News
Melbourne unmasks offices – but why are masks still required?
Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews has announced a further relaxation of Covid-19 restrictions across Melbourne, but will mask mandates still restrict businesses across the state?
Nearly all remaining restrictions will be eased from 11:59PM tonight as the state reaches 90 per cent double-dose vaccine milestone.
What does this mean?
- There will be no density limits.
- No capacity limits.
- No restrictions on how many people can visit you at home.
- No masks in most places.
Events with fewer than 30,000 people can go ahead – no approval needed.
Larger events – like the Boxing Day Test and Australian Open – can go ahead at 100% with an approved COVIDSafe Plan.
If you have COVID-19 you will only be required to isolate for 10 days if you’re vaccinated, 14 for unvaccinated. Cases are required to notify their workplace, school and childcare about their positive result.
Why do masks have to stay?
Masks are still required in some indoor settings. These settings include retail, health care, aged care, justice facilities, at primary schools and on PT/cabs/Uber’s.
Masks will no longer need to be worn in office settings or when walking into cafes, bars and restaurants.
These mask rules will change again by December 15 and from this date, they will not need to be worn in retail settings.
Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic the Commission has received hundreds of complaints about the way service providers have treated people who cannot wear a mask because of a protected attribute under discrimination law, such as a disability.
People have been refused service for not wearing a mask despite having a lawful exception under the public health directions and the protections provided by discrimination law.