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Timeline of Every Victoria Lockdown (Dates & Restrictions)

Whether you’re a Victorian who lived through it or an outsider looking in, Melbourne and regional Victoria certainly did some hard yards throughout the pandemic – in comparison to the rest of Australia. (We are also very aware that Australia as a whole, did much better than most countries throughout the world when it came to keeping the virus at bay).

At the time of writing, Melbourne Metro is in sitting in its 6th lockdown. That’s right, 6th – and with the glacial rate of the vaccine rollout, you can be sure we’re not out of the woods yet.

As such, and as a Melburnian, I’ve found myself wondering how many days exactly have we been in lockdown? Or under some sort of restrictions? It’s not in any way a complaint – lockdowns have proven to be effective in controlling an outbreak and so we keep on keeping on. But I wanted to know.

I estimated over 200 days (and I was – depressingly – pretty close) but in trying to answer that question, I found there was no quick answer. Lots of memories, estimations, media stories narrating announcements and numerous DHHS Press Releases. But no clear Vic Lockdown 1 was from x to x; lockdown 2 between y and y etc. Stage 3 restrictions were introduced here and ended there. And for such a monumentous time in our lives, I think Victorians deserve a clear record. So here it is: a complete timeline of Victoria lockdown dates for 2020 and 2021.

Information gathered from: Department of Health and Human Services | Coronavirus Vic | ABC News | Parliament of Victoria

Melbourne CBD Skyline at night in Lockdown Disclaimer: Almost all posts on this site contain affiliate links. This means that if you click on any of the links in this post (and make a purchase) I may receive a small commission at absolutely no cost to you. Each post is carefully crafted to (hopefully!) answer all your questions and recommendations are made where we believe they will improve your trip and help with your planning. As such we thank you in advance should you decide to click & buy. Read my full disclosure here.

 

A Complete Timeline of All the Victorian Lockdowns

25 January 2020: The first case of novel coronavirus was confirmed by Victoria Health Authorities. The patient was a man from Wuhan, who flew to Melbourne from Guandong on 19 January.

30 January 2020: The World Health Organization declared the outbreak a ‘Public Health Emergency of International Concern’.

11 March 2020: The World Health Organization declared the outbreak a Pandemic.

16 March 2020: Victoria declares a ‘State of Emergency’ (set to end after 4 weeks)
Restrictions imposed:
14-day isolation for all travellers entering Victoria; and, in line with national restrictions, no mass gatherings of more than 500 people moving forward & all cruise ships banned from docking at Australian ports.

  • 16 March 2020: 14 New Cases (65 Total Cases)
  • 17 March 2020: 23 New Cases (88 Total Cases)
  • 18 March 2020: 27 New Cases (115 Total Cases)
  • 19 March 2020: 29 New Cases (144 Total Cases)
  • 20 March 2020: 28 New Cases (172 Total Cases)

20 March 2020: As of 9pm, Australia closes its international borders to all but Australian Citizens, Permanent Residents and their immediate families including spouses, legal guardians and dependants.

  • 21 March 2020: 51 New Cases (223 Total Cases)
  • 22 March 2020: 67 New Cases (290 Total Cases)
  • 23 March 2020: 61 New Cases (351 Total Cases)

    National Stage 1 Restrictions: From midday 23 March 2020, there was a national shutdown of pubs, clubs, hotels licenced premises, gyms, sporting venues, cinemas, casinos etc was enforced to try and stop the spread of Covid throughout the country; restaurants were limited to takeaway orders and religious services restricted to small groups with 1 person per 4sq m rule.
  • 24 March 2020: 64 New Cases (415 Total Cases)
  • 25 March 2020: 55 New Cases (470 Total Cases)
  • 26 March 2020: 50 New Cases (520 Total Cases + First 3 deaths from COVID) 

    National Stage 2 Restrictions: From 26 March 2020 People were encouraged to stay at home unless it is necessary (i.e essential shopping, medical services, for exercise or for school); beauty services closed, hairdresser remained open but limited to 30-minute appointments; people were asked not to congregate in groups inside or outside; personal training limited to 10 people outside; weddings restricted to 5 people & funerals limited to 10 people (with social distancing) 
  • 27 March 2020: 54 New Cases (574 Total Cases)
  • 28 March 2020: 111 New Cases (685 Total Cases)
  • 29 March 2020: 84 New Cases (769 Total Cases + 1 Death)
  • 30 March 2020: 56 New Cases (821 Total Cases)
  • 31 March 2020: 96 New Cases (917 Total Cases + 4 Total Deaths)

 

Victoria Lockdown 1

From 00.00 on 31 March 2020, Victoria Introduced Stage 3 Restrictions throughout the state.

Dan Andrews Tweet announcing Lockdown

Stage 3 Restrictions Start (31 March 2020 – 12 May 2020)

  • Gatherings of more than 2 people are banned (except members of your immediate household, or for work or education purposes);
  • No visitors to the home;
  • All indoor and outdoor playgrounds, recreation, community sports, skate parks, beaches, golf courses and gyms etc are closed;
  • Professional sporting codes, such as the AFL, are paused;
  • 5 Attendees at Weddings;
  • 10 Attendees at Funerals;
  • All cafe’s and restaurants are limited to takeaway orders;
  • All businesses, shopping centres, schools and universities deemed non-essential to close;
  • School to be completed remotely (except for children of essential workers); and
  • People should work from home where possible.

4 Reasons to Leave the House

  • For food and supplies (one person per household, once per day);
  • For exercise;
  • For medical care; and
  • For work and education – if necessary & you cannot work from home.

Fines: For breaching public health orders, fines could be issued at a rate of $1,652 for individuals, $9,913 for businesses.

Stage 3 Restrictions Eased (13 May 2020 – 31 May 2020)

  • 4 Reasons to Leave the Home remain + Visiting Family and Friends, BUT
  • Up to 5 Visitors in your home – where necessary;
  • Outdoor gatherings of 10 permitted;
  • Victorians can hike, fish, play golf and join walking groups providing physical distancing observed;
  • Professional sporting codes, such as AFL, can return to training; and
  • Community sports could begin training outdoors with a 10 person limit and physical distancing.

Stage 3 Restrictions Further Eased (1 June 2020 – 21 June 2020)

  • Cafe’s, Restaurants, Pubs, Libraries, Galleries, Museums, Amusement Parks, Places of Worship, Beauty Clinics, Nail Salons and Massage Parlours allowed to open with 20 person limit.
  • Density limit of 4 sq m per person
  • People must be eating in a bar/cafe/restaurant in order to purchase alcohol.
  • People are allowed to stay in holiday homes and attend tourist accommodation such as caravan sites and camping grounds.

Restrictions Partly Eased + Partly Tightened (22 June 2020 – 8 July 2020)

  • Up to 50 people are allowed inside a range of venues including cinemas, theatres, gyms and cafes;
  • The density rule of 4 sq m per customer remains;
  • People can buy a drink in a pub or restaurant without ordering a meal;
  • Non-contact sports permitted for adults and full contact sports for children with contact tracing; and
  • Shared facilities at campgrounds will be reopened with physical distancing requirements; BUT
  • Visitors to home reduced back to 5; outside groups back to 10.

