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Coronavirus Q&A: Your snap lockdown questions answered
By Erin Pearson
The state entered another snap lockdown from 11.59pm on Thursday, this time for at least seven days.
Here we will aim to answer the questions Victorians are asking, based on the latest information the state government have provided.
People wait to get a COVID-19 test in Collingwood on Wednesday. Credit: Joe Armao
We’ve had a lot of questions about whether people can go ahead with plans to move home over the coming week and whether they can travel back home from interstate and Victorian holidays. Or can they pick up family from the airport? We’ve asked the Health Department and we will update when we hear back.
What are the latest stage-three lockdown measures?
There are only five reasons to leave home for the next seven days, one more than when the last stage-three restrictions were in place. They are:
- Shopping for food and supplies (within five kilometres of home)
- Authorised work
- Care and caregiving (including for animals)
- Exercise (for up to two hours with one other person and within five kilometres of home)
- To be vaccinated
What if there are no shops within five kilometres of my home?
You are allowed to travel to the nearest store. Common sense applies. Shopping is also limited to one person per household each day.
Where must I wear a mask?
From midnight, face masks must be worn both inside and outside, unless you are at your home. Those caught breaching the rules face a $200 on-the-spot fine. You do not need to wear a face mask, however, when running for exercise.
Police check to see if passengers are wearing a mask on a train at Southern Cross station last week.Credit: Justin McManus
Can I travel to regional areas or parks near my home to exercise?
Victorians can only exercise within a five-kilometre radius of their homes. If you’re lucky enough to live by the water or a park, then you can spend up to two hours there daily with up to one other person.
Who can visit my home?
Visitors are banned from homes unless that person is your intimate partner. Single-person bubbles will also be permitted if you live alone, allowing one person to visit you.
What is banned under stage three rules?
Public gatherings and community sport. New hotel bookings, clubs, TAB and casinos, swimming pools, spas and saunas, hairdressing and beauty salons, galleries and museums will all remain closed.
What is the current five-kilometre rule? What does it impact?
Victorians are currently only confined to a five-kilometre travel rule to shop for food and supplies or to exercise. We haven’t returned yet to stage-four limitations that restricted movement further for other activities. You can still travel around to see your intimate partner, for a single’s bubble or for the care of children. You can also continue to move around for things like a vaccination or for care-giving reasons. But don’t forget your mask.
Can I still buy pizza and pasta from my favourite restaurant?
Yes. Restaurants, pubs and cafes can operate as takeaway venues only. This means you can have your favourite meals delivered to your home and continue to support local businesses.
Can I collect items from stores near me?
Yes. Click-and-collect services will be permitted at certain “general retail” stores. But remember, you can only travel within a five-kilometre radius of your home to collect shopping and goods.
What are the rules for funerals and weddings?
A limit of 10 people, plus those running the service, has been placed on funerals for the next seven days. Weddings are banned unless end-of-life or deportation reasons exist.
Can I attend church this weekend?
All religious services must move online only. People cannot attend their local church or mosque for the next seven days.
I am an authorised worker, what happens to my children?
Childcare, family daycare and kindergartens will remain open. Schools will move to remote online learning unless a parent is an authorised worker. Vulnerable children or children of authorised workers can attend school as normal.
What is an authorised worker?
These rules are similar to those applied during the last stage-three lockdown, with the addition of construction and urgent oral care workers. The full list can be accessed here. Authorised workers must be employed to work at authorised providers. These include but are not limited to: supermarkets and food stores, bottle shops, courts, labour-hire firms, post offices, newsagents, pharmacies, petrol stations, veterinarians, meat processing plants, locksmiths, takeaway hospitality venues, mechanical repairs, dry cleaners and commercial cleaners.
Do I need a permit to move around for work?
No. Those who were deemed authorised workers during the last lockdowns will continue to be treated as such this time. It is advisable to carry some form of work ID with you, though, such as a work pass or roster.
Can I move house during the latest lockdown? What rules apply?
The state government says people can move house as planned but friends and family cannot help. Only removal companies can assist.
Will there be any financial support for businesses forced to close or change their operations?
Acting Premier James Merlino has indicated a business support package will be announced in coming days. There were ongoing discussions occurring between state and federal treasurers on Friday, he said.
Can renovation work continue on my house? In the backyard or inside the house?
Those homes that are owner-occupied can only continue with emergency works at this time. Construction can continue at vacant properties.
Can residential construction continue? Can my house build go ahead?
Yes. Construction has been added to the authorised worker list for Victoria. All construction operations can continue, both residential and non-residential, and regardless of the number of tenancies. All work should enable physical distancing of at least 1.5 metres between workers and occupants. Quotations are also permitted.
Will crowds be able to attend footy matches this week?
No. Approved professional sporting events can proceed but without crowds.
Marvel Stadium in Docklands was listed as an exposure site on Wednesday.Credit: Wayne Taylor
Can I travel to my holiday home for the next week?
Where you were on Thursday night is where you need to be for the duration of the lockdown. That’s the message from acting Premier James Merlino.
I’ve been vaccinated. Do these restrictions apply to me?
Yes. There have been no exemptions announced for people who have been vaccinated.
I live in regional Victoria and there are no coronavirus cases near me. Do I have to move into stage-three lockdown?
Yes. The lockdown applies to all Victorians. No hard border between regional Victoria and metropolitan Melbourne has been announced at this stage.
Are IVF procedures suspended for the next seven days as elective surgery or is it medical care? For a lot of women these procedures are time sensitive?
These types of procedures that need to be completed during the lockdown period are allowed to continue.
What about allied health services? Can I go and see my physiotherapist or my psychologist in-person?
Those allied health services that cannot be done using telehealth are permitted to continue. Those that are clinically appropriate to run using telehealth though are expected to be done this way.