METROPOLITAN MELBOURNE - RESTRICTIONS FROM 11.59PM THURSDAY 17 JUNE 2021

Religious Gatherings at Church

e.g. worship services, life groups, prayer groups, private prayer, youth group, Christian Playgroup, members meetings

Density quotient of 1 person per 4 square metres, a maximum cap of 150 people per venue with an indoor cap of 75 people plus the minimum number of people necessary to conduct a religious activity still applies.

You must check in upon entry using the Service Vic app, even if your visit is less than 15 minutes.

While attending a religious gathering there are steps you need to take to keep yourself and others safe, i.e. you must not share food, drink or other items. If you cannot create and maintain a COVIDSafe environment for a particular religious gathering, please consider postponing or adjusting the way you run the gathering.

Consecutive gatherings can only be held if adequate time has been allowed for cleaning between events as per your COVIDSafe Plan.  There should be no overlap of gatherings.

Weddings

Weddings (indoor and outdoor): Permitted with no more than 20 people (including the two persons being married, celebrant, two witnesses). Dancefloors not permitted.

Funerals

Funerals (indoors and outdoors): Permitted with 75 people (and those necessary to conduct the funeral). Children under 12 months old are not counted towards this cap

Workers

If you can work or study from home, you should continue to do so. If you can’t work from home, you can go to work.

Workplaces like offices can increase to 50% capacity or 20 people if total workplace is 40 or less.

Every Affiliate MUST have a COVIDSafe Plan in place. See more info at www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au/covidsafe-workplaces.

Public Gatherings

Permitted for up to 20 people. A public place is an area accessible by members of the public like a park or the beach. It does not include your backyard at home.

Private gatherings in the home: e.g. home groups, prayer groups, social

Limited to two adults per day together or separately (dependants of visiting adults excluded from cap)

Pastoral visitation in a private residence

As per private gathering restrictions. 

Pastoral visitation in hospitaland care facilities

No visitors are permitted into health care settings, except for end-of-life reasons, as a support partner for birth, or a parent to accompany a child. 

No visitors are permitted into aged care or other residential facility settings, except for end-of-life reasons or as prospective resident.

Please seek case by case advice directly from the facility.

Essential Public Support Service

e.g. food banks, help for people experiencing homelessness

Places of worship can continue to be open for essential public support services. Essential public support services include food banks, help for the homeless or other essential activities. Venue limit, group limit and density quotients do not apply for these activities and must be run with only the minimum number of people required to conduct the activity.  

Essential Support Groups

Places of worship can continue to be open for essential support groups such as drug and alcohol support groups. Group limits may apply.

Food and Beverage

Food or drink can be served as part of a religious gathering or after a religious gathering but there can be no food, drink, crockery, utensils, vessels or other equipment is permitted to be shared by participants. 

It is recommended that single use items are used to serve food or drink. 

It is recommended that one person serves or distributes food or drinks. For example, designated servers make tea/coffee for everyone like at a cafe.

Food and drink facilities

e.g. commercial café

If your church/agency has a commercial café or other food and beverage facilities on-site:

Open for seated service only with a maximum patron cap of 150 per venue, no more than 75 indoors. Group sizes to a maximum of 10. Density quotient of 1 person per 4sqm applies. Venues can have up to 25 patrons before the density quotient applies

You must check in on the free Victorian Government QR Code Service for contact tracing purposes, even if your visit is less than 15 minutes.

Face Masks

Face coverings must be carried at all times, must be worn indoors except if at home or if an exception applies, and must be worn outdoors where 1.5 metres physical distancing cannot be maintained.

Contact Tracing

All Affiliates must ensure all visitors check in using the free Victorian Government QR Code Service even if you are recording attendance in other formats such as rolls or your own check in system.  This is so that contact tracing can be done efficiently and accurately.

If your phone doesn’t start the check-in process automatically by using the camera over the QR code, you must download the Service Victoria app.

If you can’t use or don’t have a smartphone, the venue must provide an alternative way to check-in such as Kiosk check-in or using pen and paper if electronic record-keeping is temporarily unavailable.

Kiosk check-in can be set up on a device owned and managed by the venue – this lets staff enter your name and contact phone number electronically.

If visitors attend your premises who don’t want to check in, please remind them that it is a requirement on both the person and the organisation. Businesses are required to ensure you check-in and can deny you entrance to their venue if you refuse to do so.  Fines apply.

A full step-by-step guide on how to use the free Victorian Government QR Code Check-in System is available here.

Singing

If singing, where possible do it outside. If indoors, the venue should be well ventilated. This can be achieved by making sure that windows are opened.  Fans (ceiling or free-standing) are not recommended in enclosed indoor spaces.  

If you are participating in a music or singing rehearsal it is recommended that you keep at least 2 metres from other people in the rehearsal.  Performers are also recommended to keep 5 metres away from the audience.  

Face masks cannot be removed while singing.

Communion

Communion can be served as part of a religious gathering. No food, drink, crockery, utensils, vessels or other equipment is permitted to be shared by participants. 

Minimise contact by having only designated people serve and collect back communion cups (no handing them all to the end of the row) or provide bins for collection of used cups. Consider double cupping your communion, having covid safe servers or using prefilled communion cups. 

Baptisms

CCVT recommend baptisms be conducted by a member of the same household as keeping 1.5m distance is not required for members of the same household. 

It is recommended that you do not baptise multiple people in same enclosed water e.g. baptismal bath. 

Masks are useless and dangerous when wet – do not baptise while face is covered – remove beforehand and replace with new mask immediately after.

COVIDSafe Plans

Every Affiliate must have a current COVIDSafe Plan. Affiliates that hire space in another organisation’s facility must adhere to the COVIDSafe Plan for both the host facility and their own events. Please make sure your plan is up to date with the current restrictions at all times.

Offering

Encourage online giving or direct bank transfer 

Avoid passing the offering bowls/bags/buckets. Position bowls/buckets in convenient places, so people can leave their offerings without touching them.

Provide offering volunteers (counting and recording) with hand sanitizer and gloves (be conscious that some people are allergic to latex). 

Hall Hire

Every hirer must adhere to density quotient and COVIDSafe Plan requirements.  

Commercial hirers (e.g. sports group) must have a COVIDSafe Plan that is specific to their industry. 

Private hirers (e.g. weddings) must follow the Church’s COVIDSafe Plan (cleaning, contact tracing, COVIDSafe responsible person on site during the event etc). 

REGIONAL VICTORIA - RESTRICTIONS FROM 11.59PM THURSDAY 17 JUNE 2021

Religious Gatherings

e.g. worship services, life groups, prayer groups, private prayer, youth group, Christian Playgroup, members meetings

Permitted for up to 300 people per venue, density quotient of 1 person per 4 sqm applies

You must check in upon entry using the Service Vic app, even if your visit is less than 15 minutes.

