Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews has announced a further easing of restrictions towards a COVIDsafe summer.
Changes from 11:59pm tonight
Face masks
Victorians won’t have to wear masks outdoors from midnight tonight, under a relaxation of rules announced by Premier Daniel Andrews.
Andrews said that while the mask rule has been scrapped outdoors, Victorians will still need to carry and wear where you cannot socially distance. Wearing of face mask is still required indoors.
Public outdoor gathering
Andrews has announced the number of people in public (park, beach, etc.) outdoor gatherings will increase to 50.
Gathering at home
Fifteen (15) visitors per day will be allowed at home. This can be split across different times – ten for lunch, and five for dinner – as long as people are sticking to a total of 15.
Weddings and funerals
Religious settings will be allowed to have up to 150 people, which includes weddings and funerals. Social distancing must still be observed.
Hospitality
Hospitality can accommodate up to 300 patrons, including 200 outdoors and 100 indoors. For smaller venues, the density limit will change to one person per two square metres – up to 50 customers.
Other changes
- Higher Education will be open over summer
- Gyms can open to groups of 20
- Indoor sports can open to up to 150 (with group sizes up to 20)
- Outdoor sports – up to 500 people
- Outdoor pools can open to 300 people
Returning to work from 30 November
The Premier also says that a quarter of a private firms’ workers can return to the office, but public servants will continue to work from home.
Employers are responsible to ensure social distancing is observed and no more than 25% are in the office.
Christmas gatherings from 13 December
A total of 30 visitors will be allowed into households throughout the course of the day. Children are included in the count except babies under one year old.
Premier Daniel Andrews concluded his press conference by stressing that the rules he announced today need to be followed.
“It’s in the hands of every single Victorian … if you have any symptoms, get tested and get tested today,” Andrews said.
“We have defeated the second wave but it’s not over.”
