Victorian Premier Dan Andrews has announced changes to Melbourne’s restrictions as well as changes to regional restrictions for at least the next six weeks until Sunday 13 September. Some of the key points include:
State of Disaster declared
- From 6pm tonight, Victoria will enter a State of Disaster. This will give police additional powers to ensure people are complying with public health directions.
Changes to Melbourne’s restrictions
- From August 2 at 6pm, Melbourne will move to Stage 4 restrictions with stronger rules to limit the movement of people – and limit the spread of the virus across the city.
- A curfew will commence on August 2 - from 8pm to 5am. The only reasons to leave home during these hours will be work, medical care and caregiving.
- Where you slept last night is where you will need to stay for the next six weeks, there’ll be exemptions for partners who live apart and for work, if required.
- The Night Network will be suspended, and public transport services will be reduced during curfew hours.
- New time, distance and gathering limits will also apply for exercise and shopping.
- Exercise will be limited to a maximum of one hour per day and no more than five kilometres from your home. Group size will be limited to a maximum of two, whether you live with them or not.
- Shopping will be limited to one person per household per day. Again, the five-kilometre rule will apply.
- Study at TAFE and uni must be done remotely.
- From Wednesday at 11:59pm, weddings in Melbourne cannot occur.
- Face coverings will continue to be compulsory.
Changes to regional restrictions
- From 11:59pm on Wednesday, regional Victoria will return to Stage 3 “Stay at Home” restrictions. That means there’ll again only be four reasons to be out: shopping for food and essential items. Care and caregiving. Daily exercise. Work and study – if you can’t do it from home.
- Businesses in regional Victoria will also return to Stage 3 restrictions. That means restaurants and cafes can only offer delivery and takeaway. Beauty and personal services will need to close. Entertainment and cultural venues will need to close. Community sport will need to stop.
- Face coverings will continue to be compulsory.
Return to remote and flexible learning across the state
- In Melbourne - schools will return to remote and flexible learning – across all year levels. Students who are currently attending onsite – including senior students and those in our specialist schools – will go to school on Monday, have a pupil free day on Tuesday, and be learning at home from Wednesday. Onsite supervision will be offered but tightened – only available for students who really need it. That means children whose parents are permitted workers and vulnerable kids who can’t learn from home. From Thursday, those same rules will apply to Melbourne’s kinder and early childhood education services.
- In regional Victoria - regional schools will return to remote and flexible learning – across all year levels and across the state. The only exception will be for specialist schools. Onsite supervision will again be made available for students in regional Victoria who need it, including children whose parents are permitted workers and vulnerable kids who can’t learn from home.
These are significant steps that the Victorian Government is taking to address the coronavirus situation in Victoria. You can view the Premier's statement in full here.
Further announcements will be made sometime today regarding how businesses will function under these new restrictions and the way Victorians will need to work. Please stay tuned to the Business Victoria coronavirus business support webpage for these updates and the latest information on the support available to businesses across Victoria.