While attending a religious gathering there are steps you need to take to keep yourself and others safe, i.e. you must not share food, drink or other items. If you cannot create and maintain a COVIDSafe environment for a particular religious gathering, please consider postponing or adjusting the way you run the gathering.

Consecutive gatherings can only be held if adequate time has been allowed for cleaning between events as per your COVIDSafe Plan.  There should be no overlap of gatherings.

Weddings

Weddings (indoor and outdoor) are permitted with no more than 50 people (including the two persons being married, celebrant, two witnesses). This limit doesn’t include babies under 12 months of age, or the celebrant and a photographer. Dancefloors are not permitted. 

Funerals

Funerals are allowed with up to 100 people. This limit doesn’t include babies under 12 months of age, or the people required to conduct the funeral.

Workers

If you can work or study from home, you should continue to do so. If you can’t work from home, you can go to work.

Workplaces like offices can increase to 75% capacity or up to 30 people if total workplace is 40 or less.

Every Affiliate MUST have a COVIDSafe Plan in place. See more info at www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au/covidsafe-workplaces.

Public Gatherings

Permitted for up to 50 people. A public place is an area accessible by members of the public like a park or the beach. It does not include your backyard at home.

Private Gatherings in the home

Limited to 5 adults per day together or separately (dependants of visiting adults excluded from cap)

Pastoral visitation in private home

Visitors to private home are limited to 5 adults per day together or separately (dependants of visiting adults excluded from cap)

Pastoral visitation in hospitaland care facilities

No visitors are permitted into health care settings, except for end-of-life reasons, as a support partner for birth, or a parent to accompany a child. 

No visitors are permitted into aged care or other residential facility settings, except for end-of-life reasons or as prospective resident.

Please seek case by case advice directly from the facility.

Essential Support Groups and Support Services

There has been no specified update to this. Please continue on the basis that essential services can be held at religious facilities, with a density requirement of 1 person per 4 sqm or up to 150 people overall, including 75 people indoors, whichever limit is smaller.  If this restricts your operations, please seek updated advice.

Food and Beverage

Food or drink can be served as part of a religious gathering or after a religious gathering but there can be no food, drink, crockery, utensils, vessels or other equipment is permitted to be shared by participants. 

It is recommended that single use items are used to serve food or drink. 

It is recommended that one person serves or distributes food or drinks. For example, designated servers make tea/coffee for everyone like at a cafe.

Food and drink facilities

e.g. commercial café

If your church/agency has a commercial café or other food and beverage facilities on-site:

Open for seated service only with a maximum patron cap of 300 per venue. Group sizes to a maximum of 50. Density quotient of 1 person per 4sqm applies. 

Venues less than 600sqm can operate with lesser of DQ 2 or venue cap of 150 patrons provided they have a COVID Marshal at the entrance to confirm ‘green tick’ check in before entry. 

Venues can have up to 25 patrons before the density quotient applies.

You must check in on the free Victorian Government QR Code Service for contact tracing purposes, even if your visit is less than 15 minutes.

Face Masks

Face coverings must be carried at all times, must be worn indoors except if at home or if an exception applies, and must be worn outdoors where 1.5 metres physical distancing cannot be maintained.

Contact Tracing

All Affiliates must ensure all visitors check in using the free Victorian Government QR Code Service even if you are recording attendance in other formats such as rolls or your own check in system.  This is so that contact tracing can be done efficiently and accurately.

If your phone doesn’t start the check-in process automatically by using the camera over the QR code, you must download the Service Victoria app.

If you can’t use or don’t have a smartphone, the venue must provide an alternative way to check-in such as Kiosk check-in or using pen and paper if electronic record-keeping is temporarily unavailable.

Kiosk check-in can be set up on a device owned and managed by the venue – this lets staff enter your name and contact phone number electronically.

If visitors attend your premises who don’t want to check in, please remind them that it is a requirement on both the person and the organisation. Businesses are required to ensure you check-in and can deny you entrance to their venue if you refuse to do so.  Fines apply.

A full step-by-step guide on how to use the free Victorian Government QR Code Check-in System is available here.

Singing

If singing, where possible do it outside. If indoors, the venue should be well ventilated. This can be achieved by making sure that windows are opened.  Fans (ceiling or free-standing) are not recommended in enclosed indoor spaces.  

If you are participating in a music or singing rehearsal it is recommended that you keep at least 2 metres from other people in the rehearsal.  Performers are also recommended to keep 5 metres away from the audience.  

Face masks cannot be removed while singing.

Communion

Communion can be served as part of a religious gathering. No food, drink, crockery, utensils, vessels, or other equipment is permitted to be shared by participants. 

Minimise contact by having only designated people serve and collect back communion cups (no handing them all to the end of the row) or provide bins for collection of used cups. Consider double cupping your communion, having covid safe servers or using prefilled communion cups. 

Baptisms

CCVT recommend baptisms be conducted by a member of the same household as keeping 1.5m distance is not required for members of the same household. 

It is recommended that you do not baptise multiple people in same enclosed water e.g. baptismal bath. 

Masks are useless and dangerous when wet – do not baptise while face is covered – remove beforehand and replace with new mask immediately after.

COVIDSafe Plans

Every Affiliate must have a current COVIDSafe Plan. Affiliates that hire space in another organisation’s facility must adhere to the COVIDSafe Plan for both the host facility and their own events. Please make sure your plan is up to date with the current restrictions at all times.

Offering

Encourage online giving or direct bank transfer 

Avoid passing the offering bowls/bags/buckets. Position bowls/buckets in convenient places, so people can leave their offerings without touching them.

Provide offering volunteers (counting and recording) with hand sanitizer and gloves (be conscious that some people are allergic to latex). Make sure counters maintain a distance of 1.5m from each other

Hall Hire

Every hirer must adhere to density quotient and COVIDSafe Plan requirements.  

Commercial hirers (e.g. sports group) must have a COVIDSafe Plan that is specific to their industry. 

Private hirers (e.g. weddings) must follow the Church’s COVIDSafe Plan (cleaning, contact tracing, COVIDSafe responsible person on site during the event etc). 

METROPOLITAN MELBOURNE - RESTRICTIONS FROM 11.59PM THURSDAY 10 JUNE 2021

Religious Gatherings at Church

e.g. worship services, life groups, prayer groups, private prayer, youth group, Christian Playgroup

Religious gatherings and ceremonies are allowed with a density requirement of 1 person per 4 square metres and a cap of 50 people per venue, plus the minimum number of people necessary to conduct a religious activity. 

You must not travel more than 25km from your home to attend a place of worship (except for work, wedding, or funeral).

You must check in upon entry using the Service Vic app, even if your visit is less than 15 minutes.

