After a long wait, Victorians have learnt their next steps out of lockdown.

Premier Daniel Andrews unveiled a number of changes to Victorian restrictions that have now come into effect as of 11.59pm last night.

Social and recreational restrictions have been eased in Melbourne, and regional Victoria has also seen some rules relaxed earlier than scheduled.

Another round of significant changes in Melbourne has also been scheduled for the 2^nd of November, including lifting stay-at-home orders, and allowing hospitality venues to seat patrons again.

Below you will find the changes now in place for both metropolitan and regional Victoria.

Metro Melbourne

• You can now travel up to 25 km from your home or permitted workplace within metropolitan Melbourne. This replaces the 5km rule. Travel to regional Victoria is still only allowed for permitted purposes even if this is within 25 kms. This means you cannot travel into regional Victoria for exercise or recreation.
• You can leave home for any period of time to exercise or see friends and family outdoors. This replaces the two hour limit on these activities. There are no limits on the number of times you can leave home.
• You can meet in a group of up to ten people from a maximum of two households outdoors in a public place to socialise (children under 12 months of age not included in the limit). An outdoor public place means areas accessible to everyone, including local parks and beaches. This replaces the limit of five people from a maximum of two households.
• You can exercise in a group of up to ten people from a maximum of two households outdoors in a public place (personal training is limited to two people plus the trainer). This replaces the limit of five people from a maximum of two households.
• Some outdoor activities can take place in outdoor sport and recreation facilities. Outdoor sport and recreation facilities can open if:
  • they are predominantly used for outdoor sport or physical recreation
  • there is no equipment for hire or sharing
  • indoor facilities such as change rooms are not permitted for use, however toilet facilities are permitted to open
  • a limit of 10 people from 2 household per group or more than 10 if the entire group is from the same household and you must be able to keep 1.5 metres between yourself and others
  • restrictions to no more than 10 people in the facility at once except where a distance of at least 100m between groups can be maintained (e.g. golf courses)
  • examples include some outdoor tennis courts, golf courses, or bowling greens
• More people who work outdoors will be able to return to work. Groups of up to five workers who work outside, including those who do the following types of work can return to on-site work:
  • outdoor non-essential home maintenance and repairs, including painting
  • outdoor pool and spa maintenance/cleaning for private residences and other outdoor cleaning
  • external car washing. This must be contactless and administration offices must remain closed mobile pet grooming at residential properties, contactless with strict controls
  • outdoor professional photography including school photos (for purposes other than currently permitted purposes, e.g. media, real estate), they must have an ABN
  • letterboxing (for purposes other than local elections)
  • Solar power installers
• Hairdressers and barbers will be able to recommence work. This includes operating mobile businesses and at home businesses, if they are registered, have separate entrances, and COVIDSafe practices.
• Allied health providers that are currently listed on the permitted work premised list will be able to return to delivering all routine care
• Hydrotherapy can resume between one health care professional and one client in indoor pools. No group sessions will be permitted and there will maximum of 10 people per pool at one time for hydrotherapy (five health care professionals and five clients).
• The maximum number of people permitted to use outdoor swimming pools for exercise has been increased by the density quotient to a maximum of 30 people. Real estate auctions, both residential and commercial will be permitted outdoors with a limit of 10 people, plus the minimum number of people required to conduct the auction.
• Commercial real estate pre-arranged inspections with 1 agent and 1 prospective purchaser or tenant.

Additional changes to retail, hospitality and personal services will be made from 1 November, in line with the advice of our public health team.

Regional Victoria

• You can have up to two people visit you at home each day. Infants under 12 months are not included in this cap, and other dependents can also attend if they cannot be left unattended or cared for in another setting. The two people may be from different households. This replaces the household bubbles.
• Libraries and toy libraries can open for up to 20 people indoors. No more than 10 people can gather in a space (for example for a class). The one person per four square metre rule Signage, cleaning and record-keeping requirements apply.
• Outdoor religious gatherings are allowed for up to 20 people plus one faith leader. This replaces the limit of ten people. This includes ceremonies, with no sharing of food, drink, crockery, utensils, vessels or other equipment by participants.
• The limits of people in restaurants and cafes increases. You can have up to 70 people outdoors and up to 10 people per indoor space with a maximum of 40 people per venue indoors. The two and four square metre rules Indoor spaces must be separated by permanent structures (should reach floor to ceiling or be at least 2.1 metres high) or be a discrete area of the premises. Businesses must continue to ensure people from metropolitan Melbourne do not eat-in.
• Indoor swimming pools can open exclusively for those aged 18 and under. There is a limit of 20 customers in the pool or the one person per four square metre rule (whichever is the smaller number of people). One parent/guardian/carer per child is permitted for supervision purposes and not included in the limit. Swimming classes can resume.
• Indoor pools can open for one-on-one hydrotherapy sessions with a limit of 10 people in the pool at one time.

Licensed tourism services that use open-air vehicles only are permitted to operate. A vehicle, inclusive of roofed vehicles, is considered an open-air vehicle if at least two sides are open to airflow at all times.

More information is available here.