 

Vic Lockdown 1.5 (The Postcode Lockdown)

Queen Victoria Market, Melbourne
With 75 new infections on 29 June 2020, followed by 64 new infections on 30 June 2020 (bringing the weekly total to 233 cases) a postcode lockdown was announced, requiring approximately 311,000 people to stay at home across 36 suburbs:

  • 3012: Brooklyn, Kingsville, Maidstone, Tottenham, West Footscray
  • 3021: Albanvale, Kealba, Kings Park, St Albans
  • 3032: Ascot Vale, Highpoint City, Maribyrnong, Travancore
  • 3038: Keilor Downs, Keilor Lodge, Taylors Lakes, Watergardens
  • 3042: Airport West, Keilor Park, Niddrie
  • 3046: Glenroy, Hadfield, Oak Park
  • 3047: Broadmeadows, Dallas, Jacana
  • 3055: Brunswick South, Brunswick West, Moonee Vale, Moreland West
  • 3060: Fawkner
  • 3064: Craigieburn, Donnybrook, Mickleham, Roxburgh Park and Kalkallo
  • 3031: Flemington, Kensington (added on 5 July)
  • 3051: North Melbourne (added on 5 July)

Stage 3 Restrictions Imposed (as above) + 4 Reasons to Leave the House (1 July 2020 – 29 July 2020)

  • For food and supplies (one person per household, once per day);
  • For exercise;
  • For medical care; and
  • For work if necessary & you cannot work from home.
  • (However, schools remain open for face to face learning)

Public Housing Complexes Added to Stage 3 (min. 14 Day ‘detention’)

  • 120,126 & 130 Racecourse Rd, Flemington
  • 12 Holland Court, Flemington
  • 159 Melrose Street, Flemington
  • 12 Sutton Street, North Melbourne
  • 33 Alfred Street, North Melbourne
  • 76 Canning Street, North Melbourne
  • 9 Pampas Street, North Melbourne

 

Victoria Lockdown 2

Melbourne CBD at Night
Following a rapid rise in Coronavirus cases (and breaches in hotel quarantine), Stage 3 Restrictions were reimposed in Metropolitan Melbourne and Mitchell Shire. When announced on 7 July 2020, to begin at 00.01 on 9 July 2020, the Vic lockdown 2 was set to last for 6 weeks, to curb the spread.

Metropolitan Melbourne included Banyule, Bayside, Boroondara, Brimbank, Cardinia, Casey, Darebin, Frankston, Glen Eira, Greater Dandenong, Hobsons Bay, Hume, Kingston, Knox, Manningham, Maribyrnong, Maroondah, Melbourne, Melton, Monash, Moonee Valley, Moreland, Mornington Peninsula, Nillumbik, Port Phillip, Stonnington, Whitehorse, Whittlesea, Wyndham, Yarra and Yarra Ranges

Mitchell Shire included Broadford, Kilmore, Seymour, Tallarook, Pyalong and Wallan

Stage 3 Restrictions (9 July 2020 – 2 August 2020)

  • As above, but:
  • People not permitted to leave locked down areas for exercise;
  • No one allowed to visit or go to a second home outside Metro Melbourne;
  • Retail and hairdressers will remain open, but cafes, restaurants and pubs within the restricted zones will return to takeaway only.

4 Reasons to Leave the House

  • For food and supplies (one person per household, once per day);
  • For exercise;
  • For medical care; and
  • For work, if necessary & you cannot work from home.

State of Disaster: Stage 4 Restrictions + Curfew (2 August 2020 – 28 October 2020)

From 6pm Sunday 2nd August 2020 Victoria declared a State of Disaster, alongside the existing State of Emergency and placed Metropolitan Melbourne into Stage 4 Restrictions for 6 weeks, which ended up being extended to 28 October 2020.

Regional Victoria entered Stage 3 Restrictions on 4 August 2020 which was set to last until 13 September 2020. (Mitchell Shire remained on Stage 3 restrictions when Metro Melbourne went into Stage 4)

At the time there were 6,322 active cases in the state, the death toll was 123, there were 385 people in hospital, 38 of whom were in intensive care & the aged care outbreak had grown to 1,083 cases.

  • Existing 4 reasons to leave the home;
  • Could go no further than 5km from your house for shopping or to exercise;
  • Curfew in place between 8pm and 5am;
  • Exercise limited to 1 hour outside per day, with only 1 other person;
  • Face masks mandatory;
  • Able to visit a partner, even if more than 5km away;
  • All non-essential retail stores to close (can provide a click and collect service);
  • Restaurants and Cafe’s to return to takeaway only;
  • Hairdressers, Beauticians, Personal Care, Gyms etc to close;
  • Uber/Taxi can operate but passengers sit in the back and wear masks;
  • Weddings not permitted;
  • Funerals are limited to 10 mourners.
  • Night network suspended and public transport services reduced
  • All Victorian school students to return to remote learning (from 4 Aug 2020);
  • Childcare & Kindergarten closed (from 5 August 2020)

Stage 4 Restrictions slightly eased: 13 September 2020 – 27 September 2020

  • Curfew Hours now starts at 9pm
  • Single Bubble rules introduced – people living alone could have 1 nominated visitor to their home
  • Daily exercise extended from 1 hour to 2 hours per day

Stage 4 Restrictions slightly eased: 28 September 2020 – 18 October 2020

  • Curfew removed;
  • Private inspections can recommence for real estate;
  • Weddings now allowed (with 5 guests);
  • Groups of 5 across two households can meet outdoors;
  • Outdoor pools open;
  • Personal training (outside) with max 2 people + trainer permitted;
  • Childcare centres reopen;
  • Apprentices & Uni students in their final year can return to onsite learning & assessment;
  • Supermarkets & food distribution services return to full capacity;
  • Manufacturing returned to 90% workforce capacity;
  • Sole Traders in outside industries (gardening/landscaping etc) can return;
  • Masks still mandatory (removed exception for scarf/bandana)

Melbourne Alleyway empty

Stage 4 Restrictions eased – 19 October 2020 – 27 October 2020

  • Can travel up to 25km from home (but no unauthorised travel to regional Victoria)
  • No limits on leaving home to exercise or see family/friends outside (replaces 2hr limit)
  • Can meet in groups of up to 10 people from 2 households, outside.
  • Can exercise in groups of up to 10 people from 2 households, outside (replaces 5 people from 2 households)
  • Outdoor sports and recreation can resume were no indoor change facilities, no equipment sharing, physical distance maintained. Examples of suitable venues inc. outdoor tennis courts, golf courts, bowling greens etc.
  • More people who work outside are permitted to return to work (e.g. non-essential home, pool and spa maintenance & repairs, outside car washing, mobile pet grooming, solar power installers etc)
  • Hairdressers & barbers are allowed to open with Covid Safe practices.
  • Outdoor swimming pools increased the density quotient to a maximum of 30 people.
  • Real Estate auctions are permitted outdoors with a limit of 10 people

Melbourne’s Lockdown Lifted: 28 October 2020

  • Move from Stay at Home orders to ‘Stay Safe’; no longer only 4 reasons to leave home.
  • 25km travel limit still in effect, as is the border between Melbourne and regional Victoria;
  • Cafe’s, Bars and Restaurants could reopen with indoor and outdoor seating.
  • Non-essential retail, beauty and personal care services can re-open;
  • Outdoor contact sport can resume for those under 18; non-contact sports can resume for over 18s;
  • Library’s and community venues can open for outdoor events;
  • Faith communities can meet outdoors with up to 20 people; indoor services limited to 10 people;
  • Working from Home is still recommended where possible.

Melbourne’s Restrictions eased to be in line with Regional Victoria: 9 November 2020

  • 25km limit scrapped. Travel is permitted throughout Melbourne and Regional Victoria;
  • Gyms, Theaters and Cinemas can re-open (with density limits of 20 per space)
  • Increased capacity for hospitality venues;
  • Religious ceremonies can increase to 50 people outside; however, weddings still capped at 10 + the couple, celebrant & photographer;
  • Two visitors from different households allowed into the home per day;
  • Tourism accommodation reopened with limits of who could book;
  • No change to the rule on public gatherings (10 people, from any household, can meet outside)
  • Masks are still mandatory.

Further Easing of Restrictions: 22 November 2020

  • Up to 15 people in the home per day;
  • Outdoor gatherings can increase to 50 people;
  • Weddings, Funerals and Religious ceremonies can have 150 people indoors;
  • For small venues, density limited will be 1 person for every 2 sq m, up to maximum of 50;
  • For bigger venues, cap increased to 150 and total venue capacity rises to 300;
  • Cinemas, galleries and museums can host up 150 people indoors;
  • Community clubs, contact and non-contact sports can resume for adults as well as children.
  • From 30 November 2020, up to 25% of workers can return to the office;
  • From 13th December 2020, you can have up to 30 people in your home per day.

