Melbourne lockdown FAQ: Covid announcement explained as restrictions lift
Can Melburnians go to regional Victoria for the Queen’s Birthday weekend? Are schools open? This is everything you need to know about the latest rule changes.
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Melbourne’s lockdown will be lifted from Thursday night, after two-weeks of stay at home orders.
There will be new rules in place for both metro Melbourne and regional areas.
This is what you need to know about the latest changes. which start from 11.59pm Thursday.
METROPOLITAN MELBOURNE
MASK RULES
Do I have to wear a face mask?
Masks will continue to be mandatory outdoors in Melbourne. The change was announced on Thursday ahead of the restriction easing.
Masks must be carried at all times and worn indoors, including at work, for everyone aged 12 years and older.
Exemptions do apply, including when drinking and eating, or for approved health reasons.
SCHOOL, HIGHER EDUCATION AND CHILDCARE RESTRICTIONS
Are schools still open?
Schools will resume face-to-face learning from Friday.
Can I go to university or TAFE?
Higher education and training will resume. If you can study from home, you should continue to study from home.
Is childcare open?
Childcare, family day care and kindergarten remain open.
WORK RESTRICTIONS
Can I still work in the office?
If you can work from home, you should continue to work from home. Office work – 25 per cent return or up to 10 people if total workplace is 40 or less.
SUPERMARKETS, RETAIL AND SERVICES RESTRICTIONS
What do I need to do if I go to the supermarket or shops?
Make sure you use the QR check-in upon entering.
Mr Merlino said QR check-ins would soon be made mandatory at all workplaces, with very limited exemptions.
What stores/businesses are allowed to open?
All retail can reopen in line with density limits of one person per 4sq m.
Separate entrances required for home business.
Are there density rules at essential shops?
Yes, one person per 4sq m.
RESTAURANT, CAFE, BAR, PUB RESTRICTIONS
Can I still go out for dinner?
Yes, restaurants and cafes can reopen for seated service with up to 100 people per venue and a maximum of 50 inside.
TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS
How far can I go from home?
The 10km limit has increased to 25km. Travelling further for work, education, care giving and the vaccine is allowed. Check what is inside your 25km limit with the Herald Sun’s interactive tracker.
Can I catch public transport?
Yes, but masks must be worn.
Can I catch a taxi or ride-share vehicle?
Yes, but masks must be worn.
Can I go on holiday?
Accommodation facilities are open, however, you cannot travel more than 25km from home.
Can I book accommodation?
Bookings are only permitted for single households, intimate partners or nominated single social bubble person.
Can I travel to regional Victoria from Melbourne?
There is no “ring of steel” this time banning travel between regional Victoria and metropolitan Melbourne, but all Victorians must stay within a 25km radius of their home.
PUBLIC GATHERING RESTRICTIONS
Can I have a BBQ with my mates in the park?
Yes, public gatherings have increased from two to 10 people outdoors.
Will crowds be back at the footy or races?
There is no formal advice on large events like the footy yet.
HOME VISITOR RESTRICTIONS
Can guests visit my home?
No, unless it is deemed essential care.
Intimate partner visits and single bubble permitted
Can I visit or check in on elderly relatives who need care?
Yes.
Can my intimate partner visit my home?
Partners living separately can visit each other at home.
I’m single. Can I visit someone?
If you live alone and are single, you can form a “single bubble” with one other person.
You can visit this one person, and this one person only.
Can a tradesperson come to my home?
Yes, for emergency repairs.
EXERCISE RESTRICTIONS
What are the rules on exercise?
No limit on the time spent outdoors to exercise.
Can my kids still play local sport?
Community sport can return to training in metropolitan Melbourne but not competition.
A 25km limit applies. Limited to the number required to participate in and facilitate activity.
Can I go to the gym?
No. Gyms are considered high-risk settings.
ENTERTAINMENT AND LEISURE
Can I take my kids to the local park or playground?
Yes, you can go to the park or playground as long as it is within 25km of your home and you should socially distance while there.
Can I go to a hairdresser or beauty salon?
Hair and beauty therapy can resume for treatments where masks can be worn.
Can I go to the cinema?
Drive-in cinemas are open, but capped at 100 people.
Some entertainment venues and community facilities will also open in line with density limits and additional caps.
Can I go to a brothel?
No, brothels remain closed.
WEDDING, FUNERAL, RELIGIOUS SERVICES RESTRICTIONS
Can I still get married or go to a wedding?
Yes, but weddings are limited to 10 people (including the two people being married, celebrant, two witnesses).
What about funerals?
Funerals are limited to 50 people (and those necessary to conduct the funeral). Children under 12 months old are not counted towards this cap.
Can I attend church?
Yes, but religious ceremonies will be capped at 50 people inside. Density quota of 1 person per 4 sqm applies.
HOSPITAL AND AGED CARE VISITOR RESTRICTIONS
I’m due to have a baby. Can my partner or a support person be with me?
Yes your partner can be with you.
I’m in the hospital or an aged care facility. Can I have visitors?
No visitors are permitted into aged care or other residential facility settings.
Non-essential contractors are restricted from entry.
Can I visit a family member or friend if they’re in palliative care?
There are special exemptions for end of life care.
HEALTHCARE RESTRICTIONS
Can I leave home for medical care?
Yes.
Can I travel outside my 25km to be tested or vaccinated for Covid-19?
Yes you can travel to be tested or get vaccinated but should not go into regional Victoria.
I’m booked in for surgery/a procedure. Will it go ahead?
Not yet. Discussions are being had about resuming elective surgery in Melbourne.
PETS / ANIMALS
Can I take my pet to the vet?
Yes.
Can a vet visit my farm?
Yes.
Can I go to the pet store?
Yes.