Please remember that just because you can, does not mean you should. While attending a religious gathering there are steps you need to take to keep yourself and others safe, i.e. you must not share food, drink or other items. If you cannot create and maintain a COVIDSafe environment for a particular religious gathering, please consider postponing or adjusting the way you run the gathering.

Consecutive gatherings can only be held if adequate time has been allowed for cleaning as per your COVIDSafe Plan.  There should be no overlap of these gatherings.

Weddings

In metropolitan Melbourne, weddings at a venue are limited to up to 10 people. This limit includes the couple and 2 witnesses. The cap does not include babies under 12 months. A celebrant and a photographer are in addition the cap of 10 people. Click here for info on wearing masks at a wedding. Weddings are not permitted in a private residence except for compassionate reasons. The 25km travel limit does not apply to attending a wedding.

Funerals

Funerals at a venue have a cap of 50 mourners plus those required to conduct the funeral. The cap does not include babies under 12 months. 

A funeral held in a private residence are limited to the members of the household, their intimate partners, plus the people required to conduct the ceremony.  

You must wear a fitted face mask indoors and outdoors (except at your home or the home of an intimate partner or single bubble buddy), unless exempt. 

The 25km travel limit does not apply to attending a funeral. People who live in metropolitan Melbourne can travel to regional Victoria to attend a funeral but Melbourne restrictions follow you to regional Victoria. This means the funeral can only occur with a maximum of 50 people, plus those required to conduct the funeral applies. 

Workers

There is no longer an authorised worker or authorised provider list.

If you can work or study from home, you should continue to do so. If you can’t work from home, you can go to work.

Workplaces like offices can increase to 25% capacity or 10 people, whichever is greater.

You can attend work in regional Victoria if you cannot work from home.

Every Affiliate MUST have a COVIDSafe Plan in place. See more info at www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au/covidsafe-workplaces.

Public Gatherings

You can see friends and family outdoors in a public place in a group of up to 10 people. A public place is an area accessible by members of the public like a park or the beach. It does not include your backyard at home.

You can only travel up to 25km from your home to meet friends and family if you are meeting them outdoors.

You cannot have visitors to your home, unless they are your intimate partner or single social bubble buddy.

Private gatherings in the home: e.g. home groups, prayer groups, social

Metropolitan Melbourne cannot yet have visitors to the home. Therefore home groups or other church activities cannot be held there.

Pastoral visitation in a private residence

Please consider how we care for isolated people and encourage them to create a single bubble, access online and phone care and support, and consider if they can receive visitation under the permitted act of “caregiving”. If you are unsure, please seek advice from the hotline on 1800 675 398.

A faith leader may visit someone in their home to provide care and support to a person who is at the end of their life. Up to two visitors may attend an end-of-life activity for unlimited duration at a private residence. For other pastoral care needs, consider online or phone contact. 

Pastoral visitation in hospitaland care facilities

Restrictions on visitors to care facilities still apply. No visitors are permitted into health care settings, except for end-of-life reasons, as a support partner for birth, or a parent to accompany a child. No visitors are permitted into aged care or other residential facility settings, except for end-of-life reasons.

Non-essential contractors are restricted from entry.

Please seek case by case advice directly from the facility.

Essential Public Support Service

e.g. food banks, help for people experiencing homelessness

Places of worship can continue to be open for essential public support services. Essential public support services include food banks, help for the homeless or other essential activities. Venue limit, group limit and density quotients do not apply for these activities and must be run with only the minimum number of people required to conduct the activity.  

Essential Support Groups

Places of worship can continue to be open for essential support groups such as drug and alcohol support groups.

Group limits of 10 applies to any essential support group.

Food and drink facilities

e.g. commercial café

Some churches and agencies also have a café or other food and beverage facilities on-site.

If your church/agency runs a commercial café, you can open for dine-in service with a density requirement of 1 person per 4 sqm and a maximum of 100 people per venue, including 50 indoors. Only seated service is permitted when dining in. There is a maximum group limit of 10 people.

You must check in on the free Victorian Government QR Code Service for contact tracing purposes, even if your visit is less than 15 minutes.

Singing

If singing, where possible do it outside. If indoors, the venue should be well ventilated. This can be achieved by making sure that windows are opened.  Fans (ceiling or free-standing) are not recommended in enclosed indoor spaces.  

If you are participating in a music or singing rehearsal it is recommended that you keep at least 2 metres from other people in the rehearsal.  Performers are also recommended to keep 5 metres away from the audience.  

Face masks cannot be removed while singing.

Communion

Communion can be served as part of a religious gathering. No food, drink, crockery, utensils, vessels or other equipment is permitted to be shared by participants. Minimise contact by having only designated people serve and collect back communion cups (no handing them all to the end of the row) or provide bins for collection of used cups. Consider double cupping your communion, having covid safe servers or using prefilled communion. 

Baptisms

CCVT recommend baptisms be conducted by a member of the same household as keeping 1.5m distance is not required for members of the same household. It is recommended that you do not baptise multiple people in same enclosed water e.g. baptismal bath. Masks are useless and dangerous when wet – do not baptise while face is covered – remove beforehand and replace with new mask immediately after.

Food and Beverage

Food or drink can be served as part of a religious gathering or after a religious gathering but there can be no food, drink, crockery, utensils, vessels or other equipment is permitted to be shared by participants. It is recommended that single use items are used to serve food or drink. It is recommended that one person serves or distributes food or drinks. For example, designated servers make tea/coffee for everyone like at a cafe.

COVIDSafe Plans

Every Affiliate must have a current COVIDSafe Plan. Affiliates that hire space in another organisation’s facility must adhere to the COVIDSafe Plan for both the host facility and their own events. Please make sure your plan is up to date with the current restrictions at all times.

Contact Tracing

All Affiliates must ensure all visitors check in using the free Victorian Government QR Code Service even if you are recording attendance in other formats such as rolls or your own check in system.  This is so that contact tracing can be done efficiently and accurately.

If your phone doesn’t start the check-in process automatically by using the camera over the QR code, you must download the Service Victoria app.

If you can’t use or don’t have a smartphone, the venue must provide an alternative way to check-in such as Kiosk check-in or using pen and paper if electronic record-keeping is temporarily unavailable.

Kiosk check-in can be set up on a device owned and managed by the venue – this lets staff enter your name and contact phone number electronically.

If visitors attend your premises who don’t want to check in, please remind them that it is a requirement on both the person and the organisation. Businesses are required to ensure you check-in and can deny you entrance to their venue if you refuse to do so.  Fines apply.

A full step-by-step guide on how to use the free Victorian Government QR Code Check-in System is available here.

Face Masks

Face masks must be carried at all times and must be worn indoors and outdoors. You do not need to wear a mask in your own home, the home of your intimate partner or single bubble buddy or if another lawful exception applies.

Member’s Meetings

Member’s meeting are back in the grey area. Previous advice from the hotline was to not run them in person. If you can delay, it might be best. If not, please seek current advice from the hotline.

