By Jessica Micallef
Macedon Ranges residents have moved another step closer to a “covid normal” way of life.
Lower virus case numbers allowed regional Victoria to enter the third step to reopening last week.
There are no restrictions on the reasons to leave home and a maximum of 10 people can meet outdoors. Face coverings are mandatory and residents are encouraged to continue social distancing when out and about.
“Household bubbles” are now permitted, where residents can choose another household to visit, with up to five visitors at once. Cafes, restaurants and bars can resume in-store dining with a maximum of 10 patrons per four-square metres, and outdoor dining is capped to 50 patrons per two-square metres.
All beauty services can resume where a face covering can be worn during the duration of the service and private house inspections can resume by appointment only. Outdoor auctions are subject to the 10 person gathering limit. Tourism accommodation sites, including campsites, hotels and airbnbs, in regional Victoria can reopen. Outdoor religious gatherings of up to 10 people, can occur. Weddings can be conducted with up to 10 people, while funerals can have up to 20 people.
Outdoor contact and non-contact sport for people aged 18 and younger and outdoor non-contact sport for adults can resume. Skateparks can also reopen.
Premier Daniel Andrews said regional Victorians had done a “mighty job” to get case numbers down.
“I am so pleased and proud of every single regional Victorian who has stayed the course, followed the
rules [and] got tested.”
As of Sunday, there were two active cases of the virus in the Macedon Ranges. In Hume, there were 56 active cases.
Stage four restrictions in metropolitan Melbourne are expected to be relaxed on September 28, subject to public health advice and if average daily cases are 30-50 over the previous 14 days.
