- Victorians are getting ready for COVID-19 restrictions to return to “something normal” this weekend despite two new community cases recorded in the state
- Though the two new cases, which are both linked to the Holiday Inn cluster, end a six-day streak of no community infections, restrictions will still be easing
- Premier Dan Andrews said the state is ready to return to the level of restrictions in place before the late-December Black Rock restaurant outbreak
- From 11:59 pm Friday night local time, masks will only be mandatory in “high risk” settings like public transport, shopping centres, and aged-care homes
- Victorians will also be able to host up to 30 visitors in their homes per day, with 100 people allowed at outdoor gatherings
- Offices across Victoria will be opening to 75 per cent capacity on Monday, which is the highest levels since the state’s first lockdown in March 2020
- On top of this, the MCG will be opening to 50 per cent capacity, meaning up to 50,000 people can watch AFL games in the stadium
- Density limits will remain at one person per two square metres as long as patrons sign into the venues with QR codes for contact-tracing purposes
Victorians are getting ready for COVID-19 restrictions to return to “something normal” this weekend despite two new community cases recorded in the state.
The two new cases, which end the six-day streak of zero local infections, are both linked to the state’s Holiday Inn cluster.
However, Premier Dan Andrews said the state was still ready to ease some key restrictions that have been in place since the late-December Black Rock restaurant outbreak.
The eased restrictions kick off at 11:59 pm on Friday night, local time.
Fewer masks, more visitors, and open offices
Under the new COVID-19 restrictions, Victorians will only be required to wear masks in “high-risk” settings, which typically refer to areas where large numbers of people will gather indoors or where several sensitive people may be together.
This means except for places like public transport or rideshare services, indoor markets, shopping centres, and aged-care facilities, Victorians can leave the mask at home.
On top of this, Victorian residents are now able to host up to 30 people per day inside their homes. Over the year so far, Victorians have only been able to have five people over at a time. The new rules are even lighter than the 15-visitor-per-home rules from before New Year’s Eve.
Meanwhile, up to 100 people are now allowed to attend outdoor gatherings.
Importantly, 75 per cent of Victorian workers are set to return to their offices on Monday — up from the current 50-per-cent capacity rule. This will be the first time since the March lockdown in 2020 that offices will be open to such capacity.
“We were on the cusp of moving to that setting when we had our most recent challenges, so I am very pleased — based on public health advice from the Chief Health Officer — we were able to make those adjustments as well,” Premier Dan Andrews said.
Offices will be open across the private and public sector both in the CBD and across suburban and regional locations.
Restrictions will also lift across hospitals and aged care facilities, though the Premier said these facilities can still implement their own restrictions if they deem it necessary.
As for sports fans, the MCG is opening to 50 per cent capacity, meaning 50,000 people can attend AFL games at the stadium when the season kicks off.
“That will be something approaching normal — which is something that Victorians have absolutely earned,” the Premier said.
“I want to thank every Victorian for making today’s announcement possible — and I want to thank every Victorian for their patience. It’s been a hard slog, but Victorians are doing what they do best as we work to beat this virus: staying the course and looking out for each other.”
Density limits in pubs, clubs, shops, and other venues will remain at one person per two square metres, as long as patrons sign into the venues with QR codes for contact-tracing purposes.