Melbourne freed: All the lockdown restrictions being axed
Melburnians can get ready to hit the road with the ring of steel being lifted as part of a massive easing of restrictions on Sunday, along with big changes to outdoor gatherings, restaurants, gyms, real estate and weddings. But there’s one rule affecting families that won’t be changing.
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Melburnians will be allowed to meet in groups of 50 outside and gather in larger numbers than expected in outdoor restaurants and bars under a massive easing of coronavirus restrictions on Sunday.
The lifting of the “ring of steel” will be announced on Sunday, as well as new freedoms to be introduced by Christmas.
Sunday’s announcement by Premier Daniel Andrews will allow larger numbers of people to gather for funerals and weddings.
Cinemas and entertainment venues are also expected to open indoors and outdoors provided they meet the density rules, with the audience size slated to grow if low case numbers persist.
The announcement comes after eight days without a new COVID-19 case or death in Victoria.
It is believed the State Government is concerned about the risk of indoor infections and will be slower in phasing out restrictions on private gatherings in homes.
On Saturday night the Crisis Council of Cabinet was finalising plans for Sunday’s announcement that will end the four-month hard lockdown, one of the toughest in the world. As well as winding back some measures, it is believed the government plans even greater steps on November 23.
From midnight on Sunday, Melburnians will be allowed to visit country Victoria for the first time since the start of July.
Restaurants, pubs and cafes will be able to expand their business, with the current hard cap of 20 patrons indoors and 50 outdoors to be increased.
The State Government is being lobbied to introduce density quotas similar to those used in NSW, which allow for 300 patrons, or the number allowable by one customer per 4 square metres indoors and one customer per 2 square metres outdoors, whichever is less.
Accommodation will also finally open in Melbourne, as well as for regional providers to accept guests from the city.
Gyms and sports centres will reopen without restrictions, provided safety measures are in place, while organised contact sports are allowed for all ages, with limited spectators.
Real estate measures will be eased, with limits on numbers at inspections and auctions lifted, though safety measures and record-keeping will have to be undertaken.
It comes as the government announces a compliance blitz of high-risk workplaces, hospitality venues and public spaces to crack down on those not following updated public health advice.
Health Minister Martin Foley said businesses, workers and the public had been contacting authorities about cases where Victorians were breaking other rules.
There were just eight active cases of coronavirus in Victoria on Saturday. An aged-care resident returned a positive test late on Friday but this was not counted because the person had contracted the virus earlier in the year.
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