Third Step Update: Metropolitan Melbourne 29 October 2020

Thanks to the sacrifice made by Victorians – and, in particular, Melbournians – we received some welcome relief this week as we moved out of lockdown and took some steady steps towards reopening.

From 11.59pm on 27 October, the changes to restrictions include:

• There are no longer restrictions on the reasons to leave home (within a 25km limit).
• Workplaces will no longer need to be on the permitted work premises list to open; workers will no longer need to carry a permit (except for metro-regional, work-related travel); and the position will revert to ‘if you can work from home, you must work from home’. Each industry will have a different restriction level. For example:
  • Hospitality has a restricted level, meaning that businesses can open for seated service only and predominately outdoor dining. Limits apply to the number of patrons per venue (50 outdoors and 20 indoors), although a density quotient also applies.
  • Retail has a restricted level too, meaning that businesses can open with density quotients, signage, record-keeping and cleaning requirements.
  • Beauty and personal care services can open where a face mask can be worn for the duration of the service.

All businesses in Victoria that have people working on or customers attending any premises must have a COVIDSafe Plan in place. Some industries (for example, real estate services, and meat and seafood processing) remain heavily restricted. See here for more information.

• Libraries and community venues can open for outdoor events.
• Outdoor entertainment venues can begin hosting visitors.
• Up to two people from the same household can visit another household together. A limit of one visit per day applies.

From 11:59pm on 8 November, the following additional changes to restrictions have been announced (subject to public health advice):

• The 25km limit will be removed.
• The limit on the number of patrons per venue will be increased (70 outdoors and 40 indoors).
• Gyms and indoor fitness will be able to reopen.
• Accommodation will also reopen.

Work premises that are currently closed under restrictions or are not prepared to reopen should develop a COVIDSafe Plan as a way of ensuring they have measures in place to keep their staff and customers safe when they do reopen. You can access the COVIDSafe Plan template and guidance on the Business Victoria website.

If you have any concerns or questions regarding the above matters – or beyond – please reach out to your Cornwalls contact.