Offering

Encourage online giving or direct bank transfer 

Avoid passing the offering bags/buckets. Position buckets in convenient places, so people can leave their offerings without touching the bags/buckets

Provide offering volunteers (counting and recording) with hand sanitizer and gloves (be conscious that some people are allergic to latex). Make sure counters maintain a distance of 1.5m from each other

Hall Hire

Every hirer must adhere to density quotient and COVIDSafe Plan requirements.  

Commercial hirers (e.g. sports group) must have a COVIDSafe Plan that is specific to their industry. 

Private hirers (e.g. weddings) must follow the Church’s COVIDSafe Plan (cleaning, contact tracing, COVIDSafe responsible person on site during the event etc). 

REGIONAL VICTORIA - RESTRICTIONS FROM 11.59PM THURSDAY 10 JUNE 2021

Religious Gatherings

Places of religion and worship can open for activities including religious gatherings, private worship, prayer groups, ceremonies, or to provide essential services.

Religious gatherings can be held with a density requirement of 1 person per 4 sqm or up to 150 people overall, including 75 people indoors, whichever limit is smaller.

Check in upon entry using the Service Victoria app, regardless of the duration of the visit.

Face masks must be worn indoors and outdoors if physical distancing of 1.5 metres cannot be maintained, unless you have a lawful reason not to do so.

While attending a religious gathering there are steps you need to take to keep yourself and others safe including not sharing food, drink or other items.

Consecutive gatherings can only be held if adequate time has been allowed for cleaning as per your COVIDSafe Plan.  There should be no overlap of these gatherings.

Weddings

You can have a wedding at a venue with up to 20 people (unless a person from Metropolitan Melbourne attends, in which case the cap reduces to 10 people). 

This limit includes the couple and witnesses. The celebrant and a photographer are in addition to the cap. The cap does not include babies under 12 months.

Weddings in private residences are not permitted unless compassionate grounds apply.

Funerals

Funerals are allowed with up to 75 people (unless a person from Metropolitan Melbourne attends, in which case the cap reduces to 50 people). This limit doesn’t include babies under 12 months of age, or the people required to conduct the funeral. If a funeral is held at a private residence, private gathering restrictions apply.

Workers

If you can work from home, you should continue to work from home. 

Office work: 50% return or up to 20 people if total workplace is 40 or less.

Travel to Melbourne

You cannot travel to metropolitan Melbourne, except for:

• work or education
• necessary goods and services at the nearest provider to home
• care and compassionate reasons
• to receive COVID-19 vaccination at the nearest vaccination centre to home

Public Gatherings

You can see friends and family outdoors in a public place in a group of up to 20 people. A public place is an area accessible by members of the public like a park or the beach. It does not include your backyard at home.

Pastoral visitation in private home

Visitors to private home are limited to 2 adults per day together or separately (dependants of visiting adults excluded from cap)

Pastoral visitation in hospital/care facilities

No visitors are permitted into health care settings, except for end-of-life reasons, as a support partner for birth, or a parent to accompany a child.

No visitors are permitted into aged care or other residential facility settings, except for end-of-life reasons.

Please seek case by case advice directly from the facility.

Essential Support Groups and Support Services

Essential services can be held at religious facilities, with a density requirement of 1 person per 4 sqm or up to 150 people overall, including 75 people indoors, whichever limit is smaller.

Food and drink facilities

e.g. commercial café

Some churches and agencies also have a commercial café or other food and beverage facilities on-site.

The following restrictions apply:

• Open for seated service and takeaway.
• Density quotient of 1 person per 4sqm applies with a maximum patron cap of no more than 75 indoors and another 75 outdoors.
• There is a maximum on group bookings of 10 people.
• Check in upon entry using the using the free Victorian Government QR Code Service, even if your visit is less than 15 minutes.
• The onus is on the business to check the residence of the patron wo ensure they are not from Metro Melbourne. 
• Face masks must be worn indoors when you are not eating or drinking.
• To keep their staff and customers safe, cleaning, signage and record keeping requirements apply.

Face Masks

Face coverings must be carried at all times, must be worn indoors except if at home or if an exception applies, and must be worn outdoors where 1.5 metres physical distancing cannot be maintained.

Contact Tracing

All Affiliates must ensure all visitors check in using the free Victorian Government QR Code Service even if you are recording attendance in other formats such as rolls or your own check in system.  This is so that contact tracing can be done efficiently and accurately.

If your phone doesn’t start the check-in process automatically by using the camera over the QR code, you must download the Service Victoria app.

If you can’t use or don’t have a smartphone, the venue must provide an alternative way to check-in such as Kiosk check-in or using pen and paper if electronic record-keeping is temporarily unavailable.

Kiosk check-in can be set up on a device owned and managed by the venue – this lets staff enter your name and contact phone number electronically.

If visitors attend your premises who don’t want to check in, please remind them that it is a requirement on both the person and the organisation. Businesses are required to ensure you check-in and can deny you entrance to their venue if you refuse to do so.  Fines apply.

A full step-by-step guide on how to use the free Victorian Government QR Code Check-in System is available here.

Singing

If singing, where possible do it outside. If indoors, the venue should be well ventilated. This can be achieved by making sure that windows are opened.  Fans (ceiling or free-standing) are not recommended in enclosed indoor spaces.  

If you are participating in a music or singing rehearsal it is recommended that you keep at least 2 metres from other people in the rehearsal.  Performers are also recommended to keep 5 metres away from the audience.  

Face masks cannot be removed while singing.

Communion

Communion can be served as part of a religious gathering. No food, drink, crockery, utensils, vessels or other equipment is permitted to be shared by participants. Minimise contact by having only designated people serve and collect back communion cups (no handing them all to the end of the row) or provide bins for collection of used cups. Consider double cupping your communion, having covid safe servers or using prefilled communion. 

Baptisms

CCVT recommend baptisms be conducted by a member of the same household as keeping 1.5m distance is not required for members of the same household. It is recommended that you do not baptise multiple people in same enclosed water unless it is chlorinated. Masks are useless and dangerous when wet – do not baptise someone while their face is covered – remove before going under water and replace with new mask when out.

Food and Beverage

Food or drink can be served as part of a religious gathering or after a religious gathering but there can be no food, drink, crockery, utensils, vessels or other equipment is permitted to be shared by participants. It is recommended that single use items are used to serve food or drink. It is recommended that one person serves or distributes food or drinks. For example, designated servers make tea/coffee for everyone like at a cafe.

COVIDSafe Plans

Every Affiliate must have a current COVIDSafe Plan. Affiliates that hire space in another organisation’s facility must adhere to the COVIDSafe Plan for both the host facility and their own events. Please make sure your plan is up to date with the current restrictions at all times.

