Melbourne is finally free from world's longest lockdown - as pubs, bars and ...

Melbourne is finally free from world's longest lockdown - as pubs, bars and ...
Melbourne is finally free from world's longest lockdown - as pubs, bars and ...

Melburnians are finally free from the world's longest lockdown after enduring a collective 262 gruelling days living under stay-at-home orders as the Covid pandemic gripped Victoria. 

Premier Daniel Andrews finally agreed to lift the brutal restrictions earlier this week as the beleaguered state neared its vaccination target of 70 per cent.

Now that the double-jabbed can get some sense of normality to their lives after six punishing lockdowns spanning the past two years, some residents couldn't wait another minute longer to reunite with their friends and family after being separated for so long. 

It was like a wild New Year's Eve celebration when bars and restaurants in the culinary capital of Australia threw open their doors at 11:59pm on Thursday.

Swarms of Melburnians rushed inside brimming with joy as they proudly flashed their vaccination status upon entry to eagerly awaiting hospitality staff, who had spent much of the day getting ready for the influx of revellers.

But while there's a major sense of relief that the worst of the coronavirus crisis is now over, it's still too early to ditch the face mask which remains mandatory indoors and outdoors unless eating or drinking.

A number of other hated restrictions will also still be in place along with strict capacity limits on venues and events.

Premier Daniel Andrews finally agreed to lift the brutal restrictions earlier this week as the beleaguered state neared its vaccination target of 70 per cent

Premier Daniel Andrews finally agreed to lift the brutal restrictions earlier this week as the beleaguered state neared its vaccination target of 70 per cent 

MELBOURNE'S LITANY OF LOCKDOWNS 

Lockdown 1: March 31, 2020 to May 12 May 2020 - 43 days

Lockdown 2: July 9, 2020 to October 27, 2020 - 111 days

Lockdown 3: February 13, 2021 to February 17 2021 - 5 days

Lockdown 4: May 28, 2021 to June 10, 2021 - 14 days

Lockdown 5: July 16, 2021 to July 27, 2021 - 12 days

Lockdown 6: August 5, 2021 to October 21 - 78 days as of October 14 

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The good news is that the city's reviled and highly controversial 9pm curfew is now scrapped along with the dreaded 15km travel limit.

Residents can now freely move around the Metropolitan area however regional travel is still off the cards for now. 

Hospitality venues like pubs, clubs, cafes and restaurants are allowed to reopen for seated and outdoor service only, with a capacity limit of 20 fully-vaccinated patrons indoors and 50 outdoors.

The vaccination rate will have to surpass 80 per cent before nightclubs, dancing in venues and stand-up drinking is allowed.

General retail shops will also have to wait until the next vaccination milestone, predicted to be achieved in early November, before trading can return to normal.

From midnight non-essential stores can only operate outdoors or with click and collect services.  

Entertainment venues, including cinemas and physical recreation, can go ahead with a maximum of 20 people indoors and 50 outdoor.

Personal services like hairdressers and beauty salons can get back to work with a limit of five patrons after the fashion-conscious city went without a trim for 78 straight-days.

But anyone entering any non-essential venue in the state must prove their vaccination status upon entry when they check in via QR code with the Service Victoria app.

Visitors can also show the green tick in their Medicare Express app. Those who can't prove they've had the jab will be refused entry.

Pictured: A staff member at a Melbourne restaurant stacks wine glasses as she prepares for patrons to flood in

Pictured: A staff member at a Melbourne restaurant stacks wine glasses as she prepares for patrons to flood in

Residents can have up to 10 visitors at their homes while outdoor gathering limits will increase from 10 to 15.  

Visitors to homes don't have to be fully vaccinated but is highly recommended by the state government and health officials. The same rule applies for outdoor gatherings. 

Religious services, weddings and funerals will be able to take place with 50 fully-vaccinated guests outdoors and 20 indoors.

While school children from Year 3 to Year 11 will start returning to the classroom part-time.

Early childcare will also reopen for children of fully vaccinated parents. 

Pictured: A staff member cleans down a table at 48h Pizza and Gnocchi Bar in Melbourne preparing for the influx of customers

Pictured: A staff member cleans down a table at 48h Pizza and Gnocchi Bar in Melbourne preparing for the influx of customers

The long awaited

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