Victoria will return to its previous COVIDSafe settings from tonight, allowing for more visitors in the home and reduced mask wearing.
The move to further ease restrictions follows a reduced exposure risk and low community transmission, Premier Daniel Andrews said.
“I want to thank every Victorian for making today’s announcement possible – and I want to thank every Victorian for their patience,” Mr Andrews said.
“It’s been a hard slog, but Victorians are doing what they do best as we work to beat this virus: staying the course and looking out for each other.”
From midnight, masks will be only be required on public transport, in rideshare vehicles and taxis, in sensitive settings such as aged care facilities – and in some larger retail settings including indoor shopping centres, supermarkets, department stores, indoor markets.
While masks are no longer mandated in most circumstances, they are still recommended in indoors or outdoors when distancing can’t be maintained.
Victorians will be able to host up to 30 people in their home per day. Outdoor gatherings in public places – the beach, the park – can increase to 100 people.
“Thanks to the incredible work of our public health team and all Victorians, we’re now able to continue our road to recovery – but we know the risk to Victorians is far from over,” said Minister for Health, Martin Foley.
“The need for our public health team to have the legal ability to enforce measures that keep us safe are at the heart of recovery, which is why the amendment to the Public Health and Wellbeing Act before parliament is so important,” he said.
“We expect this legislation to be passed so we can continue to use the tools we need to respond to this global pandemic and keep Victorians safe.”
Density limits in pubs, restaurants and cafes will remain at one person per two square metres for both indoors and outdoors with no other cap, so long as electronic record keeping – a QR code – is used.
For small operations, there’ll be no density limits if the patron number is under 25 and they will still be required to keep records.
For beauty services, businesses remain at one person per two square metres – if they also introduce electronic record keeping. For businesses where that’s not possible, density limits of one person per four square metres will apply.
Retail businesses also remain at one person per two square metres and electronic record keeping is recommended where practical.
Funerals and weddings are subject to a density limit of one person per two square metres. The same rules will apply to nightclubs and our community facilities, like our libraries, RSLs, and community halls.
The State of Emergency – which needs to be declared so the Chief Health Officer can issue directions to respond to the pandemic and keep Victorians safe – will be extended to 11:59pm, 15 March 2021.
For more information on the new coronavirus settings visit coronavirus.vic.gov.au