Member’s Meetings

Member’s meeting are permitted.

Offering

Encourage online giving or direct bank transfer 

Avoid passing the offering bags/buckets. Position buckets in convenient places, so people can leave their offerings without touching the bags/buckets

Provide offering volunteers (counting and recording) with hand sanitizer and gloves (be conscious that some people are allergic to latex). Make sure counters maintain a distance of 1.5m from each other

Hall Hire

Every hirer must adhere to density quotient and COVIDSafe Plan requirements.  

Commercial hirers (e.g. sports group) must have a COVIDSafe Plan that is specific to their industry. 

Private hirers (e.g. weddings) must follow the Church’s COVIDSafe Plan (cleaning, contact tracing, COVIDSafe responsible person on site during the event etc). 

METROPOLITAN MELBOURNE - RESTRICTIONS FROM 11.59PM THURSDAY 3 JUNE 2021

Religious Gatherings

No in-person gatherings permitted (indoors and outdoors).

Broadcast permitted - maximum of 5 people (this is considered authorised work and the 10km radius limit does not apply)

Weddings

Not permitted unless end of life or for deportation reasons. Involves only 5 persons (including the 2 persons being married, celebrant, 2 witnesses)

Funerals

Funerals (indoor and outdoor) are permitted.

No more than 10 people (and those necessary to conduct the funeral). Children under 12 months old are not counted towards this cap.

Workers

If you can work from home, you must work from home.

Only authorised businesses can open under current restrictions. If their employees are unable to work from home they can leave home to attend work. See the full Authorised Providers and Authorised Workers List online or from page 5 of the Table of Restrictions pdf.

The 10km radius does not apply to work (based on previous lockdown restrictions).  

Church workers (paid and unpaid) are not authorised workers except in the following capacity:

- marriage celebrant

- conducting funeral

- Maximum of 5 faith leaders broadcasting services and ceremonies at places of worship

- Minimum required to provide urgent services necessary for the health and safety of any person, animal, or premises (e.g. foodbanks) 

- Minimum required to provide care services for people with particular needs because of homelessness, family violence, age, infirmity, disability, illness or a chronic health condition or other essential support services, (e.g. agencies carrying out essential relief activities)

Public Gatherings

Not permitted

Private gatherings in the home: e.g. home groups, prayer groups, social

Not permitted.

Please consider how we care for isolated people and encourage them to create a single bubble, access online and phone care and support, and consider if they can receive visitation under the permitted act of “caregiving”. If you are unsure, please seek advice from the hotline on 1800 675 398.

Pastoral visitation in a private residence

A faith leader may visit someone in their home to provide care and support to a person who is at the end of their life.

Up to two visitors may attend an end-of-life activity for unlimited duration at a private residence.

For other pastoral care needs, consider online or phone contact. 

Pastoral visitation in hospitaland care facilities

No visitors are permitted into health care settings, except for end-of-life reasons, as a support partner for birth, or a parent to accompany a child.

No visitors are permitted into aged care or other residential facility settings, except for end-of-life reasons.

Non-essential contractors are restricted from entry.

Please seek case by case advice directly from the facility.

Essential Public Support Service

e.g. food banks, AA, or help for people experiencing homelessness

A place of worship may host an essential public support service.

• Only the minimum number of persons required to conduct and/or facilitate the essential public support service may attend
• A maximum of 10 persons may also attend the place of worship to receive the essential public support services at any one time (the persons required to conduct and/or facilitate the service are not included in the maximum of 10 persons)
• You must wear a face mask unless you have a lawful reason not to. 

Food and drink facilities

e.g. café

Some churches and agencies also have a café or other food and beverage facilities on-site.

These can open but only to the extent that:

- it is open for takeaway and delivery only; or

- it provides food, drink, accommodation, or other essential services to those seeking shelter (for example, for reasons of homelessness or family violence)

You must use the free Victorian Government QR Code Service for contact tracing purposes

Face Masks

Face masks must be worn indoors and outdoors except if at home unless you have a lawful reason not to. 

The face mask requirement applies everyone aged 12 years and older.

REGIONAL VICTORIA - RESTRICTIONS FROM 11.59PM THURSDAY 3 JUNE 2021

Religious Gatherings

Religious gatherings and ceremonies are allowed with a density quotient of 1 person per 4 sqm and a maximum of 50 people per venue, plus a religious leader.

Weddings

You can have a wedding with up to 10 people. This limit includes the couple and two witnesses. A celebrant and a photographer are in addition the cap of 10 people.

Funerals

Funerals are allowed with up to 50 people. This limit doesn’t include babies under 12 months of age, or the people required to conduct the funeral.  

A funeral held at a private residence is limited to members of that household, intimate partner and minimum number of people required to conduct the funeral.

Workers

If you can work from home, you should continue to work from home. 

Capacity limits in workplaces such as offices capped at 50% or 20 people, whichever is greater.

You can attend work in metropolitan Melbourne only if you are an authorised worker or work for an authorised provider. 

Church workers (paid and unpaid) are not authorised workers except in the following capacity:

- marriage celebrant

- conducting funeral

- Maximum of 5 faith leaders broadcasting services and ceremonies at places of worship

- Minimum required to provide urgent services necessary for the health and safety of any person, animal, or premises (e.g. foodbanks) 

- Minimum required to provide care services for people with particular needs because of homelessness, family violence, age, infirmity, disability, illness or a chronic health condition or other essential support services, (e.g. agencies carrying out essential relief activities)

Pastoral visitation in private home

Not permitted.

Focus on providing pastoral care as part of the permitted group of up to 10 people gathering outdoors in a public place.

Please consider how we care for isolated people and encourage them to create a single bubble, access online and phone care and support, and consider if they can receive visitation under the permitted act of “caregiving”. If you are unsure, please seek advice from the hotline on 1800 675 398.

Pastoral visitation in hospital/care facilities

No visitors are permitted into health care settings, except for end-of-life reasons, as a support partner for birth, or a parent to accompany a child.

No visitors are permitted into aged care or other residential facility settings, except for end-of-life reasons.

Non-essential contractors are restricted from entry.

Please seek case by case advice directly from the facility.

Essential Support Groups and Support Services

Essential public support services include food banks, AA, or help for people experiencing homelessness are permitted.

Food and drink facilities

e.g. café

Some churches and agencies also have a café or other food and beverage facilities on-site.

These can open with the following restrictions:

• Open for dine-in service with a density quotient of 1 person per 4 sqm and a maximum of 50 people per venue (the limit on customers for seated, dine-in service is in place to ensure everyone can keep 1.5 metres distance.
• There is a maximum on group bookings of 10 people
• Regional businesses are required to check identification of their customers to ensure they live in regional Victoria. A permitted visitor from metropolitan Melbourne is not allowed to dine in unless they are a permitted worker.
• Check in upon entry using the using the free Victorian Government QR Code Service, even if your visit is less than 15 minutes.

