HomeNewsRestrictions eased across the state

Restrictions eased across the state

With Victoria hitting its 70 per cent double dose vaccination target this week, restrictions have eased across the state.

Lockdown has lifted in Melbourne today and Geelong also has reason to celebrate, with limits on social gatherings eased.

As of today, regional Victorians will be able to welcome up to 10 visitors to their homes for the first time since July.

Premier Daniel Andrews announced Sunday the change to the roadmap, with home visitors originally not allowed until the state hit 80 per cent of the population fully vaccinated.

Regional Victoria has also seen its public gathering limit increased from 10 people to 20.

Pubs, clubs and restaurants are allowed to open for up to 30 fully vaccinated customers at a time, while indoor community sport is allowed to restart.

Funerals and weddings can host up to 30 fully vaccinated guests indoors and 100 outdoors.

Friday also marked an important day for schools, with all students allowed to return to the classroom full-time.

Despite Victoria now being out of lockdown, travel between regional Victoria and Melbourne is still limited until the next easing of restrictions.

That will happen when the state reaches its 80 per cent target, which could be as soon as one week away, according to forecasts from COVID Live.

The easing of restrictions comes as the Department of Health revealed there had been 2189 cases recorded across the state on Thursday.

There were also 16 lives lost, and a further 784 people in hospital, including 145 in intensive care and 94 requiring the use of a ventilator.

There were 23,230 active cases across the state on Thursday.

This week has also seen a change to isolation rules for fully vaccinated people.

As of Friday, non-household contacts of a positive COVID-19 case will only have to isolate for seven days, rather than 14, if they are fully vaccinated, as long as they receive a negative test result on day six of their isolation.

Digital Edition
Subscribe

Get an all ACCESS PASS to the News and your Digital Edition with an online subscription

All-Grove final as midweek bowls gears up for grand finish

Both Ocean Grove sides will meet each in the grand final of the Geelong Bowls Region Midweek Division 1 on Tuesday 10 March. Ocean Grove’s...

Brothers in arms

More News

Calls for better coverage

Surf Coast Shire Council is seeking support for better mobile network coverage and investment in active transport projects. Council will table a motion...

Brothers in arms

Eddy Kontelj has been elected as City of Greater Geelong’s deputy mayor to serve alongside older brother and mayor Stretch Kontelj until at least...

West joins Give Geelong Breakfast

Geelong’s favourite breakfast is back this month with a very special guest. The Give Geelong Breakfast, a major fundraising event for Give Where You Live...

Bounce into the Festival of Sport

GMHBA Stadium will open to the public, allowing people to explore the various sports available across Greater Geelong during a free community event. ...

Explosion in North Geelong

An explosion in North Geelong involving gas bottles was brought under control by Fire Rescue Victoria (FRV) at 5.24pm today. FRV said the explosion was...

Highton turns up the heat

It’s not often that a top of the table clash just before finals turns into a lopsided contest, but Highton has already inflicted Bell...

Reduced fees for indoor-only cats

Having failed to introduce blanket 24-hour cat curfew last year, Geelong council has changed tack. Focusing on the carrot rather than the stick, the City...

Queenscliff into the decider

Queenscliff is into the Geelong Bowls Region Premier Pennant grand final against Ocean Grove on Sunday after defeating Drysdale in the prelim on Saturday...

Cats’ skipper shines with timely ton

Lara captain Daniel Weigl delivered a timely blow with a superb innings against St Joseph’s to keep his side in the Geelong Cricket Association...

Calling the curious

Geelong’s peak tourism body has launched a new campaign intended to entice the “unexpected moments, makers and experiences on offer” in the region. Tourism Greater...