open with a 25 per cent venue patron cap.
Indoor skate parks to accommodate 50 people indoors. Up to 50 people at trampolining centres and play centres, with a group limit of 20 people.
Can I play outdoor sport?
There is a patron cap of 500, with group sizes of up to 50 people.
Can I go to the pool?
Up to 50 people can visit an indoor pool. There will be no cap on outdoor pools, but instead a density quotient of one swimmer per 4sq m.
HOSPITALITY AND LEISURE
Will indoor seated venues return to capacity?
No. Cinemas and theatres can only be at one-quarter capacity, with a maximum of 100 people per space and up to 20 people in any group booking.
What about personal care services?
Masks can be removed for facial waxing, facials, beard trimmings and piercings around the mouth, nose and cheeks.
Can I visit an indoor amusement centre?
Indoor arcades, amusement parks, escape rooms and bingo centres can reopen with a group limit of 20 and up to 100 people subject to density quotients.
What about a strip club or brothel?
Strip clubs can reopen with a maximum group size of 10 people and maximum of 100 patrons per venue. Seated service only.
Brothels and sex on premises venues have a 10-patron cap. The government says COVID-safe requirements apply.
What about a nightclub or karaoke venue?
These remain closed.
Any changes to gaming venues?
Up to 100 people can visit an electronic gaming venue, with a group limit of 20 people. Casino patron caps are to be determined.
Can I attend an property auction?
Up to 20 people can attend an auction indoors, subject to density quotients. Outdoors, up to 50 people from any number of households can attend.
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