Source: 9news
As Victoria marks 70 days into lockdown number six, Victorians are desperate to when they will get freedoms back.
‘Freedom day’ is set for when 70 per cent of the eligible population aged over 16 are fully vaccinated.
Here’s a rundown of all that we know.
When will Victoria hit the 70 per cent fully vaccinated mark?
It’s likely to be at the end of next week.
The state was initially forecast to reach its 70 per cent double dose COVID-19 vaccine milestone on October 26, but data shows it is possible the target may be hit as early as October 21.
The state is currently sitting at 61.5 per cent of the eligible population being double- dosed.
Today Premier Daniel Andrews said he would provide “greater clarity” at the end of the week about what next week looks like as the state remains on track to reach its vaccine target ahead of schedule.
But even when Victoria hits the target, many restrictions will still remain in place.
What changes for Victorians at the 70 per cent fully vaccinated mark?
Premier Daniel Andrews has said the lockdown will officially end when the rate of double-dosed Victorians aged 16 and over will hit 70 per cent, saying the milestone will bring about “freedom day”.
© Nine Melburnians are waiting to be allowed to go to venues.
However, many restrictions will stay in place, meaning Victorians
will still not be able to visit homes or go shopping, while Melburnians
will not be able to sit inside at a venue.
In Metropolitan Melbourne the milestone will mean:
- Ten fully vaccinated people will be able to gather outdoors
- Pubs, clubs and entertainment venues will be able to host up to 50 fully vaccinated people outdoors only
- School students will attend school at least part time
- Hairdressing and personal care will be able to open to five fully vaccinated people
- Weddings and funerals will be allowed to have 50 fully vaccinated people outdoors and funerals will be allowed to have 20 people indoors
- Retail will stay closed
- Visitors will still not be allowed to homes
- People will not be allowed to eat or drink inside at venues
In regional Victoria it will mean:
- Community sport returns indoors with number restrictions
- Pubs, clubs and entertainment venues will be able to host 30 fully vaccinated people indoors
- School students will attend school at least part time
- Funerals and weddings will be allowed for 30 fully vaccinated people indoors and 100 fully vaccinated outdoors.
- Retail will stay closed
Visitors will still not be allowed to homes
When will Victoria get to the 80 per cent mark?
Victoria is expected to reach the 80 per cent mark about 10 days after it reaches the 70 per cent mark.
The government originally predicted Victoria would reach 80 per cent around November 5, but the milestone could be reached as early as November 2 with current vaccination rates.
What changes then?
When Victoria reaches the 80 per cent fully vaccinated milestone, restrictions will remain in place across the state, but there will be more freedoms.
All of the state will live under the same rules.
Changes will include:
- Ten visitors will be allowed to homes
- 30 people will be allowed to gather outside
- Retail will open
- Pubs, restaurants and cafes will be able to open for 150 fully vaccinated people – for seated service only, and for 500 outdoors
- Indoor community sport will be allowed with number restrictions
- Masks will only be required indoors
- People will be encouraged to work from home but will be allowed to go to work if they are fully vaccinated
- All schools and childcare will return fulltime
- On-site adult education will be allowed for the full vaccinated
- Hairdressing, beauty and personal care will not be restricted
- Weddings, funerals and religious ceremonies will be allowed to have 150 fully vaccinated people indoors and 500 outdoors
When will Victoria open its borders?
It is unclear when Victoria will open its borders to all other Australians.
It is hoped the day will be before Christmas, but an announcement is yet to be made.
With Victoria having been in lockdown for months, the issue will also be when other states will open their borders to Victorians.
