Coronavirus Restrictions to Lift For Regional Victoria

Lockdown restrictions will be lifted in regional Victoria from tomorrow night, 9 September,  following advice from Victoria’s Chief Health Officer.

From 11.59pm, Thursday 9 September, the five reasons to leave the home will be removed in regional Victoria, except for Greater Shepparton. There will be no limit on the distance regional Victorians can travel from home – other than restrictions on entry to metropolitan Melbourne.

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When can I leave home?

There will be no restrictions on why and when people will be allowed to leave home.

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How far can I travel?

People will be allowed to travel as far as they like across regional Victoria.

However, movement between regional Victoria and metropolitan Melbourne will be restricted to:

• necessary goods and services
• care or compassionate reasons
• authorised work/education
• other specified reasons, eg moving home

Travel to regional Victorian alpine resorts will be allowed provided visitors have received a negative COVID-19 test within the 72 hours prior and are able to show evidence.

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Authorised Workers List

The Authorised Worker list will no longer apply in the regions, meaning most businesses and venues can reopen with capacity and density limits.

Regional Victorians will return to the rule ‘if you can work from home, you should work from home’.

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Office Workers

Office workers will be able to return up to 25 per cent or up to 10 people, whichever is greater.

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Building and Construction

Whilst not referenced anywhere yet, we have been advised by The Department of Jobs, Precincts and Regions (DJPR) that "for Building and Construction Industry, the restrictions that apply in Metropolitan Melbourne will continue to apply in Regional Victoria” - that means no change for now, however we are still awaiting further clarification on this by the Government at the time of writing this email and will advise members if this has changed.

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Construction Sector Guidelines

For the latest COVIDSafe advice and restrictions for the construction sector, please visit coronavirus.vic.gov.au.

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Schools

Regional schools will reopen for onsite learning for Prep to Grade 2 and Year 12 students who live in regional Victoria, while remote learning will remain for all other levels. Onsite supervision at schools remains available for vulnerable children and children of essential workers in all year levels, including for students from metropolitan Melbourne.

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Funerals/Weddings

Funerals will be permitted for up to 20 people and weddings will be permitted for up to 10 people, plus those required to conduct the service. Stricter limits will be in place for both weddings and funerals with people from Melbourne in attendance.

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Restaurants/cafes/hairdressing

Can reopen for seated service with patron caps. Retail, entertainment venues and community facilities will also open in line with density limits and patron caps.

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Personal Care/Beauty

Open with a cap of 10 - masks must remain on for duration of service.

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Checking of ID

Businesses that are open in regional Victoria – such as restaurants or beauty services – must check the IDs of everyone they serve.

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Visitors to home

No visitors to the home. Single bubble/intimate partners permitted.

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Masks

Masks will continue to be required indoors and outdoors, apart from private residences, unless an exception applies.

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Metropolitan Melbourne

The only change to restrictions for metropolitan Melbourne right now will see single parents now able to access childcare, regardless of whether they are an authorised worker.

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Home Based Quarantine

As part of National Cabinet’s work on the National Plan, a number of states including Victoria, have agreed with the Commonwealth to commence trials of home-based quarantine. The first of these pilots will support around 200 Victorian residents who have been stuck on the NSW side of the border to return home.

Victorians who have been residing in a NSW Local Government Border Area for at least the 14 days from Wednesday, 25 August to Wednesday, 8 September will be able to apply for a new permit exemption category: ‘Victorians in the cross-border community’ to come home.

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Repatriation Exemptions

Applications for exemptions will be open for seven days from midday on Friday 10 September, closing at 6:00pm on Friday 17 September 2021.

Victorians applying for this exemption will need to provide proof of their primary residence in Victoria, evidence of a negative COVID19 test result 48 hours prior to their arrival in Victoria and that they have received at least their first dose of a coronavirus vaccine. Applicants will also be required to provide evidence such as receipts and QR check in records that they have stayed within the border region and maintained minimal social contact while in NSW.

Victorians will be able to apply for the repatriation exemption via the Service Victoria website or mobile application and applications will be assessed within 72 hours. Successful applicants will be required to drive directly to their home in Victoria, stopping only for a further test along the way and then isolate at their home for 14 days.

Any other household members are also required to quarantine and compliance checks from authorised officers will help ensure returnees are observing their quarantine obligations.

Any Victorians who are currently in NSW or the ACT but have not been in a designated NSW border Local Government Area all of the last 14 days are not eligible to apply and should remain where they are.

Given the clearly increasing risk coming from Melbourne, Victoria Police will significantly expand their operation along the metropolitan border to protect regional Victoria. Police will also be out in force in regional areas, conducting spot checks to ensure people from metropolitan Melbourne are not in the regionals are not unless for authorised reasons. The fine for breaching the Chief Health Officer’s directions is $5,452.

Group vaccination bookings now available
We have been asked about the opportunity for Group Bookings for vaccinations of workers on site - please refer to details below for further information:

The Victorian Government has announced construction as one of the first sectors to have a formal vaccination target.

Subject to epidemiological conditions, the number of authorised workers permitted on large-scale construction sites may increase to 50 per cent on 23 September 2021, if 90 per cent of workers have received the first dose of the vaccine.

Further information on how this will be measured will be provided as soon as it becomes available.

Workers can book their vaccination appointment by visiting portal.cvms.vic.gov.au or by phoning the 24/7 Coronavirus Hotline on 1800 675 398.

Group bookings are now available. People participating in a group booking are encouraged to speak with their doctor if they have questions about COVID-19 vaccination prior to their appointment.

Visit Group bookings service for more information, or refer to the Group bookings fact sheet (PDF).

Official Announcements

Coronavirus Restrictions To Lift For Regional Victoria.pdf

Table of Restrictions.pdf

Got a Question?

For workplace advice/questions please contact the office at email:  membership@acfa.net.au

Please include your company name or member number with your inquiry.