Covid five years on: The draconian lockdown rules imposed on Melburnians

From the bonk ban, the bubble system, the 5km radius, the ‘ring of steel’ to the closure of playgrounds and outdoor basketball courts, these are some of the harshest restrictions on our freedoms.

Victorians were subjected to some of the most draconian – and bizarre – restrictions on freedom the world has witnessed as the Andrews government desperately sought to halt the spread of Covid-19.

The Australian Human Rights Commission’s post-pandemic review, titled Collateral Damage, concluded that many rules “saved lives, (but) also came at a significant cost”.

Here are the most controversial and weird rules we had to endure:

• The 5km Rule: The strict 5km-radius rule limited travel from home for walks or visits with friends. But apart from the occasional roadblock this rule was difficult to police.

• The Bonk Ban, then the Bubble System: Initially, couples were restricted from sleeping at each other’s houses, then those living alone were stopped from having visitors unless they were intimate partners.

• The ‘Ring of Steel’: For months, locked down Melburnians were barred from visiting regional areas, and vice versa. Mornington Peninsula was deemed regional, prompting a major exodus to holiday homes.

Couples were initially restricted from sleeping at each other’s houses. Picture: Megan Cullen

Police were tasked with monitoring a ‘ring of steel’ to stop Melburnians visiting regional areas. Picture: David Crosling

• Hotel Quarantine: Returning Australians were required to quarantine in hotels for 14 days, leading to many contracting the virus there and incurring hefty bills for their stays. Hotel quarantine fails were blamed for triggering Victoria’s deadly second wave. At last count, $9.1m in bills was still outstanding.

• Masks: Anyone aged 12 and above had to wear a mask wherever they went, with $200 fines for refusers without a medical excuse. This led to people perpetually having a coffee cup in hand, ready to raise to their lips whenever the authorities were around.

• Playground Closures: In August 2021, playgrounds, skate parks, and basketball courts were abruptly closed, igniting a backlash from parents. The reasoning for the ban was never disclosed by the Department of Health.

People had to wear a mask wherever they went. Picture: Ian Currie

Parents were unhappy with the closure of playgrounds. Picture: Dan Peled

• School shutdowns: In 2020 and 2021, parents were instructed to keep their children home from daycare and school unless they were essential workers. There have since been numerous studies on the implications of closing educational facilities.

• Stay At Home Orders: Individuals faced whopping $1650 fines for leaving their homes, other than for one hour of exercise and food shopping. One mother was fined for taking her daughter for a driving lesson on a quiet street.

• Aged Care Visitor Limits: A particularly emotionally damaging ban, frail elderly were forced to wave at loved ones through windows, with it since being reported that the restrictions increased loneliness, depression, and health issues among residents.

• Funeral fury: As lockdowns eased, authorities declared it safe for up to 10 people to gather at a funeral, but at the same time the Cox Plate race meeting went ahead with a crowd of 1200 allowed to attend.

• Essential Businesses confusion: As restrictions lifted, churches remained closed due to singing, while Bunnings and brothels were permitted to operate.

Originally published as Covid five years on: The draconian lockdown rules imposed on Melburnians