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Victoria restrictions: What you can do and can’t do after stage 4 ends

The next stage of restrictions for Victoria has been revealed. Here’s the list of what you can and can’t do, according to the road map out of stage four lockdown.

Victorian restriction relief to be 'pushed back' by Premier

Victoria’s road map out of lockdown has been revealed by Premier Daniel Andrews.

With current restrictions due to expire next week here’s all the questions you need answered about the path from there.

RULES FOR METROPOLITAN MELBOURNE:

SEPTEMBER 14 – STEP 1

Will there be a curfew still in place?

Yes. There will be a curfew in place from September 14 but it will be eased slightly. It will now be from 9pm-5am.

For what reasons can I leave the house?

The reasons you can leave the house remain the same. You must only leave to exercise, shop for essential items, caregiving or medical treatment

Can I meet anyone outside for social interaction?

Yes. You can meet with two other people or a household outside for a maximum of two hours.

Can I have anyone over to my house?

Yes, but only people living alone or single parent households can have one nominated person visit their home (with any dependants of the nominated person under 18 years of age allowed to accompany). The 5km rule will not apply but the curfew will.

The nominated person does not need to be from a single-person household.

How long can I exercise for?

Two hours. Exercise and social interaction is allowed for up to two hours per day total (split into a maximum of two sessions).

Exercise will be increased to two hours a day. Picture: Jay Town
Exercise will be increased to two hours a day. Picture: Jay Town

Can I travel to exercise?

No – you must continue to be within 5km of your home.

Will playgrounds be open?

Yes.

Will there be a change to education and childcare?

No. Changes will come into play on September 28 if daily case numbers average 30-50 a day.

Will there be changes to worker and childcare permits?

No. Changes for childcare permits will come into play on September 28.

Will there be changes for sport and recreation?

No. Changes will come into play on September 28.

Will there be changes to shopping, retail and personal services?

No. Retail for essential goods and services will remain open as per the permitted work premises list.
Cafes, restaurants, pubs, clubs, taverns and bars will remain takeaway and delivery only.

Only one person per household can do essential shopping.

Cafes and restaurants will remain open for takeaway only. Picture: Jason Edwards
Cafes and restaurants will remain open for takeaway only. Picture: Jason Edwards

Can I go to work?

There are no changes to work conditions — only those currently working in permitted industries can continue to go to work. Everyone else must work from home.

Will there be changes to ceremonies?

No. Religious ceremonies and private worship will still not be allowed.
Weddings will be allowed for compassionate reasons, but must only have five attendees including witnesses and celebrant.
Funerals are allowed with up to 10 people (with infants under 1 year of age not counting toward this attendance cap), plus those conducting the funeral (unless held at a private residence – only household members may attend).

Are there any changes to travel within Victoria?

No.

What about auctions?

Auctions will remain online only.

SEPTEMBER 28 – STEP 2

Does this automatically come into effect?

No. These restrictions will only loosen if the average daily case rate is 30-50 a day for the previous 14 days across metro Melbourne.

For what reasons can I leave the house?

Same as September 14.

Will there be a curfew still in place?

Yes from 9pm-5am.

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.

Victorians will be able to meet up to five people outside after September 28. Picture: Sarah Matray
Victorians will be able to meet up to five people outside after September 28. Picture: Sarah Matray

How long can I exercise for?

No change from September 14.

Will there be a change to education?

Yes. There will be a phased return to school for primary and secondary students for Term 4. Prep-Yr 2 and VCE will return first.

Higher education will continue remotely with onsite learning allowed where students cannot learn remotely.

Will there be a change to childcare?

Childcare will open to all children with permits no longer required.

Can I go to work?

Only if you are in a permitted industry — restrictions will begin to ease on construction, manufacturing, warehousing and postal distribution.

Bourke Street is likely to remain quiet with workers asked to continue working from home. Picture: Mark Stewart
Bourke Street is likely to remain quiet with workers asked to continue working from home. Picture: Mark Stewart

Will there be changes for sport and recreation?

Yes. Outdoor exercise and recreation allowed but must be within 5km of home. Outdoor personal training allowed with up to two people per trainer.

Outdoor pools will open for exercise subject to density rules based on size of the pool.

Will there be changes to shopping, retail and personal services?

No.

Will there be changes to entertainment?

No.

Will there be changes to ceremonies?

No. Limits on wedding and funeral guests remain from September 14.

Are there any changes to travel within Victoria?

No.

What about auctions?

No change.

OCTOBER 26 – STEP 3

Does this automatically come into effect?

No. These restrictions will only change if the average daily case rate is five or less a day for the previous 14 days statewide and less than five with an unknown source.

Will there be a curfew still in place?

No curfew will be removed.

For what reason can I leave the house?

There are no restrictions on reasons to leave the house or limits to how far you can travel.

Can I meet anyone outside for social interaction?

Yes. Up to 10 people can meet outdoors for social interaction.

Can I have anyone over to my house?

A household bubble can be created with one nominated household allowing up to five visitors from that house, children under 1 not included in the count.