Face Masks

Face coverings must be carried at all times, must be worn indoors except if at home or if an exception applies, and must be worn outdoors where 1.5 metres physical distancing cannot be maintained.

Record Keeping

Check in upon entry using the using the free Victorian Government QR Code Service, even if your visit is less than 15 minutes.

Venues are responsible for ensuring workers and visitors always check-in and that electronic records are up to date.

CURRENT FOR VICTORIA AS OF 6PM ON THURSDAY 27 MAY 2021

Religious Gatherings

No in-person gatherings permitted (indoors and outdoors).

Broadcast permitted - maximum of 5 people (this is considered authorised work and the 5km radius limit does not apply)

Weddings 

Weddings (indoor and outdoor): Not permitted unless end of life or for deportation reasons. 

Limit of 5 persons (including the 2 persons being married, celebrant, 2 witnesses).

Funerals 

Funerals (indoor and outdoor): Permitted with no more than 10 people (and those necessary to conduct the funeral). 

Children under 12 months old are not counted towards this cap.

Workers

If you can work from home, you must work from home.

Only authorised businesses can open under circuit breaker restrictions. If their employees are unable to work from home they can leave home to attend work. 

The 5km radius does not apply to work (based on previous lockdown restrictions).  There has also been no mention of requiring work permits.

See the full Authorised Providers and Authorised Workers List from page 3 of the 7 Day Circuit Breaker Restrictions PDF.

Note: Churches/church workers aren’t authorised workers except in the following capacity:

- marriage celebrant

- conducting funeral

- faith leaders broadcasting services and ceremonies at places of worship

- organisations that provide urgent services necessary for the health and safety of any person, animal, or premises (e.g. foodbanks) 

- care services for people with particular needs because of homelessness, family violence, age, infirmity, disability, illness or a chronic health condition or other essential support services, (e.g. agencies carrying out essential relief activities)

Pastoral visitation in private home

Not permitted (based on previous lockdown restrictions).

Please consider how we care for isolated people and encourage them to create a single bubble, access online and phone care and support, and consider if they can receive visitation under the permitted act of “caregiving”. If you are unsure, please seek advice from the hotline on 1800 675 398.

Pastoral visitation in hospital/care facilities

No visitors are permitted into health care settings, except for end-of-life reasons, as a support partner for birth, or a parent to accompany a child.

No visitors are permitted into aged care or other residential facility settings, except for end-of-life reasons.

Non-essential contractors are restricted from entry.

Please seek case by case advice directly from the facility.

Essential Support Groups and Support Services

Essential public support services include food banks, AA, or help for people experiencing homelessness are permitted.

• You must wear a face mask unless you have a lawful reason not to. 
• Density quotient rules do not apply. 

Food and drink facilities

e.g. café

Some churches and agencies also have a café or other food and beverage facilities on-site.

These can open but only to the extent that:

- it provides takeaway meals or drinks or a meal delivery service; or

- it provides food, drink, accommodation, or other essential services to those seeking shelter (for example, for reasons of homelessness or family violence)

Face Masks

Face masks must be worn indoors and outdoors except if at home unless you have a lawful reason not to. 

The face mask requirement applies everyone aged 12 years and older.

CURRENT FOR GREATER MELBOURNE AS OF 6PM ON TUESDAY 25 MAY 2021

Religious Gatherings

All activities allowed – no restrictions on the type or purpose of the activity. 

• All places of worship of all denominations are able to open. 
• Religious gatherings can be held indoors or outdoors. Venues must apply the two square metre rule.
• From 28 May 2021 all places of worship and ceremonies and religious gatherings must use the free Victorian Government QR Code Service for contact tracing.
• While attending a religious gathering there are steps you need to take to keep yourself and others safe including not sharing food, drink or other items. 
• A venue can have indoor or outdoor religious gatherings at the same time. Ceremonial participants other than faith leaders are included in the two square metre rule.
• You must wear a face mask when indoors, unless you have a lawful reason not to. 
• It is recommended to wear a face mask outdoors when you cannot maintain 1.5 metres distance from other people. 
• Places of worship can open to conduct weddings and funerals.
• Places of worship are open for private worship, for example individual prayer.
• Outdoor religious gatherings must be held in an outdoor space that is near to the place of worship hosting the service. This means:  
  - a service could be held on the grounds of a place of worship or in the car park.
  - a public outdoor space, like a park, close to the place of worship. You may need a permit from your local municipal council. 

Weddings 

(including receptions)

• You must wear a face mask when indoors, unless you have a lawful reason not to. 
• The limit on the number of people who can attend a wedding is now determined by the size of the venue. The venue must apply the two square metre rule. The square metre rule includes the couple, the celebrant, but not the photographer or other workers such as catering staff.
• A wedding held in a private residence will be limited to the members of the household and up to 5 visitors. 
• From 28 May 2021 all places of worship and ceremonies and religious gatherings must use the Victorian Government QR Code Service for contact tracing.
• Dancing is allowed at a wedding, with no dance floor caps but the two square metre rule applies depending on the venue type. 
• You can have speeches, singing and chanting at a wedding.

Funerals 

(including wakes)

• You must wear a face mask when indoors, unless you have a lawful reason not to. 
• The limit on the number of people who can attend a funeral is now determined by the size of the venue. 
• The venue you hold a funeral in must apply the two square metre rule. The square metre rule doesn’t include the people required to conduct the funeral.
• A funeral held in a private residence will be limited to the members of the household and up to 5 visitors. 
• From 28 May 2021 all places of worship and ceremonies and religious gatherings must use the Victorian Government QR Code Service for contact tracing.
• You can have speeches, singing and chanting at a funeral.

Workers

• You must wear a face mask when indoors, unless you have a lawful reason not to. 
• Workers in the private and public sectors can return to work at 100% capacity.
• A density limit of one person per 2sqm only applies in spaces that are accessible to the general public, including lobbies and reception areas. It does not apply in any office area that is not accessible by members of the public, including private offices, open plan offices, internal meeting rooms and shared spaces such as kitchens, lunchrooms and bathrooms.
• From 28 May 2021 all places of worship and ceremonies and religious gatherings must use the Victorian Government QR Code Service for contact tracing.
• All workplaces with on-site workers require a COVIDSafe Plan. 

Pastoral visitation and church events in private home

Pastoral Visitation at a private residence and Religious gatherings and prayer groups held at a private residence are subject to the private gathering limit. This means the household itself plus up to 5 visitors per day (excluding any babies under 12 months old, and intimate partners of the household members).

You must wear a face mask when indoors, unless you have a lawful reason not to. 

Pastoral visitation in hospital/care facilities

Hospitals and Care Facilities: The number of visits, the length of the visit and the purpose of the visit are limited by the visiting rules set by the facility itself. Rules may vary between locations to reflect different risks. Please seek case by case advice directly from the facility.

