By Jed Lanyon
Metropolitan Melbourne has reached step two on the State Government’s roadmap to reopening from Monday 28 September as Melbourne’s rolling case average reached 22.1.
Premier Daniel Andrews said we are further ahead than what he had hoped according to advice from his public health team.
The second step will see Melbourne’s curfew removed, while onsite learning for VCE, VCAL and primary school students is set to resume from 12 October under current modelling.
The workforce limits for some industries will be expanded. Supermarkets and food distribution centres will return to full capacity. Abattoirs, seafood and meat processing plants will also increase.
There will be additional obligations for employers, including regular surveillance testing of staff, nightly deep cleaning, separating workers into consistent bubbles, and providing regular training for workers.
Manufacturing can return with up to 90 per cent of its workforce. Sole traders doing outside gardening and landscaping can return. Retail pet grooming will also resume.
Mr Andrews said this will allow up to 127,000 employees to return to work.
Groups of up to five from across a maximum of two households can meet outdoors. Outdoor pools will open, and personal training can resume with a maximum of two people and their trainer. Childcare centres will reopen, with kinder to open from Term 4.
“Recognising a number of important upcoming events for many of our religious communities, gatherings of up to five people can meet with their faith leader outdoors.
“More of our medical, health and allied professionals will also be able to offer face to face services for non-urgent care. And of course, reaching the Second Step means we can begin to slowly ramp up elective surgery to 75 per cent of pre-pandemic levels.”
But while some gradually restrictions ease, the Premier announced a crackdown on illegal gatherings with an increased fine around $5000 to those caught having visitors over or meeting outdoors in big groups.
Victorians will now be required to wear a fitted face mask, covering the nose and mouth, meaning face shields, scarves and bandanas are out.
“As I’ve said before, wearing a face covering is a small sacrifice – but it makes a huge difference in keeping all of us safe. Because fundamentally, that’s what all of this comes down to,” Mr Andrews said.
“None of these changes though are a sign we can take our foot off the pedal,” Mr Andrews said.
“Firstly, our move to the third and last steps will no longer be defined by dates in the calendar.
“Instead, the “trigger point” for review by our public health team will be based solely on reaching our case number targets. That means the sooner we hit those targets – the sooner we can consider our next steps.”
Mr Andrews said based on current projections, the state government may be in a position to consider taking the next step by mid-October.
Victoria recorded 16 new cases of coronavirus on Sunday 27 September, while there are just two active cases across the Shire of Yarra Ranges.