REAL ESTATE
Can I buy a house?
Yes. Auctions home will be open and auctions allowed to be held outdoors for a maximum of 50 people.
Can I go to or host an inspection?
Yes, home inspections by appointment only.
REGIONAL VICTORIA
When do the restrictions begin to ease?
From 11.59pm Thursday June 10.
Where do these rules apply?
Regional Victoria, including Geelong.
Why have the new rules been introduced?
Because there has been no recent community transmission in regional Victoria.
MASK RULES
Do I have to wear a face mask?
Masks are not required outside but must be worn inside by anyone aged 12 years and older in regional Victoria.
Exemptions do apply, including when drinking and eating, or for approved health reasons.
WORK RESTRICTIONS
Can I work in the office?
If you can work from home, you should continue to work from home. Capacity limits in workplaces such as offices capped at 50 per cent or 20 people if total workplace is 40 or less.
Workplaces in regional Victoria will also be required to check in with the QR system when it is in place.
SUPERMARKETS, RETAIL AND SERVICES RESTRICTIONS
What do I need to do if I go to the supermarket or shops?
You should check in with the QR code and wear a face mask.
What stores/businesses are allowed to open?
General retail and non-essential shops are open subject to density limits of 1 person per 4sq m.
RESTAURANT, CAFE, BAR, PUB RESTRICTIONS
What about hospitality?
Food and drink venues can have seated service only with a maximum patron cap of 150 people per venue (no more than 75 people indoors).
Group sizes to a maximum of 10 people. Density quotient of 1 person per 4sq m applies
TRAVEL RESTRICTIONs
Can I catch public transport?
Yes, but you must wear a mask while travelling.
Can I catch a taxi or ride share vehicle?
Yes, but you must wear a mask while travelling.
Can I go on holiday?
Regional Victorians can travel and holiday within regional Victoria, but cannot travel to metropolitan Melbourne, except for work or education, necessary goods and services, care and compassionate reasons or to receive COVID-19 vaccination at the nearest vaccination centre to home.
Can I book accommodation?
Bookings are permitted for regional Victorians in regional Victoria for households, plus two adults and their dependants, as well as intimate partners or nominated single social bubble person.
Can I travel to Melbourne from regional Victoria?
Regional Victorians can travel to Melbourne but they must abide by metropolitan restrictions.
Can I go to NSW?
Yes, but regional Victoria’s restrictions must be followed.
PUBLIC GATHERING RESTRICTIONS
Can I have a BBQ with my mates in the park?
Yes, public gatherings increase from 10 to 20 people outdoors.
HOME VISITOR RESTRICTIONS
Can guests visit my home?
Yes, increases to two adults daily, together or separately, plus dependants.
Can I visit or check in on elderly relatives who need care?
Yes.
Can my intimate partner visit my home?
Yes.
I’m single. Can I visit someone?
If you live alone and are single, you can form a “single bubble” with one other person.
You can visit this one person, and this one person only.
Can a tradesperson come to my home?
Yes.
EXERCISE RESTRICTIONS
What are the rules on exercise?
Regional Victorians are not under the two-hour exercise limits.
Can my kids still play local sport?
Community sport is back for all ages, both for training and competition.
Can I go to the gym?
No, gyms will remain closed.
ENTERTAINMENT AND LEISURE
Can I take my kids to the local park or playground?
Yes.
Can I go to a hairdresser or beauty salon?
Yes, for services where you can keep a mask on. Density quotient of 1 person per 4sq m applies.
What else will be open?
Swimming pools, including indoors, are open but have a limit of 50 people indoors.
Indoor play centres, nightclubs and arcades are open with the same limits.
Community facilities can operate with a maximum of 150 people, no more than 75 indoor.
Indoor seated entertainment venues have a capacity of 50 per cent or maximum 75 people. Indoor non-seated entertainment have a hard limit of 75 people. Drive in cinemas can have 150 people, amusement parks 100, electronic gaming 50 people.
WEDDING, FUNERAL, RELIGIOUS SERVICES RESTRICTIONS
Can I still get married or go to a wedding?
Weddings are permitted with no more than 20 people (including the two people being married, celebrant, two witnesses).
These settings apply to any venue in which a wedding is held, except for private residences where private gathering limits apply
What about funerals?
Funerals are permitted with no more than 75 people (and those necessary to conduct the funeral).
Children under 12 months old are not counted towards this cap.
Can I attend church?
Religious gatherings are permitted for up to 150 people per venue. (No more than 75 people indoors). Density quotient of 1 person per 4 sqm applies.
HOSPITAL AND AGED CARE VISITOR RESTRICTIONS
I’m due to have a baby. Can my partner or a support person be with me?
Yes.
I’m in the hospital or an aged care facility. Can I have visitors?
Visitors are only allowed in limited circumstances, but a parent can accompany a child to the hospital.
Can I visit a family member or friend if they’re in palliative care?
Visitors are allowed in end-of-life circumstances.
HEALTHCARE RESTRICTIONS
Can I leave home for medical care?
Yes.
I’m booked in for surgery/a procedure. Will it go ahead?
It depends. Emergency surgery and urgent surgery is still allowed but cosmetic surgery or other procedures not addressing significant medical conditions are on hold.
Any cycle of IVF treatment that began before lockdown, a procedure required to preserve eggs for future IVF, or a surgical abortion are allowed.
PETS/ANIMALS
Can I take my pet to the vet?
Yes.
Can a vet visit my farm?
Yes.
Can I go to the pet store?
Yes, but density restrictions will apply.
REAL ESTATE
Can I buy a house?
Yes, auctions can go ahead.
Can I go to or host an inspection?
Inspections and auctions are open with a maximum patron cap of 50 people per venue. Density quotient of 1 person per 4sq m applies.
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