The information contained in this article is based on information available at the time of writing (22 September 2020).
On Sunday 6 September, Premier Daniel Andrews announced the plan to move Victoria out of restrictions, back to business and into the new COVID normal life.
What are the key changes?
There will be no changes to COVID-19 restrictions for industry until at least 28 September 2020 for metropolitan Melbourne.
A different roadmap for easing restrictions will apply in regional Victoria as case numbers are significantly lower in these areas.
The Government has outlined five steps for the reopening of the state. The following table shows the indicative dates and trigger points for moving to the next “step” for both metropolitan Melbourne and regional Victoria.
The roadmap may change depending on case numbers and Government announcements. Please contact the Ai Group Workplace Advice Line for up-to-date information.
| Metropolitan Melbourne | Indicative Date | Trigger Point |
|---|---|---|
| First Step | 11:59pm 13/9/20 | N/A |
| Second Step | 28/9/20 | Reach an average daily case rate in Metro Melbourne of 30-50 cases over a 14-day period with public health advice regarding transmission source |
| Third Step | 26/10/20 | Reach <5 new cases (state-wide average over last 14 days) and <5 cases with unknown source (state-wide total last 14 days). |
| Last Step | 23/11/20 | Reach no new cases for 14 days (state-wide). |
| COVID Normal | Reach no new cases for 28 days (state-wide), no active cases (state-wide) and no outbreaks of concern in other states or territories. |
| Regional Victoria | Indicative Date | Trigger Point |
|---|---|---|
| First Step | N/A | N/A |
| Second Step | 11:59pm 13/9/20 | Regional Victoria reaches <5 new cases (regional average over last 14 days) and 0 cases with unknown source (regional total last 14 days) |
| Third Step | N/A | Regional Victoria reaches <5 new cases (regional average over last 14 days) and 0 cases with unknown source (regional total last 14 days). |
| Last Step | 23/11/20 | Reach no new cases for 14 days (state-wide). |
| COVID Normal | Reach no new cases for 28 days (state-wide), no active cases (state-wide) and no outbreaks of concern in other states or territories. |
Moving to the next step is subject to reaching the trigger point and relevant public health advice. There are four levels of restrictions for industry:
Red – Closed
- No people on site except for emergency maintenance and repairs
Amber – Heavily restricted
- Ensure physical distancing
- Wear a mask
- Practise good hygiene
- Keep records and act quickly if staff become unwell
- Create workforce bubbles
Yellow – Restricted
- Ensure physical distancing
- Practise good hygiene
- Keep records and act quickly if staff become unwell
- Create workforce bubbles
Green – Open with COVIDSafe Plan
- Staff should work from home wherever possible (to be relaxed over time)
- Some settings will need to apply the density quotient – generally requires ensuring no more than 1 person per 4 square metres (could be reduced over time)
- Ensure staff follow current public health directions when carpooling.
Where to find more information
For industry restriction levels in metropolitan Melbourne: https://www.vic.gov.au/industry-restrictions-roadmap-metro-melbourne
For industry restriction levels in regional Victoria: https://www.vic.gov.au/industry-restriction-levels-regional-victoria
To view the roadmap for metropolitan Melbourne restrictions: https://www.vic.gov.au/sites/default/files/2020-09/How-we-work-Metro-Melbourne_0.pdf
To view the roadmap for regional Victoria restrictions: https://www.vic.gov.au/sites/default/files/2020-09/How-we-work-Regional-Victoria.pdf
Further advice or assistance
For further advice or assistance on this topic or any other workplace relations matter, contact the Ai Group Workplace Advice Line.
Call 1300 862 217 8.30am – 5.15pm AEST Mon-Fri