Victoria announces further easing of COVID-19 restrictions

Victorian Premier, Daniel Andrews announces a further easing on restrictions from 11:59 pm on 31 May, which will allow beauty and personal care services like nail salons, spas, tattoo parlours to reopen with up to 20 customers per space – with customer contact details required to be kept.

Entertainment and cultural venues like galleries, museums, drive-in cinemas, and historic sites will also be able to open their doors, alongside zoos and outdoor amusement parks. Physical distancing and a limit of up to 20 patrons per space will apply, and indoor venues will be required to keep customer contact details.

Summary of Victoria Step 2 Easing:

• Beauty therapy, tanning, waxing, nail salons, spas, tattoo parlours and massage parlours can now open with up to 20 patrons – the four square metre rule will apply to the publicly accessible parts of the venue, and a distance of 1.5metre should be maintained between customers.
• Market stalls may open – the four square metre rule applies to indoor markets and a distance of 1.5 metre 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 1.5m should be maintained between people who do not live in the same household. 
• Up to 20 seated patrons per enclosed space.
• All venues must abide by physical distancing requirements. Limits will be placed on entry to comply with the density requirements allowed within a single space – one customer per four square metres.
• Tables should be spaced at least 1.5m apart.
• Venues are required to request contact details, first name and phone number, of every customer to assist in rapid contact tracing other safety precautions will also be required, including extra cleaning. Staff should not work when unwell.

From 11.59 on 21 June this will increase to 50 patrons per enclosed space for restaurants, cafes, and other hospitality businesses. A further increase of up to 100 patrons per enclosed space is planned for the second half of July. Dates may be subject to change in accordance with the advice of the Chief Health Officer.

Dan Andrews said if community transmission rates continue to remain low and testing rates continue to remain high, the Victorian State Government will look relax restrictions further from 22 June.

For updates, information and resources, visit our COVID-19 information for businesses resources page : https://www.australian-retailers-association.com/updates-for-retailers-coronavirus/