Regional Victoria moves to third step out of lockdown restrictions

Regional Victoria will move to the third step out of lockdown restrictions from 11.59pm tomorrow after recording fewer than five cases for a 14-day period.

Under the third step, regional Victorians will no longer be subject to staying at home unless leaving for four reasons; outdoor gathering limits will increase to 10 people and up to five visitors will be able to visit from a nominated household.

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"It is such good news, I am so, so pleased and proud of every single regional Victorian who has stayed the course, followed the rules, got tested. They've done an amazing job," Premier Daniel Andrews said.

"And I know it hasn't been easy, because there have been many communities where, to the best of our knowledge, there has not been virus."

Mr Andrews warned that those in metropolitan Melbourne cannot travel regionally without good reason.

"In terms of movement from Melbourne to regional Victoria, those reasons have not changed," he said.

READ MORE: Victoria records 42 new cases and zero deaths

"You cannot be travelling to regional Victoria unless you absolutely need to. Those reasons are particularly well-understood.

"We can't have people travelling unnecessarily and unlawfully into regional Victoria from metropolitan Melbourne, and potentially taking the virus with them."

The success of regional Victoria's transition into a more open economy will be treated as a 'dry run' for the more populated areas of Melbourne.

"What regional Victoria are doing now will be a dry run for what will happen in Melbourne," Deputy Chief Health Officer Professor Allen Cheng said.

"I expect that we'll be making the same sort of assessment hopefully in a number of weeks' time to say that it's safe for Melbourne to open up."

The relaxed restrictions taking effect from 11:59pm tomorrow include:

Gathering limits

Outdoor gathering limits will increase to 10 people (infants under 12 months do not count).

Five visitors will be allowed in homes as long as they are from a nominated household.

Retail, hairdressing, beauty services

Retail has remained open and will be expanded to include personal services such as beauty and tattooing, where a mask can be worn.

Hospitality

Indoor venues can open with a cap of 10 seated patrons per space - subject to a one to four square metre density rule. There can be a maximum of 20 people across two spaces - a maximum of 10 at each.

Only table service will be allowed and there will be a 2-hour limit on bookings.

For outdoor venues, there will be a cap of 50 seated patrons per space, subject to density requirements at one per two square metres. Group limits of 10 will apply as well. Tables will be 1.5m apart.

Schools to reopen for classroom learning

Schools will open up for Term 4 through a staggered start.

Community sport

All community sport will return for children; non-contact sport will resume for adults

Real estate auctions

Real estate auctions will take place again with a limit of 10 people.

Weddings

Weddings can resume with a capacity of 10 people.

Funerals

Funerals can proceed with a capacity limit of 20 people.

Religious gatherings

Outdoor religious gatherings can increase to 10 people, plus one faith leader. Indoor venues can open with a maximum of 10 seated patrons per space, subject to a 1:4 square metre density rule.