Overview
When, towards the end of May, Premier Daniel Andrews announced the next stage in Victoria's gradual lifting of COVID-19 restrictions, he advised that more limits would lift in mid-June if the state continued to make progress. That's been the case over the past few weeks, so Premier Andrews has today, Sunday, June 14, revealed exactly what's in store — and allowing more people into more venues is at the top of the list.
Since June 1, Victorians have been able to dine-in at cafes, restaurants, pubs and clubs with 20-person limits, and visit galleries, museums, drive-in cinemas, historic sites, zoos and outdoor amusement parks with the same caps in place, too. The state's residents have also been able to gather with 20 people both inside and outside of homes, and head away on holiday and stay overnight, as part of a sizeable range of relaxed restrictions.
Next, from 11.59pm on Sunday, June 21, the Victorian Government is expanding the list of permitted activities — and increase the corresponding person limits. That date coincides with when the state's current State of Emergency is next due to end, and the list of changes is considerable, with all of the following back on the cards:
- Cafes, restaurants, pubs and clubs can host up to 50 seated patrons — and, at pubs and clubs, you'll no longer be required to purchase a meal with your drinks.
- Gatherings of up to 50 people in libraries, community centres and halls, in addition to the people needed to operate the space.
- Religious ceremonies of up to 50 people, in addition to those required to conduct the service.
- Cinemas, concert venues, auditoriums and theatres will be allowed to reopen with 50-person limits per space.
- 50-person limits at galleries, museums and amusement parks.
- All sports training and competition for people under 18 years of age.
- All non-contact sports for people of all ages.
- Indoor sports centres and physical recreation spaces, including gyms, can reopen with 20 people per space — and a cap of up to 10 in each group for those over the age of 18.
- Local football teams, soccer clubs and other contact sports can resume training for over-18s from July 13, then resume their full competitions from July 20.
- Clubs and community facilities can reopen their changerooms.
- Holiday accommodation and camping sites will able able to reopen communal spaces such as showers and kitchens.
- Ski season can begin, and ski accommodation can reopen.
The majority of the above changes had already been flagged back in May; however Premier Andrews has now confirmed that they'll definitely be going ahead.
Announcing the eased restrictions, he also noted that maintaining COVID-19-safe practices is essential. "For every small step we take, our own personal responsibility grows," he explained. "If Victoria was its own nation, our testing rates would be amongst the highest in the world. But we can't afford a backwards step. These changes — and any further that follow — must be determined in accordance with the data."
Accordingly, as has proven the case throughout the coronavirus pandemic, the standard social-distancing requirements will still apply — so sticking with physical distancing, maintaining four square metres per person indoors, hand and cough hygiene, and frequent cleaning and disinfection.
Victorians are also advised to still continue to work from home. "If you can keep working from home — you must do that too," Premier Andrews said. "We still want to limit the number of people moving around our state and help protect those who do have to go to the workplace."
To find out more about the status of COVID-19 in Australia and how to protect yourself, head to the Australian Government Department of Health's website.
Top image: Kate Shanasy