Outdoor Social Gatherings 

Outdoor social gatherings: Groups of up to 30 people can meet in a public outdoor space from any number of households. Children  under 12 months of age are not included in this limit. Remember to keep at least 1.5 metres distance between you and anyone you don’t live with.  It is strongly recommended that you wear a face mask where you can’t maintain 1.5 metres distance from others. You must carry a face mask with you when you leave home, unless you have a lawful reason not to.

Essential Support Groups and Support Services

Essential public support services include food banks, AA, or help for people experiencing homelessness.

• You must wear a face mask when indoors, unless you have a lawful reason not to. 
• Density quotient rules do not apply. 
• Keep a distance of at least 1.5 metres between yourself and others.

Singing

Singing or chanting can occur as part of a religious ceremony, wedding or funeral. Group singing is safest when the following measures are applied:

• singing outside or in a well-ventilated room (with windows open)
• physical distancing of at least 2 metres between each person while singing
• short performances (of less than an hour)
• you must wear a mask when singing indoors
• singing softly

These measures are recommended to help slow the spread of COVID-19. Fans, free standing or ceiling, are not recommended for use in enclosed indoor spaces for singing. Performers should be 5 metres from the audience where practical.

Record Keeping and

Electronic record-keeping requirements

Record keeping and contact tracing is an important part of our response to COVId-19. Faith organisations must keep a record of all attendees and visitors who attend the workplace or place of worship for longer than 15 minutes, including name, contact number, date and time of visit and areas of the workplace or place of worship visited. These records must be kept for at least 28 days.

All places of worship venues must use the Victorian Government QR Code Service from 28 May 2021.

Venues currently using an Application Programming Interface (API) linked digital record keeping system must now switch over to the Victorian Government QR Service. For instructions on how to switch, please register to use the Victorian Government QR code service.

An organisation must make reasonable efforts to ensure that people can use the QR code, even in cases where a person cannot access the system on their own device, for example they have no mobile phone, there is a poor signal, or they have a low battery. Support these people by making a terminal available for them to sign in, or have staff assisting the person to sign in, or using pen and paper if electronic record-keeping is temporarily unavailable.

COVIDSafe Plans

Every Affiliate must have a current COVIDSafe Plan. Affiliates that hire space in another organisation’s facility must adhere to the COVIDSafe Plan for both the host facility and their own events.  You can access COVIDSafe Plan information in other languages here.

Baptisms

There are no longer any restrictions on the type/purpose of events a Church can run.  See Religious Gatherings section above for venue limits. CCVT recommend baptism be conducted by a member of the same household where possible, as keeping 1.5m distance is not required for members of the same household. It is recommended that you do not baptise multiple people in same enclosed water e.g. baptismal bath, if possible. 

Masks are useless and dangerous when wet – do not baptise while face is covered – remove beforehand and replace with new mask immediately after.

Hall Hire

Every hirer must adhere to density quotient and COVIDSafe Plan requirements.  Make sure the hirer and the landlord have up to date COVID Safe Plans that are consistent with each other and up to date with current restrictions.

Food and drink facilities

e.g. church café

Some churches and agencies also have a café or other food and beverage facilities on-site.  In relation to these spaces:

• Where the total area of all indoor spaces and outdoor spaces accessible to members of the public (but excluding all communal or shared space) at the facility is less than 50 square metres, the number of members of the public permitted in the facility at any one time is limited to (with any infant under one year of age not counting in this limit) 25.
• Where the total area of all indoor spaces and outdoor spaces accessible to members of the public (but excluding all communal or shared space) at the facility is 50 square metres or more, the number of members of the public permitted in each indoor space or outdoor space at any one time is limited to (with any infant under one year of age not counting in this limit), the number calculated by dividing the total area of the indoor space or outdoor space accessible to members of the public (but excluding all communal or shared space) (measured in square metres) by 2.

Food & Beverage

Food and drink can be served during or after a religious gathering – you just cannot share the food, drink, crockery, utensils, vessels or other equipment. 

It is recommended that single use items are used to serve food or drink, and that one person serves or distributes food or drinks e.g. one person makes the tea and coffees rather than everyone sharing the milk jug and urn.  

Communion

Communion can be served as part of a religious gathering. No food, drink, crockery, utensils, vessels or other equipment is permitted to be shared by participants (but everyone can have their own). Minimise contact by having only designated people serve and collect back communion cups (no handing them all to the end of the row) or provide bins for collection of used cups. 

Physical distancing

Physical distancing: 

Faith organisations should implement physical distancing measures to create a COVIDSafe workplace or place of worship . This means keeping a minimum distance of at least 1.5 metres between attendees and visitors. Faith leaders should frequently remind participants to avoid physical contact.

Density quotients:

Density quotients apply to the number of people who can be in a venue or facility at the same time. Where a faith organisation has publicly accessible space(s), the faith organisation must display a sign at each public entrance to each space that specifies the maximum number of members of the public that may be present in the space at a single time.  The upcoming changes to density quotients that would have allowed up to 200 people have been put on hold.

Implement virtual forms of worship:

Where possible, services, prayers and other forms of worship may be held virtually or in outdoor areas that allow for appropriate physical distancing between participants. Ceremonies and services can still be recorded or broadcast live from the place of worship for viewing online.

Minimise contact:

Remove excess chairs from communal areas to encourage all people participating in religious gatherings, ceremonies and activities to stay a minimum 1.5 metres from one another. Participants should avoid sharing items such as prayer mats and service books. 

Greetings and goodbyes:

Replace handshakes and hugs with friendly words, a bow or other sign language to minimise contact and maintain at least 1.5 metres physical distance.

Avoid carpooling:

Faith leaders and participants should avoid carpooling where possible.

Minimise gathering proximity:

Use physical barriers or floor markings to provide minimum physical distancing guides and direct one-way flow where possible. Minimise the congregation of people in outdoor spaces where people are participating in religious gatherings, ceremonies and activities. Where possible, stagger arrival times to minimise queues or crowds and ensure physical distancing at hand sanitiser stations. For carparks, consider directing people to park in every other spot. It is recommended that attendees avoid gathering before or after services.

(Source link)

Face Masks

Face masks must be worn indoors unless you have a lawful reason not to. The face mask requirement applies everyone aged 12 years and older.

You must always carry a face mask with you at all times when you leave the home.

It is recommended that you wear a face mask when at a private gathering or when you cannot maintain 1.5 metres distance from other people (such as at outdoor markets, outdoor concerts, street markets, at a busy bus stop or train station platform).

Please ensure your Church/Agency COVIDSafe plan has been updated to reflect changes to the requirements for wearing of masks. 