 

Vic Lockdown 3

Melbourne in Lockdown
Following an outbreak at the Holiday Inn (13 cases) related to the UK Strain of COVID, Victoria entered a snap 5-day  vic lockdown between 13 February 2021 and 17 February 2021 and returned to Stage 4 Restrictions.

Stage 4 Restrictions + Stay at Home Orders: 13 – 17 February 2021

  • 4 Reasons to leave home (essential shopping, medical care, 2 hours exercise + work if you cannot work from home);
  • 5km travel limit reintroduced;
  • No curfew;
  • Masks essentials outside the home;
  • No public gatherings;
  • Schools and eductions providers to close (except for vulnerable children or children of essential workers) and move to remote learning;
  • Childcare & Kindergartens remain open;
  • Non-essential shops, retail and libraries to close (unless click and collect possible);
  • Cafe’s & Restaurants return to takeaway service only;
  • Hairdressers, Gyms, Beauty and Personal Service providers to close;
  • Weddings are banned but Funerals can take place with 10 mourners.
  • No visitors to aged care centres or hospitals (except for end of life reasons);
  • Indoor recreations and sport, outdoor physical recreation and community sports facilities all to close; outdoor playgrounds to remain open.
  • Australian Open and AFLW Matches to continue without crowds;
  • Tourism centres, tour operators and accommodation providers to close.
  • All incoming international flights paused.

 

Victoria Lockdown 4

Aerial shot of Melbourne from Albert Park with Port Phillip Bay on the left and the city in the background
On 28 May 2021, Victoria entered a snap 7-day circuit breaker lockdown to try and curb the coronavirus outbreak in the state, returning to the Stage 4 restrictions and stay at home orders seen under lockdown 3. Lockdown 4 was extended by 7 days to run until 10 June 2021.

Restrictions were eased in Regional Victoria from 3 June 2021.

Stage 4 Restrictions + Stay at Home Orders: 28 May 2021 – 10 June 2021

  • 5 Reasons to leave home (essential shopping, medical care, 2 hours exercise, work if you cannot work from home PLUS you can leave the house to obtain your COVID-19 vaccination);
  • 5km travel limit reintroduced; (increased to 10km on 2 June)
  • No curfew;
  • No visitors to the home (single bubble excepted);
  • Masks essentials outside the home;
  • No public gatherings;
  • Schools and eductions providers to close (except for vulnerable children or children of essential workers) and move to remote learning;
  • Childcare & Kindergartens remain open;
  • Non-essential shops, retail and libraries to close (unless click and collect possible);
  • Cafe’s & Restaurants return to takeaway service only;
  • Hairdressers, Gyms, Beauty and Personal Service providers to close;
  • Weddings are banned but Funerals can take place with 10 mourners.
  • No visitors to aged care centres or hospitals (except for end of life reasons);
  • Indoor recreations and sport, outdoor physical recreation and community sports facilities all to close; outdoor playgrounds to remain open.
  • Tourism centres, tour operators and accommodation providers to close.
  • All incoming international flights paused.

Restrictions eased from 11 June 2021

  • 5 reasons to leave home no longer apply, but people asked to still work from home where possible;
  • 10km travel limit increased to 25km (no unauthorised travel to regional Victoria);
  • Cafe’s, Restaurants and Pubs to reopen with density limits, seated service and QR codes;
  • Weddings limited to 10 people, funerals no more than 50;
  • Religious gatherings are limited to 50 people.
  • Swimming pools, entertainment venues and community facilities will also open subject to density limits;
  • Community sport can happen, but only for training.
  • Gyms remained closed until 19 June 2021.

 

Victoria Lockdown 5

Empty entrance to Luna Park funfair
Following the Delta outbreak in Sydney and the irresponsible actions of interstate delivery drivers from Sydney, Melbourne saw the start of a Delta outbreak and as case numbers in Victoria reached 18, Victoria entered a snap 5-day lockdown between 16 July 2021 and 20 July 2021.

This re-introduced Stage 4 lockdown and Stay at Home Restrictions, as seen in Lockdowns 3 & 4. The Vic lockdown was extended to 27 July 2021.

Stage 4 Restrictions + Stay at Home Orders: 16 July 2021 – 27 July 2021

  • Rules and Restrictions as above at Lockdown 4.

Restrictions Eased: 28 July 2021

  • Can leave home for any reason;
  • Restaurants & Cafes reopen for seated service;
  • All stores, shops, beauty, hairdressers etc opened with density limits;
  • Workers can return to the office at 25% capacity, or up to 10 people, whichever is greater, but it is preferable if workers work from home where possible;
  • Schools reopened for on-site learning;
  • Public gatherings of up to 10 people permitted;
  • Indoor and Outdoor sports (inc. gyms) can re-commence with density requirements of 1 person per 4sqm;
  • 50 people permitted at weddings & funerals;
  • Masks are still required everywhere outside the home.

 

Victoria Lockdown 6

Aerial shot of Melbourne CBD from behind Yarra River
Just 9 days after the restrictions of Lockdown 5 were eased, Victoria went into its 6th lockdown, fighting a surge in Delta cases. Due to the rapid rise in case numbers, the Victorian government did something that had never been done before and started the lockdown from 8pm on the day of announcing, rather than waiting until midnight.

When announced on the 5th of August, the lockdown was for 7 days. It was extended for a further 7 days due to case numbers not being under control and extended for a further 14 days following an increased flouting of the rules throughout the state. The announcement of the extension on 16 August 2021 also saw the reintroduction of the overnight curfew last seen in lockdown 2, in addition to tighter restrictions across the board.

At the time of publishing, we are unaware if it will be extended again.

Stage 4 Restrictions + Stay at Home Orders: 5 August 2021 – 16 August 2021

  • Rules and Restrictions as above at Lockdown 4.

Enhanced Stage 4 Restrictions + Stay at Home Orders + Curfew: 17 August 2021 – 2 September 2021 

  • Curfew reintroduced from 9pm each night to 5am the following morning;
  • Exercise restricted to one other person plus dependants if they cannot be left at home; change introduced here means that all members of larger households can not exercise outside together);
  • Visits to intimate partners or as part of a single bubble is not permitted during the curfew hours; (this was clarified from 22 August that you can visit overnight, but any travel to or from your bubble must be outside curfew hours)
    Single Person Bubble per 23 August 2021
    Screenshot from https://www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au/social-gatherings#will-there-be-bubbles-for-people-living-alone on 21 September 2021.

     

  • Essential retail can remain open with density limits of 1 person per 4sqm;
  • Outdoor playgrounds, basketball courts, skate parks and exercise equipment closed;
  • Masks must be worn at all times outside your home (not allowed to remove to drink alcohol outside);
  • Permits required for authorised work and permitted higher education;
  • Aged care and hospital visits restricted;
  • Weddings banned; Funerals limited to 10 people (+ those conducting service);
  • Large construction limited to 25% site capacity; smaller sites limited to 5 workers;
  • Schools will continue remote learning; childcare and early childcare will remain open;
    – From 24 August 2021, only authorised workers can access childcare/kindergarten and must have a permit to do so.
  • No mobile pet grooming or letterboxing;
  • Authorised work (conditions apply) include solo outdoor work with physical distancing, outdoor maintenance, repairs and cleaning, home solar panel installations etc. The full list can be found on the Coronavirus Vic site.

Updated Stage 4 Restrictions + Stay at Home Orders effective 3 September 2021 – 17 September 2021

With 120 new cases, 900 active cases and 2 deaths recorded to midnight on 31st August 2021 – our highest day of new cases since 2 September 2020 and the first COVID related deaths of 2021 – the Stage 4 lockdown was extended as anticipated with the following proposed roadmap of easing of restrictions.

