Gyms, cinemas and music venues return as CV-19 restrictions ease

For the first time since late June, all of Victoria are on the same level of COVID-19 restrictions.

The 'ring of steel' surrounding metro Melbourne has been lifted, and the 25km travel radius is gone, as of 11:59pm last night.

Announcing the measures yesterday, Premier Dan Andrews said there would be further easing of restrictions to follow, with limits on gatherings relaxed from November 22.

Gyms and indoor sporting facilities, cinemas, galleries, museums and music venues can all open, with limitations on numbers, and the patron limits for restaurants, pubs and cafes have been increased.

There were a number of measures announced by the Premier on Sunday which might impact your business:

• Travel between metro Melbourne and regional Victoria is permitted, with the ‘ring of steel’ lifted, and the 25-kilometre travel limit now gone.

• Gyms and indoor sporting facilities can open with up to 20 people, subject to strict density limits.

• Indoor sport for people aged 18 and under can start again.

• Indoor skate parks and trampolining centres are back, and playcentres can welcome.

• Community spaces like libraries and RSLs can have up to 20 people indoors, in groups of up to 10.

• Restaurants, pubs and cafes will be able to host up to 40 customers indoors and 70 outdoors.

• In Melbourne and in regional Victoria, indoor entertainment venues will be allowed to open with up to 20 people per space.

• Cinemas, galleries, museums, music venues and more can open again, with performance times staggered to minimise contact.

• Art and music studios, can hold up to 10 people if they fit density requirements. 

• And real estate inspections are now allowed to take place for up to 10 people from any number of households, instead of just from two households.

• Wearing face masks in public remains mandatory.

• If you can work from home, you must continue working from home.

• The 10-person limit on public gatherings remains in place.

• Accommodation and tourism venues are reopening across the state. Group bookings are limited to members of a single household or intimate partners, or the members of a single household plus two adults and their dependents. Members of separately booked groups are not allowed to share bedrooms.

• Indoor tourism sites can now open, but there are specific rules for different settings so check these before reopening.

• Casinos and electronic gaming venues are allowed to open their doors again, with COVID-safe rules in place. 

 Further changes are expected from November 22:

• The limit on visitors to a home will increase to 10 people, and the limit on public gatherings will increase to 50.

• Weddings will be allowed to host more people: up to 100 people will be allowed, but there will be a limit of 10 people if the wedding is held at a private home.

• Funerals will also be allowed up to 100 people, but there will be a limit of 10 if it is held privately.

• The limit at indoor venues — such as cinemas and libraries — will increase to 100 people, in groups of to 20.

• Gyms and indoor sport venues will also be allowed to host up to 100 people in groups of 20, and there will be a limit of 50 people at indoor skateparks, indoor pools, trampoline centres and play centres.

• Patron limits in hospitality will increase to 100 people indoors and 200 people outdoors, subject to strict density requirements.

• Large sporting venues will be able to return to 25 per cent of capacity.

• Outdoor physical recreation sessions will able to hold up to 500 people in groups of 50.

Keep up with the latest COVID-19 developments at the Department of Health and Human Services website.