More COVID-19 restrictions to be dialled back

VICTORIANS will be allowed to visit playgrounds, galleries, cinemas, swimming pools and many other facilities within days in a further easing of COVID-19 lockdown restrictions just announced by Premier Daniel Andrews.

Mr Andrews said as Victoria’s rate of community transmission remained low, and the volume of testing was high, the government was well-positioned to add several more changes to restrictions.

From Tuesday, 26 May, outdoor playgrounds, skateparks and outdoor communal gym equipment will re-open.

Then from June 1, even more activities will be allowed.

You’ll be able to have a total of 20 people in your home. For example, for a family of five, that means 15 visitors. Outdoor gatherings can also increase to 20.

Overnight stays can resume at private residences, as can overnight stays in accommodation and campgrounds and caravan parks, just not at those with communal facilities such as kitchens or bathrooms.

Up to 20 people will be allowed at weddings, plus the celebrant and couple, and up to 50 people allowed at a funeral, in addition to those required to conduct the ceremony. Up to 20 will be allowed at other religious ceremonies, in addition to those required to perform the service.

Libraries, youth centres and other community facilities like Men’s Sheds and arts and craft classes will be able to open with no more than 20 people in a single area, plus those needed to operate the space.

Entertainment and cultural venues like galleries, museums, drive-in cinemas and historic sites will be able to reopen, alongside zoos and outdoor amusement parks. Physical distancing and a limit of up to 20 patrons per space will apply, and indoor venues will be required to keep customer contact details.

Swimming pools will also open with limits of 20 people and additional safety requirements in place.

Community sporting activities will also be permitted with up to 20 people in undivided spaces, provided the sport is outdoors, non-competition, non-contact, and people are able to play 1.5 metres apart. Restrictions on professional sport will remain unchanged.

Beauty and personal care services like nail salons, spas, tattoo parlours will be able to open with up to 20 customers per space, with customer contact details required to be kept for tracking purposes.

Auctions and open for inspections will be subject to the 20-person limit, plus those required to conduct the activity, with agents also required to keep the contact details of everyone who attends.

Non-food and drink market stalls will also be able to open.

Mr Andrews said if community transmission rates continued to remain low and testing rates continued to remain high, he would look to further relax restrictions from 22 June.

“From that date, indoor fitness and recreation facilities will open with up to 20 people per space and up to 10 people per group or activity at any one time,” he said.

“Up to 50 people will be permitted in restaurants, cafes, galleries, museums and for the first time, cinemas and theatres. And for those eager to hit the slopes, the ski season will open slightly later this year on 22 June.”

He urged Victorians in all their activities to “be considered, be cautious and to use your common sense.”

“And if you don’t have to do it – don’t,” he said. “By making these small sacrifices, we’re each contributing to something much greater than ourselves.

“Working from home means we can go away for the weekend. Staggering start times means our kids can start learning face-to-face. Keeping our distance means we can open cafes and restaurants.

“And by only seeing those you need to, if you need to, we can help keep our friends and families safe.”