From 6pm Sunday night, Melbourne moved to Stage 4 restrictions with stronger rules to limit the movement of people and limit the spread of COVID-19 across the city. The calling of a “State of Disaster” will give additional powers to the police to enforce restrictions.
Victoria Premier Daniel Andrews made the announcement on the weekend, following another daily surge in new confirmed COVID-19 virus infections. The country’s second most populous state recorded a further 671 cases on Sunday, while the death toll rose to 123.
The new restrictions include a curfew from 8pm to 5am. The only reasons to leave home during these hours will be work, medical care and caregiving.
The Night Network will be suspended, and public transport services will be reduced during curfew hours. New time, distance and gathering limits also apply for exercise and shopping.
Exercise will be limited to a maximum of one hour per day and no more than five kilometres from home. Group size will be limited to a maximum of two. The distance, gathering and time limits won’t apply for work, medical care or compassionate reasons.
Shopping will be limited to one person per household per day and the five-kilometre rule will apply.
Some supermarkets have brought back purchase limits on products that will be in high demand, such as facemasks, sanitisers and toilet paper. The purchase limits have now started at Woolworths in Melbourne on a range of at least 50 products both in-store and online, with shoppers restricted to just two items each.
Restaurants, already closed for dining in, will be able to continue takeaway and delivery services.
Face coverings will continue to be compulsory.
Study will be done remotely. From Wednesday at 11:59pm, weddings in Melbourne cannot occur.
The restrictions will also be tightened across regional Victoria from Thursday, with restaurants, cafes, bars and gyms closing from 23:59 on Wednesday.
