Stage 3 restrictions reinstated in Melbourne

The Victorian state government has confirmed that Stage 3 restrictions have been reinstated for metropolitan Melbourne in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

The restrictions will commence at 11:59pm on Wednesday, July 8 and continue for a period of six weeks.

The Stage 3 restrictions include the following rules:

• Restaurants, cafes and pubs must return to offering takeaway and delivery services only. Food courts will close.
• Beauty and personal care services must close, apart from hairdressers.
• Sporting facilities, including indoor recreation centres and gyms, must close.
• Entertainment and community venues, including cinemas, libraries, galleries, theatres and gaming venues, must close.
• Markets and shopping centres can remain open but are subject to density quotient. Shoppers are only permitted to visit for necessary goods and services.
• Other retail stores can remain open but will be subject to density quotient. Shoppers can only visit these stores for necessary goods and services.

The state government has advised that people should only leave their home for the following four reasons: food and essential items, care and caregiving, daily exercise, and work or education (if these cannot be done at home).

Police are conducting checks at businesses, homes, community locations and non-essential services across the state to ensure directions are being followed. Anyone who breaches these directions faces on-the-spot fines of $1,652 for individuals and $9,913 for businesses.

For full details about the restrictions, view the government announcement here.