THE VICTORIAN GOVERNMENT ROADMAP - ANNOUNCED TODAY 19 SEPTEMBER 2021

20 September 2021

THE VICTORIAN GOVERNMENT ROADMAP - ANNOUNCED 19 SEPTEMBER 2021

Please find attached “Victorian Roadmap Announced 19 September 2021” which is the Victorian Roadmap to assist in delivering to the National Plan out of COVID19. The document refers to forecast dates on when vaccination rates are expected to be achieved which then results in the easing of restrictions for the community and business. These dates have been put into 4 phases or steps as follows:

Phase A (or Step 1) - 80% First Dose - Indicative date: 26 September 2021

Phase B (or Step 2) - 70% Fully Vaccinated - Indicative date: 26 October 2021

Phase C (or Step 3) - 80% Fully Vaccinated (16 years or Older) - Indicative date: 5 November 2021

Phase D (or Step 4) - 80% Fully Vaccinated (12 years or Older) - Indicative date: 19 November 2021

Please not that the provisions for Metro Melbourne is very different to Regional Victoria (until 5 November 2021) and parts of regional Victoria is flying in and out of lockdown for example the City of Greater Geelong, the Surf Coast and Mitchell Shire will enter a seven-day lockdown commencing at 11:59pm on Sunday 19 September 2021.

Please read below!

PHASE A (or Step 1) – FROM 26 SEPTEMBER 2021

It appears that on the 26 September 2021 there will not be a material change from the lockdown restrictions.

The proposed changes on 26 September 2021 from the restrictions that exist today are:

Metro Melbourne

You can play basketball, golf, tennis, cricket and other outdoor recreation activities together - with the same limits as picnics. In order to do this the accessing facility must be contactless.
Personal training resumes for up to five fully vaccinated people outside.

Regional Victoria

Masks can be removed for your entire booking at the hairdressers and other beauty services too.
Education: Final years VCAL students can return to on-site learning.

From 5 October 2021, schools will have a staggered re-opening in both Metro Melbourne and regional Victoria. We will not go through this detail here but please refer to PDF attachment for further details.

IMPORTANT NOTICE – THE BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY

1.3.1 On Thursday 16 September 2021 the State Government announced that the building and Construction industry can continue operations however there are now strict guidelines. That is:

- To continue working, construction workers state-wide will need to have gad a first does of the COVID-19 vaccine by 1..59pm Thursday 23 September 2021; and

- Construction workers cannot move between Metropolitan Melbourne and regional Victoria (in either direction) from last Friday, 17 September 2021.

1.3.2 From 11:59pm Friday, 17 September, all construction sites must:

- have a COVID Marshal

- have worker shift bubbles, including staggering the start, finish and break times, to reduce mixing of workers in different bubbles

- prevent consumption of food and drink indoors except for water (and except for where there is a medical requirement to consume food or drink)

- have additional restrictions to tea rooms.

1.3.3 As of Monday 13 September 2021, officers from the department of Justice, Worksafe Inspectors, and the VBA, will be conducting compliance audits of construction worksites. They have the authority to hand out infringements and effectively close down sites.

PHASE B (or Step 2) – FROM 26 OCTOBER 2021 (Indicative)

The indicative date for 70% (16 years plus) fully vaccinated is estimated to be 26 October 2021.

From 26 October 2021:

Metro Melbourne

Social and Recreational:

- Reasons to leave home and curfew no longer in place.

- 10 fully vaccinated people can gather outdoors, community sport training returns for minimum required to hold training.

- Pubs, clubs and entertainment venues can open to 50 fully vaccinated people outdoors.

- Weddings and funerals open for 50 fully vaccinated outdoors.

Education:

- All school students return on-site at least part time.

Hairdressing personal care:

- Open for up to 5 fully vaccinated people.

Please note the following is expected once 70% of (16 years plus) double dose is achieved:

PHASE C/STEP 3 FROM 26 OCTOBER 2021

(70% OF 16+ DOUBLE DOSE I.E. NATIONAL PLAN PHASE B)

No restrictions on leaving home
No curfew
Travel limit increased to 25kms
Students return to school; year 3 and 4 (Tues - Wed), year 5 and 6 (Thurs - Fri), Year 7 (five days), year 8 and 9 (Tues - Wed), year 10 Thurs - Fri) year 11 (five days)
Early child education/care - open for children of fully vaccinated parents
Retail- general retail open for outdoor service only, plus click and collect/delivery
Hairdressing - fully vaccinated: 5 people
Hospitality - food and drink seated service and outdoors only, fully vaccinated: 50 people
May involve reduced quarantine requirements for vaccinated residents returning from interstate
Public gatherings - fully vaccinated: 10 people; unvaccinated: 5
Entertainment venues - fully vaccinated: 50; outdoors only
Religion - fully vaccinated 50; unvaccinated 20; outdoors only
Funerals - fully vaccinated: 50; unvaccinated: 10 - outdoor only
Weddings - fully vaccinated: 50; unvaccinated: 10 - outdoor only
Outdoor community sport - open for training only (not competition) minimum number required, change room closed
Swimming pools - fully vaccinated: 50, outdoors only
Community facilities - fully vaccinated: 50 outdoors only
Creative studios - fully vaccinated: 50 outdoors only
Zoos - fully vaccinated: 25% capacity
Amusement parks - fully vaccinated: 50 outdoors only
Real estate - fully vaccinated: 50 outdoor auctions
Tours - fully vaccinated: 50 outdoors only
Care facility visitors - easing of restrictions

Regional Victoria

More social and recreation activities open up for fully vaccinated Victorians.

Social & Recreational:

Community sport returns indoors for minimum number required.
Pubs, clubs and entertainment venues are open indoors to 30 fully vaccinated people.