  • There are still only 5 reasons to leave home (essential shopping, medical care, 2 hours exercise, work if you cannot work from home + your COVID-19 vaccination)
  • Playgrounds can reopen (for children under 12 with one parent/carer who must wear a mask at all times); Playgrounds will also have QR codes and require patrons to check-in.
  • In-home, previously established childcare for essential workers can resume. (On 8 September 2021, childcare was re-opened to single parents even if they are not authorised workers)

Restrictions slightly eased on 18 September 2021

As the state hit 70% first dose vaccinations, restrictions in Metro Melbourne were eased slightly:

  • Outdoor social gatherings have been added to the 5 reasons to leave home.
  • Expansion of the 5km radius to 10km.
  • 2 hours exercise/outdoor gatherings doubled to 4 hours;
  • If Fully Vaccinated: Up to 5 adults from two households are able to go for a picnic or go for a walk.
  • Unvaccinated or 1 dose: Adults are able to meet up with one other person from a different household; and
  • Up to 2 people can exercise outside with a personal trainer;
  • Childcare is available for school-age children where one parent is an authorised worker;
  • Up to 5 people can attend an entertainment venue or physical recreation facility to broadcast a performance;
  • Real Estate inspections can resume by appointment & property must be vacant for the duration of the inspection.Importantly – and acknowledging the risk and seeding of the virus from construction sites:
  • All construction workers must show proof of 1st dose vaccination by 11.59pm on 23 September 2021; and
  • From 18 September 2021, construction workers cannot cross from Metro Melbourne into Regional Victoria.

 

Victorian Roadmap Out of Lockdown – as of 19 September 2021

Victoria RoadMap Out of Lockdown
Main document from the Press Conference on 19 September 2021 – more detailed (and updated) documents can be found here: https://www.premier.vic.gov.au/victorias-roadmap-delivering-national-plan

From 28 September 2021 at 80% single-dose vaccinations in the State

  • You can travel up to 15km from home, for any reason (increased from 10km).
  • Resumption of outdoor activities & community sport (e.g. basketball, tennis, cricket) with density limits the same as picnics (i.e. 5 fully vaccinated people from 2 households; 1 unvaccinated/single dose person from another household)
  • Personal training outside can be held with up to 5 people who are fully vaccinated.

From 22 October 2021 at 70% double dose vaccinations

  • Lockdown ended. There is no curfew and no restrictions on the reasons to leave home.
  • No travel limit in Metropolitan Melbourne (but no travel to the regions yet).
  • 10 people can visit your home (it is highly recommended that all people in the group above 12 should be vaccinated)
  • 15 people can meet outside (highly recommended that all people in the group above 12 should be vaccinated)
  • Community sport (outdoors) will resume with density limits.
  • Pubs, clubs and entertainment venues can host up to 50 fully vaccinated people outside, and 20 fully vaccinated people inside.
  • Wedding, Funerals & Faith events can be held with 50 fully vaccinated people outside, and 20 fully vaccinated people inside.
  • Staggered return to school for all students in Years 3-11 will commence.
  • Hairdressing & Personal Care services can operate with 5 fully vaccinated people inside (no masks for treatments).

From 6pm on 29 October 2021 at 80% double dose vaccinations  

  • Regional Victoria & Metropolitan Melbourne will have the same rules.
  • No restrictions on travel between Metropolitan Melbourne and the Regions.
  • Face Masks will only be required inside.
  • 10 visitors (including dependants) are allowed in the home.
  • Indoor community sport and gyms to re-open
  • Pubs, Restaurants and Cafes can be open with 150 fully vaccinated people indoors (DQ4) and 500 people outside (DQ2)
  • Continue to Work From Home if you can, but you can go work if you are fully vaccinated.
  • Hairdressing and Personal Care Service to open without limits for fully vaccinated patrons.
  • Childcare to open fully and for all.
  • Retail to open fully.
  • Return to school for all children; and
  • Onsite adult education can recommence for those who are fully vaccinated.
  • Weddings, Funerals and Faith events can be held with 100 people fully vaccinated people indoors and 500 people outdoors.

From 19 November 2021 (Expected to reach 90% Double Dose Vaccinations in the following 2-3 days)

Victoria Covid Restrictions at 90% Chart

For the fully vaccinated (summary of the above):

  • All gathering limits, capacity and density limits no longer apply.
  • No limit to the number of people in the home.
  • Possible to return to work.
  • Major events can proceed without any density limit (high capacity events for children may still be restricted while vaccines remain unavailable for those under 12.)

For the unvaccinated:

  • Rules remain similar to lockdown: essential shopping only, can exercise outside (cannot attend gyms/indoor sporting venues); can access medical care & enjoy takeaway food and drink services.

Regardless of vaccination status, Victorians are required to continue to wear masks indoors in high-risk settings including public transport, healthcare, schools, hospitals, rideshares, planes and must be worn by hospitality workers serving the public. Additionally, masks will be required for all in retail settings until mid-December (Date now pushed back due to Omicron and new date TBC)

From 16 December 2021 to12 January 2022

  • People under 18 no longer have to show their vaccination status to enter any venue
  • Mandatory vaccination rules eased in places of worship, weddings, funerals, real estate settings and in most retail settings (i.e. no proof of vaccination required to enter)
  • Proof of vaccination is still required for health and beauty services, and hospitality venues (restaurants, cafes, pubs, bars etc)
  • Workers in hospitality and food processing and packaging settings (abattoir, meat, seafood, poluty processing etc) are still required to wear a mask, 
  • Masks are still required for the general public when catching public transport or taking a cab or rideshare (Uber, Ola etc); when visiting hospitals, in retail settings and in other indoor settings where you cannot safely socially distance.

From 13 January 2022 to 18 February 2022

  • Keyworkers who were already required to be fully vaccinated to work, are required to get their booster shot;
  • Industries include healthcare, aged care, disability, emergency services, correctional facility, quarantine accommodation and food distribution workers. Workplaces must sight and record vaccination status/proof.
  • Victorians encourage to get their Booster shot as soon as they become eligible.
  • Work from home encouraged where possible;
  • Seated service required in hospitality and entertainment venues; and
  • Indoor dance floors within hospitality and entertainment venues must close.
  • Residents at aged care centres will continue to be permitted up to five visitors per day, but visitors must return a negative RAT result before entering. (If no RATs available, only 2 visitors allowed).
  • Fully vaccinated international arrivals will no longer need to get a second PCR or RAT five to seven days after their arrival.

From 6pm on Friday 18 February 2022

  • Mask mandate remains when inside; and people are still recommended to work from home where possible (both rules to be reviewed in the next week)
  • No Density limits in hospitality and entertainment venues; but QR check-in codes remain;
  • QR check-in codes are no longer required outside hospitality and entertainment venues.
  • Requirement for hospital worker bubbles are removed;
  • International arrivals no longer require an arrival/entry permit;
  • Dancefloors are ‘officially’ open again;
  • Rapid antigen testing will continue at schools until the end of Term One.

From 11.59pm on 25 February 2022

  • The recommendation for Victorians to work or study from home has been removed.
  • Masks will only be required indoors in the following circumstances, unless an exemption applies: 
    • people on public transport, in taxis and rideshare, on planes, and indoors at an airport
    • people working or visiting hospitals, and indoor areas at care facilities
    • workers in hospitality, retail and the court system
    • workers at justice and correctional facilities
    • students in year 3 or above at primary school, and workers at early childhood centres and primary schools (masks can be removed in secondary school)
    • people working indoors at an event with more than 30,000 people attending
    • in special circumstances, such as if you have COVID‑19 or are a close contact and you’re leaving home.
  • Masks are recommended for other workers serving or facing members of the public (for example, if you are at reception, meeting guests or serving customers).

From 13 April 2022

  • Face masks are required in some settings (unless an exemption applies):
    • hospitality workers must wear a mask when working indoors in an area accessible to the public (for example, customer-facing staff)
    • retail workers such as supermarkets, clothing stores, hair, and personal care must wear a face mask indoors in public areas
    • people working indoors at an event with more than 30,000 people attending.
  • Face masks are recommended for other sectors when workers are serving or facing the public, such as staff selling tickets or staff who have contact with patrons.
  • Face masks are not required when staff are outdoors or in indoor areas not accessible by the public such as kitchens or staff only areas and this includes any back of house roles.
  • A number of vaccination deadlines for workers required to receive three doses of the COVID-19 vaccine have been extended.

