Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews announced the Government’s roadmap plan for Victoria to exit the coronavirus restrictions while Victoria has reported 63 new cases and five deaths for Sunday, down from 76 new cases and 11 deaths for Saturday.

The Premier announced a further two weeks of stage four lockdown for metropolitan Melbourne in a press conference joined by Deputy Premier James Merlino and Health Minister Jenny Mikakos.

Read more: Stage 4 restrictions extended for another 2 weeks in Melbourne

Below is a step-by-step analysis of the steps required for Victorians to acquire some sense of normalcy in their lives.

Breakdown of roadmap for metropolitan Melbourne

First step, effective from 11.59pm Sunday 13 September 2020, means Victorians will see:

  • Curfew eased to 9pm to 5am
  • Exercise increased to two hours per day
  • Single “social bubbles”
  • Public outdoor gatherings of two people or a household for up to two hours
  • Playgrounds reopen

Second Step, from 28 September 2020, is subject to public health advice and if average daily cases are 30-50 in metro Melbourne over previous 14 days.

  • Public gatherings increase to up to five people from two households
  • Schools: staged return for Prep to Year 2, VCE/VCAL and specialist schools in Term 4
  • Childcare reopens
  • More workplaces open
  • Outdoor pools reopen, personal training for up to two people per trainer
  • Outdoor religious gatherings of up to 5 people plus 1 faith leader

Third Step, from 26 October 2020, is subject to public health advice and if daily average is less than five new cases (state-wide) and less than five cases from unknown sources over the previous 14 days (state-wide total).

  • Curfew dropped
  • Leave home – no restrictions on reasons or distance travelled
  • Public gatherings increased to 10 people outdoors
  • Visitors at home – up to five visitors from another nominated household
  • Schools – potential staged return for Year 3 to 10 based on epidemiology
  • Retail and hairdressing reopen
  • Hospitality – predominantly outdoor seated service, group limit of 10 and density limits
  • Staged return of outdoor non-contact sport for adults
  • Outdoor under 18 years contact and non-contact sport resumes

Last Step, from 23 November 2020, will be subject to public health advice and if no new cases for previous 14 days

  • Public gatherings of up to 50 people outdoors
  • Visitors at home – up to 20 visitors at a time
  • Retail – all open
  • Hospitality – indoor group limit of 20 people for seated service, cap of 50 patrons
  • Real estate – open with safety measures
  • Sport – open subject to safety measures, contact sport resumes for all ages
  • Weddings, funerals – maximum of 50 people
  • Religion – public worship resumes subject to density quotas

 

COVID Normal – starts when no new cases occur for 28 days plus no active cases (state-wide) and no outbreaks of concern in other States and Territories.

  • Most restrictions dropped subject to safety conditions
  • Phased return to onsite work for those who have been working at home

 

Breakdown of roadmap for regional Victoria

From 11.59pm, on Sunday 13 September 2020 regional Victoria jumps straight into Second Step which means:

  • Public gatherings – up to five people from maximum of two households can meet outdoors
  • Single “social bubbles”
  • Schools – staged return to onsite learning for all students in Term 4
  • Outdoor playgrounds and outdoor pools reopen

The Third Step will be implemented when regional Victoria reaches less than 5 cases on average over 14 days and zero cases with unknown source over 14 days.

  • Leave home – no restriction on reasons or distance travelled
  • Public gatherings – up to 10 people outdoors
  • Visitors to the home – “household bubble” of up to five visitors from another nominated household
  • Hospitality – predominately outdoor seated service, group limits of 10
  • Sport – phased return of outdoor under 18 years contact and non-contact sport; outdoor non-contract sport only for adults
  • Funerals – 20 people
  • Weddings – 10 people

Last Step, will be effective from 23 November 2020, if there are no new cases for 14 days state-wide.

  • Public gatherings – 50 people outdoors
  • Visitors at home – up to 20 visitors
  • Hospitality – indoor groups limited to 20, seated service, cap of 50 patrons
  • Retail – all open, includes beauty and personal care services

COVID Normal starts when no new cases occur for 28 days plus no active cases (state-wide) and no outbreaks of concern in other States and Territories.

  • Most restrictions dropped subject to safety conditions
  • Phased return to onsite work for those who have been working at home