Overview
In early September, Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews unveiled how metropolitan Melbourne area will gradually ease out of its current stage four COVID-19 lockdowns. On the cards is a five-step removal of restrictions, with the second step coming into place at 11.59pm on September 27, as confirmed by Premier Andrews yesterday. More steps will follow; however just when they'll kick in is now dependent on hitting certain case numbers, and accompanying health advice, rather than specific dates. The aim: to get Melbourne to what the powers-that-be are calling a 'COVID normal' scenario — with absolutely no restrictions on gatherings, visitors, hospitality or sport.
For now, under step two, metro Melbourne has met everything it needs to. Under the roadmap, Melbourne needed to reach a 14-day rolling average of daily between 30 and 50 — and as of Sunday, September 27, the average is 22.1.
If you're wondering what has changed overnight, and what you now can and can't do, that's understandable — the full outline of step two is lengthy. So, we've detailed the basics.
This information is correct as of Monday, September 28.
Is there still a curfew?
No, the curfew for metropolitan Melbourne has now been scrapped. If lifted for the last time at 5am on Monday, September 28. Originally, it was due to stay in step two, but Premier Andrews announced that change on Sunday, September 27.
For what reasons am I allowed to leave the house?
Remember those four reasons first announced way back in March? Yep, it's still those. You can leave home to purchase groceries and other essentials, for care and caregiving, for outdoor exercise and recreation, and for permitted work.
In step two, however, more industries are allowed to return to working onsite, covering around 127,000 employees. You can find out more about what industries are allowed on-site workers over here.
Do I still have to wear a mask?
Yes, masks or face coverings are still compulsory whenever you leave home. In fact, the rules for masks have tightened in step two. You now have to wear a fitted face mask — with bandanas, scarves and face shields no longer acceptable.
The new rule came into effect with step two, but Melburnians are being give a one-week grace period to comply.
How long am I allowed to be out of the house for?
You can now head outdoors for up to two hours. You can use these two hours to exercise or to see a friends or family members (and you can split these into two one-hour sessions, but no more), but we'll get to social interactions in a second.
How far can I travel?
You can still only travel up to five kilometres from your home. We're sure you're very, very familiar with that patch of dirt by now, but if you want to have another look at what's around, check out this website.
Can I see friends and family?
Yes, but there are quite a few caveats, so bear with us. You can catch up with up to five people, from a maximum of two different households, outside of your home for up to two hours. You can exercise with them or have a picnic (socially distanced, of course), but you cannot travel more than five kilometres from your home.
Inside your home, the rules are a little different. The "single social bubble" from step one is still in place, which allows a single person living alone or a single parent with children under 18 to nominate one person to be in their bubble. You are allowed to have this nominated person over to your home and you can go to their home — and you can travel more than five kilometres to visit them, but you must stay within metropolitan Melbourne. You can also stay overnight.
Premier Daniel Andrews has posted a little more about the bubbles, too:
Can I drive to a park to exercise?
As long as it's within five kilometres of your home, yes. While it was initially banned at the start of stage four, the government changed the rules after backlash on social media.
Also, if you're a worker permitted to return to onsite work, you can now also exercise within five kilometres of your workplace.
Can I have a session with a personal trainer in a park?
Under step two, yes. Up to two people per trainer is allowed.
Can I have a picnic in a park?
Yes, as long as it's with up to five people (including yourself) from a maximum of two different households — and within five kilometres of your homes. Here are some of our favourite spots.
How about a dog park?
If it's within five kilometres of your home, yes. Here are some of our favourites.
Can I go to the beach?
Yes, if there is a beach within five kilometres of your home. But you can go for a maximum of two hours, and with with up to five people (including yourself) from a maximum of two different households.
Fitzroy Swimming Pool
Can I go to a pool?
Indoor? No. Outdoor? Yes. But there are capacity limits and bookings at many pools, so check the website before throwing on your togs. You can check out some of our favourites over here.
Can I visit a regional town?
If you work in regional Victoria, you can travel there (but you'll need a permit) — otherwise no. You can travel more than five kilometres from your home to see someone in your "social bubble", but you cannot enter regional Victoria for this reason.
Can I go shopping?
For groceries and other essentials, yes. But not all shops are open and some have altered hours, so check before you head off. And do make sure you stay within five kilometres from your home.
Under previous restrictions, only one person per household could go shopping for groceries and other essentials each day. That requirement has now been dropped, but you can still only shop for necessary goods and services.
How about to a restaurant or cafe?
You can pick up takeaway from a hospitality venue located within five kilometres of your home, but dine-in service is off the cards for now.
Or a gym?
Indoor gyms are currently closed, but outdoors playgrounds and gyms are open.
When will more restrictions be eased?
For metropolitan Melbourne, the next step of eased restrictions was originally set to take place on Monday, October 26 — but only if the state-wide average daily cases is less than five and there have been less than five cases with unknown sources over the previous 14 days.
As part of the step two announcement, that specific date requirement has now been dropped. Instead, metropolitan Melbourne will move to step three when the above case numbers are met, regardless of the date. It's expected that will happen around October 19; however, again, that isn't set in stone. On Sunday, September 27, Premier Andrews noted that the city "cannot take that step any earlier because the impact of decisions made today won't be known for at least two-to-three weeks".
If you have more questions, the Victorian Government has an extensive list of FAQs on its website.
Top image: Royal Botanic Gardens via Visit Victoria