Dear industry colleagues.
I’m sure like most of you, yesterday was a little bit of good news as we heard about some easing of restrictions as we move forward to the roadmap for reopening the state. While Greater Melbourne still cannot enter our region, it doesn’t look too far off now as we move towards the 70 per cent double dose vaccination target nearly a week early.
Because of this, Victoria’s Chief Health Officer has determined that at 11.59pm on Thursday 21 October, Victoria will move forward in opening up and more restrictions will be eased.
From 11:59pm on Thursday 21 October for both metropolitan Melbourne and regional Victoria:
- Up to 10 people (including dependents) per day will be able to visit homes in both regional and metropolitan Melbourne. It’s highly recommended that Victorians only permit people aged 12 years and over who are fully vaccinated to visit them.
- Movement between regional Victoria and metropolitan Melbourne will only be allowed for permitted reasons.
- Workers who are required to get vaccinated must provide their employer with evidence that they meet the vaccination requirements for their industry.
- Masks will still be required both indoors and outdoors for all Victorians.
- Large scale construction sites will increase to 100 per cent capacity but only if all workers are fully vaccinated.
In metropolitan Melbourne:
- The curfew and the 15km travel radius will be lifted. However, movement between regional Victoria and metropolitan Melbourne will only be allowed for permitted reasons.
- 15 people can gather outdoors. Community sport training returns for minimum required to hold training.
- People must continue to work from home if they can.
- Most outdoor settings – outdoor cafes, cinemas, and physical recreation facilities like pools – will open with up to 50 people per venue but are subject to density limits and only for those fully vaccinated – including workers.
- Indoor settings – like pubs, restaurants and cafes – will be able to reopen with up to 20 people indoors with density limits, and only if all attendees – including workers – are fully vaccinated.
- Hairdressing and personal care can open for up to five fully vaccinated people.
- Religious gatherings, weddings and funerals will be able to take place with up to 50 people outdoors and 20 people indoors subject to density limits and only if all attendees are fully vaccinated. Or, if vaccination status is unknown, 10 people are permitted indoors for funerals, weddings and religious gatherings.
In regional Victoria:
- Up to 20 people can gather outdoors, including dependents.
- Indoor settings – like pubs, restaurants, cafes and gyms – will increase from 10 to 30 people per venue, if everyone is fully vaccinated.
- Outdoor venues will increase from 20 to up to 100 people per venue, but only if everyone is fully vaccinated. If vaccination status is unknown, the venue can only have a total of 20 people.
- Community sport returns indoors for minimum number required.
- Funerals and weddings are allowed for 30 fully vaccinated people indoors and 100 fully vaccinated outdoors.
See the updated Roadmap for further details.
The next milestone in the Roadmap will be when Victoria hits the 80 per cent double dose vaccination target, which is predicted to be the first week of November. We would expect Greater Melbourne to be able to travel into our region by then.
Victorians who are fully vaccinated against the virus will be able to prove their vaccination status with a digital certificate displayed through the Service Victoria app, Express Medicare Plus app, or a smartphone wallet. They will also be able to present a printed version of their certificate or immunisation history statement or provide evidence of a valid exemption.
We will be in touch again with further updates. Just a reminder to fill in the survey sent out on Friday with any questions or comments regarding the roadmap. We will be taking these to government in preparation for a session we have requested for industry. Click here for the survey.
A reminder to also have your covid safe plans up to date. The latest template for small business can be found here.
Enjoy the week, take care and be safe.
Kind regards
Paul and the DMT team
Acting CEO – DMT
