Oliver Lees
Premier Daniel Andrews has announced a lifting of lockdown restrictions that will come into effect later this week, as the state reaches a key vaccine milestone.
The state’s lockdown will lift at 11.59pm on Thursday when it is expected that 70 per cent of eligible adults have received two doses of a COVID-10 vaccine.
For those in metropolitan areas, the 9pm curfew and 15-kilometre travel radius will be scrapped, as will the five reasons for leaving the home.
Travel between metropolitan Melbourne and regional Victoria will only be allowed for permitted reasons until the state meets its next target of 80 per cent of the eligible population double vaccinated.
Premier Daniel Andrews said the risk was too high to permit a free flow of persons across regional and metro areas.
“There is the world of difference between 80 per cent protection and 70 per cent. That can change but it’s not quite right now,” he said.
From Friday people in both regional and metropolitan areas will be able to welcome up to 10 people into their home per day, the first step on the way to roadmap’s objective of allowing 30 people in homes for Christmas.
Victorians will also be able to get out to their favourite hospitality and entertainment venues, while retail will open when the 80 per cent vaccination threshold is reached.
The state recorded 1903 cases in the 24 hours to Monday morning.
According to the Department of Health, 115 cases of Monday’s cases are in Melton, while 10 are in Moorabool.
For further details on the announcement and the next steps of the roadmap, visit: www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au/victorias-roadmap
