The Mann family came together for the first time in 13 weeks at Robyn and Phil's, better known as Nana and Pa, Ballarat North home, after the regional metropolitan divide was lifted at 6pm on Friday.

Sisters Lauren McDonald and Lucy Mann woke up at 6.30am on Saturday, excited to get to Ballarat from Melbourne as soon as possible to catch up with their mum and dad and sister Julia Mann.

"It was very emotional. There were a lot of happy tears," Lauren said.

"My kids were very excited. Will (her five-year-old son) woke up at 5.15am and came into our bedroom saying 'it is Nana and Pa day'."

"I think this lockdown has been hard for a lot of families more than the others. It seemed to go on and on," Robyn said.

"I think we all feel a little bit scarred," Lucy said.

"I think it just felt like time stopped in Melbourne and everything continued on everywhere else. It has been a good year in other ways, I have had really awesome milestones but I couldn't share them.

"I have a partner my family has only met a couple of times. No one has been in my new house."

Robyn said she had missed spending time with her young grandchildren.

"Children develop so quickly," she said.

"I think we worked out we have missed half of Zoe's (Lauren's two-and-a-half year-old daughter) life."

"With Henry (Julia's 19-month-old son) we have been able to meet outside of the house on occasion.

"With Will (Lauren's five-year-old son) and Zoe, that has been really hard. I think Phil in particular felt like they wouldn't recognise him, that they wouldn't remember Nana and Pa."

Robyn said the family was looking forward to spending more time together and had lots of plans.

They will go on a trip to the Grampians as a group in two weeks.

Julia is planning to visit Melbourne to see Lucy's new house and catch up with friends next week and they will have Christmas with another family in early December.

"When we have free reign, we do everything together and I think that has been the hardest thing. It makes 13 weeks an eternity," Lucy said.

Meanwhile, Bundoora resident Ruth Dunn was excited to catch up with her aunty Judith Lukeis at her home in Buninyong on Sunday for the first time in seven months.

"I have found not being allowed to come to Ballarat quite difficult, especially this time," Ms Dunn said.

"I come and go to Her Majesty's Theatre and Ballarat National Theatre.

"I would live here if I could."

Ms Dunn said she had become close with her aunty in her adult life, particularly after her father, Ms Lukeis' brother, died seven years ago.

"We keep in touch more now. It is important to keep that family connection," she said.

"I was very excited to come. I am seeing so many friends and family in the four days that I am here that I will need to go back to Melbourne for a rest."

Ms Lukeis said she was looking forward to many weekends to come busy with visiting family and friends.

"The family is getting a roster organised," she laughed.

In other COVID-19 restriction changes, masks no longer need to be worn outside and capacity limits have increased for pubs, restaurants and cafes.

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