Update 17/01/21

Source: DHHS

From 11.59pm, Sunday 17 January 2021, face masks will no longer be mandatory in all public indoor settings. 

These requirements are in line with settings that were in place at Christmas time. 

Face masks continue to be mandatory in the following locations: 

• on public transport
• when riding in a ride share or taxi
• inside supermarkets
• in large retail stores (over 2000 sqm), such as department stores, electronics stores, furniture stores or hardware stores
• inside shopping centres, including the retail stores inside shopping centres, such as clothing stores
• inside indoor markets
• on domestic flights to and from Victoria
• at airports
• in hospitals
• when working in or visiting hospitals and care facilities. 

You must carry a face mask with you at all times when you leave home, unless you have a lawful reason not to.

• Religious gatherings can be held indoors or outdoors. Venues must apply the two square metre rule to ensure people have enough room to maintain 1.5 metres distance between them. There are no group limits. While attending a religious gathering there are steps you need to take to keep yourself and others safe including not sharing food, drink or other items. The two square metre rule can be used only if electronic record keeping is used, otherwise, the four square metre rule applies. The square metre rule doesn’t include babies under 12 months of age.
• Funerals can be held indoors or outdoors. The venue must apply the two square metre rule to ensure people have enough room to maintain 1.5 metres distance between them. There are no group limits. The square metre rule doesn’t include babies under 12 months of age. The two square metre rule can be used only if electronic record keeping is used. Otherwise, the four square metre rule applies.
• Weddings can be held indoors or outdoors. The venue must apply the two square metre rule to ensure people have enough room to maintain 1.5 metres distance between them. There are no group limits. The square metre rule includes the couple, the celebrant, and photographer, but not other workers such as catering staff or babies under 12 months. The two square metre rule can be used only if electronic record keeping is used. Otherwise, the four square metre rule applies.

For weddings, funerals and religious gatherings, if a service is conducted in a private home, the private gathering limit applies (15 visitors). You should not attend a wedding, funeral or religious gathering if you are feeling unwell. Stay home and get tested.

Best Practice Tips for Reopening

Update 06/01/21

Source: DHHS

Face Mask Compulsory Indoors – from Thursday 31/12/20

From 5pm on 31 December 2020 you must wear a fitted face mask when you are in public indoor spaces unless you have a lawful reason not to. This includes when visiting places such as:  

• shopping centres, supermarkets, retail outlets and indoor markets
• hospitals and aged care facilities
• restaurants and cafes, except when you are eating or drinking
• churches and places of worship
• libraries
• indoor recreational facilities and gyms
• indoor workplaces

You must continue to carry a face mask with you at all times when you leave home, unless you have a lawful reason not to. This is in case you require your face mask, for example, if you aren’t able to keep 1.5 metres distance from other people or enter a public indoor space. 

More FAQs on Places of Worship

Social Gatherings/ Home church

• Indoor: You can have up to 15 visitors to your home per day. There is no limit on the number of households those people come from. Front and backyards are considered part of the home.
• Outdoor: Up to 100 people can meet outdoors in a public place. There is no limit on the number of households those people come from
• It is strongly recommended that you wear a face mask when you can’t maintain 1.5 metres distance from other people in outdoor settings.
• It is strongly recommended that you wear a face mask when you have visitors or when you visit others indoors. 

Victoria’s return to work plan paused

• Staged return to the workplace for small, medium and large companies with staggered arrival and exit times. Up to 25 per cent of staff may attend onsite
• Work from home to continue for anyone else
• 50 per cent return for office workers to be reviewed by 18 January

Update 06/12/20

Source:
Statement from the Premier
COVIDSafe Summer – How we work
COVIDSafe Summer – How we live
VIC GOV Religion and Ceremony info

COVIDSafe Summer – from Monday 7 December 2020

Religious Gatherings and Ceremonies at a Place of Worship

• Religious gatherings can occur with no limits on the number of attendees
• Indoor and outdoor ceremonies can occur at the same time
• To ensure people can keep 1.5 metres distance the venue must apply the two square metre rule
• Venues using the density quotient of 1 per 2sqm must use electronic record keeping (The Victorian Government has a free QR code service)
• In venues not using electronic record, a density quotient of 1 per 4 sqm applies
• Cleaning, density, signage and record keeping requirements continue to apply

Weddings

• No maximum attendee caps indoors or outdoors
• Density quotient of 1 per 2 sqm applies when using electronic record keeping (The Victorian Government has a free QR code service) 
• In venues not using electronic record, a density quotient of 1 per 4 sqm applies
• If held in a private residence, up to 30 guests can attend
• Density quotient of 1 per 4sqm on a dancefloor up to a maximum of 50 people
• Cleaning, density, signage and record keeping requirements continue to apply

Funerals

• No maximum attendee caps indoors or outdoors
• Density quotient of 1 per 2sqm applies when using electronic record keeping (The Victorian Government has a free QR code service)
• In venues not using electronic record a density quotient of 1 per 4 sqm applies
• If held in a private residence, up to 30 guests can attend
• Cleaning, density, signage and record keeping requirements continue to apply

Social Gatherings/ Home church

• Indoor: You can have up to 30 visitors to your home per day. There is no limit on the number of households those people come from. Front and backyards are considered part of the home.
• Outdoor: Up to 100 people can meet outdoors in a public place. There is no limit on the number of households those people come from

Work and business

• Staged return to the workplace for small, medium and large companies with staggered arrival and exit times. Up to 25 per cent of staff may attend onsite
• Work from home to continue for anyone else
• 50 per cent return for office workers by 11 January

Face coverings

• You must carry a face mask with you at all times when you leave home, unless you have a lawful reason not to
• Wearing a face mask is only mandatory on public transport, while in taxis or ride share vehicles, or when going to large retail venues, including shopping centres, supermarkets and department stores
• It is strongly recommended that you wear a face mask at a religious gathering when you can’t maintain 1.5 metres distance from other people

Record Keeping

• Record keeping continues to be an important tool for helping Victoria to stay safe and stay open. Businesses that are required to record the details of visitors should use electronic record keeping or QR codes. The Victorian Government has a free QR code service.

More FAQs:
Best Practice tips for COVIDSafe Opening
VIC GOV Religion and Ceremony info