Venues across Victoria are set to reopen this week after lockdown number six as the state approaches the 70 per cent double-dose vaccination target.
Premier Daniel Andrews has confirmed Melbourne pubs, restaurants and bars can offer seated service to fully vaccinated guests from Thursday 21 October.
Venues will have a capacity limit of 20 patrons indoors and 50 customers outdoors according to the 4sqm rule.
“There will be density limits, however it is something extra and something meaningful we can do at this point,” said Premier Andrews.
The 70 per cent roadmap has outlined a different set of rules for regional Victoria, with numbers for indoor dining increasing from 20 to 30 fully vaxxed patrons and 50 outdoors.
Further freedoms will be introduced when the state hits the 80 per cent milestone, with capacity limits increasing to 150 guests indoors and 500 outdoors in both regional Victoria and metro Melbourne.
Meanwhile, restrictions in New South Wales relaxed again on Monday after the state hit the 80 per cent double-dose target.
While the 4sqm rule is still in place indoors, patrons can now stand up and drink inside a venue.
Dancing is also permitted indoors and outdoors at hospitality venues, which means nightclubs can reopen.
However, patrons are not able to drink on the dance floor.
From November 1, the 2sqm rule will apply indoors and there will be no caps on patron numbers.
The Australian Capital Territory allowed venues to reopen last week with a cap of 25 people per venue according to the 1 person per 4sqm rule. Customers must remain seated while eating and drinking.
Businesses wanting to have more than 25 people can have 50 patrons outdoors or 1 person per 4sqm.
But if venues choose this option, they are unable to allow customers to sit inside.
From 29 October, the 4sqm per person rule remains for indoor settings with a maximum of 100 people.
The 2sqm rule applies for outdoor settings with a cap of 150 people.
Restrictions are expected to ease again by early December.
Image Credit: The Conference Shop