By Taylah Eastwell
Victoria’s fifth lockdown has been eased, but some restrictions will remain in place for at least two weeks.
Premier Daniel Andrews announced on Tuesday 27 July that the state would revert to a lighter lockdown from 11.59pm, giving Victorian’s more freedom while ensuring some restrictions remain in place.
The news comes as the state recorded 10 new local cases of Covid-19 overnight, all linked to current outbreaks and all in isolation during their infectious period.
The five reasons to leave home is scrapped – including the 5km travel bubble – with Victorian’s free to roam between regional areas and metro Melbourne. However, no visiting family or other homes is allowed.
Victorians are only able to book accommodation with their household, intimate partner or single bubble.
“It is incredibly important that we regard the home as what it is, it is in many respects from the transmission of this virus point of view the highest risk environment, so no visitors to your home for the next two weeks and if we can change at that point, we will,” Mr Andrews said.
Public gatherings of 10 people are permitted.
Students can return to face-to-face learning from Wednesday.
Cafes and restaurants are free to open their doors, however strict density limits and patron caps apply with only 100 people allowed inside indoors at once and 300 outside – but just one person per four square metres.
Retail, beauty and personal care is set to reopen with the same strict density limits.
Masks remain mandatory in all indoor and outdoor settings where you cannot properly socially distance, except inside the home.
“I know its painful, I know no one enjoys doing it. But it is effective,” Mr Andrews said.
There will be no crowds at the footy or large events.
Funerals and weddings are limited to 50 people.
Office workers can return at 25%, or 10 people, whichever is greater – if absolutely necessary.
“If you can work from home then you should. We would ask that you work from home in the interests of every precaution to keep us safe, again that won’t be news that everyone supports but they are the rules,” Mr Andrews said.
These rules are expected to remain in place for a period of two weeks before being re-assessed.
“It’s taxing, it’s a pain, it’s difficult, it’s very very challenging but it’s the only thing that works against this virus, so I’m deeply grateful to every Victorian who has done the right thing and can I particularly give a shout out to those thousands and thousands of close contacts, many of whom are still at home in their 14 days of iso,” Mr Andrews said.
