What COVID normal life will look like in Victoria
Victoria is on track to enter a ‘COVID normal’ way of life if it records another eight days of zero coronavirus cases. But we may not see all the freedoms we were originally promised.
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Victoria is set to meet the ‘COVID normal’ threshold under the state government’s original road map to recovery — if the state records zero new daily cases from now until next Friday.
But the freedoms originally promised may not happen, with an updated road map listing some restrictions will remain in place.
There’s also fears the recent South Australian coronavirus outbreak may prevent us from reaching COVID normal.
Currently Victoria is in the ‘third step’ and is expected to move to the ‘last step’ of the plan, having surpassed the threshold of no new cases for 14-days, on November 22.
On Thursday the state recorded 20 consecutive days without any new coronavirus cases or deaths.
The state government originally planned to move from the ‘last step’ to COVID Normal if it reached 28 days of no active cases statewide and there was no outbreaks of concern in other states or territories.
The latest update on the DHHS website does not mention this threshold and instead says Victoria entering COVID Normal and the final changes to restrictions will be subject to public health advice.
It’s feared recent outbreaks in South Australia — which forced the state into a strict six day lockdown from Thursday — may threaten Victoria’s chances of entering COVID normal next Friday.
Until then, here’s a roundup of all the changes we were expecting to be announced on Friday 27 November.
WHAT COVID NORMAL MEANS FOR VICTORIA:
TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS
No restrictions on reasons to leave your home or on the distance you can travel from home. Interstate travel allowed. No overseas travel. Continued international and state border controls activated in case of outbreaks.
GYMS
No mention in the original or new road map. In the revised plan for 22 November, it says indoor physical recreation will be capped at 100 people, group classes up to 20 people and a density quota of one person per 4sq m.
SPORT AND RECREATION
No restrictions to community sport or spectators. Limits of public gatherings will increase, in line with public health advice.
RESTAURANTS
No restrictions but record-keeping of all patrons to continue.
OUTDOOR GATHERINGS
Original plan listed no limits, but the new plan says some limits in line with public health advice. Organisers are expected to keep records of attendees.
VISITORS TO THE HOME
Original plan listed no limits, but the new plan says some limits in line with public health advice. Organisers are expected to keep records of visitors to home.
MASKS
Subject to public health advice.
WORK
Phased return to onsite workers who have been working from home. All workplaces with onsite workers will require a COVIDSafe Plan.
SCHOOL
Childcare and early educators are open. All schools return to onsite teaching, as do adult education services.
RETAIL
All open.
REAL ESTATE
Operating with safe measures and record keeping.
WEDDINGS
No limits. Organisers required to keep list of attendees.
FUNERALS
No limits. Organisers required to keep list of attendees.
RELIGION
No limits. Organisers required to keep list of attendees.
ACCOMMODATION
No mention in original or new road map. Revised plan from 22 November says accommodation will remain open, but restricted to 10 people from any number of households. Outdoor tourism spaces have density quotas of one person per 4sq m. Indoor tourism spaces can seat the lesser of 100 people or 25 per cent of seated capacity and density quotas. 20 people per group allowed. Non-seated patrons is equal to 25 per cent of venue capacity.
ENTERTAINMENT
Open with safety measures and record keeping. Limits of public gatherings will increase, in line with public health advice.
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