AFTER three consecutive days of no new COVID-19 cases being infectious in the community, Victoria has exited hard lockdown.
Students have been sent back to school, retail and gyms are reopening, restaurants are serving dine-in customers again, and community sport will return.
Premier Daniel Andrews said “to every Victorian who checked in with our QR system, who got tested and quarantined, and stayed home to slow the spread of this virus, thank you – it’s because of you we’ve able to get on top of this Delta outbreak and open up our state.”
The state government announcement of eased restrictions confirmed that “Victorians will be able to leave their homes for any reason. Restaurants and cafes can also reopen for seated service. Retail and beauty and personal care will open in line with density limits, as will entertainment venues and community facilities.”
“The authorised worker list will no longer apply, meaning businesses and venues can reopen with capacity and density limits of one person per four sqm. Victoria will return to the rule that if you can work from home, you should work from home but office workers will be able to return up to 25 per cent or up to 10 people, whichever is greater.
“Public gatherings will be allowed with up to 10 people, with infants under 12 months not included in the cap. However, due to the significant transmission risk we have seen throughout the pandemic, gatherings in the home are still not permitted. People will only be able to book accommodation with their household, intimate partner or single bubble person. A maximum of 50 people will be permitted at weddings. Funerals will also have a cap of 50 mourners, plus those conducting the funeral.
“Masks will continue to be required everywhere indoors and outdoors except private residences, unless an exception applies.”
There are two active COVID-19 cases among Kingston residents. In surrounding local government areas, there are three in Bayside, 16 in Glen Eira, seven in Monash, none in Greater Dandenong, and two in Frankston.
Bunnings Warehouse in Carrum Downs was listed as an exposure site last week. The Bunnings is a tier two exposure site, with people who visited there between 9.45am and 10.25am on 18 July asked to urgently get tested.
First published in the Chelsea Mordialloc Mentone News – 28 July 2021