Victoria is taking a big step forward so that every Victorian can get together and spend more time together.
On the advice of the Chief Health Officer, restrictions in regional Victoria and metropolitan Melbourne will ease from 11.59 pm Thursday 24 June.
And these changes won’t just last a week – they’ll remain in place for at least two weeks‘ time, meaning Victorians can plan and get back to doing the things they love.
Private visitors to the home will increase from two in Melbourne, and five in regional Victoria to 15 across the entire state – and up to 50 people can gather outside in a public place like a park.
Funerals and weddings will be capped at 300 people, and hospitality venues can serve up to 300 in Melbourne, but density limits still apply.
Masks must still be worn inside. But more people in metropolitan Melbourne can return to offices, with 75% capacity – or 30 people in a workplace – whichever is greater.
Highlights:
- Public gatherings of up to 50 people
- People will have up to 15 people in their homes per day
- Work from home recommendations removed, caps raised
- Wedding and funeral caps raised to 300 — subject to venue density limits
- Recreational sport – 300 people indoors, 1,000 outdoors
- Seated venues – maximum 300 indoors, 1,000 outdoors
- Mask rules don’t change – keep them on you!
Specifically for hospitality venues in Melbourne:
- Restaurants and cafes can now open to a maximum of 300 patrons per venue for seated service, subject to a density quotient of one person per 4 square metres.
- Venues smaller than 600 square metres can have one person per 2 square metres, up to 150 patrons, provided that a COVID check-in marshal is present.
- Smaller venues will still be able to host up to 25 people before applying the density quotient.
And live music will have greater numbers in pubs, clubs and other hospitality venues across the state too, but dance floors are still closed for now.
Players, parents and spectators can attend outdoor community sport within the total cap of 1,000 people.
Theatres will initially open at 50% capacity, with up to 1,000 people. And this weekend crowds can attend public events and outdoor stadiums with a limit of 50%, or up to 25,000 people.
From 11:59 pm Thursday:
- Outdoor stadiums will be able to have 50 per cent of the venue capacity, up to 25,000 people.
- This means there can be 15,000 people at the A-League grand final, and the MCG can host 25,000 people.
- Indoor stadiums can have 50 per cent of the venue capacity, up to 5,000 people.
- Theatres can have 50 per cent of venue capacity, up to 1,000 people.
But, subject to epidemiology and the advice of the Chief Health Officer,
from 11:59 pm, 1 July, they’ll be able to host even bigger numbers:
That means 100% capacity at shows like Frozen at Her Majesty’s Theatre, and Harry Potter at the Princess Theatre.
And indoor and outdoor stadiums will be able to increase to 85 per cent capacity – so that includes the MCG, Marvel Stadium, and AAMI Park.
For the next week, we’re recommending that those travelling to Victoria’s alpine region get tested prior departing metropolitan Melbourne, especially if they’re staying overnight.
And there’s lots more detail online too, and this will give Victorians the confidence to make plans and enjoy the school holidays.
And if you’re taking some time off over the next few weeks, go out and explore your state.
Head to the bush, stay at the beach – shop in a small town, and buy Victorian made.
And everywhere you go, remember to check-in using the Service Victoria QR code, this is the seat belt we need as we open up the state.
And while we all deserve a break and a chance to explore our state, please remember – if you have even the mildest of symptoms, get tested.
- If you’re catching up with mates and you’ve got a sore throat – go another night.
- If you’re heading to the shops and you’ve got a runny nose – just order it online.
- And if you’re finally seeing Mum and you’ve got a cough – remember who it is you’ve made all these sacrifices for.
Whatever your plans are, it’s not worth risking everything we’ve achieved – please get tested.
So, let’s protect it. For ourselves – and for each other.