Industries that may open for fully vaccinated Victorians

Fully vaccinated Victorians may soon get small freedoms, such as visiting a cafe or playground, but one everyday activity may still be deemed too risky.

Visiting the hairdresser, having a coffee at a cafe outdoors and staying at a holiday home may soon be possible for fully vaccinated Victorians.

These smaller freedoms may be among the first restrictions to ease, if the state follows New South Wales’ plans to open a handful of smaller, one-on-one services to the double-jabbed from Thursday.

Being fully vaccinated may be our ticket to attending large events like the Formula 1 Grand Prix — but getting jabbed now may give us smaller freedoms sooner.

Deakin University epidemiology chair Prof Catherine Bennett said fully vaccinated Victorians may benefit from these changes.

“These are critical for morale and mental health and clearly some basic things, like hairdressing, may be allowed,” she said.

Hairdressers may soon be allowed to open to the fully vaccinated in New South Wales. Picture: George Salpigtidis.

Allied health services, such as dentists, currently only open for emergency work, may be allowed to do check-ups.

School may return for older students and cafes and restaurants may be allowed to trade for outdoor dining only — providing staff and customers are fully vaccinated.

Prof Bennett said it was about balancing the risk and benefit of having more freedom.

“This will be our transition out of lockdown, while maintaining control of the virus at the same time,” she said.

“When we feel safe to do so, we will take the next step.”

“Everything comes with risk. Focusing on double vaccination helps not only reduce risk of infection and we know that as much in fully vaccinated people by two thirds.”

Non-emergency dental check-ups may be possible for fully vaccinated Victorians.

A staggered easing of restrictions would follow for industries outlined in the state government’s road map out of lockdown.

But Prof Bennett said even opening small retail stores was a risk.

“I think we’re a little off opening retail,” she said.

“Smaller places are a risk, but larger places where you can space are better, say like at Bunnings, where you can manage queues in places outdoors or have good air ventilation.”

When asked whether fully vaccinated people would be exempt from mask mandates, Prof Bennett said compliance was already low.

“Police aren’t stopping people who aren’t wearing masks,” she said.

“As for wearing masks outdoors away from other people, I think we can say we don’t need that now. We do need them in indoor areas and mixed settings.”

Outdoor dining may be the first thing to return in Victoria. Picture: David Caird

The last things to return will be large events and mass gatherings, such as footy matches and music festivals.

Other scenarios may include fully vaccinated people being allowed to visit their holiday homes in regional Victoria.

“Say you had a place near Ballarat and Ballarat had great vaccination rates, you may be allowed to visit if you are fully vaccinated. That will help local communities as well,” Prof Bennett said.

Curfew, exercise limits and reasons to leave the home are among the raft of restrictions Prof Bennett said will be the next to ease for all Victorians.