Victoria to Ease Restrictions This Thursday Night - COVID-19 Update

Premier Daniel Andrews has announced that Greater Victoria, with the exception of Greater Shepparton, will loosen lockdown rules starting 11:59pm on Thursday September 9.

One of the biggest changes is that the previously mandated five essential reasons to leave home (caregiving, health care appointments, getting vaccinated, essential grocery shopping, an hour of outdoor exercise) will no longer apply.

Some restrictions, such as the mandate for anyone over 12 years old to wear masks when not at home, remain in place.

Other rules that are easing include:

Restaurants, bars & hospitality venues

• Seated service in hospitality venues like restaurants and bars is now permitted but capped at groups of 10 people indoors or 20 people outdoors.
• Food courts will be limited to takeaway services only.
• Nightclubs and karaoke venues remain closed.

Retail

• Retail stores can open with density limits (one person per four square metres) in place.
• Use of QR codes will be mandatory.

Entertainment

• Electronic gaming and retail betting venues can be open and check-ins will be required.
• Outdoor entertainment videos such as amusement parks and drive-ins can reopen.
• Indoor, seated and non-seated entertainment venues can open but are capped at 20 people.

Weddings and funerals

• Funerals and other religious gatherings are permitted with up to 20 people per venue.
• Weddings are permitted with up to 10 people.
• Children under a year old and workers needed to conduct these ceremonies do not count toward the event numbers.

Premier Andrews encouraged residents to get tested when they feel sick, and to get vaccinated if they have not already done so. If any regional outbreaks develop, he said, the state will adopt a “targeted series of measures."

The Australian Institute of Food Safety (AIFS) follows COVID-19 developments impacting food businesses across the country. We will continue to provide updates as they occur. Contact AIFS for more information.