SOME restrictions put in place to slow the spread of the coronavirus in Victoria are being eased from Monday.
The Department of Health and Human Services has published information about what is changing for different types of businesses and services.
For full information, you can visit the department's page on Victoria's restrictions.
On Sunday, it was also announced Victoria's state of emergency was being extended to June 21.
Restaurants and cafes
From Monday, restaurants, cafes and other hospitality businesses can resume dine-in service with the following restrictions:
* Up to 20 seated patrons per enclosed space.
* All venues must abide by physical distancing requirements. Limits will be placed on entry to comply with the density requirements allowed within a single space – one customer per four square metres.
* Tables should be spaced at least 1.5m apart.
* Venues are required to request contact details, first name and phone number, of every customer to assist in rapid contact tracing other safety precautions will also be required, including extra cleaning. Staff should not work when unwell.
From June 22, the restriction was set to increase to 50 patrons per enclosed space. A further increase of up to 100 patrons per enclosed space was planned for the second half of July.
Changes to these dates will be subject to the advice of the Chief Health Officer.
Have questions or want further information? See the Department of Health and Human Services page for restaurants and cafes.
Community services
From Monday:
* Libraries are permitted to open, with no more than 20 people allowed in each separate space, subject to the four square metre rule, in addition to those required to operate the library.
* Community facilities are permitted to open with no more than 20 people allowed in each separate space, subject to the four square metre rule, in addition to those required to operate the facility.
Have questions or want further information? See the Department of Health and Human Services page for community services.
Travel
From Monday:
* People will be able to stay in a holiday home or private residence
* People will be also able to stay in tourist accommodation, including caravan parks and camping grounds, where there are no shared communal facilities (e.g. kitchens and bathrooms)
* Tourist accommodation can open to guests provided there are no shared communal facilities such as kitchens or bathrooms
Common sense was also urged.
Have questions or want further information? See the Department of Health and Human Services page for travel.
Social gatherings
From Monday, people in Victoria will be able to:
* Have gatherings of up to 20 people in their home at any one time, including the members of their household.
* Attend gatherings of no more than 20 people, including their household members. Gatherings can happen indoors, in a public space or outside.
Taking actions to keep everyone safe while visiting friends, family and loved ones was encouraged. Common sense was urged.
Have questions or want further information? See the Department of Health and Human Services page for social gatherings.
Sport and exercise
From Monday:
* Up to 20 people can participate in outdoor group sport and exercise activities, provided they can keep their distance (at least 1.5 metres apart) and the activities are not competitive.
* Up to 20 people can use public playgrounds, outdoor gyms and skateparks.
* Indoor and outdoor swimming pools can be opened to a maximum of 20 patrons per swimming pool with a limit of three persons per lane in each pool. The four square metre rule applies to the publicly accessible area excluding the pool.
Further changes were planned for June 22.
Have questions or want further information? See the Department of Health and Human Services page for sport and exercise.
Entertainment and culture
From Monday:
* At galleries, museums, national institutions and historic sites, up to 20 customers allowed per separate space, while ensuring that physical distancing requirements of one person per four square metres is applied.
* At outdoor amusement parks, zoos and arcades, up to 20 customers allowed per separate space while ensuring physical distancing requirements of one person per four square metres is applied, with additional restrictions, to ensure customers don’t gather in particular high use areas.
* Drive-in cinemas will be able to operate subject to any food and drink operations meeting the same requirements for other cafes, restaurants and take-away outlets.
Further changes were planned for June 22.
Have questions or want further information? See the Department of Health and Human Services page for entertainment and culture.
Shopping, retail and personal services
From Monday:
* Beauty therapy, tanning, waxing, nail salons, spas, tattoo parlours and massage parlours can open with up to 20 patrons – the four square metre rule will apply to the publicly accessible parts of the venue, and a distance of 1.5 metres should be maintained between customers.
* Market stalls may open – the four square metre rule applies to indoor markets and a distance of 1.5metre should be maintained between people who do not live in the same household.
* Other retail outlets may continue to operate; the four square metre rule applies to customers, and a distance of 1.5 metres should be maintained between people who do not live in the same household.
Have questions or want further information? See the Department of Health and Human Services page for shopping, retail and personal services.
Religion and ceremony
From Monday:
* Places of worship can open for private worship or small religious ceremonies for up to 20 people in a single undivided indoor space, subject to the four square metre rule plus the minimum number of people reasonably required to perform the service or ceremony.
* 20 people in addition to the celebrant and couple being married can attend a wedding. If a wedding is held in a home, a maximum of 20 people is allowed, including the celebrant and the couple.
* 50 people can attend a funeral in addition to the officiant and funeral staff, subject to the four square metre rule. If a funeral is held in a home, a maximum of 20 people can be present (including the officiant and funeral staff).
Have questions or want further information? See the Department of Health and Human Services page for religion and ceremony.
