Restrictions in regional Victoria eased again this week.

With the 14-day case average in regional Victoria currently at 0.2, restrictions on gyms, religious gatherings, indoor pools, and school graduations eased from midnight on Tuesday, October 27.

The announcement from the government means gyms, fitness centres and indoor pools can reopen. There’s also been an increase in numbers allowed at religious gatherings and funerals.

And live music can return – at outdoor hospitality venues.

And in welcome news for the tourism industry, outdoor tourism services can re-open and tour transport can be used (with limits depending on vehicle size).

Since October 18, regional Victorians have been allowed to have up to two visitors per day (plus dependents) to their homes.  The two people may be from different households.

Groups of up to 10 people can meet outdoors.

Face masks must be worn when outside the home and the 1.5 metre social distancing advice is unchanged.

Summary – latest key changes for regional Victoria

• Gyms and fitness centres can reopen. Cap of 20 per venue and density quota of one person per eight square metres. Can only admit people from regional Victoria.
• Indoor pools reopen – maximum of 20 patrons or density quotient (one person per four square metres)
• Grade 6 and Year 12 Graduations are permitted within the existing grade cohort, with students and staff attending only.
• Indoor religious gatherings – up to 20 people.
• Outdoor funerals – up to 50 people.
• Construction – no cap on worker numbers.
• Manufacturing, wholesale, medical supply, pharmaceutical and PPE supply – no cap on worker numbers.
• Tour vehicles allowed for outdoor tourism services for trip of up to 30 minutes.
• Tourism: smaller vehicles – as per household private gathering limit, plus two people (and dependents)
• Tourism: larger vehicles – up to 10 people (infants under 12 months not included in cap).

You can find full details of the current Third Step restrictions for Regional Victoria at www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/third-step-restrictions-regional-victoria-covid-19