Following 23 consecutive days of zero new cases and zero deaths caused by COVID-19 in Victoria, Daniel Andrews has today announced a further easing of restrictions – much to the relief of businesses and workers.

Flagged two weeks ago at the Premier’s press conference, the latest easing of restrictions will see capacity limits increased to many sectors including hospitality, fitness, events and cinemas.

Office workers, hospitality businesses and the events sector are the major beneficiaries from the latest easing of restrictions, with offices now allowed to have up to 25 per cent of staff back in the workplace, as larger restaurants, cafes and bars will be allowed to host up to 150 guests indoors have a maximum capacity (indoor and outdoor) of 300 guests.

Victorians will also be able to enjoy the warmer weather outdoors mask-free from 11.59pm on Sunday 22 November night, as the Premier announced the end of face-covering requirements in public outdoor areas (if you can distance from others). The public will need to keep their masks handy though as the rule change only applies to outdoor areas, and face masks will still be required in the workplace and indoors – including retail stores.

Speaking at the press conference on Sunday, Premier Andrews said “three months ago, Victoria had 4293 active cases. Today we have one. It’s an incredible achievement.”

“The goal – the hope – was something a little more ‘normal’ for Christmas. Today, because of the efforts of every Victorian, that’s exactly what we’ve been able to achieve.”

VCCI Chief Executive Paul Guerra has celebrated the VCCI’s three major wins on issues that the Chamber has been publicly and privately advocating on for weeks, with daily communication with Ministers and Departments: the return of office workers, hospitality capacity increases and the return of events.

“We have been campaigning strongly on these three issues in particular in recent weeks and are pleased that the Government has listened and acted to go beyond the original roadmap steps in the interests of Victorian businesses and the Victorian economy.

“With 23 consecutive days of zero infections and zero deaths, today’s announcement will further add to the strong sense of optimism and positivity which will guide us on the path to restore our status as the economic powerhouse of Australia. The challenge now is to continue to be vigilant, follow your COVID Safe plans and focus on long term strategies for growth.”

What is changing for business

As of 11.59pm on Sunday 22 November, many changes in restrictions will come into effect which will change the way many businesses are able to operate across the State.

For a full, comprehensive list of what restrictions are in place for each sector, visit the State Government’s Roadmap for Reopening webpage here, or see the Victorian Chamber’s COVID-19 (Coronavirus) Resources for Business page.

Office environments

From 30 November, Victoria will see the resurgence of the Melbourne CBD as it will be the first day in months that office workers will be able to visit their workplace voluntarily.

From that Monday, office workers will not be required to work from home. Workplaces will be restricted to having one worker to every four square meters, along with having stringent cleaning and sanitary precautions in place.

While the rule change applies to the offices of private businesses, the public service sector will continue to stay at home.

Hospitality

After less than four weeks since being allowed to reopen their doors; bars, restaurants and cafés will have their capacity caps extended again.

While larger venues will retain the same density limit of one person for every four square meters, up to 150 patrons will be allowed indoors in each venue. Meanwhile, smaller venues will have their density limit changed to one person for every two square meters, allowing up to 50 customers.

Nightclubs and karaoke venues will also be allowed to open under the State Government’s Roadmap for Reopening. However, guests will have to leave their dancing shoes at home as only seated venues will be allowed to open.

All hospitality venues must continue to keep records of both staff and customer details for contact tracing purposes as QR code record keeping will be mandatory.

Indoor food courts will also be allowed to open at 50 per cent of capacity.

Events and entertainment

Indoor entertainment venues such as theatres and cinemas will be allowed to host up to 150 people under the Last Step of restrictions.

Meanwhile, museums and galleries will also be allowed to greet 150 visitors at any given time.

Just in time as the weather warms up, outdoor events and venues such as zoos and outdoor cinemas will be able to allow up to 500 guests at any given time.

Meat processing

All abattoirs, meat, poultry and seafood processing facilities will no longer be required to adhere to workforce capacity requirements.

This will mean for the first time in months that these ‘high-risk’ facilities will be able to operate at full capacity, just in time for the Festive Season, following a series of outbreaks of COVID-19 at various locations across the state.

Personal care and body art services

Under the State Government’s Roadmap for Reopening, the personal care and body art sector moves from ‘Restricted’ to ‘Open with a COVIDSafe Plan’.

Where these businesses required attendees to wear face coverings – making procedures such as facial waxing or beard trimming (for example) impossible, patrons will be allowed to remove their face coverings for these types of procedures.

Health and fitness

Indoor gyms and recreation facilities will receive a large boost in the number of patrons allowed on their premises from Sunday night, with gyms allowed to open to 100 patrons, with classes of up to 20 participants.

Density requirements will still apply, meaning that small venues may not be able to open to the full 100-person capacity.

Indoor pools will also be allowed to open to 50 guests.

Real estate

Auctions will be able to be held indoors once again with restrictions now allowing up to 20 people permitted in a home – depending on the density quotient.

Outdoor auctions will get a major boost from the previous Third Step, now allowing 50 people from any number of households to attend (up from 10 previously allowed).

COVIDSafe Plans

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.

If any business does not already have an actionable plan, 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 operate safely. 

The Victorian Chamber is here to help you, your business, and your staff work safely and efficiently as we come out of this global pandemic.

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.