On 8 November, following a week of great news on COVID-19 related deaths and cases, Premier Daniel Andrews announced progression toward the ‘last step’ step in the Government’s COVID-19 Reopening Roadmap before all restrictions are eventually eased and the state begins a new era of ‘COVID normal’.

Less than two weeks after the State Government ended the lockdown in Melbourne on 27 October, the entire State has recorded just one new case of COVID-19, bringing the metro and regional 14-day averages to 0.4 and 0.0 respectively.

“Collectively, we’ve missed the big moments and the small. Birthdays and barbeques. Special dinners and cups of tea. 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. Families will be whole again too,” Premier Andrews said on Sunday morning.

“Nine days of zero [cases] is not the same as a vaccine. Each of us have played a part in building this precious thing. And each of us have to play a part in protecting it. If we want to stay open, then we have to stay safe. If we want to enjoy these steps and more, then we all have to play our part.”

Some of the key changes that will come to Melbourne from 11.59pm on 8 November, include:

• Removal of the 25km ‘ring of steel’
• Hospitality venues to allow 40 patrons indoors, 70 outdoors
• Accommodation providers allowed to reopen
• Gyms and fitness studios to reopen
• Cinemas, music halls, concert halls reopen

As part of Sunday’s announcement, Premier Andrews noted that while some changes would come into effect that day, many more will restrictions will be eased on 22 November - where all of Victoria will move to the ‘last step’ in the State Government’s Reopening Roadmap.

It is important to note that the ‘last step’ in the Reopening Roadmap is not the final step. Some restrictions will still apply for businesses and social settings. ‘COVID normal’ is the final step in the roadmap where all businesses can operate normally with a COVIDSafe Plan.

While the VCCI has joined its members in celebrating further easing of restrictions, Chief Executive Paul Guerra acknowledged that there is more still do be done.

“The winners today are the visitor economy, hospitality, gyms and personal services, but there is still more work to be done on a plan for the return of functions and events, as well as office workers.

“Victoria needs a roadmap for the safe return of office workers to revitalise the CBD, with many businesses struggling to make ends meet without their pre-COVID-19 customer base. The plan could include roster systems and staggered start and finish times for example. We should commence transitioning workers back to the office from 30 November as a starting point.”

What is changing

As part of the ‘last step’, many rules will be changing for Victorian businesses from the Sunday night on 8 November, especially those in metropolitan Melbourne. Here are some of the key rule changes for local businesses.

For a full, comprehensive list of what level of restrictions are in pace 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.

Hospitality

Less than two weeks after cafés, bars and restaurants reopened, they can now expand the number of people allowed into each venue. In the ‘last step’ venues will be allowed a maximum of 40 people indoors, or 10 people per space and allow 70 patrons outdoors or one person for every two square meters.

Gaming venues will also be allowed to reopen to a limit of 10 people as the Casino will also reopen with a maximum of 10 people per room.

Daniel Andrews also announced that from midnight on 22 November, the limits will be increased to 100 people indoors and 200 people outdoors with a density requirement of one person for every two square meters.

Travel and accommodation

As the ‘ring of steel’ is brought down, all Victorians will be able to travel and stay at accommodation services across the state.

As part of the ‘last step’, occupying a room will be restricted to members of the same household (not same family), be intimate partners or two adults with two dependents.

Tours will also be allowed to resume with trips being limited to 30 minutes and larger vehicles allowed to carry up to 10 people.

From midnight on 22 November, up to 10 people will be allowed to stay in any hotel, motel or accommodation from any number of households.

Health services and care facilities

Two members from one household will be allowed to visit a patient or resident for a maximum of two hours from 9 November. For many Victorians, it will have been months since they were able to visit loved ones in aged care facilities as these centres witnesses some of the worst outbreaks of COVID-19.

The rules of each facility are still up to the discretion of that place and may choose to still enforce tougher restrictions based on their level of risk and vulnerability.

Fitness and gyms

Fitness studios and gyms will be allowed to reopen with a limit of 20 people per venue or one person for every eight square meters or 10 per space.

Indoor pools will also be allowed to reopen, allowing 20 people per space, or one person for every four square meters.

Indoor non-contact sports for under-18’s will also be allowed to resume with a limit of 20 people.

From midnight on 22 November, the number of people allowed will increase to 100, in groups of 20 people. Large sporting venues will also be allowed to reopen to 25 per cent of capacity.

Beauty, personal care and body art services

These businesses have progressed from the ‘restricted’ limitations of the ‘third step’ rules, and now move to ‘open with a COVIDSafe Plan’. As part of the progression, while face masks are advised for safety, procedures and treatments to the face (such as lip waxing and filling) will be able to resume.

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.

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. 

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.