Most Covid-19 restrictions to end this week

Check-ins will no longer be required from Friday 22 April 11.59pm. Picture: ON FILE

The Victorian State Government has announced an end to most Covid-19 restrictions from 11.59pm Friday 22 April.

Venues won’t be required to check vaccination status, masks will no longer be required in primary school and early childhood learning centres, hospitality and retail spaces, events with over 30,000 people will no longer require public health pre-approval and close contacts will no longer be required to quarantine provided they wear a mask indoors and avoid sensitive settings like hospitals.

Check-ins and Covid marshals will no longer be required, international travellers who are symptom-free won’t be required to get a PCR test or RAT upon arrival and people who have caught Covid-19 will be exempt from testing or quarantine for 12 weeks.

Minister for Health Martin Foley said now is the right time to set aside the vaccinated economy and focus on the highest risk settings.

“This sensible easing of restrictions is only possible because we are one of the most vaccinated societies in the world, with almost 70 per cent of Victorian adults already armed with their third dose,” he said.

“The vaccinated economy kept Victorians safe and businesses open during an unpredictable time when we saw our highest case numbers ever.”

The seven day isolation period for people with Covid-19 remains and workers in essential work are still required to be vaccinated.

Masks are still required on public transport and at airports and in certain health, aged care and justice settings. All workplaces are still required to have a CovidSAFE plan.

The State Government recommends people who are close contacts with a positive Covid-19 case work from home if able and masks are recommended when you can’t physically distance.

More information on the changes can be found at coronavirus.vic.gov.au