The easing of trading restrictions for Victoria’s hospitality venues is continuing with Premier Daniel Andrews announcing new measures which started yesterday and more which come into place from 22 November.
The boundary between Melbourne and regional Victoria has now been removed and the 25-kilometre travel restrictions is also no longer in place. Andrews also said that the rules which currently apply to regional Victoria will now apply to the whole state, with Victoria today recording its tenth straight day of no new COVID-19 cases and no deaths.
“Nothing about this year has been easy,” the Premier said. “But the hardest thing of all has been missing the people we love most. Those things we didn’t even know we’d miss – until we realised just how precious they really were. But we did it. Because staying apart meant keeping each other safe.
“Today, because of that sacrifice, our state can be whole again.”
He added: “There’ll be changes for Melbourne. Restaurants, pubs and cafes will be able to host up to 40 customers indoors and 70 outdoors.”
There are also changes for venues operating electronic gaming, with the new rules stating: “Electronic gaming to equivalent of indoor hospitality limit of 40 patrons or up to 10 patrons per venue per electronic gaming room. Additional COVIDSafe requirements apply.”
Victoria’s nightclubs and karaoke bars will remain closed.
From 22 November – and in line with the public health advice – Victoria is on track to reach the Last Step in its roadmap towards reopening.
This will see hospitality venues able to have up to 100 people indoors and 200 outside. The electronic gaming rules will also change with group limits of 20 and venue caps of 100, with a density quotient of one person per four square metres. There will be no change to nightclubs and karaoke bars from 22 November.
Andrews also called on Victorians to continue the good work in keeping the state COVID-safe.
“By now everyone knows the drill when it comes to keeping safe – so I won’t waste words, he said. “But I will say this: We have worked so hard. We have given up so much. And together, we’ve come so far. We’ve got to protect it.
“So, let’s stay safe, stay open – and keep going.”