Restrictions Were Hugely Eased at 11.59pm on 22 April 2022

  • If you are a close contact of someone who tests positive for C-19, you no longer need to self-isolate at home for 7 days – as long as you wear a mask indoors and avoid sensitive settings. You also need to do at least 5 RAT tests over the 7 days you would have been isolating. (And it is recommended you work from home)
  • You no longer have to be fully vaccinated to enter any venue, and no QR check-in is required via the Service Victoria app.
  • Masks will no longer be mandatory in primary school, early childhood centres, shops or at events of any kind; BUT
  • Masks are still required on public transport, in hospitals, sensitive health, aged-care centres and airports.
  • Masks remain strongly recommended where you can’t physically distance.
  • All visitor restrictions will be removed in hospitals (but the mask mandate remains in effect).
  • Events with more than 30,000 people will no longer need public health approval.
  • For international travellers who are symptom-free, a PCR or RAT test on arrival is recommended by not mandatory; and
  • Unvaccinated travellers will no longer have to do 7 days quarantine.
  • Those who have tested positive for C-19 in the past 12 weeks are now exempt from testing and quarantining. (Increasing from 8 weeks)

 

Regional Victoria Lockdowns

12 Apostles on the Great Ocean Road

Lockdown 1

The first lockdown (detailed above) was statewide.

(Equivalent to Lockdown 2)

  • 9 July 2020: Regional Victoria was placed in Stage 3 lockdown with 4 reasons to leave home (as above at Lockdown 1)
  • 13 September 2020: Stage 3 Restrictions were relaxed:
    – public gatherings of up to 5 people from 2 separate households;
    – outdoor playgrounds and pools open;
    – still, only 4 reasons to leave home.
  • 16 September 2020: Stage 3 Restrictions further relaxed:
    – Can now leave home for any reason/purpose;
    – Up to 10 people can meet outside;
    – Up to 5 visitors to the home;
    – Hospitality venues have a 10-person limit on indoor spaces and a 50-person limit in outdoor spaces;
    – Travel permitted throughout Regional Victoria.
  • 19 October 2020: Increased capacity in hospitality venues, increased people permitted in the home. Weddings could have 10 people; Funerals, 20 + those officiating.
  • 8 November 2020: Border between Regional Victoria and Melbourne removed.

(Equivalent to Lockdown 3)

  • 13 – 17 February 2021: Regional Victoria was subject to the same circuit breaker conditions of Lockdown 3

(Equivalent to Lockdown 4)

  • 28 May 2021 – 3 June 2021: Regional Victoria were subject to the same circuit breaker conditions of Lockdown 4
  • 4 June 2021: Restrictions eased:
    – Can now leave home for any reason/purpose;
    – Up to 10 people can meet outside;
    – Up to 5 visitors to the home;
    – Hospitality venues have a 10-person limit on indoor spaces and a 50-person limit in outdoor spaces;
    – Weddings could have 10 guests, Funerals could have 20 + those officiating.

(Equivalent to Lockdown 5)

  • 16 – 27 July 2021: Same Stage 4 lockdown restrictions as Greater Melbourne.

(Equivalent to Lockdown 6)

  • 5 August 2021 – 9 August 2021: Same Stage 4 lockdown restrictions as Greater Melbourne.
  • 10 August 2021 – 20 August 2021: Stage 4 Restrictions eased:
    – There is no requirement to stay home and no limit on the distance regional Victorians can travel from home.
    – People can only travel to Melbourne for a permitted reason and must follow the Melbourne restrictions once there.
    – If you can work from home, you should work from home.
    – Private gatherings in the home are not permitted.
    – Outdoor gatherings in public spaces can occur with up to 10 people.
    – Face masks are mandatory indoors (not at home) and outdoors, including all workplaces, unless an exception applies.
  • 21 August  2021 – 9 September 2021: From 1pm on 21 August Stage 4 Restrictions back in line with Metro Melbourne, minus the curfew.
  • 10 September 2021 to Present: Restrictions eased except for Greater Shepparton
    – Can leave the home for any reason and the 5km travel limit is scrapped.
    – Travel between areas of Regional Victoria is permitted.
    – Private gatherings remain banned, i.e. no home visits.
    – Schools will reopen for face to face learning for Prep to Grade 2 & Year 12; remote learning will continue for all other school years. (Exception for children of authorised workers remains in place)
    – If you can work from home you should continue to do so, but offices can return to 25% capacity.
    – Community sport and outdoor recreations can return with density limits.
    – Funerals can be held with 20 mourners; weddings can be held with 10 people (plus those who are officiating in both instances)
    – Restaurants and cafes can open with density limits for seated service. 10 people allowed indoors and 20 outdoors.
    – Retail, hairdressing salons and beauty services will also reopen with density limits and masks must be worn during service.
    – Indoor fixed-seat entertainment venues can open for a maximum of 20 people per space and outdoor fixed-seat entertainment venues can host up to 25 per cent capacity or 300 people, whichever is fewer.
  • 16 September 2021: Restrictions in Greater Shepparton eased in line with the rest of regional Victoria (as above) + Ballarat plunged into a snap 7-day lockdown to combat rising cases in the region.
  • 18 September 2021: Regional Restrictions slightly eased (with the exception of Ballarat)
    – Gyms, outdoor and indoor pools (excluding spas, saunas and steam rooms) are able to open with density limits;
    – Swimming lessons & hydrotherapy can occur; and
    – Tour buses can operate with 10 passengers.
  • 20 September 2021: Mitchell Shire, Geelong & Surf Coast started a snap 7-day lockdown (restrictions same as metro Melbourne & Ballarat but without the curfew) 
  • 28 September 2021: State hit 80% single-dose vaccinations.
    – Masks can be removed for indoor beauty & personal services
    – Final year school return to face to face
  • 2nd October 2021: Greater Shepparton entered a 7 day snap lockdown to curb rising cases in the region.
  • 9th October 2021: Mildura entered a 7 day snap lockdown to curb rising cases in the region, which was extended by a further 7 days when case numbers continued to grow.
  • 22 October 2021: State hit 70% double dose vaccinations.
    – Up to 10 people can visit your home (it is highly recommended that all members of the group above the age of 12 are fully vaccinated)
    – Up to 20 people can meet outside (it is highly recommended that all members of the group above the age of 12 are fully vaccinated
    – Indoor community sport can resume.
    – Pubs, Clubs & Entertainment venues can open indoors for up to 30 fully vaccinated people, and 100 fully vaccinated people outdoors.
    – All school children return to school full time.
    – Weddings, Funerals & Faith Events can be held indoors with up to 30 fully vaccinated people.
  • 29 October 2021 (80% double dosed vaccinations) 
    – 
    Regional Victoria & Metropolitan Melbourne revert to having the same rules (see above)

 

Quick Q&As about Melbourne’s Lockdowns

Melbourne Royal Botanic Gardens

What are the differences between Stage 3 Lockdown and Stage 4 Lockdown?

There really aren’t many differences between Stage 3 and Stage 4. The main difference is the introduction and enforcement of a travel limit (5km from your home) and that Weddings are banned (but were permitted in Stage 3 with very minimal attendees).

 

How many days has Metro Melbourne been in Stage 3 or Stage 4 Lockdown?

As at Thursday 21 October 2021, Metro Melbourne has been in lockdown for 282 Days, or 290 Days if you were caught in Postcode Lockdown.

(This Victoria lockdown timeline and the count will be updated once we have further details of an extension or easing of restrictions.)

 

What were the dates of Melbourne’s Lockdowns? (Vic Lockdown Summary)

We are counting lockdown to be where Greater Melbourne was under Stay at Home restrictions, everything was closed (excluding supermarkets/click and collect etc) & cafes and takeaways were limited to takeaway service only.

  • Lockdown 1: 31 March 2020 – 31 May 2020 (62 Days)
  • Lockdown 1.5 (Postcode/Public Housing): 1 July 2020 – 8 July 2020 (8 Days)
  • Lockdown 2: 9 July 2020 – 27 October 2020 (111 Days)
  • Lockdown 3: 13 – 17 February 2021 (5 Days)
  • Lockdown 4: 28 May 2021 – 10 June 2021 (14 Days)
  • Lockdown 5: 16 – 27 July 2021 (12 Days)
  • Lockdown 6: 8pm 5 August 2021 – 21 October 2021 (78 Days)

For a complete list of Victorian lockdown dates & restrictions  (i.e. the complete victoria lockdown timeline), please see the main body of the article above.

