Victoria’s fifth lockdown to end but tough restrictions to remain

Schools, shops and gyms will reopen, while the 5km travel limit is set to be axed, but other tough rules will remain for months to come.

Victoria’s fifth lockdown will end on Tuesday at 11.59pm with the 5km travel limit scrapped, schools returning to face-to-face learning and hospitality, retailers and gyms reopening.

But under a new “Lockdown Lite”, restaurants, bars, cafes and pubs will be restricted by a density quotient of 1 person per 4 sqm, as well as harsh patron caps, which are still being finalised.

Hairdressers and beauticians will also be permitted to operate, while workers will be able to return to the office – at a maximum 25 per cent of capacity or 10 people, whichever is greater.

Victorians will again be allowed to gather in public in groups of up to 10.

But masks will remain mandatory both indoors and outside, with the requirement to wear them inside expected to continue for a long time.

Community sport is expected to return, although the Herald Sun understands caps on the number of people, potentially up to 100 people, are still being thrashed out.

Masks will remain mandatory both indoors and outside. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Wayne Taylor

But it’s understood crowds may not return to AFL matches for several weeks.

Patron caps for hospitality venues are still being finalised, with numbers of between 25 and 50 indoors and up to 100 outdoors being mooted.

Sources say health officials want some restrictions to remain in place until vaccination rates are vastly improved.

“The restrictions are going to be onerous for the next few months,” one source said.

Another added: “It’s going to not be worthwhile for a lot of restaurants to open if what is being talked about goes ahead. Not great news for Melbourne”.

The state government has come under fire for ignoring calls from business and industry groups for clearer direction, advance warning and a road map out of lockdown.

Authorities were awaiting test results from the thousands of primary close contacts about to complete two weeks of isolation, as well as people linked to the Prahran Market and the Lacrosse apartment building in Docklands.

Australian Hotels Association Victoria president David Canny said some hotels would not reopen under the tough new restrictions without targeted government support.

“They just can’t afford to. It’s not viable,” he said.

“The government can’t just say you’re now open, so you’re on your own.

“The response has got to be proportionate to the restrictions we’re on.”

Mr Canny called on the government to use liquor licensing numbers to determine the size of businesses and tailor support accordingly.

He said the least restrictive capacity limits imposed to date, of one person per two square metres, meant hotels were operating at 50 per cent capacity.

“Some venues could trade reasonably, but most venues can’t,” he said.

“The debt hole continues to mount. Without government assistance we’re really worried what’s at the end of this.”

Health Minister Martin Foley says the risks associated with this outbreak are greater than before. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Andrew Henshaw

Restaurant and Catering Association chief Wes Lambert said restrictions had to be eased ahead of reaching any substantial vaccination targets.

“While we do expect there will be ongoing restrictions, it is imperative that the state government ensures not only (that) they’re removed as soon as possible, but while they’re in effect some business support is continued,” he said.

“They cannot leave us out to dry in the storm that is the Delta variant.”

Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry chief Paul Guerra said Victoria had to bounce back from the latest lockdown quickly.

“Lockdown Four effectively lasted six weeks and Lockdown Five continues into its third week,” he said.

“We’ve mastered the art of going into lockdowns quickly, we now need to bounce back quickly and responsibly to preserve businesses, jobs and livelihoods.”

Patron caps for hospitality venues are still being discussed. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Luis Ascui

Small Business Australia executive director Bill Lang called for a “Business Saver” package for impacted industries.

“The Premier may well declare Victoria ‘open’ but for many businesses the restrictions will mean they may as well remain closed – for many they will lose more money when they open,” he said.

“When you operate at 25 per cent capacity, you still need to meet 100 per cent of costs of staff, rents, utilities, stock and other running costs, which is why our small business families need continued assistance.”

Health minister Martin Foley said the risks associated with this outbreak were greater than previous outbreaks given higher daily case numbers, significantly more primary close contacts and the worsening situation in greater Sydney.

Ten new cases of locally acquired coronavirus were detected on Tuesday, while 11 emerged on Monday — but all people had been in isoaltion for their full infectious period for the third consecutive day.

Five Victorians are in hospital with the virus, including two people in ICU, one of whom is on a ventilator.

Originally published as Victoria’s fifth lockdown to end but tough restrictions to remain