When restrictions will be scrapped in Victoria

All major Covid restrictions could soon be scrapped under a plan to get Victoria back to near normal. Here’s when more freedoms are expected.

All major restrictions could soon be scrapped in Victoria when the state hits a major jab milestone. Picture: Ian Currie

For the latest details on the easing of restrictions announced by Daniel Andrews on Sunday, click here.

Victoria could be back to near normal life in just four weeks and look forward to up to 75,000 people at the Boxing Day Test.

The Sunday Herald Suncan reveal the Andrews Government is preparing to scrap major Covid restrictions once 90 per cent of people over the age of 12 are fully vaccinated – possible by mid-to-late November.

Changes being thrashed out by Cabinet include abolishing patron caps and seated service requirements at restaurants and pubs, as well as watering down density limits for those venues and for other sectors including retail, live events, weddings and funerals.

Proof of jabs will still be required for people to enjoy new freedoms in the so-called “vaccinated economy”.

Work from home restrictions would be dumped for those double-dosed, while masks would only remain for high-risk settings and public transport.

Crowds are set to return to the MCG, with up to 75,000 planned for the Boxing Day Test. Picture: David Caird

The number of visitors allowed in the home – currently 10 and set to rise to 30 by Christmas – is also likely to be adjusted.

Retail and live events groups have pleaded for certainty about the next steps beyond 80 per cent vaccine coverage, with many businesses facing a “make or break” Christmas and New Year period.

Australian Retailers Association chief executive Paul Zahra said the industry lost $55.2 million a day under Victorian lockdowns and needed a post-90 per cent vaccination plan.

“If we went from one person per four square metres to one per two (sqm) that will make an enormous difference,” he said.

“Christmas is the most important time of the year for retailers and this will be make or break for many.”

Co-ordinating ministers of Cabinet met late on Saturday to consider some of the 90 per cent freedoms, as well as to confirm the easing of restrictions at 80 per cent next weekend.

That 80 per cent step — set to be larger than spelt out in the premier’s original reopening road map — will see masks dropped outdoors, retail and gyms reopen with density limits, travel to regional Victoria allowed, community sport return with caps, indoor swimming pools reopen, and larger patron caps for restaurants, pubs and cafes.

A key reason the state can ramp up freedom plans is due to more than three quarters of 12-15 year-olds already getting one vaccine dose, despite only being eligible since mid-September.

This means a previous road map target of 80 per cent coverage for everyone over the age of 12 will be surpassed by early November, and health authorities can shift focus to 90 per cent coverage.

A pandemic-specific bill set to come before state parliament within the next few weeks will also change the way restrictions are enacted, with the government planning to give the Health Minister the job of signing orders rather than chief health officer Brett Sutton.

It would also provide ongoing state of emergency powers during a pandemic.

Our next road map target is set against the percentage of over 16s who have had jabs, and that age group passed the 90 per cent first dose mark on Saturday.

Asked last week whether 90 per cent vaccine coverage of over 16s would allow life to return to normal Premier Daniel Andrews said it would be “very close to it”.

“I hope to be as close to normal as we can possibly get,” he said.

“But there are going to be some things we still have to do like booster shots for instance.”

One Labor Minister told the Sunday Herald Sun that the fact teenagers have almost caught up to older Victorians in the race to vaccinate was a “great credit to them and their parents” and would see 12-15 year-olds meet targets just days after other groups.
Large numbers of Covid-19 patients in hospital this weekend — 770 including 144 in intensive care — are still causing concern for authorities with nine deaths reported on Saturday.
There are just over 23,000 cases active after 1750 were added on Saturday.

Cabinet and health authorities have been closely watching hospitalisation rates and the NSW experience, where restrictions were significantly eased earlier this month.

The NSW government has announced previously that on December 1, when well over 90 per cent of our northern neighbours will be double jabbed, the state will ease density caps to one person per two sqm and no caps for sports clubs and gyms, or visitors in the home.

Ministers said there was a chance Mr Andrews would try to introduce greater freedoms for Victorians in advance of NSW.

Simon Thewlis, from the group Save Victorian Events, said the lack of clarity for the industry going into 2022 was incredibly costly and putting major gigs at risk.

He said under the current road map for 80 per cent double jabbed there was a 500-person limit for outdoor events which was not “viable”.

“Be it a concert, festival, community day, school fete, food and wine events, fun run … there are a huge number of events in the balance at the moment,” he said.

“None of us know what the limits will be at 90 per cent and beyond meaning we are currently seeing events in the first part of 2022 being cancelled or moved to Sydney.”