Lockdown lifted for regional Victoria after no new cases
Coronavirus restrictions have been lifted in regional Victoria after no new cases were recorded from outside the Greater Melbourne area.
Three new cases emerged overnight from Melbourne, bringing the total community cases to 63.
Residents outside of metropolitan Melbourne will be able to leave home for any reason after 11.59pm on Thursday, Acting Premier James Merlino has confirmed.
“That means lifting the stay-at-home and travel restrictions,” he told reporters.
“All year levels and students will return to face-to-face schooling. Public gatherings, catching up at a park or a beach, will be increased to 10 people. Restaurants and cafes can open to a maximum of 50.
"Retail, beauty and personal care, entertainment venues and community facilities will open in line with density limits. Religious ceremonies and funerals will be capped at 50. Weddings at 10. We will move to work or study from home if you can, and offices will be capped at 50 per cent.”
Despite most restrictions being lifted, several rules are still in place, including the compulsory use of masks indoors and outdoors when social distancing isn't possible.
Restrictions are still in place for Greater Melbourne, after the lockdown was extended until 11.59pm on June 10.
Aged care resident among new cases
The three cases - including an Arcare Maidstone aged care resident - are all primary close contacts of existing cases.
A child of a previously identified case in the Whittlesea area and a worker from Stratton Finance at Port Melbourne make up the other two cases.
Last year's so-called "ring of steel" to enforce the differing restrictions between Melbourne and regional Victoria isn't coming back, with roving police patrols to be used instead.
Regional businesses will have to check the IDs of customers to ensure they aren't from Melbourne.
Changes to Greater Melbourne restrictions from 11.59pm tonight
5km home travel radius for shopping and exercise extended to 10km
Year 11 and 12 students return to face-to-face learning, as well as pupils studying a Unit 3 and 4 VCE or VCAL subjects while class is taught
Outdoor jobs including landscaping, painting installing solar panels and letterboxing can resume
Changes to regional Victoria restrictions from 11.59pm tonight
Five reasons to leave home removed
No travel distance limit from home
Regional Victorians can travel to Melbourne for permitted reasons, must follow city rules
Outdoors gatherings up to 10 people
Food and hospitality venues open for seated service only, 50 person cap subject to density limit
Retail and personal services providers to reopen with masks
Religious gatherings and ceremonies permitted for up to 50 people, plus one faith leader
Fifty people allowed at funerals, 10 at weddings
Junior outdoor community sport can resume, adults may train outdoors
Outdoor pools, libraries and toy libraries can reopen for up to 50 people, subject to density limit
Outdoor entertainment venues capped to 50 people, or 50 per cent of the venue's seated capacity
Businesses open in regional Victoria, but not Melbourne, must check IDs of every customer
Service Victoria QR check-ins mandatory in retail settings including supermarkets and shops
with AAP
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