Victorian Reopening Roadmap

On Sunday 6 September the Victorian Government announced the Reopening Roadmap which sets out the steps that the state will need to go through in order to re-open and remove restrictions. The entire City of Melton is included in Metropolitan Melbourne, and as such the Metro Melbourne Roadmap will apply to local businesses.

Full details of the roadmap are available on the Victorian Government Website.

There is also an industry specific breakdown where you are able to quickly work out when your industry will be able to re-open, and the restrictions that will apply.

In summary there are 4 steps towards a ‘COVID Normal’ which have target dates that are dependent on ‘trigger points’ being reached with reduced COVID-19 cases. If the triggers can’t be met by those dates, then the timelines will change:

Step 1:  14 September

• The first step is effectively an extension of the current stage 4 restrictions until 28 September.  Other than a few modifications to allow more exercise outside, an extension to the curfew, and for people living alone to set up a ‘Single person bubble’ there are no changes to the current business restrictions.

Step 2:  28 September

• TRIGGER POINT:  COVID-19 cases reach a daily average of 30-50 cases over a 14 day period

• Curfew remains in place

• People can only leave home for 4 reasons (School or work; care or caregiving; to purchase essentials; exercise)

• Childcare to reopen

• Schools to have a staged return to face-to-face learning. (Prep - Grade 2 , Years 10-12 and specialist schools)

• Outdoor exercise with a personal trainer allowed

• Some work restrictions in certain industries will be eased

Step 3:  26 October

• TRIGGER POINT:  Average daily cases of COVID-19 are less than 5 per day over a 14 day period

• Curfew ends

• There will be no restrictions on leaving home

• Public gatherings:  up to 10 people

• Visitors allowed at home from one other household

• Schools:  Grade 3 - Year 10 will have a staged return to school

• All retail open, except personal care (hairdressers open)

• Hospitality open for predominately outdoor seated service only

Step 4 (Last Step):  23 November

• TRIGGER POINT: There are no new COVID-19 cases for 14 days

• No restrictions on leaving home

• Outdoor gatherings of up to 50 people

• Visitors in the home: up to 20 visitors at a time.

• Schools open for onsite learning with safety measures

• Hospitality open for seated service only

• All retail open

• Phased return of organised sport

• Galleries, museums and entertainment venues open with some restrictions.

Covid Normal:

• TRIGGER POINT: When there are no new cases for 28 days and no active cases (State-wide) and no outbreaks of concern in other states and territories.

• Covid Normal will see restrictions lifted with some procedures and safety measures in place to assist with contact tracing and phased return to workplaces.

For up to date announcements and a summary of support options visit the COVID-19 Business Knowledge Hub on Melton City Council’s website.