Victorian premier hints at restrictions that could ease next week
Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews has hinted a number of restrictions could be eased as soon as next week.
The state reported a death and 12 new cases of coronavirus on Sunday.
There was hope last month the state could move to step three of its Covid recovery roadmap by October 19 – a week earlier than the forecast date of October 26.
But cases on average over the past few days are too high for the state to accomplish this, with step three allowing Victorians to attend restaurants and cafes outside, and the re-opening of all retail stores.
On Saturday, Mr Andrews suggested despite the fact average daily cases are currently too high, he will look at easing some restrictions next Sunday.
The premier told reporters on Sunday he expects the measures to be “significant” and “the stuff that people are really missing”.
The restrictions, based on what the premier said, are more likely to be regarding social restrictions rather than business-based ones.
He said lifting the five-kilometre restrictions for Melburnians was “on the table”.
“We'll also spend quite a bit of time thinking about what's a safe group size for people outside – to be able to join each other and to be part of the thing that we crave the most,” Mr Andrews said.
“And that's some of the connections that we have been deprived – we have had to go without for such a long period of time.”
Mr Andrews wouldn’t delve further into what restrictions would be eased exactly as his government hasn’t “settled it” yet.
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