By Luke Voogt
Victoria will move to “circuit breaker restrictions” from 11:59pm tonight until at least next Thursday following the state’s latest COVID-19 outbreak, acting premier James Merlino has announced.
“As we’ve seen here, and across Australia, this kind of short, sharp action is effective in stopping this thing in its tracks,” Mr Merlino said in a statement this morning.
“Our public health experts’ prime concern: just how fast the B1.617.1 variant is moving.”
Under the restrictions Victorians will have five reasons to leave home: food and supplies, authorised work, care and caregiving, two hours of exercise with another person and getting vaccinated.
Exercise and shopping will be limited to five kilometres from home.
“If there’s no shops in your 5km radius, you can travel to the ones closest to you,” Mr Merlino said.
“Shopping is also limited to one person per day, per household.”
Face masks will again become mandatory everywhere except at home.
Private and public gatherings will not be permitted, although visiting intimate partners is permitted under ‘single-person bubble’ arrangements.
Childcare and kinder will remain open, but schools will close other than for children of authorised workers and vulnerable kids.
Shops like supermarkets, food stores, bottle shops, banks, petrol stations and pharmacies will also remain open.
Cafes and restaurants can offer take-away only. Gyms, hairdressers, community facilities and entertainment venues will all close.
Non-essential retail may only open for click and collect.
Hotels and accommodation can only stay open to support guests already staying onsite. No new bookings can be made – unless for a permitted purpose, including authorised work.
Further information: dhhs.vic.gov.au/coronavirus
