COVID-19 Update: The Next Steps out of Lockdown

19/10/2020

As of 11.59pm on Sunday the 18th of October, Victoria entered the ‘Next Steps’ of the Premier’s lockdown roadmap.

Each step of the Premier’s lockdown roadmap sees COVID-19 restrictions easing in certain ways until Victoria is open again as part of ‘COVID normal’.

For further information please visit the Victorian Government’s coronavirus (COVID-19) website, which will be updated as additional information becomes available.

What does this mean for Out Doors?

As an Essential Service, the staff of Out Doors Inc will continue to work remotely, supporting the community as best we can.

Excitingly, we do hope to run day activity programs in the coming months and are going to be releasing our November-December Program Calendar shortly (dependent on advice from the Department of Health and Human Services).

If you need to get in touch, please Contact Us.

Metropolitan Melbourne:

Source: The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS)

Metropolitan Melbourne is in Second Step restrictions. From 11:59pm 18 October 2020 a number of restrictions are easing. The changes to restrictions include:

You can now travel up to 25 km from your home or permitted work within metropolitan Melbourne. This replaces the 5km rule. Travel to regional Victoria is still only allowed for permitted purposes even if this is within 25kms. This means you cannot travel into regional Victoria for exercise or recreation.
You can leave home for any period of time to exercise or see friends and family outdoors. This replaces the two hour limit on these activities. There are no limits on the number of times you can leave home.
You can meet in a group of up to ten people from a maximum of two households outdoors in a public place to socialise (children under 12 months of age not included in the limit). An outdoor public place means areas accessible to everyone, including local parks and beaches. This replaces the limit of five people from a maximum of two households.

When you leave home, you must wear a face mask, unless you have a lawful reason for not doing so.

We all need to continue to play our part to help slow the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19).

Regional Victoria:

Source: The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS)

Regional Victorian remains in Third Step restrictions. From 11:59pm 18 October 2020 some restrictions are easing. The changes to restrictions include:

You can have up to two people visit you at home each day. Infants under 12 months are not included in this cap, and other dependents can also attend if they cannot be left unattended or cared for in another setting. The two people may be from different households. This replaces the household bubbles.
The limits of people in restaurants and cafes increases. You can have up to 70 people outdoors and up to 10 people per indoor space with a maximum of 40 people per venue indoors. The two and four square metre rules apply. Indoor spaces must be separated by permanent structures (should reach floor to ceiling or be at least 2.1 metres high) or be a discrete area of the premises. Businesses must continue to ensure people from metropolitan Melbourne do not eat-in.
Indoor swimming pools can open exclusively for those aged 18 and under. There is a limit of 20 customers in the pool or the one person per four square metre rule (whichever is the smaller number of people). One parent/guardian/carer per child is permitted for supervision purposes and not included in the limit. Swimming classes can resume.

When you leave home, you must wear a face mask, unless you have a lawful reason for not doing so.

We all need to continue to play our part to help slow the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19).

What if I need to talk to someone?

If you or anyone you know needs to talk to someone during this time, contact:

Lifeline: Phone: 13 11 14 (24 hours/7 days) Text: 0477 13 11 14 (6pm – midnight AEDT, 7 nights) Chat online: Crisis Chat (7pm – midnight, 7 nights)
Beyond Blue: Phone: 1300 22 4636 (24 hours/7 days) Chat online: Online Chat
Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 059 467
Open Arms – Veterans Support Service – 24 hrs 1800 011 046
Kids Helpline 1800 551 800
eHeadspace 1800 650 890
Family Relationship Advice Line 1800 050 321
Sexual Assault, Domestic or Family Violence and Abuse – 1800 RESPECT 1800 737 732
Mensline 1300 78 99 78
QLife 1800 184 527

We wish you all the best during this difficult time and will keep you updated via email and our Facebook, Instagram and Twitter accounts.

Media Contact: Iudita Trifa-Schmidt, iudita@outdoorsinc.org.au or (03) 9417 2111.

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