Daniel Andrews reveals changes to Victoria’s strict lockdown

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews has unveiled changes to the state’s strict lockdown rules. Here’s what residents can and can’t do.

For the first time in more than 100 days Melbourne residents will be able to leave their homes for more than two hours, after Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews revealed the state’s next steps out of its hard lockdown.

Time limits for exercise and social activities will be scrapped from 11.59pm Sunday.

Metropolitan residents will be able to gather outside in groups of up to 10 (from two households) and travel restrictions will extend from 5km to 25km.

Masks will remain mandatory and the controversial ban on golf will be lifted – but patrons will not be allowed to enter club rooms.

Tennis clubs, skateparks, hairdressers and the real estate industry (with a maximum of 10 people at auctions) have also been given the green light to reopen.

Outdoor pools can host up to 30 swimmers and indoor pools can open for one-on-one hydrotherapy.

However the Andrews government is remaining cautious when it comes to indoor gatherings, delivering a blow to businesses who will have to wait a little longer open their doors.

‘Yes, these lockdowns have come with pain and damage and hurt but the strategy is working and will continue to work,” Mr Andrews said on Sunday.

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews outlines next steps out of lockdown. Picture: NCA NewsWire / David Geraghty

In regard to outdoor gatherings being limited to two households, Mr Andrews said it was about restricting the spread of the virus, and that changes form a plan for a “COVID-safe summer”.

“As so many cities across the world head into what is going to be a deadly winter, we in Melbourne and across Victoria are well-placed to have a COVID safe summer and a COVID normal 2021,” he said.

Retail stores will reopen from November 1, while hospitality venues will be allowed to have 20 people inside and 50 outside depending on the size of their space.

Beauty services will also be made available.

Residents will also be allowed to have up to two people and their children visit their homes.

“Not a bubble, not an exclusive arrangement, but essentially one family, two adults and children, to your home, once-a-day. No more often than that,” Mr Andrews said.

Restrictions will ease from midnight Sunday. Picture: NCA NewsWire / David Geraghty

Other restrictions to ease on November 1 (providing case numbers remain low):

• Contact sport for under 18 -year-olds and non-contact for adults will recommence.
• Up to 20 people will be allowed for outdoor religious gatherings.
• Up to 10 people will be allowed at weddings and 20 at funerals.
• Outdoor seated entertainment can host a maximum of 50 people or 25 per cent of the venue's fixed seat capacity.

“At this stage, we have set out a timeline for some important things today (for two weeks time) but there is some optimism, confidence even, but if things continue this week as they have the last five days, we may be able to bring that forward,” Mr Andrews said.

Melburnians will be allowed to visit their holiday homes or properties in regional Victoria only to prepare them for floods or bushfire since the “ring of steel” remains in place.

He said it will be up to the local council whether or not it legally requires a property owner to do the work.

The ring of steel will remain in place between metropolitan and regional Victoria. Picture: William WEST / AFP

“This is not an invitation to go and have a couple of days in regional Victoria and essentially move into regional Victoria without due reason,” he said.

The easing of restrictions comes after just two new cases of coronavirus and no deaths were recorded in Victoria overnight.

There are 15 cases with an unknown source in Melbourne and zero in regional Victoria.

The rolling 14-day average is 7.5 in the city, with the original benchmark set at five for the Andrews Government to ease restrictions significantly from Monday.

Regional Victoria has a daily case average of just 0.5.

Eleven healthcare workers are active cases.

On Saturday the state recorded just one new case of COVID-19 — less infections than NSW.

Yesterday there were 2 new cases & no lost lives reported. Cases with unknown source and the rolling 14 day average in Metro Melb are down, average in Regional is stable. More info available later today. https://t.co/eTputEZdhs #COVID19VicData pic.twitter.com/Ke5ncaHKsH

— VicGovDHHS (@VicGovDHHS) October 17, 2020

Speaking on the ABC’s Insiders program on Sunday, federal Labor MP Tanya Plibersek lashed out at her Liberal counterparts for their relentless attacks on the Victorian premier.

“It’s actually really gross that federal Liberal MPs are trying to use this (hard lockdown) as an attack on Daniel Andrews,” she said.

“What he’s done – he hasn’t done for popularity. He’s done it because he’s considered it the right thing to do.”

She pointed the finger at the Morrison Government, arguing it should be looking into its own role in “Victoria’s difficulties”, including aged care which she said is a federal responsibility.

Ms Plibersek also slammed the contact tracing app.

“Imagine how much sooner Victoria could have opened up if the contact tracing app, the federal government is completely responsible for, had worked as it was intended to work, as it was promised to work.”