Australia: Authorities in Victoria to ease border restrictions with New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory from 23:59 Oct. 6 /update 61

Event

Officials in Victoria plan to ease COVID-19 restrictions from 23:59 Oct. 21, after reaching a 70-percent full vaccination threshold. Under the adjusted measures, the government will end stay-at-home orders statewide. Authorities will also reduce the self-quarantine period to seven days from 14 for fully vaccinated primary close contacts, provided they do not share a residence. Officials continue to mandate facemasks in all indoor and outdoor public areas statewide for everyone aged 12 years and above; authorities also encourage children below 12 years old to wear facemasks. Businesses must collect contact details, and customers must use the Service Victoria quick response (QR) code mobile application to check in when visiting establishments. Authorities require companies to provide an alternative check-in method for customers without smartphones. Companies that violate the order face fines of up to AUD 1,652.

In regional Victoria, authorities will permit 10 people for home visits and 20 people in outdoor public settings. Entertainment venues, including pubs, can increase capacity to 30 patrons; outdoor entertainment sites can operate at 25-percent capacity, up to 300 people. Other nonessential businesses remain open with a density limit of one person per four square meters (43 square feet). Restaurants can operate with 10 people indoors and 30 people outside. Authorities allow the greater of 10 people or 25 percent of employees to work on-site, though they continue to encourage telecommuting. Travel from regional Victoria to areas under lockdown remains banned except for essential reasons.

In Greater Melbourne, the government will end a 21:00-05:00 curfew. Officials will allow 10 people for home gatherings and 15 attendees for outdoor groups. Entertainment and hospitality venues can host 20 fully vaccinated patrons indoors and up to 50 fully vaccinated customers outside; personal services can operate with up to five fully vaccinated people. Most nonessential businesses remain closed. Essential retail and services remain available but are subject to statewide capacity limits. Workers must continue to telecommute as much as possible.

Increased security measures will likely remain in place to enforce regulations. Police could deploy additional personnel and set up checkpoints along main roads connecting Melbourne and regional Victoria. Demonstrations and marches against restrictions remain possible and could lead to clashes with police and localized transport disruptions.

Domestic Border Controls
All travelers to Victoria must apply for a Travel Permit before entry. Officials do not permit anyone deemed a close contact or who had visited an exposure site to enter the state. Individuals entering Victoria without permission must quarantine for 14 days and may face fines of up to AUD 5,452. Victoria classifies Greater Sydney in New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) as orange zones. Vaccinated arrivals from orange zones must monitor their health and get tested if any COVID-19 symptoms occur. Unvaccinated travelers from orange zones must continue to self-quarantine until receiving a negative COVID-19 test result. The government considers all other locations in Australia as green zones. Residents of cross-border community local government areas in NSW and South Australia can enter Victoria without a permit, provided they have not traveled elsewhere in the past 14 days.

Quarantine Requirements
Most international travelers entering Australia must quarantine at government-designated facilities for 14 days in the city of arrival. Victoria requires inbound travelers to complete a Victorian Quarantine Arrival Form before departure. The state charges travelers for quarantine, payable after the quarantine period. Quarantine fees are AUD 3,000 for the first adult and AUD 1,000 for each additional adult or AUD 500 for children above three years old.

Advice

Follow all official instructions. Remain polite and nonconfrontational if questioned by security personnel.

Resources

Victoria Government
Victoria COVID-19 Reopening Roadmap
Victoria Department of Health and Human Services
Victoria Border Crossing Permit