Lockdown lifts for regional Victoria!

The government announced this morning that following advice from Victoria’s Chief Health Officer (CHO), the lockdown in regional Victoria will lift from 11:59pm tonight.

But the regions will still operate under restrictions, including no private gatherings at home, and visits to Melbourne only for permitted reasons.

"While we continue to get on top of this outbreak in Melbourne, minimal primary close contacts and no new cases means we can ease setting in regional Victoria," the Premier Daniel Andrews said.

“This outbreak is an important reminder that until more Australians are vaccinated, we cannot afford complacency to creep in – we must stay safe to stay open.”

The Premier and the CHO called on regional Victorians to get vaccinated as soon as possible.

"One of the most important things regional Victorians can do as we ease restrictions is to get themselves vaccinated to protect their family, friends, and their community.

"Eligible Victorians can book in at one of 50 open access sites across the state, through a Commonwealth clinic or their trusted GP."

There have been no new coronavirus cases in regional Victoria and thousands of primary close contacts have been cleared from the regions over the last few weeks.

From 11:59pm tonight the five reasons to leave the home can be removed in regional Victoria and there will be no limit on the distance regional Victorians can travel from home. However, people will only be able to travel to Melbourne for a permitted reason and you must follow the Melbourne restrictions once there.

Importantly, private gatherings in the home are still not permitted, however, outdoor gatherings in public spaces can occur with up to 10 people. Face masks will also still be mandatory indoors and outdoors.

Food and hospitality will open for seated service only, a density requirement of one person per four square metres will apply, with a maximum of 100 people per venue. Venues smaller than 100 square metres can have up to 25 people before density requirements apply.

Retail can also open and personal services such as beauty and tattooing can resume. Face masks can be removed where required for the service to be performed.

Religious gatherings and ceremonies are allowed, with density requirements of one person per four square metres, and no more than 100 people total indoors and 300 people outdoors per venue.

Weddings and funerals are also able to have up to 50 people at a venue. This limit doesn’t include infants under 12 months of age, or the people required to conduct the service.

Community sport is open for all ages, including training and competition. Only the minimum number of participants (players, coaches, referees, officials, and carers or parents) needed to train or compete are permitted to attend, subject to a density quotient of one person per four square metres. Spectators are not permitted.

Entertainment venues can have up to 300 people per outdoor space with a density requirement of one person per four square metres and a cap of 100 people per space indoors. All entertainment facilities are required to have a Covid Check-in Marshal to monitor patrons checking-in with the Service Victoria app.

"While stay at home orders remain in metropolitan Melbourne, we need to ensure the virus does not travel into regional Victoria," the Premier said.

"Businesses that are open in regional Victoria but closed in Melbourne – restaurants for dine-in service or beauty for example – must check the IDs of everyone they serve."

He said all regional Victorians need to continue with their Covid-Safe behaviours – most importantly to get tested immediately if they have any symptoms at all and get vaccinated if eligible.

For more information call the coronavirus hotline on 1800 675 398 or visit coronavirus.vic.gov.au.

To book a vaccination at one of Victoria’s state-run clinics visit coronavirus.vic.gov.au/book-your-vaccine-appointment.