By Jessica Micallef
“Now is the time to open up.”
It was music to every Melburnians’ ears as Premier Daniel Andrews announced the state’s strict and long lockdown was coming to an end after Victoria recorded a second day of zero cases last Monday, the first time since June.
The city’s cafes, restaurants, pubs and shops have reopened their doors and residents can freely leave their home.
Beauty, personal services and tattooing have reopened and personal training, fitness and dance classes can be held outdoors with up to 10 people.
Outdoor social gatherings remain at a maximum of 10 people, but more than two households can be present.
Outdoor contact sport for children under 18 and outdoor non-contact sport for adults can begin, while outdoor pools can increase patron capacity to 50 people, subject to density limits.
Up to 10 people can attend a wedding, funerals are capped to 20 and up to 20 people, plus those required for the service, can take part in an outdoor religious ceremony.
Indoor services can be held with up to 10 people.
Two adults and their dependents from the same households can visit a family home once a day, provided the distance is within 25km.
Mr Andrews praised the efforts of Victorians for bringing down the case numbers of the state’s second wave, but he said the fight was not over until a vaccine became available.
“This belongs to each and every Victoria who has followed the rules, stayed the course, worked with me and my team, to bring this second wave to and end,” he said.
“So much have been given to build this precious thing and all of us need to make sure that we honour it, value it and protect it.
From 11.59pm on Sunday, the state’s ‘ring of steel’ dividing metropolitan Melbourne from regional Victoria will be lifted and the 25km travel movement will no longer be in place.
Gyms and fitness studios can reopen and hospitality businesses, religious services, weddings and funerals can increase their capacity numbers.
As of Sunday, Hume had six active virus cases and the Macedon Ranges had none.