Education:

All school students return onsite at least part time - see full roadmap for details.

Religious Ceremonies::

- Funerals and weddings are allowed for 30 fully vaccinated people indoors and 100 fully vaccinated outdoors.

PHASE C (or Step 3) – FROM 5 NOVEMBER 2021 (Indicative)

The indicative date for 80% (16 years plus) fully vaccinated is estimated to be 5 November 2021.

From 5 November 2021:

Both Metro Melbourne & Regional Victoria

Social and Recreational:

- Up to 10 people (including dependants) are permitted at your home.

- Up to 150 fully vaccinated people can dine indoors, and up to 30 can gather in public outside.

- Indoor community sport open for minimum number required.

- Masks are only required inside.

- Pubs, restaurants and cafes can open for seated service only, up-to 150 fully vaccinated people inside and 500 outdoors.

Work:

- Work from home if you can, but you can go to work if fully vaccinated.

Hairdressing, beauty, personal care:

- Open for up to 5 fully vaccinated people.

Retail:

All retail open

Education:

- Early childhood education and care is open.

- All students return to school with additional safety measures in place.

- On-site adult education returns for fully vaccinated Victorians.

Religious Ceremonies:

- Weddings, funerals, and religious services return for 150 fully vaccinated people indoors, and 500 outdoors.

Please note the following is expected once 80% of (16 years plus) double dose is achieved:

Step 4 from 5 November 2021

Metropolitan Melbourne aligns with Regional Victoria

(80% of 16+ fully vaccinated i.e., National plan Phrase C)

Employment – work from home if you can OR go to work if fully vaccinated
Schools – on site learning for all levels with safety measures
Adult education- on-site for hands-on, skilled-based education. On-site if fully vaccinated
Early child education/care- open
All retail – open with DQ4sqm per person
Food and drink – open for seated service. Full vaccinated 150 indoors, 500 outdoors; small venues can have up to 25
Food Courts – takeaway only
Hairdressing, beauty, personal care – fully vaccinated: 150 indoor
Interstate travel – allowed
Interstate borders may exempt vaccinated residents from domestic restrictions, subject to national Cabinet
International travel – revised quarantine arrangements for full vaccinated international arrivals, subject to National Cabinet.
Face coverings required indoors only.
Private gatherings – up to ten people can gather in the home.
Public gatherings - fully vaccinated; 30 outdoors
Mask removal for alcohol consumption permitted for fully vaccinated
Religion – fully vaccinated: 150 indoors, 500 outdoors; unvaccinated: 20
Funerals – fully vaccinated: 150 indoors, 500 outdoors: unvaccinated 10
Weddings – fully vaccinated: 150 indoors, 500 outdoors: unvaccinated 10
Physical recreation and community sport – fully vaccinated; 150 indoors, 500 outdoors
Outdoor seated physical recreation and communication sport – fully vaccinated: lesser of 25% or 5000 per venue
Swimming pools, spas, saunas, steam rooms, springs - fully vaccinated: 150 indoors, 500 outdoors
Community facilities - fully vaccinated: 150 indoors, 500 outdoors
Creative studios - fully vaccinated: 150 indoors, 500 outdoors
Indoor seated and non-seated entertainment - fully vaccinated 150 per space
Outdoor seated entertainment - fully vaccinated: lesser of 25% or 5000 per venue
Outdoor non-seated entertainment - fully vaccinated: 50% capacity
Arcades, escape rooms, bingo - fully vaccinated: 150 indoors, 500 outdoors
Amusement parks - fully vaccinated: 150 per space indoors, 500 per space outdoors
Casino - fully vaccinated: 150 per space indoors
Retail betting and electronic gaming - fully vaccinated; 150 indoors, 500 outdoors
Adult services - fully vaccinated: 150 indoors
Karaoke and nightclubs - fully vaccinated: 150 indoors, 500 outdoors
Accommodation - open in line with private gathering limits
Real estate - fully vaccinated: 150 indoors, 500 outdoors
Tours and tours transport- fully vaccinated: 150 indoors, 500 outdoors

PHASE D (or Step 4) – FROM 19 NOVEMBER 2021 (Indicative)

The indicative date for 80% (12 years plus) fully vaccinated is estimated to be 19 November 2021.

From 19 November 2021:

Both Metro Melbourne & Regional Victoria

Once 80% of Victorians aged 12 and over are fully vaccinated restrictions will align with the National Plan to transition Australia’s National COVID-19 Response, agreed to by National Cabinet.
By 25 December 2021 objective is to allow up to 30 visitors to your home.

THE VICTORIAN GOVERNMENT WEBSITES

Please note that the websites that you need to monitor on a daily basis are:

The DHHS website (Summary Information)https://www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/business-industry-stage-4-restrictions-covid-19#permitted-workplaces-by-industry is being updated daily and the information included here is more general in nature by industry. It does however include the industry summary spreadsheet which is attached to this email. This summarises any amendments that may have been made to the Permitted Work Premises List. Each time this list is updated it is in replacement of any previous versions that have been issued. This list no longer defines whether an industry is required to operate under a COVID Safe Plan or a High Risk COVID Safe Plan. This requirements is now designated in the business.gov.au website (notes included in point 2 below).
Business.gov website (Detailed Information)https://www.business.vic.gov.au/disputes-disasters-and-succession-planning/covid-safe-business/creating-a-covid-safe-workplace-
Further links are provided from this page for information and templates for COVID Safe Plans, High Risk COVID Safe Plans, COVID Safe Plan FAQ’s and Sector Guidance.

Please contact the ACS Team if you need any assistance.

Regards

Alan Yildiz