The numbers Geelong and regional Victoria have to hit to get restrictions eased
A set of criteria has been set for Geelong and the rest of regional Victoria to get our restrictions eased. These are the numbers we have to hit and for how long we have to maintain them to achieve it.
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A set of criteria has been set for Geelong and the rest of regional Victoria get our restrictions eased. These are the numbers we have to hit and for how long we have to maintain them to achieve it.
When and how do restrictions ease?
The State Government released its road map on Sunday.
The First Step does not include regional Victoria, but applies to Melbourne.
The Second Step changes will come into place from Monday in regional Victoria.
Some of the changes include:
- SOCIAL bubbles of one nominated visitor for singles;
-UP to five people from a maximum of two households can meet outdoors;
- A staged return to onsite learning for all students in Term 4 with safety measures in place.
The Third Step will see restrictions further eased for regional Victoria - but there is no date set for that.
Rather, it relies on regional Victoria reaching an average of less than five new cases per day over the previous 14 days, and zero mystery cases over the previous 14 days.
There have still been some mystery cases in regional Victoria over the last fortnight, and it had a daily new case average of five on Wednesday.
The State Government has indicated it is likely regional Victoria will progress to the Third Step quickly.
Some of the changes under the Third Step include:
- NO restrictions on reasons to leave home;
- PUBLIC gatherings of up to 10 people outdoors;
- EACH household allowed up to five visitors at a time under certain guidelines;
- HOSPITALITY venues open for predominantly outdoor seated service, group limit of 10 and density limits;
- ACCOMMODATION open, subject to guidelines, and;
- SOME organised sport allowed.
The ‘Last Step’ of restrictions easing will not be taken before November 23, and depends on Victoria reaching no new cases for 14 days statewide.
The move from Last Step to ‘COVID Normal’ will only occur if Victoria we reach no new cases for 28 days, no active cases, and there are no outbreaks of concern in others states or territories.
Could Geelong be treated differently to the rest of regional Victoria?
Potentially.
On Sunday, the State Government flagged restrictions may not be eased as quickly in the G21 region, compared to the rest of regional Victoria.
Recent outbreaks and proximity to Melbourne mean the region is under close watch.
The region has recorded low case numbers for most of this week, and the Chief Health Officer has indicated he expects Geelong will move out of restrictions at the same pace as the rest of regional Victoria.
The government will need to monitor cases in Colac, which has been struck by a coronavirus outbreak and is in the G21 region, closely.
Bellarine MP Lisa Neville on Sunday said if case numbers across the G21 region were the only thing holding back a further easing of restrictions in regional Victoria, the five council areas would be broken off into its own category until numbers drop.
That scenario could see Geelong remain at the Second Step (introduced this coming Monday), and could see a return to onsite learning delayed.
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Originally published as The numbers Geelong and regional Victoria have to hit to get restrictions eased