What you can and can’t do under Melbourne’s second step out of restrictions

Metropolitan Melbourne has woken up after the final night of curfew, with new rules under the city’s second step out of lockdown. This is what you can and can’t do under those changes.

Metropolitan Melbourne entered the second step from lockdown restrictions at 11.59pm on Sunday, September 27. This is what you need to know.

WILL I BE ABLE TO CELEBRATE THE GRAND FINAL?

Potentially. If the state records a 14-day case average less than five, and there are fewer than five mystery cases, then metropolitan Melbourne will proceed to the third step. This will allow small household gatherings, along with public gatherings of up to 10 people, and hospitality venues to reopen with outdoor seating.

CAN I GO TO BUNNINGS?

No. All retail remains closed. It will not reopen until in the third step.

CAN I GO TO THE POOL?

Yes. Outdoor pools will be open with limits on the number of swimmers. Change rooms will be closed but toilets remain open. School swimming will be allowed where the school has exclusive use of the pool.

CAN I EXERCISE NEAR WORK?

Yes, you can now exercise within 5km of a permitted workplace for a maximum two hours. But you must carry your work permit with you.

CAN I PLAY GOLF AND TENNIS?

No. Sporting facilities and clubs will remain closed until the third step.

CAN I VISIT A RENTAL PROPERTY?

Yes. One person or a couple and one agent may attend a property for the purpose of inspection. But the visit must be prearranged and contact details taken.

WHEN CAN I EAT OUT AT A RESTAURANT?

Not yet. Hospitality venues aren’t allowed to reopen until the 14-day case average of less than 5 and there are fewer than 5 mystery cases in the previous 14 days.

CAN I CATCH UP OUTDOORS WITH FRIENDS IF THEY LIVE MORE THAN 5KM AWAY?

No. Melburnians are now able to gather outdoors with up to five people from two households. But that household must be within 5km of your home.

CAN I HAVE AN BACKYARD BARBECUE WITH FRIENDS?

No. People may gather in public spaces outdoors such as a park or beach, but not at a private premises — even if it is in the front or back yard.

Melbourne’s curfew has been dropped but people are still restricted to staying within 5kms from their home. Picture: AFP

CAN I GO TO CHURCH OR A RELIGIOUS CEREMONY?

Yes, if it is held outside in a public place and limited to five people plus the religious leader.

CAN A GARDENER MOW MY LAWNS?

Yes. Under the eased restrictions, gardening, landscaping and garden maintenance businesses, which have an ABN, will be added to the permitted worker list. However, they must work outside, alone and contactless.

WHAT’S CHANGED WITH THE RULES AROUND MASKS?

The rules previously said you could wear any sort of face covering, including a scarf or bandana. However, you must now wear a face mask that covers your mouth and nose to capture droplets in the air. A face shield does not meet these requirements but can be worn with a mask as an added layer of protection. People will be given a two-week grace period to adapt to the new rules, but will face a $200 fine for failing to wear a mask after that.

CAN I VISIT A DENTIST?

Yes, dentists will reopen for all procedures, including non-urgent care but must have a COVID-safe plan.

CAN I GO OUT AT NIGHT?

Yes, the 9pm-5am curfew has been lifted. However, there are still only a limited number of reasons to leave home, including for essential shopping, to go to work or to exercise.

CAN MORE THAN ONE PERSON GO TO THE SHOPS?

The rule that only one person from each household could go shopping each day has been scrapped, meaning multiple members from a household can now make a daily trip to the shops. But Premier Daniel Andrews warned that the change was “not an invitation for an entire family group to go to the supermarket”.

CAN I TRAVEL TO REGIONAL VICTORIA OR INTERSTATE?

No. Melburnians are only allowed to travel to regional Victoria for permitted reasons, including work and care and compassion. Border restrictions for NSW, SA and QLD also remain.

CAN I GOT TO A SKATE PARK OR PLAY CENTRE?

No, these facilities remain closed.

Face shields are no longer an acceptable face covering. Picture: Getty

WILL THERE BE A CURFEW STILL IN PLACE?

No, the curfew has been abolished but there are new fines in places from Monday, September 28 of $5000 for unlawful gatherings in private homes.

CAN I MEET ANYONE OUTSIDE FOR SOCIAL INTERACTION?

Yes. Up to five people, including children, from a maximum of two households can meet outdoors for social interaction. But it must be within 5km of your home. Infants under one are not included in the cap.

CAN I HAVE ANYONE OVER TO MY HOUSE?

No change from the rules brought in on September 14 — so only those living alone and single parents can have one nominated visitor.

WILL THERE BE A CHANGE TO EDUCATION?

VCE and VCAL students will return to school for assessments from October 5.

Prep to grade six, special school and VCE and VCAL students will return in the week beginning October 12.

Apprentices and uni students in their final year of study will be able to attend onsite for learning and assessment where necessary

WILL THERE BE A CHANGE TO CHILDCARE?

Childcare will open to all children with permits no longer required, with kinder to open from Term 4 too.

CAN I GO TO WORK?

The workforce limits for some industries will be expanded. Supermarkets and food distribution centres will return to full capacity. Abattoirs, seafood and meat processing plants will also increase.

There will be additional obligations for employers, including regular surveillance testing of staff, nightly deep cleaning, separating workers into consistent bubbles, and providing regular training for their workers.

Manufacturing can return with up to 90 per cent of its workforce.

Sole traders doing outside gardening and landscaping can return.

Retail pet grooming will also resume.

Prep to grade six will return to school on October 12. Picture: David Caird

WILL THERE BE CHANGES FOR SPORT AND RECREATION?

Outdoor activities such as hiking and fishing are allowed within 5kms of your home. Outdoor pools are open, but facilities like tennis clubs and golf clubs remain closed.

CAN I VISIT MY FAMILY MEMBER IN HOSPITAL?

Yes. Patients can now have one visitor up to two hours a day. Children can have both parents visit with no time limit.

WILL THERE BE CHANGES TO SHOPPING, RETAIL AND PERSONAL SERVICES?

The limit of one member of a household at the supermarket has been lifted.

WILL THERE BE CHANGES TO ENTERTAINMENT?

No.

WILL THERE BE CHANGES TO WEDDINGS?

Weddings can take place with up to five people, including the couple and witnesses.

ARE THERE ANY CHANGES TO TRAVEL WITHIN VICTORIA?

No.

WHAT ABOUT REAL ESTATE?

Private inspections can resume.

CAN I ATTEND A RELIGIOUS SERVICE?

Gatherings of up to five people can meet with their faith leader outdoors.

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