Some of the changes came into effect yesterday, with outdoor playgrounds, skateparks and outdoor communal gym equipment reopening in line with a return of face-to-face learning in schools.
From 11.59pm on Sunday, Victorians will be able to have a total of 20 people in their homes. For a family of five, that means 15 visitors. Outdoor gatherings can also increase to 20.
Overnight stays can resume at private residences and accommodation providers and in camping grounds and caravan parks. Communal facilities such as kitchens or bathrooms at camp grounds remain closed.
The government has also lifted attendance limits on significant ceremonies, with up to 20 people allowed at weddings – plus the celebrant and couple – and up to 50 people allowed at a funeral, in addition to people required to run the ceremony.
Up to 20 will be allowed at other religious ceremonies, in addition to those required to perform the service.
Libraries, youth centres and other community facilities will be able to open with no more than 20 people in a single area, plus people needed to operate the centres. This means Men’s Sheds and arts and crafts classes can resume.
Also from 11:59pm on Sunday, entertainment and cultural venues such as galleries, museums, drive-in cinemas and historic sites will be able to open their doors, alongside zoos and outdoor amusement parks. Physical distancing and a limit of up to 20 patrons per space will apply, with indoor venues required to keep customer contact details.
Swimming pools will also open with limits of 20 people and additional safety requirements in place.
Community sporting activities will also be allowed, with up to 20 people in undivided spaces, provided the sport is outdoors, non-competition, non-contact, and people involved can stay 1.5 metres apart. Restrictions on professional sport remain unchanged.
Beauty and personal-care services such as nail salons, spas and tattoo parlours will be able to open with up to 20 customers per space – again, with businesses keeping customer contact details.
Auctions and open for inspections will also be subject to the 20-person limit – plus people required to run the activity. Agents must keep contact details of everyone who attends.
Non-food and drink-market stalls can also open from 11:59pm, Sunday.
If the government is satisfied with circumstances on June 22, indoor fitness and recreation facilities would be able to reopen with up to 20 people per space and up to 10 people per group or activity at any one time.
Up to 50 people would be permitted in restaurants, cafes, galleries and museums, and for the first time, cinemas and theatres. The state ski season would also open.
The Wimmera, meanwhile, has recorded its first official active COVID-19 case for several weeks.
Latest Department of Health and Human Services figures show Northern Grampians Shire cases rose by one overnight, taking it to four. Three of the cases have long been inactive.
The number of recorded cases in the Wimmera and east Grampians since the pandemic started stands at 14.
People can find out more about latest restrictions at website dhhs.vic.gov.au/victorias-restriction-levels-covid-19.
The entire May 27, 2020 edition of The Weekly Advertiser is available online. READ IT HERE!
The entire May 27, 2020 edition of AgLife is available online. READ IT HERE!
