Victoria enters last step Coronavirus status with easing for gyms, pools, sport venues and museums

As of midnight last night, Victoria has entered the last step on its Coronavirus roadmap to reopening, with restrictions eased for gyms, pools, sport venues and museums.

The final stage of restrictions before the Victorian Government reaches 'COVID normal', the easing impacts household visitors and private gatherings, with Victorians able to have up to 10 visitors their home  with holiday accommodation falling in line with private gatherings, meaning 10 people from any number of households can book a holiday rental together.

Public gatherings outdoors will increase to 50 people from any number of households.

Aquatic, Fitness and Sport Facilities
More people will be able to enjoy indoor physical recreation, which includes contact and non-contact sport, gym classes and personal training.

The patron cap will increase to 100 people, and group or classes will be capped at 20 people, provided the space is large enough to meet a density quotient of one person per four-square-metres.

The patron cap for indoor pools has increased to 50 swimmers while outdoor pools have no patron cap. However, both indoor and outdoor pools will still face a density quotient of no more than one swimmer per 4 metre².

Outdoor sport and recreation, whether contact or non-contact, now has a patron cap of 500, and individual groups of no more than 50 people.

Large sporting venues can open to 25% of their capacity, with each space subject to the one person per 4 metre².

Indoor skateparks, trampoline centres and play centres are also expected to increase their patron cap to 50.

Hospitality
Cafes, restaurants and pubs that can comply with the indoor density limit of one person per 4 metre² can welcome more diners.

Indoor venues will be capped at 100, with a maximum group size of 20.

Outdoors the limit has increased to 200 people per venue, with a density limit of one person per 2 metre², meaning large hospitality venues with good outdoor areas could welcome up to 300 people at one time.

Cinemas, theatres and museums
Indoor seated venues, such as cinemas and theatres, can increase their numbers to 100 people per space and up to 20 people per booking.

Museums and galleries, arcades, amusement parks, escape rooms, electronic gaming and bingo centres where people are free to move around are covered by the same limits.

The easing of the measure has seen Lord Mayor of Melbourne, Sally Capp look forward to people returning to the city, noting “It’s been a long hard year but we’re now starting to see people back in Melbourne’s streets and a sense of optimism returning to Victoria.

“Prior to COVID-19 restrictions, more than one million people came into the city each day. Safely returning workers and visitors to the city will bring a greater sense of vibrancy and activity to our streets.”

Image: Museums such as the National Gallery of Victoria can now operate with up to 100 people per space.