Gyms and pools to reopen for all on Wednesday

GYMS, fitness centres and pools will re-open in regional Victoria for people of all ages on Wednesday in the latest easing of Victoria’s COVID-19 restrictions.

However, major changes in metropolitan Melbourne have been put on a “cautious pause”.

Premier Daniel Andrews announced the changes at a press conference this morning.

In regional Victoria, the eased restrictions will apply from 11.59pm on Tuesday, October 27. They include:

• Gyms and fitness centres will open to a maximum of 20 people, with no more than 10 people per space and a density of one person per 8sqm
• Faith gatherings will increase to 20 people indoors and 50 people outdoors (plus a faith leader, in both settings)
• Indoor pools (including swimming classes) will open for all ages with a maximum of 20 patrons and a density of one person per 4sqm
• Live music will be permitted outdoors only with band included in venue limit, members must be at least two metres apart and wear a face mask (except singers)
• Food courts will open, as will indoor seating with a maximum of two people per table, and the venue limited to the lesser of 25 per cent of a venue’s fixed seating capacity or a density quotient of one person per 8 square meters. Outdoor seating will allow a maximum of 50 diners per area (and no more than four areas), with a group limit of 10 and each area separated by 10 metres from the next
• Grade 6 and year 12 graduations will be allowed if within the existing grade cohort (e.g whole grade six cohort, not individual classes) and for students and staff only, but can be broadcast for parents and others
• Outdoor funerals will increase to a maximum of 50 people
• Indoor non-contact community sport for people under the age of 18 will be allowed.

Following his remarks yesterday, in which he cautioned Melburnians from expecting a significant easing of restrictions today (Sunday), Mr Andrews said the coronavirus outbreak in northern metropolitan Melbourne had forced the delay.

“We had hoped today to be able to announce that metropolitan Melbourne would take significant steps, not from today but from mid-week, around retail, hospitality and a whole range of other, important next steps. We are not in a position to do that today because we have at least 1000 test results from that northern metropolitan outbreak that are in the labs. We will get those today, probably the balance of them tomorrow, and they will be additional testing conducted throughout the day.

“This is not anything other than a cautious pause, to wait to get that important information, to get the results of those tests.”

He said he hoped to make “definitive announcements” about opening up metropolitan Melbourne in “a couple of days’ time”.

For the latest updates, head to dhhs.vic.gov.au/coronavirus.