Regional Victoria moved to the third step on its roadmap out of COVID-19 restrictions on Wednesday night, reaching its trigger point for Step Three just days after moving to Step Two.
While there were few changes to restrictions in Step Two, which came into effect at 11.59 pm Sunday,
regional Victoria exceeded expectations with Premier Daniel Andrews announcing on Tuesday that the move to Step Three would happen at 11.59 pm Wednesday, September 16.
Regional Victoria was able to reach a rolling average of less than five new cases and no cases with a mystery source for a fortnight on
Tuesday, with an average of 3.6 new cases and one case with a mystery source, which was recorded on September 1, to be removed from figures.
“This is testament to the determination of regional Victorians. A determination to not only get these numbers low, but to keep them low,” Premier Andrews said.
“This is a really important step we’ve taken and it’s a clear demonstration that you can get these numbers low and keep them low, and once you get them at that level you can open up.
“However the message to every single Victorian is if you’ve got symptoms, even the mildest symp- toms, come forward and get tested. Arguably there’s nothing more important.”
Step Three restrictions mean:
Social and travel
• No restrictions on reasons to leave home.
• Up to 10 people can gather outdoors.
• You can create a ‘household bubble’ with one nominated household allowing up to five visitors from that household to visit you at a time (infants under 12 months of age are not included in the cap).
Business
• Hospitality businesses can open for predominantly outdoor seated service (with restrictions).
• Beauty and personal care can open where a face covering can be worn for the duration of the service.
• Outdoor venues and events can open subject to pre-approved plans.
• Accommodation is open (with restrictions).
• For real estate, private inspections can be held by appointment only and outdoor auctions can go ahead subject to gathering limits.
Religious ceremonies
• Weddings can have up to 10 people (including the couple, two witnesses and celebrant) while funerals can have up to 20 people (not including people required to conduct the funeral).
• Outdoor religious gatherings for up to 10 people plus a faith leader are allowed, with facilities open for private worship for households or social bubbles, plus a faith leader.
Sport
• Outdoor contact and non-contact sport will be allowed for under 18s, while adults will only be able to play outdoor non-contact sport, with gathering and density limits. Outdoor skate parks can open and outdoor fitness for up to 10 people is allowed.
Travel to and from Melbourne, unless for essential reasons, is still banned with Victoria Police announcing this week that Melbourne residents trying to move into regional Victoria could face fines of nearly $5000 under a new offence which came into effect Wednesday night.
“With the easing of restrictions in regional areas and school holidays, there is a risk that people from metropolitan Melbourne will travel to regional and rural areas,” Deputy Commissioner Regional Operations Rick Nugent said.
“There’s potential for them to travel for camping, caravaning, to cafes and restaurants that they can’t attend in Melbourne.
“We’ve been advised a new offence will come into effect tonight (Wednesday). That offence will be a failure to comply with the requirements to remain in a restricted area. The fine for that offence will be $4957.
“That is quite a significant fine and clearly aimed at deterring people from Melbourne from visiting regional areas.”
Dep Comm Nugent said more vehicles will be stopped at check points between Melbourne and regional areas.
Across the state, new overnight case numbers have remained low this week, with 28 new cases recorded on Thursday — the first time under 30 new cases have been recorded since June 24.
The new cases bring Victoria’s total to 19,970. Of those, 947 were still active.
In regional Victoria there were 33 active cases, while the Central Goldfields, Pyrenees, Hepburn, Loddon and Mount Alexander shires are all free of active cases.
Regional Victoria cannot move to the Last Step of its roadmap until after November 23 and when there are no new cases state-wide for 14 days.
The Last Step means up to 20 visitors can attend a home at a time, up to 50 people can gather outdoors, indoor dining can go ahead with density limits, there will be no restrictions on sports, and wedding, funeral and places of worship limits will increase.
‘COVID Normal’ will be introduced once there are no new cases state-wide for 28 days, no active cases and no outbreaks of concern in other states or territories.
COVID Normal would see nearly all restrictions removed except gatherings at homes, events and hospitality businesses will be encouraged to keep attendance records.
