COVID-19 Update: Victoria’s Lockdown is Ending

Restrictions are being eased in metropolitan Melbourne and regional Victoria starting 11:59 pm on Thursday, October 21.
COVID-19 Update: Victoria’s Lockdown is Ending
October 20, 2021

Victoria is looking forward to the end of its lockdown starting 11:59 pm on Thursday, October 21, 2021 as the state reaches its 70 percent double dose vaccination target.

More restrictions than originally outlined in the state’s roadmap will be eased, as “the Victorian community has done so well in getting vaccinated so fast,” said Premier Daniel Andrews.

In metropolitan Melbourne, lockdown will be lifted starting 11:59 pm on Thursday and there will no longer be a curfew or restrictions on leaving home, although masks are still mandatory. Hospitality workers are permitted to leave their home between 9 pm and midnight on Thursday to reopen venues.

Additional freedoms for specific regions are as follows:

Metropolitan Melbourne

  • Hospitality venues such as food and drink businesses can open for seated service subject to density limits, with a limit of up to 20 fully vaccinated people indoors and 50 fully vaccinated people outdoors.
  • Entertainment venues are permitted to open with a capacity limit of up to 50 fully vaccinated people outdoors.
  • Weddings are permitted following density limits, with a limit of up to 20 fully vaccinated people or 10 unvaccinated people indoors, and 50 fully vaccinated people or 20 unvaccinated people outdoors.
  • Funerals are permitted following density limits, with a limit of up to 20 fully vaccinated people or 10 unvaccinated people indoors, and 50 fully vaccinated people or 20 unvaccinated people outdoors.

Regional Victoria

  • Restaurants, pubs and cafes can provide indoor service for up to 30 fully vaccinated people.
  • Entertainment venues such as cinemas are permitted to open indoors for up to 30 fully vaccinated people.
  • Outdoor venues are permitted to open for up to 100 fully vaccinated people and 20 unvaccinated people.
  • Weddings and funerals are permitted for up to 30 fully vaccinated people indoors and 100 fully vaccinated people outdoors.

Additional freedoms are expected to be implemented once Victoria has reached its 80 percent double dose vaccination target. The Australian Institute of Food Safety (AIFS) monitors COVID-19 health measures as they occur across the country and will continue to provide updates that impact food businesses.