Up to 10 people will be able to meet outside for social interaction. Picture: David Crosling
Up to 10 people will be able to meet outside for social interaction. Picture: David Crosling

How long can I exercise for?

No limit on exercise time.

Will there be a change to education?

Yes. Potential staged return for onsite learning for Years 3-10.

Higher education will continue remotely with onsite learning allowed where students cannot learn remotely or skills-based learning.

Can I go to work?

If you can work from home you must continue to. Construction, manufacturing, warehouse distribution and postal services reopen with a COVIDSafe plan as do repairs, maintenance and cleaning services. Supermarket and food distribution restrictions begin to lift.

Will there be changes for sport and recreation?

Yes. Outdoor contact sport and non-contact sport for under 18s returns, outdoor non-contact sport for adults with limits on numbers, outdoor skateparks open, outdoor fitness for 10 people.

Non-contact adult sports can return from October 26. Picture: Tony Gough
Non-contact adult sports can return from October 26. Picture: Tony Gough

Will there be changes to shopping, retail and personal services?

Yes. Outdoor seated service will be allowed with group limits of 10 and density limits. Retail reopens, hairdressing open with safety measures. No limit on number of people who can shop together.

Will there be changes to entertainment?

Yes. Outdoor venues and events can open subject to pre-approved plans.

Will there be changes to ceremonies?

Yes. Weddings will now be allowed 10 guests, including couple, witnesses and celebrant. Funerals can have 20 people, with children under 1 not counted. Outdoor religious gatherings for up to 10 people, facilities open for private worship for households or social bubbles.

Are there any changes to travel within Victoria?

Yes. Intrastate travel allowed across other areas with the same restrictions. Accommodation open with caps on numbers.

What about real estate?

Private inspections by appointment only. Auctions can return outdoors subject to gathering limits.

NOVEMBER 23 – LAST STEP

Does this automatically come into effect?

No. These steps will only come into place if we have no new cases statewide for 14 days.

How many people can I meet outside for social interaction?

Up to 50 people can meet outdoors for social interaction.

Can I have anyone over to my house?

Yes you can have up to 20 visitors at a time.

How long can I exercise for?

No limit on exercise time.

Will there be a change to education?

Yes. Staged return to onsite learning for Years 3-10 continues.

Higher education will be allowed to return to onsite.

Can I go to work?

If you can work from home you must continue to. Supermarket and food distribution and beauty services are added to businesses who can reopen completely with a COVIDSafe plan.

Will there be changes for sport and recreation?

There will no longer be restrictions on exercise. Facilities can open subject to safety measures. Organised contact sport resumes for everyone but limitations remain on spectators.

Weddings will be allowed to return to up to 50 attendees.
Weddings will be allowed to return to up to 50 attendees.

Will there be changes to shopping, retail and personal services?

Yes. Indoor group limit of 20 and seated service with a cap of 50 patrons. Outdoor dining subject to caps based on size of venue. All retail now open.

Will there be changes to entertainment?

Yes. Indoor and outdoor venues and events can open subject to patron caps. A staged return to events with seated spectators. Large events treated on individual basis with reference to public health data at the time.

Will there be changes to ceremonies?

Yes. Weddings will now be allowed 50 guests, including couple, witnesses and celebrant, only 20 if it is occurring in a private residence. Funerals can have 50 people, with children under 1 not counted. Public worship can resume in outdoor and indoor settings subject to limits on capacity.

Are there any changes to travel within Victoria?

Yes. Intrastate travel allowed. Accommodation open with caps on numbers removed.

What about real estate?

Returns to normal with safety measures and record-keeping.

COVID NORMAL

When does this happen?

If we have had no new cases for 28 days statewide, no active cases and no outbreaks of concern interstate.

What restrictions apply then?

Life will return to normal with increased record keeping to help with tracing if a case occurs and continued international border controls. A phased return to work for all employees will begin to take place.

RESTRICTIONS FOR REGIONAL VICTORIA

Regional Victorian centres like Ballarat will start to step out of restrictions. Picture: Darrian Traynor
Regional Victorian centres like Ballarat will start to step out of restrictions. Picture: Darrian Traynor

SEPTEMBER 14

Will there be a curfew?

No.

For what reasons can I leave the house?

The reasons you can leave the house remain the same. You must only leave to exercise, shop for essential items, caregiving or medical treatment

Can I meet anyone outside for social interaction?

Yes. You can meet with five other people from a maximum of two households. Infants under one not included in the cap.

Can I have anyone over to my house?

Yes, but only people living alone or single parent households can have one nominated person visit their home (with any dependants of the nominated person under 18 years of age allowed to accompany).

How long can I exercise for?

There is no limit on how long you can exercise for.

Will there be a change to education and childcare?

Yes a staged return to onsite learning for all students from Term 4.

Kids in regional Victoria will return to school in Term 4 while students in metropolitan Melbourne will have to wait longer. Picture: Tim Carrafa
Kids in regional Victoria will return to school in Term 4 while students in metropolitan Melbourne will have to wait longer. Picture: Tim Carrafa

Will there be changes for sport and recreation?

