The Victorian Government eased COVID-19 restrictions from 6pm on Friday night.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
What do the changes mean for our everyday lives?
The biggest changes for regional Victorians are:
- You no longer have to wear masks outdoors.
- You can now travel into Melbourne and Melburnians can visit us in regional Victoria .
- You can travel interstate subject to the entry requirements of the state you are travelling to.
- Density limits have changed for venues including hospitality, but all people must be fully vaccinated. If vaccination status isn't being checked, the food and drink facility can only open for takeaway.
- Events (e.g. music festivals) are open if everyone present is fully vaccinated with crowds of up to 5,000 people outdoors, subject to restrictions on the type of venue.
- You can see friends and family outdoors in a public place (such as a park or a beach) in a group of up to 30 people (including dependants).
Other rules to note:
- You still have to wear a mask indoors if over age 12.
- You still have to check in everywhere you go using the Service Victoria app .
- You will need to show evidence of being fully vaccinated or carry evidence of a medical exemption to enter many venues. To make things easier, get your COVID-19 Digital Certificate and link it to the Service Victoria App. Note: People with valid medical exceptions issued by an authorised medical practitioner and children aged under 16 are excepted.
- Up to 10 people can visit your home per day (including dependants).
- Religious gatherings, weddings and funerals can be held if everyone present (including workers and attendees) is fully vaccinated (indoors at 1 person per 4 sqm, or outdoors at 1 person per 2 sqm for up to 500 people). Indoor dancefloors are closed.
- Physical recreation and sporting facilities (including swimming pools, spas and saunas) are open if everyone present is fully vaccinated (indoors at 1 person per 4 sqm, or outdoors at 1 person per 2 sqm up to 500 people).
Phase D of Victoria's roadmap to lifting of restrictions is expected on November 24 when 90 per cent of people aged 12 and over are fully vaccinated.
When Phase D is reached there will be no limits on how many people can gather socially in the home or outdoors.
At that time masks will no longer be required except in limited high-risk or low vaccinated settings and where it is difficult to socially distance and events may proceed with no attendee caps for the fully vaccinated.
People are encouraged to get themselves vaccinated as the best defence against COVID-19 and to achieve easing of restrictions.
Isolate and get tested if you are showing any symptoms.
Visit coronavirus.vic.gov.au/how-we-live for full details on restrictions.
Have you signed up to The Courier's variety of news emails? You can register below and make sure you are up to date with everything that's happening in Ballarat.