Mask rules, Christmas gatherings: the coronavirus restrictions to ease in Victoria
From mask-wearing to Christmas gatherings and the border, these are all the changes to Covid restrictions in Victoria from midnight.
Victorians can host up to 30 people for Christmas Day lunch, with easing of restrictions coming into effect from midnight December 13.
From midnight Sunday, the number of visitors to homes will increase from 2 to 15 per day.
Other immediate changes include outdoor gatherings, in parks and at the beach, will increase to 50.
Weddings, funerals and indoor religious ceremonies will also have a new cap of 150 people.
Hospitality limits will increase to 50 patrons, one person for every two square metres, and QR code record keeping will be required.
Larger venues will have the same density limit but a high cap.
Contact and non-contact sport will also restart for adults as well as kids, while the border between NSW and Victoria will reopen from midnight tonight, also.
Masks will also no longer be mandatory while outdoors from midnight tonight, the Premier said. The new restrictions mandate mask-wearing outside only when physical distancing can’t be maintained, such as at a farmers’ market.
People will be required to carry a mask at all times.
“The key message is Victorians have done an amazing job and built something precious but it is so fragile,” Premier Daniel Andrews said in announcing the new restrictions.
He said the state was working towards a normal that was different from the past.
“It can only be Covid normal and it must be Covid-safe,” he said.
Melbourne’s CBD will welcome back workers from November 30, with up to 25 per cent of workers able to return to the office.
Premier Andrews will make more announcements on December 6, but for now, he has outlined the following changes:
From midnight tonight:
– 15 visitors, including dependants, in your home each day
– Outdoor gatherings increased to 50 people
– Masks required inside in all scenarios. They will not be required outside, but will need to be carried and worn of distancing is not possible.
From November 30:
– 25% of staff will be able to be in offices.
– 30 visitors in a home each day.
– Hospitality can have up to 300 patrons, (maximum of 100 indoors, 200 outdoors)
– Gyms can have up to 150 people: one person per four square metres. Indoor sports and gym groups can have up to 20 people, with one person per four square metres.
– Indoor pools can host 150 people, outdoor pools can host 300 people.
– Holiday accommodation can have up to 15 people in the one household.
– Religious ceremonies can have 150 people indoors, and 300 outdoors.
– Weddings and funerals can have 150 people indoors and outdoors.
– Cinemas and small galleries can open up to 150 people per space, with larger facilities able to use 25% of their space.
– Community venues up to 150 people indoor, and 300 outdoor.
– Gaming venues up to 150 people, but every second gaming machine will be turned off.
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