COVID-19: Victorian motorists’ roadmap to freedom

With millions of Australians under extended lockdowns, most prominently in Victoria and New South Wales, both states now have plans in place to end stay-at-home restrictions introduced in response to escalating COVID-19 Delta variant cases in recent months. 

As NSW works towards its so-called ‘Freedom Day’ on December 1, 2021 (see our separate report), Victoria’s roadmap is similarly based around the national plan to reopen the state and ease lockdown restrictions towards the summer holidays.

However, many of the social and recreational activities will only be permitted for fully vaccinated people.

The four-stage roadmap officially begins at midnight tonight, September 28, 2021, with phase A commencing following 80 per cent of the adult population being single-dose vaccinated against COVID-19.

“We’re about to hit our first stop on the roadmap, which is a fantastic achievement – but we need to keep the momentum going,” said Victorian premier Daniel Andrews.

At midnight on September 28, 2021, the maximum driving distance for metropolitan Melbourne residents will be expanded from 10km to 15km for essential goods, exercise and recreation, the latter to now include boating, tennis and golf.

For now, there are no travel distance limits within the state for regional Victorian residents, although this precludes driving into metropolitan Melbourne unless for a permitted reason.

On October 26, when 70 per cent of Victorian adults are expected to be vaccinated, the lockdown will be lifted across metropolitan Melbourne with the travel restriction raised from 15km to 25km.

People will no longer need a reason to leave home and the curfew will be scrapped.

By November 5, the Victorian state government predicts 80 per cent of the population aged over 16 will be fully vaccinated, at which point regional Victoria and metropolitan Melbourne’s reduced restrictions will align. The 25km travel constraint for metropolitan Melbourne residents will cease to apply.

The final stage is scheduled to commence on November 19, once 80 per cent of people aged 12 and over are fully vaccinated. This aligns with the ‘National Plan’, agreed to by the National Cabinet compromising all state and territory leaders and the prime minister.

Interstate travel is very much an unknown at this stage, whether via road, air or sea, because of the different positions held between states.

For example, Western Australia has stated it’s unlikely to open its borders until 2022, but other states may open up with Victoria earlier than that.

For more details around the specific easing of restrictions, check out the official Victoria Roadmap: Delivering the National Plan document.