What Melbourne’s easing COVID restrictions mean for you

Victoria’s coronavirus restrictions have eased for the final time in 2020. Here’s what you can and can’t do over the festive holidays.

Victoria’s coronavirus restrictions eased at 11:59pm on Sunday, the final change to our COVID rules for 2020. Here’s what you can and can’t do over the Christmas and New Year period.

MASKS

● Mandatory inside shopping centres, retail stores inside shopping centres, department stores, electronics stores, furniture stores, hardware stores or supermarkets and when travelling on public transport or in a commercial passenger vehicle (taxi or Uber)

● Mandatory for anyone diagnosed or suspected of having COVID-19, or who is a close contact of someone infected, if leaving home for a permitted reason, such as medical care

● Recommended but not mandatory when social distancing not possible

● Must carry a mask at all times

HOME

● Up to 30 visitors a day

OUTDOOR GATHERINGS

● Up to 100 people from any number of households

HOSPITALITY

● No patron caps

● 1 per 2sqm for indoor and outdoor hospitality venues, if there’s more than 25 patrons.

● No longer required to do seated service only

● Dancefloors at night clubs, pubs and wedding venues will open with a maximum of 50 people and a 1 person per 4 sqm rule

● Venues that don’t use electronic records will have a 1 per 4 sqm density limit

EDUCATION

● No changes to school or early education

Victorians can finally get a bit of relief from their masks. Picture: Daniel Pockett

GYMS

● No overall cap but 1 per 4 sqm (1 per 8 sqm when gym is unstaffed). Classes limited to 50 people

● COVID marshall required when gym is staffed

PHYSICAL RECREATION/SPORT

● No caps indoors but 1 per 4sqm limit

● Up to 100 patrons for outdoor fitness classes with a density quotient of 1 per 2sqm. Record keeping is required

POOLS

● Indoor 1 per 4 sqm

● Outdoor 1 per 2 sqm

WEDDINGS

● No attendee cap, 1 per 2 sqm at venues applies when using electronic record keeping and 1 per 4 sqm if not

● Up to 50 people, with 1 per 4 sqm, on the dancefloor

● Up to 30 people in a private residence

FUNERALS

● No attendee cap, 1 per 2 sqm at venues applies when using electronic record keeping and 1 per 4 sqm if not

● Up to 30 people in a private residence

RELIGION

● 1 per 2 sqm at venues applies when using electronic record keeping and 1 per 4 sqm if not

● Indoor and outdoor ceremonies can occur at the same time

ACCOMMODATION/TOURISM

● Bookings restricted to the private gathering limit. The person or household booking the accommodation can have up to 30 visitors

● No patron cap on tour groups. Masks must be worn on tour transport.

REAL ESTATE

● Inspections and auctions operating with a density quotient of 1 per 2sqm, subject to use of electronic record keeping.

Standing service is back in pubs.

HOSPITAL VISITS

● No restrictions on purpose, number or time limits of visits but symptomatic individuals (e.g. sore throat), close contacts and returned international travellers banned

COMMUNITY VENUES/LIBRARIES

● No patron caps but 1 per 2sqm, subject to use of electronic record keeping

SEATED ENTERTAINMENT VENUES

● Up to 75 per cent of fixed seated capacity with maximum of 1000 people

● No more than 1 per 2sqm in foyers, bars, bathrooms when using electronic record keeping or 1 per 4 sqm if not

GALLERIES/INDOOR NON-SEATED VENUES

● Up to 50 per cent total capacity with maximum of 1000 people

● No more than 1 per 2sqm when using electronic record keeping or 1 per 4 sqm if not

ZOOS/OUTDOOR NON-SEATED ENTERTAINMENT VENUES

● No more than 1 per 2sqm when using electronic record keeping or 1 per 4 sqm if not

● Group limits removed.

● Indoor spaces at outdoor venues open, subject to restrictions relevant to the space (e.g. hospitality or retail).

ARCADES/BINGO CENTRES/DRIVE IN CINEMAS

● No patron cap but 1 per 2sqm when using electronic record keeping or 1 per 4 sqm if not

AMUSEMENT PARKS

● Up to 75 per cent of venue capacity

● 1 per 4sqm applies indoors and 1 per 2sqm outdoors when using electronic record keeping or 1 per 4sqm if not

GAMING

● 1 per 4sqm, every second machine turned off, and no seated service requirement.

ADULT ENTERTAINMENT

● Brothels open with 1 per 4sqm and a patron cap of 100. Electronic record keeping required.

● Strip club venues open 1 per 4 sqm but no seated service requirement.

FROM JAN 11

WORKPLACES

● Private workplaces allowed up to 50 per cent from January 11 or up to 20 staff onsite for workplaces with fewer than 40 staff

● Victorian Public Service can start a phased return to work at 25 per cent from January 11, and increase to 50 per cent from February 8

Do you have questions about the new mask rules? Ask in our comments section below.