Restrictions are being eased for Melbourne and regional Victoria

From 19 October and again on 2 November, there are changes to restrictions on travel, activities and businesses. Here’s what you need to know

Melbourne

From 19 October the following changes to restrictions are in place

• There will be no time limit on leaving your home for exercise or socialising outdoors.
• The travel distance from your home will increase from 5km to 25km for exercise and shopping.
• Outdoor gatherings will increase to 10 people from two households.
• Tennis courts, skate parks, golf courses and hairdressers will reopen, subject to Covid-safe restrictions.
• Real estate auctions will occur with a maximum of 10 people and commercial real estate inspections can occur.
• Outdoor pools can host 30 swimmers. Indoor pools can open up for one-on-one hydrotherapy with a health professional.
• The following will be allowed, subject to conditions: non-essential outdoor home maintenance, repairs, renovations and house painting can occur with a maximum of five workers.
• Solo or automated car washing and pool cleaning will be allowed, mobile or home business pet grooming will be allowed, outdoor photography will be allowed, and there will be a full return of allied health services.

From 2 November the following changes to restrictions will occur

• The four reasons for leaving home will be removed and people will be able to leave their home for any reason.
• A maximum of two people, plus children, will be able to visit another home once per day. This won’t be a “bubble” arrangement as currently applies to single people in Melbourne.
• More businesses will reopen subject to conditions.
• Retail will reopen. Hospitality will reopen with a maximum of 20 people inside and 50 outside.
• Beauty and personal services will return.
• Outdoor sport and recreation for a household or up to 10 people in a group will be permitted.
• Outdoor community contact sport for under 18-year-olds and non-contact sport for adults will recommence.
• Outdoor fitness and dance classes with 10 people, not including the trainer, can resume.
• A maximum of 20 people will be allowed for outdoor religious gatherings. A maximum of 10 people will be allowed at weddings. A maximum of 20 mourners will be permitted at funerals.
• Outdoor seated entertainment will be able to host a maximum of 50 people or 25% of the venue’s fixed seat capacity.

Regional Victoria

From 19 October the following changes to restrictions are in place

• Two adults and two children will be able to visit a home.
• Hospitality venues can increase their capacity to 70 people outside and 40 people inside.
• Outdoor religious gatherings will increase to 20 people.
• Indoor pools will open for people 18 and under to a maximum of 20 people.
• One-on-one hydrotherapy with health professionals will also be allowed.
• Libraries and toy libraries will reopen to a maximum of 20 people.
• Households will be able to visit a care facility, rather than one person visiting at a time.

From 2 November the following changes to restrictions will occur

• Non-contact indoor physical recreation, such as dance classes, will resume for under 18-year-olds, up to a maximum of 20 people. Spectators are limited to one parent, guardian or carer only, where the child requires parental supervision.
• Non-contact indoor community sport will resume for under 18-year-olds. The same limits on spectators apply.
• Indoor trampolining centres reopen for under 18-year-olds with the same limits as those that apply for indoor physical recreation.