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'Far from over': Premier outlines five reasons people can leave home

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews has announced people in the state will be allowed to have five guests in their homes as he outlined Victoria’s first step to easing coronavirus restrictions.

Addressing the media on Monday, he announced the changes would come into effect at midnight on Tuesday and last for at least three weeks.

He said seeing family and friends would now be the additional fifth reason for people to leave their homes.

The previous four were to buy essentials, to attend work and school, exercise and to seek or provide medical treatment and care.

“It will be allowed for you to go and have dinner or a visit with family and friends, that doesn't mean and it is not an invitation, to be having a dinner party at every house every night,” Mr Andrews said.

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews has announced the state's  first step in easing coronavirus restrictions. Source: AAP
Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews has announced the state's first step in easing coronavirus restrictions. Source: AAP

“We have to use our common sense. We have to be proportionate, recognise that this is far from over.”

He also announced 10 people would be able to meet outdoors for recreational activities.

Activities Mr Andrews outlined that are now allowed include golf, fishing, hiking and walking and kicking a footy with friends.

However, people won't be allowed to stay at their family and friends' homes overnight or camp overnight in national parks, some of which are being reopened.

AFL training to return

There was also an important announcement on allowing training for professional sports teams.

“After all, it is a workplace,” Mr Andrews said, as he revealed the AFL had agreed conditions to begin training, paving the way for the league’s return.

Other professional sports are now expected to follow.

While Mr Andrews said there is no limit on how far someone can travel in the state, overnight stays are currently not allowed, including at hotels Airbnb bookings and camp sites.

"I'm asking people to use common sense, good judgement,” he said.

Capacity limits at funerals have also risen to 20 for indoor and 30 for outdoors. Weddings will be allowed a capacity of 10.

There was no change to Victoria’s school restrictions, with schools only remaining open for the children of essential workers.

Photo shows a group of people toasting with full beer glasses.
Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews said people should stay home unless they are leaving for one of five reasons, which now includes spending time with family and friends. Source: Getty, stock image

Students are expected to be able to get back in the classroom by the end of term two, but more details are yet to be revealed.

"We now believe a gradual staged return to face-to-face learning is safe, cautious and appropriate given the testing we have done and the circumstances we face," Mr Andrews said.

He also urged people to work from home where possible.

Hospitality industry to wait for changes

The premier said there would be no change as of yet for cafes and restaurants allowing patrons to sit down inside, saying feedback he’d received from the hospitality industry indicated allowing only 10 customers inside wasn’t feasible.

"If you think about cafes and restaurants - my thinking here is that if we wait these three weeks, when we move go beyond just takeaway, for cafes, we might not have to stick with the number of 10. We might be able to go higher,” he said.

Mr Andrews had been regarded as one of the most cautious of the state and territory leaders in terms of easing restrictions in recent weeks.

The state recorded another seven coronavirus cases on Monday, bringing Victoria's total to 1494.

Victoria’s number of cases has grown significantly over the last week with the emergence of the Cedar Meats abattoir cluster in Melbourne’s west which is responsible for 77 cases.

A busy city cafe with customers sitting down and a barista taking orders.
Mr Andrews said while some restrictions will be lifted, it was too early for restaurants and cafes to reopen. Source: Getty, stock image

There was one more case linked to the meat works announced on Monday among seven new cases for the state.

“There is a need for us to take a small first step and all be vigilant in following a new set of rules,” he said.

Mr Andrews thanked the 161,000 people who had come forward over the past two weeks to get tested.

He said while it showed case numbers are stable, there is still a “real need” to be cautious.

“Whilst we won't necessarily be doing 161,000 tests every fortnight, testing will be a feature of each day, each week, each month, for the rest of 2020.”

- with AAP

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