Victoria – COVID Restrictions Update

Restrictions in metropolitan Melbourne and City of Ballarat, City of Greater Geelong, Surf Coast Shire and Mitchell Shire

Changes have been introduced to slow the spread of COVID-19 by reducing the number of people leaving their homes and moving around Victoria.

You cannot leave your home other than for one of the six following reasons:

• shopping for necessary goods and services
• caregiving or compassionate reasons, including medical care or to get a COVID-19 test
• authorised work (with a permit) or permitted education
• exercise (once a day for up to 4 hours, and that 4 hours includes any time spent outdoors socialising in limited groups)
• outdoor social interaction in limited groups (once a day for up to 4 hours, and that 4 hours includes any time spent on exercise)
• to get a COVID-19 vaccination (provided the distance travelled, and the time taken is no more than is absolutely necessary)

Restrictions in regional Victoria (except City of Ballarat, City of Greater Geelong, Surf Coast Shire and Mitchell Shire)

• There are no restrictions on the reasons to leave home but staying COVIDSafe remains important.
• Residents of regional Victoria must not travel to metropolitan Melbourne (or City of Ballarat, City of Greater Geelong, Surf Coast Shire and Mitchell Shire), other than for permitted reasons. These include:
  • for authorised work or permitted education
  • to visit an intimate partner
  • for care and compassionate reasons, including permitted child minding
  • to access necessary goods and services provided they are from the facility that is closest to where you live;
  • other limited reasons such as moving house
    • While in these areas, you must comply with restrictions in place.
• You cannot go to metropolitan Melbourne (or City of Ballarat, City of Greater Geelong, Surf Coast Shire and Mitchell Shire) to get a COVID-19 vaccination, even if you have a pre-existing booking.
• There are no restrictions on travelling to other parts of regional Victoria. If visiting an Alpine resort, you must have a COVID-19 test performed and receive a negative less than 72 hours before entering the resort.
• Face masks are mandatory indoors and outdoors for people aged 12 and over and are highly recommended for primary school aged children. You do not need to wear a mask in your own home, or if a lawful exception applies.
• If you have any symptoms, no matter how mild, you should get tested for COVID-19.
• Businesses in regional Victoria must conduct a I.D check to ensure that patrons attending do not reside in metropolitan Melbourne (or City of Ballarat, City of Greater Geelong, Surf Coast Shire and Mitchell Shire).

More info on all Victorian restrictions here.

Note from Employsure

The above is a general guide to the restrictions in Victoria. If you need further information on how these restrictions impact your workplace as an employer, please get in touch with our advice line or, if you are not a client, we can assist you with free, initial advice on 1300 651 415.