 

When was Victoria’s worst day for Covid Cases?

In 2020: While at the peak of Melbourne’s Stage 4 restrictions (Lockdown 2) Victoria recorded several days of around 500 cases a day, however, the highest number of cases in a single day came on 30 July 2020 with 723.

It is important to note that the figure in 2020 meant something entirely different than the high numbers of late 2021. This is because, in 2020, we were collectively aiming for Covid Zero. That was not the case in 2021.

In 2021: During Lockdown 6, Victoria recorded the highest number of daily cases since the start of the pandemic on 22 September 2021 with 766 cases – and sadly, 4 deaths. This number continued to rise almost every day after it and (following 4 days of construction riots/protests and the AFL Grand Final where it is believed many people held gatherings against restrictions) had doubled to 1438 new cases on 30 September 2021.

*Note* On 1 September 2021, during the Delta outbreak and Lockdown 6, the Victorian Government announced we were no longer aiming for COVID Zero, and so it stood to reason that case numbers would increase exponentially (like they had throughout the rest of the world).
The justification for the change in policy was the virility of the delta strain and the availability of vaccines, and that vaccinations were now the best way to get out of lockdown and live with Covid.

On 13 October 2021, Victoria recorded 2292 COVID cases – the highest number of cases in a day in the state and the country.

During the Omicron surge, case numbers exploded again, recording 2738 cases – and 4 deaths – on 28 December 2021, rising sharply to 5137 cases, with 13 deaths on 30 December 2021 and absolutely exploding in early January with daily case numbers surpassing the 20,000 mark, with 21,997 on 6 January 2022 and 21,728 on 7 January 2022.

Case numbers continued to rise exponentially, with daily case numbers between 8000 – 12,000+ per day throughout February, March, April, May and June, with a record of 14,200 new cases on 18 May 2022 (bringing the cumulative total at the time to 1,687,614). However, just prior to this, on 5 May 2022 was a much grimmer milestone when the state passed a total of 3000 deaths in the state.

 

When was Victoria’s worst day for Hospitalisations due to Covid?

At the height of Lockdown 2, Victoria saw the highest day of hospitalisations on 19 August 2020 when there were 675 patients in hospitals across the state.

 

When was Victoria’s worst day for Covid Deaths?

Victoria’s first 3 Covid deaths were recorded on 26 March 2020. In the first two years, the most deadly day was 4 September 2020 when 59 people succumbed to the virus, however, this was eclipsed on 25 May 2022 when 64 deaths were recorded.

In total, In 2020 Victoria recorded 909 deaths; in 2021 there were 1331 deaths, and to 13 June 2022 there have been 6,808 deaths (and will continue to rise throughout the year).

 

Who died from Covid-19 in Victoria (age/sex)?

There have been 866 total deaths from Covid-19 in Victoria, at least 655 of those occurred in a Government-subsidised residential aged care facility [source].

There are national registers of deaths via age and sex collated via the National Notifiable Disease Surveillance System (NNDSS), and displayed in a table via The Australian Government Department of Health here (and below) which indicates the numbers of total deaths in Australia (to 13 August 2021) but there is minimal state-specific data.

Aus Deaths from Covid Graph

 

When was Victoria’s Double Donut Day?

On 26 October 2020, Victoria recorded the first day with 0 new covid cases and 0 deaths since 9 June 2020.

It was nicknamed Donut Day because (a good) donut shape mimics a 0 – and marked the easing of restrictions in Melbourne.

VicPol Donut Tweet

When was Victoria’s Triple Donut Day?

On 24 November 2020, Victoria recorded the first Triple Donut Day, with 0 new covid cases, 0 deaths and 0 active cases within the state.

 

When were QR Codes introduced in Melbourne & Regional Victoria?

The Victorian Government’s QR Code check-ins were first introduced in November 2020, although implementation was different depending on the industry.

For example, it was mandatory for customers to check-in if they were eating at a restaurant or cafe; but for other businesses, only required if a customer was on the premises for more than 15 minutes.

Initially, data was collected via multiple platforms (Government, Service Victoria, Hand-written records etc) which led to criticism of the system and its ability to assist with contact tracing.

Following the start of Lockdown 4 on 28 May 2021, mandatory check-in under a unified statewide system of QR codes, with all data collected by the Service Victoria App, was introduced on 4 June 2021.

 

What Happened With Schools, specifically?

Young boy wearing a red hoodie and black headphones sitting with his back to the camera facing a laptop, remote learning.

*Note* Where schools are listed as closed, they remained open for children of essential workers or vulnerable children and those who could not learn from home.

Term 2 (2020)

  • 15 April 2020: Term 2 starts and is to be completed remotely.
  • 26 May 2020: Prep, Grade 1 and 2, VCE and VCAL students, vulnerable students in Year 3 – 10 and those whose parents cannot work from home resume on-site learning.
  • 9 June 2020: Grades 3 – 10 return to on-site learning.
  • 26 June 2020: Term 2 ends.

Term 3 (2020)

  • 13 July 2020:
    – VCE students in metropolitan Melbourne & Mitchell Shire return to on-site learning for Term 3.
    – All schools in regional Victoria to return to on-site learning.
  • 20 July 2020: Term 3 starts. In Melbourne Metro school to be completed remotely.
  • 23 July 2020: Face masks are required in all schools.
  • 2 August 2020:
    – Mitchell Shire & Regional Victoria school students return to the classroom.
    – Childcare & Kindergarten closed in Metropolitan Melbourne
  • 18 September 2020: Term 3 ends

Term 4 (2020)

  • 5 October 2020: Term 4 begins
    – Students in Metro Melbourne to continue remote learning;
    – Prep – Grade 6 students in standalone schools in regional and rural Victoria return to on-site learning; and
    – Year 7 – 10, VCE and VCAL students in regional and rural Victoria continue to learn remotely.
  • 8 October 2020: Prep to Grade 6 students in P-12 rural and regional schools return to on-site learning.
  • 12 October 2020:
    – Primary school, Year 7, VCE and VCAL students return to on-site learning in metropolitan Melbourne;
    – Years 7 – 10, VCE and VCAL students in rural and regional Victoria return to on-site learning.
  • 26 October 2020: Year 8 – 10 students in metropolitan Melbourne return to on-site learning.
  • 18 December 2020: Term 4 Ends

Term 1 (2021)

  • 27 January 2021: Term 1 Begins – All students return to learning on-site.
  • 12 February: All students to return to remote learning.
  • 18 February: All students to return to on-site learning.
  • 1 April 2021: Term 1 Ends.

Term 2 (2021)

  • 19 April 2021: Term 2 Begins with all students switching back to remote learning.
  • 2 June 2021:
    – Regional Victorian children to return to on-site learning;
    – VCE Students in Years 11 & 12 to return to on-site learning in Metro Melbourne and Mitchell Shire; and
    – All other students in Greater Melbourne to continue with remote learning.
  • 25 June 2021: Terms 2 Ends

Term 3 (2021)

  • 12 July 2021: Term 3 Starts – all students back to on-site learning.
  • 5 August 2021: All schools in Victoria to return to remote learning.
  • 10 August 2021: Rural & Regional Victorian Schools to return to on-site learning.
  • 21 August 2021: Rural & Regional Victorian Schools revert to remote learning.
    (Per the update on 1 September 2021, there is no return to face to face learning in term 3 + a priority vaccination program established between 7 and 17 September for year 12 students. Bookings will be available at State hubs from 6 September 2021.)
  • 10 September 2021: Regional Victoria (with the exception of Greater Shepparton) schools will reopen for face to face learning for Prep to Grade 2 & Year 12; remote learning will continue for all other school years. (Exception for children of authorised workers remains in place)
  • 26 September 2021: Regional Victoria Final Year VCLA students return to onsite learning
  • 27 September 2021: Term 3 Ends

