Melbourne lockdown to end on Friday

Melbourne’s lockdown will end five days earlier than anticipated – and with a greater easing of restrictions than planned – as Victoria races to its 70% fully vaccinated target.

The state’s premier, Daniel Andrews, made the announcement on Sunday and said Victorians could celebrate the imminent end of their sixth lockdown.

Under the state’s roadmap, the city’s current lockdown – which has run for 73 days – was due to end on 26 October, the initial date when 70% of those aged over 16 were expected to be doubled-dosed.

However, Victoria will reach that milestone by Thursday because of soaring second-dose rates. The state was expected to reach 90% of first doses by Monday or Tuesday, the premier said.

From Friday, there will be no restrictions on people leaving their home or a curfew, and no travel limit within metropolitan Melbourne. People in the city still won’t be able to visit regional Victoria, however.

Ten visitors, including dependents, will be able to visit a home each day. Outdoor gatherings will increase to 15 people. Up to 20 fully vaccinated people will be allowed inside at hospitality venues with 50 outside, subject to density limits.

The scrapping of travel limits and allowing home visits along with indoor dining and drinking were all changes to the original reopening roadmap.

All school students in Melbourne will return to classrooms at least part-time from Friday while regional students will return to school-based learning full-time.

Andrews said Burnet Institute modelling showed that while case numbers were slightly higher than expected, people were not falling as ill, meaning there had been less of an impact on hospitals and restrictions could be eased further.

Andrews and the chief health officer, Prof Brett Sutton, said last week that they were open to taking the first step out of lockdown earlier, in line with reaching vaccination coverage goals.

Chief Health Officer Brett Sutton

Restrictions will ease further when 80% of the eligible population has received both vaccine doses. That was originally projected for 5 November, but now likely earlier.

The latest data shows 88% of Victoria’s over-16 population have had one vaccine dose and 65% both doses.

While he made no firm announcement about international travel, Andrews flagged he expected Victoria would soon have similar measures in place to the significantly eased restrictions announced in NSW last week. NSW from 1 November won’t require people arriving from overseas to do any quarantine if they are fully vaccinated.

The Victorian premier said he wanted to discuss the matter further in national cabinet but that given other states had indicated they would not be opening up, he expected Victoria and NSW to be “closely aligned” when it came to the international border.

Melbourne businesses unsatisfied

Victorians are divided over the state government’s expediting of roadmap freedoms, with businesses claiming health authorities are being too conservative with their reopening steps.

Retail businesses will only be able to reopen once the state reaches 80 per cent vaccination for all Victorians over 16. Australian Industry Group’s Tim Piper said tying the return of retail to the 80 per cent vaccination milestone was the wrong decision.

Mr Piper said the government should consider earlier freedoms for businesses in lockdown. Like retail, gyms are also slated to remain closed until Victoria reaches 80 per cent vaccination.

Health system braces for increased workload

Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation Victorian branch secretary Lisa Fitzpatrick said the healthcare sector was worried about the effect loosened restrictions would have on the hospital system.

Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation Victorian branch secretary Lisa Fitzpatrick

Epidemiologist Catherine Bennett

Epidemiologist Catherine Bennett said while there were risks to opening up, the loosening of restrictions were necessary for the state to move forward. Chief Health Officer Brett Sutton said health authorities had tried their hardest to balance health and safety with economic concerns.