Coronavirus do’s and don’ts: How to avoid a fine during statewide lockdown restrictions

Melbourne is about to take a step back in virus restrictions and there’s every chance authorities will continue to crack down on people doing the wrong thing. Here’s a comprehensive list of “do’s and don’ts” to help you avoid a fine.

Melburnians will not be allowed to jog with more than one friend from outside of the house after the region heads back into strict lockdown tonight. Picture: David Crosling

Just when Melburnians thought they were out of the woods after strict coronavirus lockdown laws, the region will tonight take a step back — and confusion surrounding the rules have left thousands of self-isolators wondering if regular activities such as a driving lesson or trip to the shops could result in a hefty fine.

We’ve put together a comprehensive list of what you can and can’t do during lockdown to help you avoid a costly whack to your bank balance, effective from 11.59pm on Wednesday July 8 and in place until 11.59pm on August 19.

DRIVING

You can drive for four essential reasons — food and supplies, work and education if necessary, exercise and recreation or compassionate reasons.

You can’t go on a roadtrip.

DRIVING LESSONS

You can allow an L-plater to drive a vehicle if you are travelling for one of the four essential reasons.

You can’t allow an L-plater to drive anywhere else just for practice.

You can’t attend a driving lesson with a driving instructor unless the lesson is part of necessary training associated with your job.

SCHOOLS

You can take your child to school to start Term 3 from July 13 if they are in Year 11 or 12, are completing a VCE subject in Year 10 or attend a special school.

You can access your university or TAFE course remotely.

You can’t take your child to primary or secondary school if they are not in Year 11 or 12, are completing a VCE subject in Year 10, or attend a special school; unless no study from home environment is available to your child or you are unable to be at home with your child.

WORK

You must work from home if you are able to do so.

HEALTHCARE

You can go to your GP or emergency department.

You can go to the physiotherapist.

You can get a massage from a physiotherapist.

You can go to the podiatrist.

You can visit a loved one in hospital however strict and varying visitation rules apply. Go to the hospital website for further information.

You can’t go straight to your GP or hospital if you have symptoms of coronavirus. You must call the clinic and discuss your symptoms and travel history and you will be advised what to do next.

TRAVEL

You can complete your holiday if you left before 11.59pm on Wednesday July 8.

You can travel outside restricted areas for work, education, necessary goods and services and care and compassionate reasons only.

You can travel to Australia if you are a citizen, resident or immediate family.

You can use public transport for essential travel. While you are on board, you should try to stay 1.5 metres away from other passengers.

You can use rideshare vehicles for essential travel but you should sit in the back seat.

You can’t go on a holiday after 11.59pm on Wednesday July 8.

You can’t visit your holiday house or second place of residence outside the restricted area unless for emergency and maintenance, for the purpose of shared custody or to stay with an intimate partner who does not live with you.

You can’t go out if you arrive to Australia from overseas. You must undertake a mandatory 14-day quarantine in a facility such as a hotel.

You can’t stay in Australia if you hold a visitor visa. If you can’t return to your home country, you need to maintain a valid visa and stay engaged with the health system.

SHOPPING AND BANKING

You can visit supermarkets and fresh food markets for essential groceries as long as you abide to in-store physical distancing rules.

You can fill up at the petrol station.

You can bank online or at your local teller.

You can shop at the newsagency.

You can shop at the chemist.

You can shop online.

You can go to the shops with a friend or family member if you or they need help shopping, or you can’t leave them at home.

You can’t eat a meal or loiter inside a shopping centre.

VISITORS

You can visit a person whom you are in an intimate relationship including outside metropolitan Melbourne and Mitchell Shire.

You can’t host any visitors in your home or go to visit others unless you are visiting for the purpose of providing care or visiting a partner in their home.

AGED CARE

The state government encourages people not to visit aged care facilities unless they are absolutely needed to support a relative.

Some facilities are asking people not to visit at all.

You can’t visit an aged care facility if you have returned from overseas or you have been in contact with a confirmed case of COVID-19 within two weeks of your planned visit.

You can’t visit an aged care facility if you have a fever or symptoms of an acute respiratory infection.

You can’t visit an aged care facility if you are under 16 years old.

You can’t visit an aged care facility if you have not been vaccinated against influenza.

PALLIATIVE CARE

Palliative care staff will make decisions on a case-by-case basis for residents who have reached end of life.

The state government encourages people to call the appropriate facility for further information about visiting loved ones.

FUNERALS

You can attend a funeral, but no more than 10 people can attend the service plus those conducting the funeral.

Attending a funeral is a permitted reason to leave home.

WEDDINGS

You can get married as long as there is no more than five people in attendance — the couple, two witnesses and a celebrant.

Attending a wedding is a permitted reason to leave home.

CHURCHES

You can attend a church for a wedding or funeral.

You can’t attend a church to worship.

BEACHES

You can walk, run and swim at the beach as long as you keep visits short and maintain physical distancing.

You can’t sun bake or sit on the beach.

EATING

You can order food to be delivered to your home contact-free via mobile dining apps.

You can order a meal or bottles of alcohol for pick up at a restaurant, cafe, bar or pub.

You can pick up food through a fast food restaurant drive through.

You can take your meal home to eat.

You can’t dine in.

EXERCISE

Victorians in lockdown areas - metropolitan Melbourne and Mitchell Shire - must exercise and shop as close to home as possible.

You can go for a walk, run or bike ride near your home.

You can exercise outdoors with one other person or household members.

You can attend an outdoor sporting facility where public gathering and physical distancing can be adhered to and there is no use of shared equipment or communal facilities, such as tennis or golf clubs.

You can participate in golfing, fishing, boating, surfing and drive range shooting with one other person or household members as long as physical distancing can be maintained.

You can’t attend sport at an indoor sporting facility.

You can’t use indoor or outdoor gyms.

You can’t go to the playground.

You can’t go to the skatepark.

You can’t go to a swimming pool.

You can’t participate in exercise in restricted areas.

PETS

You can take your pet to the vet.

You can adopt a pet from a shelter. The RSPCA is offering adoptions by appointment, with Victorians instructed to browse available animals online before calling to schedule a meet time with their new pet.

You can’t contract coronavirus from a pet.

BEAUTY

You can get a haircut.

You can’t visit a retail or private beauty therapist for spray tans, waxing or nail art.

You can’t get a tattoo.

You can’t get a massage at a massage parlour.

ENTERTAINMENT

You can’t go to a concert, nightclub, gambling venue, cinema, arcade, theatre or adult entertainment venue.

RECREATION

You can participate in fishing, boating, tennis, golf and surfing.

You can’t camp or go caravanning overnight.

You can’t participate in recreational activities in restricted areas.

COMMUNITY SERVICE

You can visit a food bank or homeless service if you need help.

You can attend a caravan or camping park for purposes of respite if it is open to victims of family violence, vulnerable groups or for care purposes.

You can attend a caravan or camping park if you live there permanently or as an interim abode because your primary residence is unavailable.

AUCTIONS

You can buy and sell a house remotely.

You can privately inspect a home by appointment.

Victorians face on-the-spot fines of $1,652 for individuals and $9,913 for businesses for breaching restrictions.

Larger fines can also be issued through the courts.

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