VICTORIA’S mask rules will change from midnight Sunday, with masks no longer required when outdoors and able to keep a safe distance.
Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews said from 11.59pm Sunday a raft of coronavirus restrictions will relax, including the need to wear a mask outside.
“In short, you’ll still need to wear one when you’re indoors and on public transport – and where you can’t keep your distance,” Mr Andrews said.
“But if you’re outdoors and you can keep a safe distance, masks will no longer be mandatory.
“For example, you’ll still need to keep your mask on if you’re at a busy outdoor market – or in line for a snag at your local Bunnings.
“If you’re headed for a quiet stroll around the neighbourhood, you won’t need to wear a mask – but you will need to carry one, in case the situation changes.”
Member for Mildura Ali Cupper welcomed the move.
“It will be a huge relief to people in the Mildura electorate the Government has listened to our concerns about wearing masks outside in our heat,” Ms Cupper said on Sunday.
“The weather has certainly started to get hotter over the past couple of weeks and we’ve seen how difficult it is to wear masks outside in that heat.”
From 11:59pm Sunday the number of visitors to a home will increase from two to 15 per day.
That can be split across different times – 10for lunch, and five for dinner – as long as people are sticking to a total of 15.
Outdoor gatherings in a public place will increase to 50.
Weddings will increase to 150 people. The same number will apply to funerals and religious ceremonies indoors.
For smaller hospitality venues the density limit will change to one person for every two square metres – up to 50 customers.
QR code record keeping will be mandatory.
For bigger venues, the density limit will stay the same, but the cap will increase to 150.
Total venue capacity will also rise to 300.
Cinemas, galleries and museums will also be able to host up to 150 people indoors.
Contact and non-contact sports can begin for adults as well as kids – 150 people indoors with a group size of up to 20 and 500 outdoors with groups of up to 50.
Organisers will also be able to apply to host a public event.
Different requirements and rules will need to apply, depending on whether it’s a school fete or a major sporting match.
From midnight on December 13 30 people can visit a home, with babies under 12 months not counting towards the cap.
Victoria went a 23rd consecutive day with no new coronavirus cases on Sunday, with just one confirmed active case remaining in the state.
