- The initial seven-day lockdown was due to end tomorrow night
- Regional Victoria will come out of lockdown but with many restrictions still in place
- Outdoor jobs such as landscaping will be permitted in Melbourne with restrictions in place
The Acting Premier, James Marlino, has announced a seven-day extension of Melbourne’s lockdown, effective tomorrow evening.
While there will still be only five general reasons to leave home, there are more exemptions in regards to authorised work.
The lockdown in regional Victoria is set to end Thursday night, due to no community transmission this week.
“It’s why, on the advice of Chief Health Officer Brett Sutton, the current restrictions will remain in place in Melbourne for a further seven days, with some small changes,” said the Acting Premier.
“This will give us a full 14 days – one full cycle of the virus – to make sure we understand how and where this mutation is moving.”
James Merlino, Acting Premier
Property implications
One of the most significant changes is the travel limit; this will be extended from 5km to 10km, for activities such as exercise and shopping.
The list of authorised providers will increase, with services that operate solely outdoors – assuming physical distancing can be maintained – are now allowed, for up to five people and an additional supervisor. This includes outdoor maintenance, repairs, cleaning and other building work at occupied premises.
Home renovations and installations – if they are outdoor only – are allowed along with home solar panel installations. Landscaping and gardening also now falls under authorised work if physical distancing can be maintained.
Home inspections are still not allowed in metropolitan Melbourne, but auctions can be held, albeit virtually.
Notably, however, in regional Victoria, in-person property inspections and auctions are allowed, with a maximum cap of 50 people per venue and a density quotient of one person per four square metres.
Mr Merlino concluded his remarks by repeating calls for eligible Victorians to get vaccinated.
“If we don’t, this thing will get away from us and people will die. No one wants to repeat last winter. To stop that from happening, we need every Victorian to follow the rules, to get tested and to get vaccinated when it’s your turn.”
