Thousands of Victorians will be able to get back to work from 11:59pm on 27 October as Premier Daniel Andrews today announced that restrictions will be eased for hospitality, retail and other businesses in metropolitan Melbourne.

The ‘dark opening’ can commence immediately, meaning businesses can now bring staff back to prepare premises to welcome customers back, while permitted worker permits are now no longer required.

The Premier also announced that from midnight on 8 November, metro-regional travel restrictions will be removed and metropolitan Melbourne will operate under the same restrictions as regional Victoria.

Speaking at his daily press conference, Daniel Andrews said: “Now is the time to open up. Now is the time to congratulate every Victorian for staying the course. Now is the time to thank every Victorian family for being guided by the data, the science and the doctors. Not letting our frustration get the better of us but instead, proving equal to this wicked enemy. Indeed, better than this wicked enemy.”

“Fundamentally, this [announcement] belongs to every single Victorian. Every single Victorian who has followed the rules, stayed the course, worked with me and my team, to bring this second wave to an end.”

The announcement was made after the State Government took a “cautious pause” on Sunday, which stymied expectations of an early easing of restrictions.

Monday was also the first day since 9 June where there were no new cases or deaths linked to COVID-19 across the state, according to the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), bringing Victoria’s 14-day average down to 3.8 (3.6 for metropolitan and 0.2 for regional).

The Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) welcomed the State Government’s announcement to open businesses.

“The Government has clearly listened to the pleas from business. There is a sense of optimism this afternoon as the whole of Victoria can finally get back to work,” said VCCI Chief Executive Paul Guerra.

“Hospitality, beauty and retail business owners are delighted, and although there are some restrictions on hospitality, it’s only a short wait until those limits will be increased. The news that we will become one Victoria again from 8 November will give comfort to so many Victorians and that date can’t come quick enough!”

“We must acknowledge the hard work, sacrifices and compromises that got us here and ensure business has confidence and certainty going forward. We need to learn to live and work safely alongside the virus.”

Which businesses are reopening?

From 11:59pm on 27 October, all retail and hospitality venues, including pubs, cafes, bars and restaurants, will be allowed to open with some restrictions in place.

While the ‘four reasons to leave home’ policy will no longer be imposed, until midnight on 8 November, the 25km restriction will remain in place for metropolitan Melbourne.

All retail businesses will be allowed to open with COVID-safe measures in place.

Hospitality venues will be able to begin preparations for their venue immediately under the ‘dark opening’. Once open, a maximum of 20 guests will be allowed to be seated indoors with another 50 people to be allowed outdoors. A maximum of one person per four square meters (indoors) and one person per two square meters (outdoors) will also be required.

From 8 November, venues will be allowed to have 40 people indoors and a maximum of 50 people outdoors.

Beauty, personal services and tattooing providers will also be allowed to reopen as long as masks can be worn.

Gyms and fitness studios will be able to reopen on 8 November as part of the second round of reopening measures. These premises will be limited to having 20 people per space and a density of one person per eight square meters.

For more information about reopening your business, and for a full and comprehensive list of which businesses are now able to reopen, visit our Reopen, Restart and Recovery page.

What does this mean for my business?

Businesses will be allowed to have staff on site and engage directly with customers – not just through delivery or click and collect. However, workplaces will still need to put some measures in place to ensure a safe environment for staff and visitors, including:

• Applying density quotients
• Working from home where possible
• Asking staff to verbally confirm that they are symptom-free each day
• Limit the number of staff working across multiple sites
• Auditing of cleaning schedules

Density quotas or working from home rules depend on industry, business size and location, so be sure to check out the VCCI’s Reopen, Restart and Recovery page for detailed information on your business and workplace.

All businesses in Victoria (whether they be regional or metropolitan) that have workers on site or customers visiting their premises must have a COVIDSafe Plan in place. According to the DHHS, each business’ COVIDSafe plan should include as a minimum:

• Actions taken by the employer to reduce the risk of introduction and spread of COVID-19 in work premises
• The process in place to maintain records of everyone who comes to the premises
• The appropriate level of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to be worn
• The processes the employer has put in place to respond to a suspected or confirmed cases of COVID-19
• Acknowledgement that the employer understands its responsibilities and obligations

The VCCI’s Health Safety and wellbeing team have put together a COVIDSafe Plan template and COVIDSafe Plan factsheet to help you and your businesses get up and running again.

Help and support

The Victorian Chamber is here to help you, your business, and your staff as you plan your return to work.

For more information about the COVID-19 resources available to your business, visit our COVID-19 (Coronavirus) Resources for Business page. For specific information about returning to work, visit our Reopen, Restart and Recovery page.