Victorian Government COVID-19 Roadmap

On Sunday, 19 September 2021 Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews, Health Minister Martin Foley and Chief Health Officer Brett Sutton announced  Victoria’s Roadmap to lifting lockdown restrictions.

The roadmap outlines a staggered easing of restrictions in line with increasing vaccination rates, with the lockdown anticipated to end in late October.

Only fully vaccinated Victorian’s will be able to experience freedoms, the Premier also mandated vaccines for authorised workers, childcare workers, hospitality workers and patrons. More information about this is available here. You can book a vaccine appointment here.

Caseload and Vaccinations

In the last 24 hours Victoria recorded 50,917 tests; detecting 567 new locally acquired cases. Victoria now has 5262 active community cases.

As of Sunday, 19 September 2021, 71.09% of eligible Victorians have received their first dose, while 43.3% of Victorians are fully vaccinated.

For a full list of COVID-19 testing locations, click here. Tier 1 and Tier 2 exposure sites can be viewed here.

Roadmap out of lockdown in Metropolitan Melbourne

80% Single Dose – Anticipated date: Sunday, 26^th of September 2021:

• Recreational outdoor activities can re-commence including golf, tennis, basketball and cricket, with the same limits as picnics (up to five fully vaccinated adults from two households, plus dependents)
• Personal training can resume for up to five fully vaccinated people outside.

Staggered reopening of classrooms beginning Tuesday, 5^th of October 2021:

• On October 5^th eligible students can return to sit the GAT.
• On October 6^th, onsite learning can resume for students completing a year 12 VCE subject, final year VCAL and IB students.
• On 18 October, prep students return three days a week, years 1 & 2 students return two days a week.
• When we achieve 70% double dose (anticipated date: Tuesday, 26^th of October) all school students can return to on-site learning at least part time.

70% Double Dose – Anticipated date: Tuesday, 26^th of October 2021:

• The lockdown will end in Metropolitan Melbourne.
• The reasons to leave home and curfew will no longer be in place.
• 10 fully vaccinated people can gather outdoors.
• Community sport training resumes.
• Pubs, clubs and entertainment venues can open to 50 fully vaccinated people outdoors.
• Weddings and funerals can occur outdoors with 50 fully vaccinated people.
• Hairdressing and personal care resumes for up to 5 fully vaccinated people.

Roadmap out of lockdown in Regional Victoria

80% Single Dose – Anticipated date: Sunday, 26^th of September 2021:

• The lockdown will end in Regional Victoria.
• For beauty services and hairdressing appointments masks can be removed for entire booking.
• Final years VCAL students can return to on-site learning.

Reopening of classrooms from Tuesday, 5^th of October 2021:

• Regional school continue to be open for on-site learning for VCE Units ¾, final year VCAL and IB students, Prep and Year 1 and 2 students.
• Further advice on the return to onsite learning for remaining year levels will be provided by 30 September.

70% Double Dose – Anticipated date: Tuesday, 26^th of October 2021:

• More social and recreation activities open up for fully vaccinated regional Victorians.
• Community sport returns indoors.
• All school students return onsite at least part time.
• Funerals and weddings are allowed for 30 fully vaccinated people indoors and 100 fully vaccinated outdoors.

Roadmap out of lockdown for Metropolitan Melbourne and Regional Victoria

Metropolitan Melbourne and Regional Victoria will come together under the same rules at 80% fully vaccinated.

80% Double Dose (16 years and older) – Anticipated date: Friday, 5^th of November 2021:

Social and Recreational:

• Up to 10 people (including dependants) are permitted in your home.
• Up to 150 fully vaccinated people can dine indoors, and up to 30 can gather outside.
• Indoor community sport will resume.
• Masks are only required inside.
• Pubs, restaurants, and cafes can open for seated service only, up to 150 people vaccinated people inside and 500 outdoors.

Work:

• Work from home if you can, but fully vaccinated workers can return to the office.

Hairdressing, Beauty and Personal Care:

• Open for fully vaccinated people.

Retail:

• All retail open.

Education:

• Early childhood education and care is open.
• All students return to school with additional safety measures in-place.
• On-site adult education returns for fully vaccinated Victorians.

Religious Ceremonies:

• Weddings, funerals, and religious ceremonies can return for 150 fully vaccinated people indoors and 500 outdoors.

80% Double Dose (12 years and older) – Anticipated date: 19 November 2021:

• Restrictions will align with the National Plan to transition Australia’s National COVID-19 Response, agreed to by National Cabinet.
• By 25 December 2021, 30 visitors will be able to visit your home.

For additional information , see the Victorian Government’s Roadmap out of Lockdown and other relveant information here.

Further Information

For more information, contact Hawker Britton Victorian Directors, JP Blandthorn at [email protected] or Emma Webster at [email protected].

Further Hawker Britton Occasional Papers on the activities of the Victorian Government are available here.

For further coverage of Labor Government Responses to the COVID-19 Pandemic see Hawker Britton Briefs here.

For further coverage of Liberal Government Responses to the COVID-19 Pandemic see  Barton Deakin Briefs here.