Term 4 (2021)

  • 4 October 2021: Term 4 Starts 
    In Metro Melbourne
    – Students can return to sit the GAT if required on 5 October;
    – From 6 October: VCE Unites 3/4 and Final Year VCAL Students return to face to face learning;
    – From 18 October: prep students return 3 days per week; years 1 & 2 return 2 days per week.
    – From 22 October: all students to return to on-site learning at least part-time (staggered return)
    – From 5 November: all students to return to on-site learning with additional safety measures (ventilation etc) in place.
    In Regional Victoria 
    – 
    From 5 October: VCE Units 3/4, Final Year VCAL, Prep, Year 1 & 2 return to onsite learning.
    – From 26 October: all students to return to on-site learning at least part-time
    – From 5 November: all students to return to on-site learning with additional safety measures (ventilation etc) in place.
  • 17 December 2021: Term 4 Ends

 

The When & Where of Wearing Masks in Melbourne (and Victoria)

Womans hand holding a bunch of different coloured cloth face masks

  • (In Vic Lockdown 2) On 19 July 2020, it became mandatory to wear a mask when outside the home in Melbourne and Mitchell Shire. Previously, scarfs and bandanas were acceptable, and the public was given until 22 July 2020 to purchase a fitted face mask. Fines for not wearing a mask were set at $200. (via DHHS)
  • Masks were made mandatory for everyone in Victoria from 2 August 2020.
  • From 22 November 2020, masks were no longer required outside where physical distancing could be maintained; masks were still required indoors (with the exception of your home).
  • From 6 December 2020, mask rules were relaxed further and were required to be worn on public transport, while in taxis or rideshare vehicles, or when going to large retail venues (shopping centres, supermarkets etc), hospitals, airports and on flights.
  • On 31 December 2020, masks were once again required anywhere outside your home.
  • On 17 January 2021, masks were relaxed again back to being required on public transport, while in taxi/rideshare, when entering retail venues, in hospitals, on flights and in airports.
  • (Lockdown 3 & beyond) 13 February – 17 February 2021 – Masks mandatory everywhere outside your own home.
  • On 27 February 2021, masks were relaxed again back to being required on public transport, while in taxi/rideshare, when entering retail venues, in hospitals, on flights and in airports.
  • On 26 March 2021, mask rules were relaxed further and now only required on public transport, in rideshare/taxis, and in sensitive settings such as aged care facilities and hospitals; but no longer required in retail stores.
  • (Just prior to Lockdown 4 & Beyond) On 26 May 2021, masks must once again be worn in all indoor settings outside the home.
  • On 9 July 2021, mask rules were relaxed and no longer required in schools or workplaces, but still required everywhere else except your own home.
  • (Lockdown 5 & beyond) 16 July 2021 – date: Masks are required everywhere outside the home, and from 17 August 2021 could not be removed for drinking alcohol outside.

 

And that’s all for now. It was exhausting to live it, and exhausting to document. But here it is. I’ll keep updating this page as the saga continues to unfold. If you have any corrections, additions or amendments that you’d like to see, please let me know in the comments. And please be kind. I have triple checked all the information, but if I have missed (or misrepresented) something, I apologise.

For example, I can’t find any information about whether Regional Vic was included under the Stage 3 restrictions of Lockdown 1 – update – they were, a reader informed me in the comments (thank you!)

Woman sitting on a rock looking out over Grampians National Park

IF YOU ARE NOT FEELING DEPRESSED AFTER READING THIS VIC LOCKDOWN TIMELINE AND ARE READY FOR SOME TRAVEL INSPIRATION YOU MIGHT BE INTERESTED IN THESE RECENT POSTS, TRAVEL ARTICLES, DESTINATION GUIDES, TRAVELER RESOURCES, TRAVEL GEAR GUIDES AND RELATED POSTS ABOUT OTHER AMAZING PLACES AROUND AUSTRALIA:

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Hi There! Thanks for reading our complete Timeline of Every Victoria Lockdown – Dates and Restrictions (2020-2021). I just wanted to let you know that this post may contain affiliate links, which means if you purchase something after clicking a link, I may get a small commission – which is at absolutely no cost to you. If you enjoyed this article and are going to be searching for some of the things I mention anyway, I would love it if you could click through from the links above & thank you in advance! Read my full disclosure here.

44 thoughts on “Timeline of Every Victoria Lockdown (Dates & Restrictions)”

  1. Loved the simple and straight forward timeline. I’ve been searching for ages, trying to determine exact dates (should have marked them all down as I lived them). Great work!

  2. This is excellent. I’m actually using it for my work to determine events that happened in and out of lockdown. Thank you for this.

    1. Thank you Tegan! And I’m so glad it can help with your work project.

    2. This is brilliant and makes me feel less weirded out by the reality that we really have mostly lived under some form of restrictions since late in March 2020. This is a really important historical record. Thank you 🥰

  3. Absolutely amazing! I’ve been trying to do the same thing so I can look back on these lockdowns in the future but it’s definitely hard to find information from the early stages. Anyways for term 1 of 2020 the school holidays were brought forward a few days so the last day was Monday, March 23 (mainly to grab books and supplies). Also Regional Victoria was included in lockdown 1 the whole of Vic was treated as one until the weird postcode lockdown. Anyway, thanks for making this, love the work!

    1. Thanks, Jack – both for the kind words and confirming Regional Vic was included in Lockdown 1 – I’ve been pulling my hair out trying to find accurate info. I think so much has happened since then, the main news sites think Lockdown 1 was irrelevant!

  4. I’d like to also add my thanks for documenting, and recording, the data that you have.
    I only wish more people could look at this. It presents the facts very well.

    Well Done!!! I will be following, and sharing this to as many as I can.

    1. Thanks so much Danny – and I wish more people could see it too! (The ABC ripped off this post 2 days after I published AND got the dates wrong for Lockdown 1, so a lot of people are 20-odd days out with their counting.)

      1. ahh so that explains where the ABC Data came from. My accountant tried to peddle that info off to me. I then showed them your page and how much more in depth yours was. They’re now referencing your page.

        1. Thanks for sharing the page with your accountant – it really is such a shame people are going blindly off what the ABC published (and irresponsible for them not to correct their record. I have contacted them on multiple platforms – but I suppose they would lose the punch of the ‘200 days’ headline)

          _______

          NOTE: For anyone that is wondering where the ABC went wrong: this record counts lockdown as being in effect whenever we are under Stay at Home Orders (i.e. 4 reasons to leave the house), for the ABCs Lockdown One dates, they said we were out of lockdown when on 12 May 2020 restrictions were minimally eased regarding outdoor activities/contact, when in fact we remained under Stay At Home Restrictions for a further 19 days until 31 May 2020.

  5. This is fantastic, thanks for putting it together. Firstly so I can show my kids in 10 years time what we lived through, and also for tax reasons, as I worked from home for all of these lockdown periods 🙂

    1. Thanks Dave – and I’ve been working from home throughout too.
      I’m also torn between thinking future kids won’t believe it happened or will have already lived through another pandemic if the world doesn’t learn from the management of this one. I guess only time will tell!

  6. Hi what a great summary and also to have a good record. Just wanted to make a comment/correction.

    Under the heading,
    WHAT WERE THE DATES OF MELBOURNE’S LOCKDOWNS?
    “Lockdown 1: 31 March 2020 – 31 May 2021 (62 Days)”

    Shouldn’t the end date be……31 May 2020? (not 2021) Which would then = 62 days.

    1. Hi Peter – absolutely correct.
      I’ve been double and triple-checking everything so often this one just slipped through. Updated now.

  7. Amazing summary and details of the chronology of lockdowns… Fantastic work.
    I would like to clarify/add that in deed at the beginning LOCKDOWN 1 was a national order from PM. Scott Morrison as a result of the 1st National Cabinet meeting held on 15 MAR 2020 days after WHO declared Pandemic the COVID 19 outbreak. (I went through all videos/news/newspapers/ other communications from Canberra etc to have the following dates confirmed)

    15MAR2020 NATIONAL restrictions in place for public events no more than 500 people. All cruises where banned from docking in Australian ports.

