More facilities and businesses will be allowed to reopen from Monday, June 1, as restrictions to protect people from the coronavirus continue to ease.
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Announced on Sunday morning, from 11.59pm on Sunday, May 31, up to 20 people at a time can gather at a private household, and in public, indoors and outdoors.
However, anyone who can work from home will need to do so until the end of June.
READ MORE: Premier Daniel Andrews' full statement
Playgrounds, skateparks, and communal outdoor gym equipment will be allowed to reopen on Tuesday, when some children return to face-to-face learning in schools.
On June 1, overnight stays at private residences and hotel accommodation will be allowed, pointing to a gradual return for Ballarat's crucial tourism industry.
This also includes campgrounds and caravan parks, but not with communal facilities.
Up to 50 people will be allowed to attend funerals, indoor and outdoor, and up to 20 people at weddings and other religious ceremonies.
Some community facilities like libraries, youth centres, and Men's Sheds will be allowed to open, but with no more than 20 people in a single area.
Galleries, museums, drive-in cinemas, historic sites, zoos and outdoor amusement parks will be allowed to open with the same restrictions.
Indoor venues will be required to keep customer contact details to help with potential contact tracing.
Swimming pools will be able to open and outdoor community non-contact sporting activities will be permitted, again with up to 20 people.
Some businesses will return with a 20-person limit, including beauty and nail salons, spas, tattoo parlours, and non-food and drink market stalls, as well as auctions and open for inspections for real estate agents - again, each with customer details kept.
The next set of restrictions will be lifted on June 22 if people follow the rules, transmission rates remain low and testing rates remain high, according to the state government.
If the criteria are met, indoor fitness and recreation facilities will be allowed to open, with up to 20 people per space and 10 people per group or activity at any one time.
Up to 50 people will be permitted in restaurants, cafes, galleries, museums and for the first time, cinemas and theatres.
Premier Daniel Andrews said in a media statement that people should be cautious in all their activities, and stay safe.
"Each of these changes are cautious and considered," he said.
"Each of them is underpinned by one key principle: by limiting the number of people moving around our state - we can limit the spread of this virus."
Several facilities closed by the City of Ballarat for months could open, mayor Ben Taylor said.
"We're looking forward to announcing what these impacts will mean specifically for facilities such as City of Ballarat Libraries, the Ballarat Aquatic and Lifestyle Centre, and the Art Gallery," he said in a statement.
"The details of these changes are being worked through and will be announced during this week."
It's the safe return of potential tourists that has many excited.
The Ballarat Wildlife Park has begun innovative programs to keep its animals looked after while its doors were closed - curator Julia Leonard said the inclusion of zoos in the announcement was welcomed.
"It's exciting for everybody, we're itching to open and welcome back our members and locals," she said.
"We know it's going to be really important for the animals also - the visitation is part of their enrichment, they'll look forward to it, especially the dingoes and the meerkats.
"Animals are one of the best therapies for people - everyone's really going to enjoy just having a break from the day-in, day-out isolation they've had, and get out in the fresh air outdoors, and visit attractions."
Hotels and restaurants will appreciate the week-long notice to gear up for visitors, according to the Australian Hotel Association's Victorian president Dave Canny, from the Red Lion.
"It's so vital in Ballarat," he said.
"The sooner we can get it up and going, everyone benefits from that - retail, pubs, cafes - from people staying in the city.
"We're respectful that it's still restricting for a lot of people, it might not be viable to open yet, but it's a step in the right direction."
Commerce Ballarat chief executive Jodie Gillett said there had never been a more important time to spend money locally.
"We are thrilled to see some forward dates for business reopening announced, it is critical that businesses are given this lead time to enable planning and preparation for opening their doors," she said in a statement.
"It is now more important than ever that we are patient and follow all guidelines to ensure we remain safe so that our businesses can begin the incredibly difficult recovery process.
"Our community must understand that this is going to take a long time."
Ballarat Regional Tourism chief executive Natalie O'Brien said in a statement venues would have to pay close attention to the restrictions still in place, particularly around capacities.
"We also understand the reactivation of the visitor economy will require strict rules on cleaning and sanitisation together with social distancing to keep both staff and customers safe," she said.
"Given Victoria's borders have remained opened nationally it means that we can also welcome interstate visitors to our state."
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