Restrictions ease from midnight

More people in cafes and bars, indoor pools reopening and the household bubble restrictions lifted are just some of the measures announced today for regional Victoria.

The "household bubble" rule has been dropped and two adults, plus their children will be able to visit your home, once a day. 

And hospitality venues - cafes, bars, restaurants and hotels - will be able to host up to 40 customers indoors and up to 70 outdoors.

Libraries and toy libraries can open - with a maximum of 20 people indoors.

Indoor pools will open again for those under 18, with a maximum of 20 people.

Restrictions have also been eased in metropolitan Melbourne, but the Premier said the "ring of steel" around the city remained in place and there would be increased checks on the highways.

"Only those who need to and have a lawful reason should travel to regional Victoria," he stressed.

Melburnians who own property in regional Victoria and receive a fire or flood preparation notice from their local council would be able to travel from Melbourne to prepare their property.

However, they must have the notice and a letter of support from the council, and the stricter rules in place in Melbourne would apply to those people while in regional Victoria.

"This is not an invitation to use this as an opportunity to travel to regional Victorian," he warned, saying there were significant fines in place for anyone caught unlawfully visiting regional areas.

If numbers remain low, Premier Daniel Andrews said restrictions will be further eased at the start of November.

All Victorians must wear a face mask when outside their home, continue social distancing and are being reminded to get tested as soon as any Covid symptoms appear.

You can read the full statement from the Premier on the DHHS website.

Information about the roadmap for easing restrictions is available at dhhs.vic.gov.au/coronavirus