By Jessica Micallef
Sunbury and Macedon Ranges residents are a step closer to achieving a ‘COVID normal’ under Premier Daniel Andrews’ roadmap.
Lower virus case numbers has allowed the state government to ease further restrictions on Sunday night.
In metropolitan Melbourne, the five kilometre travel rule has been increased to 25kms and up to 10 people from two households can meet outdoors.
There is no time limit on outdoor exercise and socialising.
Outdoor pools are able to host 30 swimmers and indoor pools can reopen for one-on-one hydrotherapy, while allied health workers can resume.
Skate parks, golf courses and tennis courts can reopen, with clubhouses and indoor facilities to remain closed.
Hairdressers can reopen, real estate auctions can restart with up to 10 people and commercial real estate inspections can resume.
Outdoor professional work including non-essential home maintenance and repairs, house painters and car washing can resume and mobile pet groomers, outdoor photographers and pool cleaners can get back to work.
Mr Andrews said if virus case numbers remain low over the week, further restrictions slated to be eased on November 1, could be brought forward.
In regional Victoria, two people, plus dependants, can now visit a home once per day. Indoor pools can reopen for patrons under 18 and up to 20 people can be on site. Swimming lessons and one-on-one hydrotherapy is allowed.
Libraries and toy libraries can open for up to 20 people and outdoor religious gatherings have been increased to 20 people.
One household can visit a care facility and hospitality venues can host 70 people outdoors and 40 people indoors.
Mr Andrews praised the effort of Victorians for staying the course.
“We just have a little longer to go in order to see off the second wave, defeat the second wave, and then to find the [COVID] normal and to begin the process of rebuilding.”
As of Sunday night, there were 14 active virus cases in Hume and none in the Macedon Ranges.
