What are the new restrictions in place in Victoria? - The Age

The Victorian state government has announced a number of new restrictions after a hotel quarantine worker tested positive for coronavirus. The case - a 26-year-old man who last worked at the Grand Hyatt on January 29 - brings an end to the state’s 28-day run of zero community transmission.

New restrictions were announced at a late-night press conference on Wednesday night, and came into effect several hours later at 11.59pm.

The restrictions are similar to those in place during the Black Rock cluster that emerged late last year.

Here is a list of the new restrictions. We will continue to update this throughout the day as there is more clarity around the new rules, so keep checking back.

How many people can gather indoors?

The number of visitors permitted to gather in a household is now 15, a decrease from the previous limit of 30.

This means the 15 visitors plus the number of household members.

It excludes children under 12 months of age. Front and backyards are considered part of the home.

The restrictions on outdoor gatherings have not changed. Up to 100 people are still able to gather outside from any number of households.

Where do I have to wear a mask?

Masks are mandatory in all public indoor spaces. They must be worn at all times, except when eating or drinking.

The Health Department advises that if you have visitors in your home, it is “strongly recommended that masks are worn during the visit”.

Masks are also still mandatory on public transport, when in a taxi or rideshare vehicle, on domestic flights to and from Victoria, at airports, or when working in or visiting hospitals and care facilities.

You must take a mask if you are planning on leaving home.

What about at school?

Students in secondary schools must now wear masks indoors. However, students in primary schools are not required to wear masks.

Education Minister James Merlino announced the changes just before 8am on Thursday.

“Teachers do not need to wear masks while teaching, however they can if they choose to,” he said.

“Teachers should wear masks at all other times while indoors. Changes like this can be challenging but this is all about keeping every one of us safe.”

What will happen with the planned return to work?

Masks now have to be worn indoors in offices.

A 75 per cent capacity cap in both public and private sectors was scheduled to come into effect on Monday but will now be paused and the current cap of 50 per cent capacity will remain in place.

Can I keep my restaurant booking?

There has been no change to the existing restrictions for restaurants, cafes, pubs and bars.

They are open for seated and unseated service, must use electronic record-keeping and apply the two-square-metre rule.

There are no other limits on the number of customers. Venues can have up to 25 people before the two-square-metre rule has to be applied.

There are no limits on the number of guests allowed at weddings, funerals and religious gatherings, however, the two-square-metre rule applies and if a service is at a private home, there is a limit of 15 visitors.

Dance floors remain open too - however, a four-square-metre rule applies and a maximum of 50 people are allowed on the dance floor at one time.

Have any travel restrictions been put in place?

There are no restrictions on interstate travel at this stage.

From early this morning, NSW Health began screening passengers arriving on flights from Melbourne. They are also being asked if they have been to any of the venues of concern listed on the Heath Department site.

Anyone who has been in Melbourne since January 30 is being asked to check the Victorian health website, to check if they have attended a public exposure site. If they have they should get tested immediately and isolate for 14 days since being there, regardless of the result and should not travel to NSW.

People who arrive from Victoria will also have to complete passenger declaration. Anyone else in NSW who has recently been in Melbourne should monitor the Victorian Health Department website for additional venues of concern and updated health advice.

Queensland has no plans to close its border to Victoria, Acting Premier Steven Miles said on Thursday. However, he said the border could close in coming days if there is a rapid escalation of cases.

He said anyone who has entered Queensland from Melbourne since January 29 is required to isolate and get tested.

Who has to test, who has to isolate?

Public health teams are trying to identify a list of exposure sites linked to the new case. Anyone who has visited exposure sites must get tested and self-isolate for 14 days.

A full list of exposure sites can be found on the Health Department’s website.

Health authorities said anyone who has visited one of these “Tier 1” exposure sites during these specific times needs to isolate, get tested and remain isolated for 14 days.

How will this affect the tennis?

Premier Daniel Andrews said he expects the Australian Open will go ahead.

“We all understand that there are no guarantees in any of this, but, at this stage, the tournament shouldn’t be impacted by this,” he said on Thursday morning. “These things can change.”

Around 520 players and staff from the Australian Open will now need to be tested for COVID-19 and isolate until they get a negative test.

Victoria’s COVID-19 response commander, Jeroen Weimar, said they had dedicated test facilities for the Australian Open players and support staff, but because they are casual contacts with the positive man they were “not as concerned about them”.

The Health Department has contacted all Australian Open players, officials and support staff who were staying at the Grand Hyatt from January 29 to February 2.

“They are considered casual contacts. They must immediately isolate and get tested,” the department said.

Authorities have also contacted all staff at the Grand Hyatt who are considered primary close contacts. The department says these staff members must immediately isolate and get tested and remain isolated for 14 days. Hundreds of Australian Open players, officials and support staff have been told to isolate and get tested in the wake of the new case.

For more information on where to get tested, call the 24-hour Coronavirus Hotline at 1800 675 398 or visit www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au.If you have been at an exposure site, isolate and get tested. If you have symptoms, isolate and get tested.

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2021-02-03 23:34:00Z
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