    16MAR2020 Victoria declared State of Emergency for all local government areas

    18MAR2020 NATIONAL restrictions enhanced including quarantine for incoming Aussies (which was already in place in Victoria) and Level 4 DO NOT TRAVEL to all overseas destinations.

    20MAR2020 NATIONAL borders were closed for all NON-Aussies to enter the country

    23MAR2020 STAGE 1 RESTRICTIONS THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY effective from midday

    25MAR2020 STAGE 2 RESTRICTIONS THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY to all States and territories to slow the spread of covid.

    26MAR2020 Victoria reports 3 first deaths and 520 cases

    30MAR2020 Victoria implemented STAGE 3 restrictions to further slow spread and flatten the curve. 4 Reasons to leave home introduced. THIS IS the known LOCKDOWN 1 for VICTORIA but in reality it was a National Lockdown that started earlier and it was tightened up in Victoria.

    Again amazing work !!! here just to clarify the obscure beginning … best regards.

    1. Hi AJ

      Thank you very much for providing the extra dates regarding Federal rules. They are certainly helpful and can provide a broader look at the circumstances in which Victoria got into the position we did – and I will add a couple of sentences about these into the timeline.

      I have changed your text when discussing Stage 1 and 2 to Restrictions rather than Lockdown though – as for Victorian’s – Lockdown is when we were under Stay at Home Orders – not just requested/suggested.

      I do agree that it’s important to include National directives in those early days and that the closures of businesses throughout the country in the 2 weeks before Victoria entered Stage 3, was both hard for the businesses and inconvenient for the population but calling stage 1 and 2 restrictions a lockdown is an insult to Victorians.

  8. Hi Vicki,

    I have been working on the same information in my role as a publican representative for the Australian Hotels Association in Victoria. Many of my fellow publicans have asked how many actual days have we been locked down. I will use your data to calculate the number for Regional and Metropolitan Victoria . I would like to reference your work for others to read. Great document!!
    Ray Sharawara

  9. Great stuff Vicki – anyone who tries to calculate this runs into a wall so thanks very much for compiling.
    One small thing I am not quite sure your school information is correct for Lockdowns 4 & 5: I believe Term 2 2021 began normally but then was shut down for the two weeks of Lockdown 4, while in Term 3 we again started term normally, then were shutdown for the twelve days of Lockdown 5 before coming back for four days prior to shutting down again for Lockdown 6. Hope that helps

    1. Thank you Andrew – the school’s information was actually the hardest to compile and the information I struggled most to find.

      Do you have the dates for the two-week shutdown in Lockdown 4? Or the twelve days in Lockdown 5? (And I presume both closures were in reference to Metro Melbourne?!) I’d love to add the data into the timeline, but struggle to find the information online!

  10. Thank you for compiling this information. It’s fascinating to read and a great record to be able to share in years to come. It’s an amazing effort and provides much detail. Thanks again, Elaine

  11. Hi Vicki,

    This timeline is amazing great job! I am using parts of it for work in understanding restrictions on businesses and was wondering if you had something similar for any other states in Australia? Particularly NSW and QLD?

    So grateful! Keep it up

    1. Thanks, Georgia!

      I have definitely thought about doing one for the other states but looked at NSW first and it was such a cluster**** with the different LGAs and calling things a lockdown when you could still go non-essential shopping etc, that I wasn’t sure if it would be worth it/have the same level of interest.

      But if there is interest I will have another look (and maybe grab a large glass of wine for putting that one together!)

  12. Thank you for this factual, non-partisan, comprehensive summary of Vic Lockdowns. I was looking for a record of the timelines to help with our 2020/21 tax return – when we were/weren’t working from home etc. This is brilliant and yes, exhausting when you see it all chronologically documented.

    Thank you again for your time and effort in compiling this.

    Cheers,
    Kate

  13. Hi Vicki,
    I’ve been looking for this info for ages and finally found this today. I have bookmarked this page now so I can refer back to it if needed. Thank you for all this info, great work. Hopefully there wont be much more that has to be added on this page going forward 😊
    Cheers
    Nikki

    1. Thanks, Nikki – and I hope so too! (Both to add to the page and to live it!)

  14. Thank you so much for the very valuable information researched, collated and listed here. An incredible amount of work. I, for one, am hugely appreciative.

  15. Hi Vicki
    I have been looking to find an accurate account of how many days Melb Metro has been locked out of regional Victoria, in total to date. Thank you for the effort & detail in compiling this time frame.
    cheers Debbie

  16. Wow, this is fantastic!! You have done such an amazing job collating all of this information. I had been trying to do this but had been struggling and now I have a summary of all the information I wanted. Thank you for all your time and effort doing this.

  17. Thank you for the effort you have put into this. Certainly something that we can look at in the future with disbelief at what we actually went through.

  18. ◇ GYM Closure DATES? ◇
    Any chance you could PLEASE 🙏 outline gym closure dates only btw Dec 20 to Sep 21 as mine has charged and I cannot find confirmed closure dates 😫 to dispute

    1. Almost all Gym closures are included in the article (same rules applied to indoor sports), but here is a summary:

      9 Nov 2020: Gyms reopened with capacity limits
      13 – 17 Feb 2021: Stage 4 restrictions (everything closed)
      18 Feb Feb: Gyms reopened with capacity limits
      28 May – 10 June 2021: Stage 4 restrictions (everything closed)
      19 June 2021: Gyms reopened with capacity limits
      16 – 27 July 2021: Stage 4 restrictions (everything closed)
      28 July 2021: Gyms reopened with capacity limits
      5 Aug – 29 October 2021: Stage 4 restrictions, eased from the 17th September but gyms remained closed until 29 October 2021.

  19. Thankyou for the facts re the Victorian lockdowns. This is the most comprehensive information I have been able to find. Much appreciate the time you have put into it…a mind-boggling fete!

  20. This is Fantastic, and as such l was wondering if anyone had any information such as lock down details for an over 55 lifestyle Village where the residents (part 4a site tenants) who own their dwelling (home) and lease the land (site). The village has outside pool, inside cinema, library, kitchen and a number of other facilities which is in part paid for through the site fee. As this has over a hundred homes on 15 acres of fenced land, do the residents fall under all the lock down requirements. Thankyou for any assistance you may be able to provide.

    1. Hi Peter
      As far as I am aware the restrictions were as advised regardless of your dwelling/living situation and were dependent on where you lived (i.e. metro or regional). I am unaware of any exceptions (and believe there would have been uproar in the media if there had been).

  21. Hi Vicki,
    Fabulous info for me to double check my own records. You have recorded the first double & triple donut days. I’m wondering if you have the date for the first single donut day, ie no new cases? Weirdly I’m missing it and have found various different dates from searching the web. ,
    I recorded and took a photo of the one Elm tree near my home everyday, from the first day of curfew, for a full year. Also gathered 365 comments of how people managed (or not) It will be an exhibition in April 2023 in Melbourne.
    I’m including other photos of relevant signage, donuts , etc. I’m in the final stages of preparation and am missing just that one bit of info?
    Maybe it didn’t happen before the double donut day? If you have time and or interest in confirming with me, I would be very grateful.
    Weird timing I’m sorry, with it being right in Christmas but I just found your site.
    Very ok with it not being immediate.
    Many thanks for your fabulous detailed timeline,

    1. Hi Margot

      The first day of no new cases (or deaths) after the first lockdown had started was 6 June 2020, followed by another on 9 June 2020, however, our ‘celebrated’ Donut Day was 26 October 2020.
      There were no single donut days after the lockdowns started, but I imagine we focused so heavily on the 26 October Double Donut day as we had been consistently in and out of lockdown for 6 months at that point. And there were actually quite a lot of double donut days in Feb/March 2020 before everything went bad.

      I hope this helps with your research!

    1. Thank you Judy.
      As the timeline focused on key dates around restrictions/lockdowns, there were no major events or announcements to add in 2022.
      The only things I could possibly add would be the vaccine recommendations/dates, but day-to-day life in 2022 was unrestricted, as it was pre-C.

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