Premier Daniel Andrews announced Victoria’s long-awaited roadmap out of coronavirus restrictions on Sunday.
He emphasised the importance of a slow and steady reopening, otherwise the state runs the risk of “just beginning a third wave.”
The first changes to current restrictions will begin from 11:59pm on Sunday, September 13, marking the start of a five-step plan to a “COVID normal”.
The changes will mean something different for everyone these stories explain what it will mean for you.
I live in:
Metropolitan Melbourne
Melbourne residents must stay in stage 4 lockdown for a while longer, before moving into the first phase of a staged reopening plan. Here’s what we know about it., and what each step will include.
Regional Victoria
Those outside of the metropolitan area are on a different timeline to their city friends here are the differences and what’s allowed.
Under the roadmap released by Daniel Andrews, September 14 marks the start of a four-step plan to a “COVID normal” in Victoria.(AAP: Erik Anderson)
My home situation is:
I live alone
From next week, solo dwellers will be able to nominate one person to visit them at home. Here’s how it works.
For the latest news on the COVID-19 pandemic read our update story
I live apart from my partner
You can still see each other, and curfew hours will extend slightly from next week in metropolitan Melbourne. Here’s a refresher on what’s allowed currently.
I have kids at school or in childcare
The return to school all depends on what grade your child is in and where you live read more about the plan here, and keep an eye out for direct correspondence from your school.
For the latest news on the COVID-19 pandemic read our update story
I’m a single parent
Social and household bubble rules are also relevant to you. Find out what’s allowed in this article.
My work situation is:
I’m currently employed and working
There are no further restrictions being implemented at this stage, so unless your workplace tells you otherwise, keep doing what you’re doing for now and keep being COVID safe at work.
I work in an industry announced as returning soon
Over 100,000 people in the construction, warehousing, postal services, childcare, manufacturing, outside garden maintenance and landscaping industries have been given the green light to return to work on September 28.
I’m working from home
Most people working from home can’t return to the office just yet but there is a plan for that to happen. Here’s what the timeline looks like.
Plans have been announced for retail and hospitality to reopen in Victoria.(Unsplash: Tim Mossholder)
I’ve still got questions on:
The key dates to watch for changes to restrictions
Steps out of lockdown are set to a schedule, but many of the dates are conditional on case numbers falling to target levels. Here are the dates flagged so far.
What each lockdown ‘step’ is
Each step depends on the latest public health advice, but if all goes to plan, here’s what and when things will change.
Social and household ‘bubbles’
One of the first lockdown restrictions to be eased up is the isolation of single-person and single-parent households. It’s all explained in more detail here.
Leading infectious disease experts say that now isn’t the time to relax best practices for COVID-19 prevention.(AAP: James Ross)
Victoria’s COVID-19 modelling
The four-step plan out of lockdown is based on modelling by experts from the universities of Melbourne and New England. Here’s a breakdown of the latest modelling, as well as an explanation from the Deputy Chief Health Officer.
I want to know more about:
Interstate travel
Most states and territories have agreed to develop a road map out of hard border regimes in Australia by Christmas. Here is what this looks like so far.
Losing work
Australians who lost work from coronavirus describe job-hunting as frustrating, disheartening and demoralising. This is how some Australians have found the experience.
Financial support
JobKeeper and JobSeeker still exist, and you can get more information on those here.
Victoria has also introduced special payments for people who will lose income if they test positive or are a close contact and must self-isolate, and workers without sick leave who need to stay home to wait for test results.
Staying local
Australian tourism operators are pinning their survival hopes on domestic travellers, but state border closures risk those plans.
Read more
Mandatory masks
Masks remain mandatory in Victoria the Premier says they’re even more important moving forward as people will be moving around more.
COVID-19 prevention
Leading infectious disease experts have reminded us that now isn’t the time to relax best practices, for everyone in Australia. Here’s a refresher on how to keep yourself safe.
Read more about coronavirus:
Medications and vaccines for the virus
Given the newness of COVID-19 as a human disease, we still face dilemmas in how we should be treating it. Here is why some medications have not been greenlit.
There has been a lot of news about a potential coronavirus vaccine. Here’s how many people will need to get any vaccine and how scientists are feeling about the Australian Government’s rollout timeline.
I need help:
Lockdown has been tough.
Support is available reach out if you need it.
What you need to know about coronavirus:
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