Victorian premier Daniel Andrews last week announced Victoria would enter a week-long lockdown from 8pm on Thursday 5 August.
The premier said “all the same reasons and rules we are well accustomed to” would be in place.
The lockdown initially applied to the entire state of Victoria. But from Monday 9 August, 11.59pm, rules in regional areas will revert to those which were in place last Thursday – see more below.
When can I leave my house?
In metropolitan Melbourne, you cannot leave your home unless it is for one of five approved reasons – similar to previous lockdowns.
The reasons are: shopping for essentials; authorised work, if you cannot work from home, or education; exercise for up to two hours; caregiving, compassionate and medical reasons; and to get vaccinated.
Schools will be closed.
How long will the lockdown last?
The lockdown in Melbourne will last at least seven days, meaning it is due to lift at 8pm on Thursday 12 August. In regional Victoria, it will lift at 11.59pm Monday 9 August.
“I hope not to extend that but will be guided by not what is politically convenient or popular but what the science tells us … I don’t want to be foreshadowing or giving people false hope that on Monday I’m gonna be standing here saying it’s all fine and we will open up again,” Andrews said.
How far can I travel from home?
For shopping and exercise in Melbourne, you need to stay within a 5km radius of your home.
What are the rules for exercise?
In metropolitan Melbourne, there is a two-hour limit on exercise, and it can only be with one other person, and you must stay within a 5km radius of your home. Gyms have closed their doors again and community sport will also be suspended.
What are the rules for wearing face masks?
Masks must be worn everywhere except for in your home. This includes both indoor places and outdoor areas – unless you have a medical exemption. It also applies to all workplaces and secondary schools.
Is regional Victoria included?
From 11.59pm Monday 9 August, rules will return to those previously in place, meaning students can return to school and restaurants can reopen with strict density limits.
There will be no limit on the distance regional Victorians can travel from home. But people can only travel to Melbourne for a permitted reason, and must then follow restrictions there.
People from Melbourne will not be allowed into regional Victoria except for care and compassion reasons and for authorised work.
Andrews said on Monday he will not reintroduce the “ring of steel” between Melbourne and regional Victoria.
Can I have visitors to my house?
No, visitors to homes are not allowed, other than an intimate partner, or a nominated person for someone who lives alone.
Can I travel interstate?
Each state and territory is updating guidance on travel rules individually:
What about if I live in Victoria, but I’m in NSW and want to return home?
From midnight Tuesday 20 July, only people deemed authorised workers and those granted an exemption on compassionate grounds will be able to get a permit to enter Victoria from NSW.
What about public gatherings?
Public gatherings will not be allowed.
What is happening with schools?
Schools have moved to remote learning, except for vulnerable children and the children of essential workers. Higher education have also switched to remote learning.
Childcare centres and kindergartens are still open.
Can I dine in at a restaurant or cafe?
No. In metropolitan Melbourne, restaurants, cafes and pubs will be open for takeaway only.
Regional businesses will open for seated service only, and must check IDs of everyone they serve, to ensure they are from the regional Victoria area. Density requirements apply.
Are the shops open?
Essential retail, such as supermarkets and chemists, will remain open. Other stores are closed.
What about aged care and hospitals?
No visitors are allowed at aged care facilities except for limited reasons. There will be no visitors to hospitals allowed except for end of life, if you’re a partner during the birth of your child, or a parent accompanying a child.
Can I go and get vaccinated?
Getting vaccinated is one of the reasons people who are eligible to receive the jab can leave home. The Victorian government has expanded the eligibility to include those aged between 40-49 for state-operated vaccination sites. People in this category can now call the hotline on 1800 675 398 to book an appointment.
Due to the unprecedented and ongoing nature of the coronavirus outbreak, this article is regularly updated to ensure it reflects the current situation at the date of publication. Any significant corrections made to this or previous versions of the article will continue to be footnoted in line with Guardian editorial policy.
