A roadmap to what the Victorian government has called "COVID normal" was released over the weekend.
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Here is what it means for the North East, our businesses and the path out of our latest lockdown.
Are we still in stage three restrictions?
Yes we are. The rules we have been living with - only leaving home for work, education, shopping, medical reasons or exercise - still apply.
When will we go back to stage 2?
The easing of restrictions will no longer work that way. Premier Daniel Andrews has instead announced a four-step plan to gradually allow businesses to open and people to have more contact with each other.
The first step is only for metropolitan Melbourne, so here in regional Victoria, we will be going straight into the second step from Sunday, September 13.
What will change from Sunday?
You will finally be able to catch up with friends or family, but you must only gather with people from one other household at a time and it must be outside in a public place - not your home. These gatherings can only have a maximum of five people in total from the two households, not including any children under 12 months of age.
"By limiting it to two households, we're again limiting the virus's ability to spread," Mr Andrews said.
Outdoor pools and playgrounds in regional Victoria will also open, and religious services can be conducted outside with a maximum of five people, plus a faith leader.
Those living alone can have a visitor as part of the new single person bubble.
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What is the single person bubble?
If you live alone or are a single parent living only with children under 18, you will be allowed to have one visitor to your home. This must be another single person and after nominating each other, you can visit freely.
"This would allow more isolated Victorians to nominate one other person to help them through this - a friend or family member that can visit them in their home," Mr Andrews said.
But that does not mean a trip to Melbourne is allowed. Chief health officer Brett Sutton clarified on Sunday that people in regional areas cannot have anyone from metropolitan Melbourne in their single person bubble until both regions were on the same steps.
When can children return to school?
Good news for parents - under step two rules, children in regional Victoria will go back into the classroom from term four, from between October 12 and 16. Schools will need to have safety measures in place.
Will restaurants open in step two?
No, not yet. Restaurants and cafes will continue to be open for takeaway and delivery only. Childcare, hairdressers and retail shops can also stay open with the same restrictions they have been working with.
The North East has no active coronavirus cases. Can we move to step three?
Sadly, no. The state government's roadmap treats all of regional Victorian as one. The trigger for moving to step three of the plan is to have zero cases in regional Victoria with an unknown source, and an average of less than five daily active cases over the previous 14 days.
The North East is currently meeting this target, but regions like Geelong, Bendigo and Ballarat are not, so we must wait for them.
What will happen when regional Victoria moves to the third step?
This will be what we have been waiting for - an end to many of the lockdown measures and the ability for businesses to open further. Hospitality will open for mostly outdoor seated service and a cap on customers; you can gather in groups of up to 10 outside; and again have five visitors to your home.
Travel will also be allowed around regional Victoria in this step, but visiting Melbourne will depend on whether or not that lockdown has ended.
But beauty salons, galleries, museums and other entertainments venues will still be closed until the last step.
How long do we have to wait until the last step?
This will not happen, even in regional Victoria, until at least November 23. Even after this date, this can only occur if there has been no new cases for 14 days.
Under this step, we will be allowed gatherings of up to 50 people outdoors and up to 20 visitors at home. For businesses, hospitality, cinemas and gaming venues open for seated service only with a cap on customers, and libraries and real estate businesses can open. Crowds with patrons caps will be allowed to attend professional sport and racing again.
Is that when I can go back to the office?
Not yet. Victoria's working from home arrangements will continue until after November. Even under the last step, employees must continue to work from home or a single site where reasonably practicable.
When will all of the restrictions be gone?
The Victorian government is calling this "COVID normal". There is a warning that it is "subject to public health advice", but will be triggered when there are no new Victorian cases for 28 days, no active cases statewide and no outbreaks of concern in other states and territories.
It is at this point you will be able to go back to the office, attend large public gatherings, have parties in your home and attend weddings and funerals without restrictions.