Metropolitan Melbourne's Next Stage of Eased Restrictions Is Likely to Be Smaller Than Originally Planned
But Premier Daniel Andrews has advised that some yet-to-be-finalised changes will still come into effect next week.
Back in early September, Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews flagged how the metropolitan Melbourne area will gradually ease out of its stage four COVID-19 lockdowns, announcing a five-step plan to bring the region to a stage called 'COVID normal'. Then, at the end of last month, Premier Andrews confirmed how the second phase of that roadmap would proceed, including lifting the curfew earlier than expected due to lower COVID-19 case numbers — while also revealing that the state may also move forward to future stages earlier than planned.
As part of that late-September announcement, it was advised that the metropolitan Melbourne area will no longer be held to strict dates, but to case numbers, when it comes to loosening further restrictions. And, based on cases at the time, it was expected that step three would come into effect on October 19; however, today, Saturday, October 10, Premier Andrews has advised that the next the next stage of eased rules is likely to be smaller than originally outlined.
Premier Andrews did confirm that changes are still coming next week, though, even if they aren't as significant as initially hoped. "We
As part of the revised roadmap, step three was due to kick in when the daily average number of cases in the last 14 days hit less than five state-wide, and when there was less than five cases with an unknown source across Victoria in the prior fortnight as well. At present, the metro Melbourne area alone has a rolling 14-day average of 9.5 cases, with ten cases from mystery sources.
Just what will change from October 19 is obviously yet to be revealed but, originally, restrictions on leaving home were due to be lifted — including reasons and distance. Also initially slated:
For more information about the status of COVID-19 and the current restrictions, head over to the Department of Health and Human Services website — and for further details about Victoria's steps for reopening, head to the roadmap itself.