Melbourne’s lockdown and travel restrictions have been eased. Image by Ralf Genge from Pixabay
Metropolitan Melbourne eases its lockdown restrictions as of midnight tonight (Thursday). This brings it into line with regional Victoria, meaning the same regulations will now apply state-wide.
Masks will continue to be required in indoor, public-facing settings unless an exemption applies. But they are no longer be required at schools for students and staff, or at the workplace if you don’t interact with the public – for example, in an office or factory setting.
A range of venues across Melbourne will now be able to apply the same density limits that apply in regional Victoria: one person per two square metres.
This includes hospitality, gyms and physical recreation venues; community facilities; creative studios and places of worship. All provided a Covid Check-in Marshal is on-site to ensure people are checking in.
Dancefloors will be allowed with a Covid Check-in Marshal, but no more than 50 people can be on the dance floor at any one time.
The limit on private gatherings will stay the same, however, with up to 15 people able to attend a home per day. “Victorians need look no further than the outbreak across our border to know the risks of coronavirus spreading at big gatherings inside the home,” the Victoria Government noted in a statement.
Crowd numbers will increase at approved public events. Outdoor stadiums can welcome 75 percent of their capacity (up to 40,000 people), and indoor stadiums can open to 75 percent of their capacity (up to 7,500 people). Theatres will also open to 75 percent of their capacity (up to 2,000 people).
There are no restrictions on travel around the state. While it is no longer mandated that anyone going to regional Victorian Alpine Resorts must have had a negative Covid test result within 72 hours to enter the ski field, it is still recommended.
These restrictions will be in place for 14 days, subject to ongoing assessment of the risks.
“[The] changes show just how far we’ve come – thanks to the hard work of all Victorians we’re able to once again have the same settings in place for the whole state,” Victoria’s Minister for Health, Martin Foley, said.
“We’re seeing across the country just how fast-moving the Delta strain is – which is why we need to remain vigilant and follow the directions to protect the gains we’ve made.”