By Luke Voogt
Victoria’s snap lockdown is set to ease at midnight tonight, Premier Daniel Andrews has announced.
But Victorians will still face tougher restrictions compared to before the state’s snap five-day lockdown, Mr Andrews warned this morning.
Beginning tomorrow Victorians will only be able to have five visitors in their homes per day, compared to 15 before to the lockdown, and public gatherings will be limited to 20.
“For now, it’s important we reduce the risk in some of our most vulnerable settings,” Mr Andrews said.
“I know that’ll be hard. After the past 12 months, all any of us want to do is spend time with the people we love.
“But by sticking to the rules and being conscious of who we see and how often we see them, we’ll help keep our friends and families safe.”
Hospital and aged care home visits will be limited to one household per day, with some exceptions.
Masks will continue to be mandatory in public indoor spaces, as well as outdoors where social distancing is not possible.
But schools, restaurants, retail, community facilities, entertainment venues and other public places will reopen, with some additional limits on crowd sizes.
Public and private offices can return to 50 per cent capacity.
Mr Andrews also announced the abolishment of the four reasons to leave home and the five-kilometre travel restriction.
“I want to thank those Victorians who’ve made it possible – and I want to thank every Victorian for their patience,” he said.
“Because of you, we’ve been able to track, trace and corner this mutant and more infectious strain of the virus.”
Department of Health officials have conducted thousands of hours of interviews, identified and isolated 3400 close contacts and processed 212,000 tests since the lockdown began, according to government.
“For those Victorians who are part of our health response, it’s been bloody hard work,” Mr Andrews said.
The lockdown began in response to an outbreak stemming from the Holiday Inn Hotel at Tullamarine Airport, now at 17 cases.
Mr Andrews foreshadowed restrictions easing further next week depending on the COVID-19 situation.
He urged those with even the mildest symptoms to get tested. For more information phone the coronavirus hotline on 1800 675 398 or visit coronavirus.vic.gov.au.
