Coronavirus: Victoria playground ban to be lifted, no other freedoms, as Andrews dumps zero Covid

Premier says Victoria is in for a tough time without any lifting of meaningful restrictions until a vaccination target is reached around September 23.

Daniel Andrews speaks to the media. Picture: Getty Images.

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews has conceded the border with NSW may not open until next year even when the state hit vaccination coverage of 80 per cent.

In response to a question on whether the border may remain shut until well into 2021, Mr Andrews said: “Yep and no one’s happy about that but again we’ll have many more options when we get to 80 per cent.”

Mr Andrews said he wanted to wait and see how the situation in NSW developed before committing to reopening the border.

“I don’t want to sit here and say [there’s] absolutely no possibility of anything other than full and free moment between NSW and Victoria,” he said.

“When we get to 80 per cent we’ll have to look at what’s happening.”

Mr Andrews said only 20 of the 120 cases recorded on Wednesday were in isolation during their infectious period, meaning 100 were infectious in the community.

He said there had been a “dramatic change” in the nature and the number of cases seen in the current outbreak.

Most of Victoria’s restrictions will remain until at least 70 per cent of the state has recieved at least one dose of the vaccine, which is predicted to be September 23.

The five reasons for leaving home will remain as will rules on mask.

From 11.59pm Thursday, playgrounds will reopen with QR codes for children under the age of 12 and only one parent or caregiver. Checking in will be mandatory.

In home care, including babysitters, will be expanded if both parents are authorised workers.

Mr Andrews said the state was in for a “difficult time” in the coming weeks and said restrictions had to remain to give people time to get vaccinated.

Mr Andrews said when at least 70 per cent of the state’s population had received one dose, expected to be September 23, a number of other restrictions will be eased.

This includes increasing the 5km limit to 10km and up to three hours of exercise outdoors will be permitted, an increase from the current limit of one hour.

Outdoor communal gym equipment and skateparks will reopen and and outdoor personal training with a maximum of two clients plus the trainer allowed.

Private inspections of unoccupied premises will be permitted for new purchases or end of lease but will be limited to one household at a time.

Mr Andrews confirmed the state’s students will not return for term three in 2021.

He said he would have more to say on what term four would look like in coming days.

He said the GAT would take place on October 5.

Mr Andrews said when 90 per cent of the construction workforce had received one dose of the vaccine, it could return to 50 per cent of pre pandemic activity.

He said regional Victoria, excluding Shepparton, would likely be able to move to softer restrictions but announcements on what measures would ease would come in coming days.