Outdoor recreation and exercise allowed. Outdoor playgrounds and pools open.

Will there be changes to shopping, retail and personal services?
Cafes, restaurants, pubs, clubs, taverns and bars will remain takeaway and delivery only

There are no limits on the number of people who can shop. All retail, including hairdressers open, subject to capacity limits.

Can I go to work?

You must continue to work from home if you can. But construction, manufacturing, warehousing and wholesale, postal services, repairs and cleaning services can open with a COVIDSafe plan. Meat and seafood processing remains heavily restricted.

Will there be changes to ceremonies?
Weddings must only have five attendees including witnesses and celebrant.
Funerals are allowed with up to 10 people (with infants under 1 year of age not counting toward this attendance cap), plus those conducting the funeral (unless held at a private residence – only household members may attend). Places of worship closed.

Are there any changes to travel within Victoria?

No.

What about auctions?

Auctions will remain online only with private inspections.

Residents in regional Victoria will begin easing restrictions from September 14. Picture: Simon Dallinger
Residents in regional Victoria will begin easing restrictions from September 14. Picture: Simon Dallinger

NEXT STAGE – THIRD STEP

When will this happen?

When regional Victoria reaches five or less cases on average over the last 14 days and none with an unknown source.

For what reasons can I leave the house?

There will be no restrictions on why you can leave your house.

Can I meet anyone outside for social interaction?

Yes. You can meet with 10 other people outside.

Can I have anyone over to my house?

A household bubble can be created with one nominated household allowing up to five visitors from that house, children under 1 not included in the count.

Will there be changes for sport and recreation?

Yes. Outdoor contact sport and non-contact sport for under 18s returns, outdoor non-contact sport for adults with limits on numbers, outdoor skateparks open, outdoor fitness for 10 people.

Cafes and restaurants can begin to reopen with outdoor dining in regional areas from step three. Picture: Paul Jeffers
Cafes and restaurants can begin to reopen with outdoor dining in regional areas from step three. Picture: Paul Jeffers

Will there be changes to shopping, retail and personal services?

Outdoor seated service with group limits of 10 and caps on overall numbers. All retail is open.

Can I go to work?

You must continue to work from home if you can.

Will there be changes to ceremonies?
Weddings must only have 10 attendees including witnesses and celebrant.
Funerals are allowed with up to 20 people (with infants under 1 year of age not counting toward this attendance cap), plus those conducting the funeral (unless held at a private residence – only household members may attend). Outdoor religious gatherings allowed for us to 10 people.

Are there any changes to travel within Victoria?

Yes. Intrastate travel allowed across areas in the third step.

What about auctions?

Auctions can take place outdoor with limits on numbers.

Will there be changes to entertainment?

Yes. Outdoor venues and events can open subject to pre-approved plans.

NEXT STAGE – LAST STEP

When does this happen?

When we have no new cases statewide for 14 days.

How many people can I meet outside for social interaction?

Up to 50 people can meet outdoors for social interaction.

Can I have anyone over to my house?

Yes you can have up to 20 visitors at a time.

Can I go to work?

If you can work from home you must continue to. The only other restrictions outside of a COVIDSafe plan will apply to meat and seafood processing and hospitality.

Cars lining up at the Albury/Wodonga border. Picture: Simon Dallinger.
Cars lining up at the Albury/Wodonga border. Picture: Simon Dallinger.

Will there be changes for sport and recreation?

There will no longer be restrictions on exercise. Facilities can open subject to safety measures. Organised contact sport resumes for everyone but limitations remain on spectators.

Will there be changes to shopping, retail and personal services?

Yes. Indoor group limit of 20 and seated service with a cap of 50 patrons. Outdoor dining subject to caps based on size of venue.

Will there be changes to entertainment?

Yes. Indoor and outdoor venues and events can open subject to patron caps. A staged return to events with seated spectators. Large events treated on individual basis with reference to public health data at the time.

Will there be changes to ceremonies?

Yes. Weddings will now be allowed 50 guests, including couple, witnesses and celebrant, only 20 if it is occurring in a private residence. Funerals can have 50 people, with children under 1 not counted. Public worship can resume in outdoor and indoor settings subject to limits on capacity.

Are there any changes to travel within Victoria?

Yes. Intrastate travel allowed. Accommodation open with caps on numbers removed.

What about real estate?

Returns to normal with safety measures and record-keeping.

COVID-NORMAL

When does this happen?

If we have had no new cases for 28 days statewide, no active cases and no outbreaks of concern interstate.

What restrictions apply then?

Life will return to normal with increased record keeping to help with tracing if a case occurs and continued international border controls. A phased return to work for all employees will begin to take place.

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Original URL: https://www.heraldsun.com.au/coronavirus/what-you-can-do-and-cant-do-after-stage-4-ends/news-story/8f7b3ac031802f9d03ed8509a396cd2c