Please note: this is an archived news article release

This article was published on Monday, 11 May, 2020. The information contained within may be out of date or inaccurate. News articles and media releases older than 60 days are archived for future reference.

Victorian Premier announces changes to COVID-19 restrictions

Stage 1 of the relaxed restrictions will come into effect as of 11:59 pm tomorrow night (Tuesday 12 May 2020) and will be in place until the end of May.

"As we have worked to flatten the curve, we’ve been telling Victorians there’s only four reasons to be out, " Mr Andrews said.

"We are adding a fifth reason and we are changing one of those four reasons."

Victoria's Chief Health Officer, Doctor Brett Sutton has issued updated Stay at home and Restricted activity directions in line with Victoria’s extended State of Emergency.

This page contains a brief summary of the changes. For the complete specific details about updated Stay at home and Restricted activity directions, please follow the links below:

Restricted activities

Extension of the Declaration of State of Emergency (PDF)
Extends the current Declaration of State of Emergency through to 31 May 2020. Signed by Minister for Health, Jenny Mikakos, MP.
Directions - Restricted activity (No 6) (PDF)
These directions place restrictions on businesses and other organisations, and limit recreational, cultural and entertainment activities. The Restricted activity directions (No 6) came into force at midnight on 11 May 2020 and replaced the Restricted activity directions (No 5). Visit the Restricted activity directions - frequently asked questions for more information.
Directions - Restricted activity (No 7) (PDF)
The Restricted activity directions (No 7) come into force at 11:59 pm on 12 May 2020 and replace the Restricted activity directions (No 6).

Stay at home

Directions - Stay at home (No 5) (PDF)
These directions outline the limitations on leaving home for all Victorians. The Stay at Home directions (No 5) came into force at midnight on 11 May 2020 and replaced the Stay at home directions (No 4).
Directions - Stay at home (No 6) PDF
The Stay at home directions (No 6) come into force at 11:59 pm on 12 May 2020 and replace the Stay at home directions (No 5). Visit the Stay at home directions - frequently asked questions for more information.

In summary, the five reasons that Victorians will be able to venture outside are:

to shop for food and other necessary goods and services;
to access medical services, provide caregiving and compassionate reasons – for example, this includes shared parenting obligations or providing care and support to an unwell, disabled, elderly or pregnant friend or relative;
to attend work or education where you can’t do those things from home;
for exercise (in groups of up to 10 people, respecting physical distancing of 1.5m); or
visiting friends and family – with a maximum gathering of up to ten outdoors and having up to five visitors in your home.

Other changes made to restrictions include:

weddings will now be able to have ten guests and up to 20 people will be able to attend funerals held indoors and up to 30 if they’re outdoors.
more of the outdoor recreational activities that so many Victorians have been missing will also be allowed: walking groups, fishing, hiking – and yes, even a game of golf. These activities will be subject to physical distancing to help keep people safe.

The Department of Education is currently finalising a plan to re-introduce face-to-face learning for schools by the end of Term 2. There will be a gradual introduction/phasing in of classes, and more information is anticipated to come in the near future.

Community sports clubs are able to commence training with groups up to 10 people, but must respect 1.5m physical distancing and ensure equipment is appropriately cleaned. Non-contact training only. Club houses will not be opened, and members are not to congregate for social reasons.

For restaurants and cafe, only take-away and home delivery service is able to continue for now. It is hoped that if people adhere to the restrictions that increased patronage for restaurants and cafes can be opened up with larger groups of 10 in June.

Daniel Andrews said that this is a cautious, appropriate and safe approach to the easing of restrictions at this stage, and emphasised the need to use good judgement and consider the health of other Victorians when following these new restrictions.

"But with more freedom comes more responsibility. I’m asking Victorians to use common sense – you should only spend time together if it’s safe. And you should only be undertaking these activities if you really need to. If it’s integral to your health and wellbeing," Andrews said.

"That means it’s up to all of us to make this work. And it’s why our message has not changed: if you can stay at home – you must stay at home."

For complete and specific details about changes to restrictions, as well as updates and FAQs about COVID-19, please head to the Department of Health and Human Services website.

For all local information, head to Council's Pandemic web page.