Extra easing of Victoria‘s virus rules to be revealed

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews is set to announce a further easing of COVID-19 restrictions for Melbourne today, after cases have remained consistently low for the past few weeks.

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews is set to announce a further easing of COVID-19 restrictions for Melbourne today, after cases have remained consistently low for the past few weeks.

Melbourne is set to move to its second step out of lockdown on Monday, with the city smashing its goal of an average daily case rate of between 30 and 50 cases over a 14 day period.

On Saturday Victoria recorded just 12 new coronavirus cases and one death.

This brought the 14 day rolling average for Melbourne to 23.6 cases.

The roadmap already outlines what changes will be implemented from tomorrow, but Mr Andrews has flagged that there could be some more restrictions eased due to Melbourne‘s success in reducing cases.

Though he did say there would be no “massive steps” taken.

“So it is fair to say that we are somewhat ahead of schedule but we will make further announcements tomorrow around those matters,” Mr Andrews said on Saturday.

“The place is not opened up tomorrow and I have tried to be really clear about that, but people can be optimistic and really positive that the numbers are coming down.”

The Premier said COVID-19 testing was “a big, big part of us being able to get to that COVID normal”.

He said coronavirus testing make up part of the announcement.

These are some of the changes that the second step out of lockdown will trigger on Monday:

– Up to five people from two households can meet outdoors for social interaction, exercise, or recreation. This can be for a maximum of two hours and must be within 5km of their homes.

– People living alone or single parents can nominate one person to form a ‘single social bubble’ with. This means the pair can visit each other for social interaction in their homes.

– Childcare will open and there will be a staged return for school students in Prep to Year 2 and Year 12 students or those doing VCE or VCAL subjects and specialist schools.

– More workplaces will be considered a permitted industry, with staff allowed to return to work.

– Weddings will be held on compassionate grounds only, with up to five people allowed at the event.

– Funerals will be allowed with up to 10 people, with infants under 12-months not included in the limit.

Religious groups can have outdoor gatherings of up to five people with and faith leader close to a place of worship.