Source: ABCnews
From 11:59pm, Victorians will enjoy as much freedom as they’ve had since early 2020, with almost all COVID-19 restrictions to be removed.
There are major changes around hospitality, public gatherings, masks, major events, and self-quarantining requirements.
But people who have not been vaccinated will find many restrictions remain in place for them, and those restrictions will even become more stringent in some circumstances.
Here’s what the changes mean for you.
Can I go out?
Density and capacity limits on hospitality businesses will be removed for fully vaccinated customers, meaning cafes and restaurants will no longer have to restrict the number of people inside their venues.
Dance floors will reopen, and patrons will be allowed to drink at the bar at pubs and clubs.
Cinemas, zoos, and casinos will have no limits on the number of vaccinated patrons they can accommodate, but vaccination requirements won’t apply to businesses that are operating as takeaway only.
Events with fewer than 30,000 people in attendance can go ahead for the fully vaccinated and will not need to submit a COVID-safe plan.
Major events such as the Boxing Day Test and the Australian Open will not be subject to attendance or density caps but will need to submit a COVID-safe plan for approval.
Unvaccinated people will not be allowed into non-essential retail businesses such as clothing, toy, and book shops, hairdressers, and real estate inspections and auctions.
How many people can I have over?
There will be no limits of the number of people who can gather in a home or in public places such as parks or beaches.
There will be no vaccination requirements for these gatherings, although the government has recommended that everyone be fully vaccinated.
Weddings, funerals and religious gatherings can be held without capacity limits as long as everyone in attendance is fully vaccinated.
If vaccination status is not being checked at these events, density will be limited to one person per 4 square metres, with a maximum of 50 people.
Those caps do not include a person conducting a funeral, or a couple getting married, and their celebrant and photographer.
Do I have to wear a mask?
Masks will no longer be mandatory in many settings but will be required in some high-risk settings.
You will still be required to wear a mask in health facilities, if you are serving the public in hospitality venues, if you’re a teacher or a student in years 3 to 6, if using public transport, a taxi or rideshare, or travelling on a plane.
High-risk workplaces, such as abattoirs, will also require workers to wear a mask.
Masks will also be mandatory in indoor shops, but that requirement will be removed on December 15 unless there is a significant jump in hospitalisations.
Can I go to the pool?
You will not be able to use sporting facilities or pools for recreational purposes if you are not fully vaccinated.
However, unvaccinated people will be able to use these facilities if they are participating in community sporting competitions.
People who use pools for essential medical care will also be exempt.LIVE UPDATES: Read our blog for the latest news on the COVID-19 pandemic
Can I visit aged care or a hospital?
Residents of aged care facilities will be able to have up to five visitors per day, including dependents.
The government recommends that all visitors be fully vaccinated but does not appear to have made that a requirement.
Visitors to hospital will still be limited to a small number of circumstances, such as visiting someone in an end-of-life scenario.
What about self-quarantine?
There are pretty major changes to self-quarantine requirements for positive cases, as well as those who are deemed close contacts of a confirmed case.
The quarantine period for confirmed cases will drop from 14 days to 10 days.
Non-household close contacts will only have to isolate until they receive a negative test result, and household contacts will have to isolate for seven days if fully vaccinated or 14 days if they are not vaccinated.
Children under 12 who are household contacts will be considered fully vaccinated if all eligible members of their household are fully vaccinated.
The Department of Health will also no longer conduct contact tracing, and exposure sites will not be publicly listed.
