Gregor Mactaggart
Premier Daniel Andrews has announced a further easing of coronavirus restrictions today.
With Victoria reaching 23 days of no new COVID-19 cases or deaths, a raft of changes will apply from 11.59pm tonight.
Most notably, 15 visitors are allowed in your home per day and a relaxation of mask requirements will come into effect as Mr Andrews explained.
“Masks will be required inside in all settings, although they are not required outside,” Mr Andrews said.
“But you need to carry the mask with you (outside).
“You will wear the mask if you can’t (social) distance.
“As an example if you go to Bunnings and are in the store, you wear the mask, in the car park, no, but if you’re queuing up for a sausage then wear the mask.
“Common sense applies.”
The 15 visitors allowed in your home per day includes dependents apart from babies under the age of one.
Hospitality venues will have a capacity of 300 people with 100 allowed inside with density requirements (one person per four square metres) applying.
For smaller venues, the density requirements are one person per two square metres, with a maximum capacity of 50 people.
Gyms can have 150 people in groups of 20.
Indoor pools can have 150 people, outdoor pools can have 300.
Higher education providers can provide on-campus learning for the summer period.
Capacity for weddings and funerals has been raised to 150 people inside and 300 outside.
Cinemas/small galleries and libraries can have 150 people inside, as too, gaming machine venues, although every second poker machine is to be turned off.
Religious ceremonies can have 150 people inside and 300 outside.
When it comes to Christmas, Mr Andrews offered some good news.
“From 11.59pm on Sunday, December 13, 30 visitors will be allowed to your home across the course of the day,” he said.
“That is not just for Christmas Day, but that latter part of the year.
“That’s locked in.
“The fact we can do this is a testament to the amazing job of Victorians.”
Mr Andrews said from Monday, November 30, businesses can welcome back 25 per cent of staff to offices in a ‘slow, steady and safe return to work’.
But the state’s public servants will continue to work from home, freeing up capacity for the private sector.
“The key message is that Victorians have done an amazing job,” Mr Andrews said.
“Having achieved this amazing outcome, we’ve got to keep playing our part.
“We need to work hard to keep these numbers low and make sure 2021 is vastly different to 2020.”
