Melbourne’s curfew lifted as coronavirus restrictions eased: Full list of all the Step 2 changes-By Lara Pearce
Contents
source:9news
Melbourne’s curfew will be lifted from 5am on Monday morning as coronavirusrestrictions are eased in Victoria.
Limits on shopping, outdoor gatherings and visiting patients in hospitals are among further changes to come into effect for Melbourne residents from 11.59pm tonight.
However, there remains only four reasons to leave your home and that stays in place until Melbourne moves to Step three.
DOWNLOAD HERE: Melbourne’s second step – complete list of changes
Premier Daniel Andrews said 127,000 Melburnians will be able to return to work as of tonight, while residents will be permitted to meet outside in groups of up to five people from two households.
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“It’s not as much as people would want, but it is very important that we take those steps safely.”
The limit of one person going shopping once per day will also be removed.
“But I would just say go shopping for the things you need when you need them,” Mr Andrews said.
“It doesn’t need to be just a solo, one person any longer, but that is not an invitation… for an entire family group to go to the supermarket.
“That is not consistent with us limiting the spread of this virus.”
One person will also be allowed to visit a friend or relative in hospital once each day for a maximum of two hours.
For those under 18 years of age, two parents or carers can visit with no time limit.
“At times of great stress it is really important to be able to be as close to loved ones as is safe,” he said.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison today also offered his reaction to the easing of restrictions, saying the move is “vitally important” for Victoria.
“The removal of the curfew, the ability of sole traders to operate garden maintenance and related services and the improvements in supermarket capacity and manufacturing are all welcome,” he said in a statement.
Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison speaks to members of the South Australian Liberal party during the annual AGM on September 26, 2020 in Adelaide, Australia. (Getty)
“It will be important that more be done in the weeks ahead to safely ease more restrictions.
“As many epidemiologists have encouraged, we would support Victoria in reviewing the trigger of five and zero cases with regards to the third and last steps.
“As it stands this lockdown is already longer than that faced by residents in many cities around the world. We remain deeply concerned about the mental health impacts of a prolonged lock down on Melbourne residents.”
Melburnians will be permitted to gather outside in groups of five.
Complete list of all Step 2 changes
Here are all the changes taking place.
Metropolitan Melbourne will move to the third step of the roadmap if thresholds are met of less than an average of five daily cases state-wide (over the 14-day period prior) and less than five of unknown transmission during that time (statewide total).
FACE COVERINGS
Must be a fitted face mask that covers nose and mouth – not a face shield.
A week’s grace period before the rule is enforced.
CURFEW
Lifts from 5am from September 28.
SHOPPING
No limit on number of people from one household.
EDUCATION
VCE and VCAL students return for assessments from 5 October Prep to Grade 6, specialist school students, and VCE/VCAL students return onsite from the week of 12 October.
CHILDCARE
Open to all children – permit not required. Five kilometre limit does not apply. One childminder allowed for in-home childcare.
PUBLIC GATHERINGS OUTSIDE
A household or limit of five people from two households allowed. Penalty for illegal gatherings outdoors and in the home increases to nearly $5000.
RECREATION AND EXERCISE
Exercise allowed within five kilometres of your workplace for permitted workers, as well as your home.
Outdoor pools open, with conditions.
WEDDINGS
Limit of five including the couple and two witnesses in outdoor spaces.
RELIGIOUS GATHERINGS
Limit of five people plus one faith leader for outdoor gatherings and ceremonies.
CEMETERIES AND RESTING PLACES
Visits allowed on milestone dates subject to conditions.
TERMINALLY ILL GATHERINGS
Limit of 10 people or a household subject to approval by the CHO and other conditions.
CARE FACILITIES AND HOSPITALS
One visitor per day for maximum of two hours Patient under 18 years – two parents/carers can visit with no time limit.
INDUSTRY
Extra 127,000 workers return to various industries with COVID Safe plans.
Worker reduction will no longer apply to warehousing, postal and distribution centres, supermarket and food distribution.
Wholesale business not previously allowed will open at 67 per cent of normal daily worker level.
MEAT AND SEAFOOD PROCESSING
Workforce capacity increased to 80 per cent for meat and seafood processing. Increased to 90 per cent for poultry. Regional Victorian workforce capacity increases to 90 per cent for meat, seafood and poultry.
CONSTRUCTION AND REAL ESTATE
Residential inspections allowed subject to conditions. Baseline for large-scale construction increases from 25 per cent of the total workforce to 85 per cent. Specialist contractors on small-scale sites can visit up to five sites per week, with a maximum of two per day.
GARDENING/LANDSCAPING AND SOLE TRADERS
Gardening, landscaping and garden maintenance businesses who have an ABN added to permitted worker list from September 28.
Conditions require they can safely work alone, outside and have no contact with customers.
VEHICLES
Scheduled and logbook servicing and safety inspections allowed for boats and vehicles.
OUTDOOR PERSONAL TRAINING
Limit of two people plus the personal trainer.
DENTAL & ALLIED HEALTH
Non-urgent services allowed with COVID Safe plan AHPRA-registered professionals and other allied health professionals can resume some face-to-face appointments.
PET GROOMING
Allowed at retail stores for animal welfare.
Reasons to leave home
During the second step, there are still only four reasons that you can leave home, and you need to stay local (within five kilometres from home):
- Shop for food and necessary goods or services
- Provide care, for compassionate reasons or to seek medical treatment
- Outdoor exercise or recreation
- For permitted work or education
Thousands back to work
Under an accelerated roadmap out of stage four lockdowns, 127,000 Melbourne residents will be able to return to work across various industries.
“Each of those industries will have a COVID safe plan,” Mr Andrews said.
This is 27,000 workers more than what was original forecast under the government’s second step out of stage four lockdowns.
Other changes include opening childcare to all children and the resumption of face-to-face learning for all Melbourne primary school students from October 12.
VCE and VCAL students will be returning to school for assessments from the start of Term Four on October 5.
The return to face-to-face learning will take a staggered approach, with not all students on campus at the same time.
The state recorded 16 cases of COVID-19 overnight and two further deaths today.
The new figures bring Melbourne’s rolling 14-day average to 22.1 cases per day.
You can get up-to-date information from the Federal Government’s Coronavirus Australia app, available on the App Store, Google Play and the Government’s WhatsApp channel.
Beyond Blue’s Coronavirus Mental Wellbeing Support Service is a 24/7 service free of charge to all Australians. Visit the site here or call 1800512348.
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