Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews has released the state government's long-awaited roadmap out of coronavirus restrictions for Melbourne and regional Victoria.
Announcing , Mr Andrews was keen to emphasise the gradual speed at which the state would have to travel in order to avoid a deadly third wave.
"We can't run out of lockdown. We have to take steady and safe steps out of lockdown," he stressed.
For metropolitan Melbourne, lifting Stage 4 restrictions - or commencing the second step - is based on the state recording a daily average of between 30 and 50 new cases by 28 September.
The third step can be introduced in Melbourne and regional Victoria by late October if there are fewer than five daily cases.
Each step involves numerous changes in the way Victorians can socialise with others, exercise, work, go to school, enjoy leisure time and travel.
We asked our readers what questions they had about the roadmap out of lockdown for Melbourne and regional Victoria. Here is what they said.
Can I go beyond five kilometres to a coronavirus clinic to get tested?
Residents of Melbourne and regional Victoria are only allowed to travel more than five kilometres for permitted work, to access healthcare, to give care or for compassionate reasons.
Because the five kilometre limit does not apply to healthcare and care, you can go beyond that distance to a clinic to take a coronavirus test or to attend a medical appointment.
You should not put off getting medical care.
You are also able to travel beyond five kilometres to care for a sick or elderly relative, to accompany someone for essential medical treatment if you are a parent, guardian or necessary support person, or if you are taking a pet to the vet.
A healthcare worker conducts a coronavirus test on a patient at a COVID19 testing facility run by Peninsular Health in Bonbeach, Melbourne in August. Source: AAP
But you must exercise within five kilometres of your house.
Is there still a one-person limit when going to the supermarket?
Yes, for those in both Melbourne and regional Victoria, only one person per household can shop for essentials - a rule that also applies to share houses.
You can, however, take children and other dependents with you who cannot be left alone at home.
In Melbourne, this one-person shopping limit will remain in place for the first and second steps on the roadmap.
From the third step, there will be no limit on how many people can shop.
This step can be introduced from 26 October if the daily case average has decreased to five or less over a 14-day average, and no more than five cases with an unknown source are recorded in the state over a fortnight.
People line up to enter a supermarket hours in Melbourne. Source: AAP
But do be mindful of the current curfew of 9pm to 5am, which will remain in place until the third step is introduced.
Residents of regional Victoria can shop with others from the second step on the roadmap, which will be implemented at midnight on 13 September. The current curfew of 9pm to 5pm will cease from that point on.
My mother is in Melbourne and I’m in Geelong and we both live alone. She’s 88 and I’ve not seen her since March. Am I allowed to drive and visit her?
Yes, under current restrictions you are allowed to travel beyond five kilometres of your house if you are caring for a sick or elderly relative. But remember to keep 1.5 metres between you when you can and wear a face mask.
The five kilometre limit will remain in place in Melbourne until the third step can be introduced; regional Victorians will have no limit on distance when the second step commences at midnight on 13 September.
When will dentists be allowed to reopen?
Non-essential dental care is not currently permitted in Victoria. This includes routine check-ups and treatment where there is no pain, bleeding or swelling.
Victorians can access emergency dental care at the Royal Dental Hospital of Melbourne and
Guidelines for when normal dental services can resume will be released shortly.
My daughter suspects she has a hole in her tooth but as she’s not in pain, it’s not considered an emergency.
That's right. If there is no pain, bleeding or swelling, it is currently considered non-essential dental care and must be postponed.
I’m not really clear on when car washes in metro Melbourne will reopen.
Car washes are currently open in regional Victoria but it remains unclear when they will open in Melbourne.
It's likely car washes are included in the category of retailers and those offering goods and services.
The roadmap specifies that essential retail services will be allowed to re-open when Melbourne moves to the second step, which would come into effect after 28 September.
Non-essential retailers are allowed to open at the third step, from 26 October at the earliest.
When will face masks no longer be mandatory?
Face masks are considered integral in stopping the spread of coronavirus in Melbourne and regional Victoria and there are no plans to stop using them at this stage.
Under step 3, you can visit a family bubble house. Can you spend the night at this house?
Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews has confirmed some COVID-19 restrictions will soon be eased but Melbourne's curfew will remain until at least October 26. Source: AAP
According to the roadmap, from no earlier than 26 October and subject to public health advice, Victorians will be able to create a household bubble with one nominated household, allowing up to five visitors at a time, who will be permitted to stay the night.
But a household bubble will not be able to be created where one household is in metropolitan Melbourne and one is in regional Victoria until both areas are within the same step of easing.
Under the third step, commercial accommodation providers will be allowed to re-open, with occupants of each room limited to their social bubble.
So, Victorians will be permitted to take overnight stays under some circumstances.
Why has there been no discussion between the prime minister and Victorian premier about finding some funding to extend JobKeeper and JobSeeker at current rates post the end of September for Victorians?
We have at least another six weeks of hard lockdown and most businesses won’t be back to anything like normal until end of November.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison is yet to comment on extending income support measures since Mr Andrews extended Stage 4 restrictions in Melbourne by two weeks, claiming he wants to see first how Victoria will respond to the economic fallout.
“When it comes to specific economic support, income support or other forms of support, that they consider is appropriate … I’ll be looking to see what they’ll be doing first before the Commonwealth considers any responses that we’ll be making," Mr Morrison said on Monday.
Metropolitan Melbourne residents are subject to Stage 4 restrictions and must comply with a curfew between the hours of 8pm and 5am. During the curfew, people in Melbourne can only leave their house for work, and essential health, care or safety reasons.
Between 5am and 8pm, people in Melbourne can leave the home for exercise, to shop for necessary goods and services, for work, for health care, or to care for a sick or elderly relative.
All Victorians must wear a face covering when they leave home, no matter where they live.
People in Australia must stay at least 1.5 metres away from others. Check your state’s restrictions on gathering limits.
If you are experiencing cold or flu symptoms, stay home and arrange a test by calling your doctor or contact the Coronavirus Health Information Hotline on 1800 020 080. News and information is available in 63 languages at
