Restaurants and cafes

Breakfast at Earthly Pleasures Cafe Photo: Hills Local https://www.instagram.com/hillslocalcommunity/

Currently, restaurants, cafes and fast food outlets may operate under the following conditions:

• There is a limited number of patrons allowed – 20 patrons per enclosed space.
• Diners must be seated, with a maximum of six people per table.
• Alcohol can only be served when ordered with a meal.
• Limits are placed on entry to comply with the density requirements allowed within a single space – one person per four square metres.
• Tables are spaced 1.5 metres apart, to ensure physical distancing.
• Venues are required to collect contact details (first name and phone number) of every patron to assist in rapid contact tracing. 
• A number of safety precautions are required, including extra cleaning.
• Free online coronavirus (COVID-19) training is available for staff.

From 11.59pm on 21 June:

• The limit will increase to 50 patrons per enclosed space.
• Groups of up to 20 people can dine or drink together. They can be seated at the same table.
• Tables must continue to be spaced 1.5 metres apart.
• Alcohol can be served without a meal when seated.
• Bars, pubs, clubs, strip clubs and nightclubs are allowed to open for seated service only, with tables spaced 1.5 metres apart.
• Retail TABs and TAB facilities inside licenses premises may open.

Community services

Emerald Library https://www.cclc.vic.gov.au/branches/emerald/

Restrictions on community services and local government facilities have eased.

Currently 

• Libraries are permitted to open, with no more than 20 people allowed in each separate space, subject to the four squared metre rule, in addition to those required to operate the library
• Community facilities are permitted to open with no more than 20 people allowed in each separate space, subject to the four squared metre rule, in addition to those required to operate the facility

Examples of community services and facilities are:

• community centres and halls
• youth centres
• PCYCs (Police and Community Youth Clubs)
• community clubs 
• RSL clubs (sporting facilities component)

From 11:59pm on 21 June:

• Libraries can have no more than 50 people in each separate space. Groups are limited to a maximum of 20 people.
• Toy libraries can open, with no more than 50 people allowed in each separate space. Groups are limited to a maximum of 20 people.
• Community facilities can have no more than 50 people in each separate space. Groups are limited to a maximum of 20 people.

Sport and exercise

Image from The Basin Football & Netball Club http://www.thebasinfnc.com/

Currently

• Up to 20 people can participate in outdoor group sport and exercise activities, provided you can keep your distance (at least 1.5 metres apart). Competitions are not allowed.
• Public playgrounds, outdoor gyms and skateparks are now open.
• Indoor and outdoor swimming pools can be opened to a maximum of 20 patrons per pool and a limit of 3 persons per lane in each pool.

From 11:59pm on 21 June

• Indoor sport and recreation activities can resume and play centres can open, maximum 20 people per space or zone, with up to 10 people per group class. There are no limits on the number of people per group or class if all participants are 18 years old or younger.
• Indoor and outdoor swimming pools can have a maximum of 20 patrons. There is no limit on the number of people per lane in each pool.
• Change rooms and showers can open, and clubrooms at sport venues can have up to 20 people per indoor space.
• Contact sport training and competition can resume for people 18 years old or younger (over 18’s to resume from mid-July).
• Non-contact competitions can resume for all ages.

Entertainment and culture

Burrinja Cultural Centre Theatre Upwey https://www.burrinja.org.au/

Current restrictions

The following venues may open with a maximum of people of 20 per indoor space, subject to the four square metre rule:

• galleries, museums, national institutions and historic sites
• animal facilities (zoos, wildlife parks, petting zoos, aquariums, animal farms)
• outdoor amusement parks and outdoor arcades

Subject to the Chief Health Officer’s advice – from 11:59pm on 21 June

These venues may increase to up to 50 patrons per indoor space, subject to the four square metre rule for indoor spaces

Groups are limited to 20 people.

Indoor cinemas, concert venues, theatres and auditoriums may open with up to 50 seated patrons per indoor space, subject to the four square metre rule for indoor spaces. Theatres with multiple seating tiers with separate entry may seat up to 50 people per tier, subject to the four square metre rule.  Groups of family or friends can be sat together. Between each group there must be at least 1.5 metres.

For zoos, aquariums and outdoor amusement parks there is a limit on the total number of people who may enter at one time. This limit is worked out using the density requirement, (one person per four square metres) applied to the entire venue.

Drive in cinemas can operate. There are no patron limits, but customers are not permitted to be seated outside of their car.

Shopping, retail and personal services

Montrose Shops image: https://www.travelvictoria.com.au/

Current restrictions on shopping, retail and personal services are:

• Victorians can shop and many retail stores are now open. Victorians are encouraged to shop local, avoid large indoor crowds and support businesses in their area.
• Beauty therapy, tanning, waxing, nail salons, spas, tattoo parlours and massage parlours can now open with up to 20 people allowed on one premises, noting the four square metre rule and physical distancing requirements need to be adhered to for publicly accessible parts of the premises.
• Market stalls may open – the four square metre rule applies to indoor markets and a distance of 1.5 metres should be maintained between people who do not live in the same household.
• Other retail outlets may continue to operate; the four square metre rule applies to customers, and a distance of 1.5 metres should be maintained between people who do not live in the same household.

From 11:59pm on 21 June:

• Auction houses can have up to 50 customers per venue.
• Real estate auctions and inspections can occur with up to 50 customers.
• TAB standalone and KENO facilities can open subject to the four square metre rule.
• Venues must maintain the four square metre rule and ensure patrons can keep at least 1.5 metres apart.

Religion and ceremony

Mt Dandenong Anglican Church image: https://www.tripadvisor.com.au/

Currently:

• Places of worship can open for private worship or small religious ceremonies for up to 20 people, as well as the minimum number of people reasonably required to perform the service or ceremony.
• The one person per four-square metres rule needs to be followed.
• Up to 20 people, in addition to the celebrant and couple being married, can attend a wedding.
• If a wedding is held in a home, the rules for private gatherings apply, which means a maximum of 20 people is allowed, including the couple plus the celebrant who is required for the service. 
• Up to 50 people can attend a funeral in addition to the personal leading the funeral and other funeral staff. The one person per four-square metres rule needs to be followed.
• If a funeral is held in a home, the private gathering rules apply – that is, up to 20 people can be present plus funeral staff.

From 11:59pm on 21 June

• Places of worship can open for private worship or small religious ceremonies for up to 50 people, as well as the minimum number of people reasonably required to perform the service or ceremony. The one person to four-square metres rule needs to be followed. Groups of family or friends can be no larger than 20 people and be divided into separate seating areas like a balcony or tier.

Summary of Victoria’s Step 2a/2b easing of restrictions

For further information on easing restrictions for travel, work, study and more, visit https://www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/victorias-restriction-levels-covid-19