Premier Daniel Andrews has revealed the roadmap out of lockdown in Victoria. Melbourne’s lockdown will end when Victoria reaches 70% double dose by October 26.
Activities and freedoms including attending larger gatherings, restaurants, cafes, cinemas and hairdressers will only be available to fully vaccinated people.
Healthcare workers must have had one dose by October 15, with dates for other compulsory vaccines in sectors to be announced in the coming weeks. It is expected that this will include a number of essential workers from various industries.
Here are the main changes at each of the five steps:
Step 1:
80% of 16+ with a single dose (on or before 26 September):
-Distance you can travel from home will increase from 10km to 15km
-Up to five fully vaccinated friends may meet for outdoor activities like basketball, golf tennis, cricket. Same limits with households and numbers as picnics apply. For those unvaccinated, only two people can meet.
-Outdoor personal training for up to five fully vaccinated people, or for up to two people plus the trainer if not fully vaccinated.
Step 2:
Schools will return in a staggered way (On or about 5th of October):
-Students can return to sit the GAT.
-From October 6, VCE Unit 3 & 4 can return.
-From the October 18, Prep students will be back to the classroom for three days per week and Years 1 and 2 student two days per week.
Step 3:
70% of 16+ fully vaccinated (on or before October 26):
-Lockdown will end, there will be no restrictions to leave home.
-No curfew.
-People cannot travel further than 25km except for permitted reasons.
-Outdoor gatherings for up to 10 fully vaccinated people, or for up to five people if vaccine status is unknown.
-Physical recreation outdoors, outdoor swimming pools, for up to 50 fully vaccinated people.
-Pubs, clubs and entertainment venues will allow 50 fully vaccinated people outdoors.
-Faith gatherings, funerals and weddings outdoors only for up to 50 fully vaccinated people. If vaccine status unknown, up to 20 can attend outdoors (10 people for weddings).
-All students will return to face to face learning for part of the learning week (days of the week will depend on the student’s year level).
-Childcare will be open for children with fully vaccinated parents.
-Hairdressing and personal care will open for up to five fully vaccinated people.
-Auctions for up to 50 fully vaccinated people outdoors.
Step 4:
80% of 16+ fully vaccinated (on or before November 5):
-There will be one set of rules for Greater Melbourne and Regional Victoria.
-10 people will be able to visit your home.
-Up to 30 will be able to gather in public outdoors.
-Face masks will only be required indoors.
-150 fully vaccinated people will be able to dine indoors.
-All retail will be open.
-Restaurants, cafes and pubs, cinemas, bingo and gaming venues will open for seated service only for up to 150 fully vaccinated people indoors, and up to 500 fully vaccinated people outdoors. (4sqm density quotient applies).
-Theatres, Cinemas, Casino will open for up to 150 fully vaccinated people per space.
-Childcare will be open to all children.
-Schools will open for all levels.
-Physical recreation including gyms can reopen to up to 150 people fully vaccinated indoors, or up to 500 fully vaccinated people outdoors. Swimming pools can open for up to 150 fully vaccinated people indoors, and 500 fully vaccinated people outdoors. (4sqm density quotient applies)
-Community Facilities and creative studios including libraries can reopen to up to 150 fully vaccinated people indoors, or 500 fully vaccinated people outdoors. (4sqm density quotient applies)
-Faith gatherings, funerals will permit up to 150 fully vaccinated people indoors, or 200 fully vaccinated people outdoors. If vaccine status is unknown, only 20 people can attend.
-Weddings will be permitted for up to 150 fully vaccinated people indoors, or 500 fully vaccinated outdoors.
-Work from home if you can, but you can go to work if fully vaccinated.
-Adult education, remote learning from home if you can.
-Food courts will still only be open for takeaway.
-Accomodation will open, in line with private gathering limits.
Step 5:
80% of 12+ fully vaccinated (November 19):
From this point, the State Government will be working towards normal. More details on this will be announced closer to the time.
The Victorian government aims for Victorians to have up to 30 visitors to home on Christmas day. There is a possibility of both interstate and international travel if borders are open and travel industry is ready.
The Victorian government has considered the roadmap based on modelling from the Burnet Institute. Andrew stated that ‘opening up sooner will be catastrophic’. The government will monitor the impact on the health system daily and make adjustments if needed at each step of the roadmap.
Download the full roadmap plan on the Premier’s website: https://www.premier.vic.gov.au/victorias-roadmap-delivering-national-plan