COVID Marshals

It is not mandatory for churches or agencies to have COVID Marshals, but in practice it can be very helpful for both your organisation and those attending to have people guiding safe practice and overseeing compliance.  You can find out more information about marshals here.

CURRENT AS OF 11:59PM ON FRIDAY 9 APRIL 2021

Religious Gatherings

All activities allowed – no restrictions on the type or purpose of the activity. 

All places of worship of all denominations are able to open. 

• Religious gatherings can be held indoors or outdoors. Venues must apply the two square metre rule.
• All venues must use electronic record keeping through the free Victorian Government QR Service or Victorian Government Application Programming Interface (API) linked digital record keeping system from March 26 (a 28-day compliance amnesty will be in place to 23 April 2021):
• While attending a religious gathering there are steps you need to take to keep yourself and others safe including not sharing food, drink or other items. 
• A venue can have indoor or outdoor religious gatherings at the same time. Ceremonial participants other than faith leaders are included in the two square metre rule.
• You must carry a face mask with you at all times when you leave home, unless you have a lawful reason not to. 
• It is recommended to wear a face mask when you cannot maintain 1.5 metres distance from other people. 
• Places of worship can open to conduct weddings and funerals.
• Places of worship are open for private worship, for example individual prayer.

Outdoor religious gatherings must be held in an outdoor space that is near to the place of worship hosting the service. This means:  

• a service could be held on the grounds of a place of worship or in the car park.  
• a public outdoor space, like a park, close to the place of worship. You may need a permit from your local municipal council. 

Note: While attending a religious gathering there are steps you need to take to keep yourself and others safe including not sharing food, drink, crockery, or other utensils.  See the Food and Beverage section below for more information. 

Weddings 

(including receptions)

The limit on the number of people who can attend a wedding is now determined by the size of the venue. 

The venue you hold a funeral in must apply the two square metre rule. The square metre rule includes the couple, the celebrant, but not the photographer or other workers such as catering staff.

A wedding held in a private residence will be limited to the members of the household and up to 100 visitors. The people required to conduct the ceremony are not included in this limit, as they are attending for the purposes of work. For weddings this is just the celebrant and the photographer.

All venues must use electronic record keeping through the Service Victoria app or a government API-linked digital system (venues will have a 28-day compliance amnesty, until 23 April 2021).

Dancing is allowed at a wedding, with no dance floor caps but the two square metre rule applies depending on the venue type. 

You can have speeches, singing and chanting at a wedding.

Funerals 

(including wakes)

The limit on the number of people who can attend a funeral is now determined by the size of the venue. 

The venue you hold a funeral in must apply the two square metre rule. The square metre rule doesn’t include the people required to conduct the funeral.

A funeral held in a private residence will be limited to the members of the household and up to 100 visitors. The people required to conduct the ceremony are not included in this limit as they are attending for the purposes of work.

You can have speeches, singing and chanting at a funeral.

You must carry a face mask with you at all times when you leave home, unless you have a lawful reason not to. 

You should not attend a funeral if you are feeling unwell.

All venues must use electronic record keeping through the free Victorian Government QR Code Service or Victorian Government Application Programming Interface (API) linked digital system (venues will have a 28-day compliance amnesty in place to April 23).

Workers

On-site office work is no longer capped. Workers in the private and public sectors can return to work at 100% capacity.

A density limit of one person per 2sqm only applies in spaces that are accessible to the general public, including lobbies and reception areas. It does not apply in any office area that is not accessible by members of the public, including private offices, open plan offices, internal meeting rooms and shared spaces such as kitchens, lunchrooms and bathrooms.

All workplaces with on-site workers require a COVIDSafe Plan. 

Pastoral visitation and church events in private home

Pastoral Visitation at a private residence and Religious gatherings and prayer groups held at a private residence are subject to the private gathering limit. This means the household itself plus up to 100 visitors per day (excluding any babies under 12 months old, and intimate partners of the household members).

Pastoral visitation in hospital/care facilities

Hospitals and Care Facilities: There are no longer specific limits under the Victorian Chief Health Officer’s directions for visitors to hospitals and Care Facilities. This means that the number of visits, the length of the visit and the purpose of the visit are limited by the visiting rules set by the facility itself. Rules may vary between locations to reflect different risks. Please seek case by case advice directly from the facility.

Outdoor Social Gatherings 

Outdoor social gatherings: Groups of up to 200 people can meet in a public outdoor space from any number of households. Children  under 12 months of age are not included in this limit. Remember to keep at least 1.5 metres distance between you and anyone you don’t live with.  It is strongly recommended that you wear a face mask where you can’t maintain 1.5 metres distance from others. You must carry a face mask with you when you leave home, unless you have a lawful reason not to.

Essential Support Groups and Support Services

Essential public support services include food banks, AA, or help for people experiencing homelessness.

Density quotient rules do not apply. 

Keep a distance of at least 1.5 metres between yourself and others.

Singing

Singing or chanting can occur as part of a religious ceremony, wedding or funeral. Group singing is safest when the following measures are applied:

• singing outside or in a well-ventilated room (with windows open)
• physical distancing of at least 2 metres between each person while singing
• short performances (of less than an hour)
• wearing a mask when singing indoors
• singing softly

These measures are recommended to help slow the spread of COVID-19. Fans, free standing or ceiling, are not recommended for use in enclosed indoor spaces for singing. Performers should be 5 metres from the audience where practical.

Record Keeping and

Electronic record-keeping requirements

Record keeping and contact tracing is an important part of our response to COVId-19. Faith organisations must keep a record of all attendees and visitors who attend the workplace or place of worship for longer than 15 minutes, including first name, contact number, date and time of visit and areas of the workplace or place of worship visited. These records must be kept for at least 28 days.

All venues must use electronic record keeping through the free Victorian Government QR Code Service or Victorian Government Application Programming Interface (API) linked digital system (venues will have a 28-day compliance amnesty in place to 23 April 2021).

This may replace you current or previous manual record keeping system.

An organisation must make reasonable efforts to ensure that people can use a compliant record keeping system even in cases where a person cannot access the system on their own device, for example, if they do not have a mobile phone. Support these people by making a terminal available for them to sign in, or staff assisting the person to sign in.  

COVIDSafe Plans

Every Affiliate must have a current COVIDSafe Plan. Affiliates that hire space in another organisation’s facility must adhere to the COVIDSafe Plan for both the host facility and their own events.  You can access COVIDSafe Plan information in other languages here.

Baptisms

There are no longer any restrictions on the type/purpose of events a Church can run.  See Religious Gatherings section above for venue limits. CCVT recommend baptism be conducted by a member of the same household as keeping 1.5m distance is not required for members of the same household. It is recommended that you do not baptise multiple people in same enclosed water e.g. baptismal bath, if possible. Masks are useless and dangerous when wet – do not baptise while face is covered – remove beforehand and replace with new mask immediately after.

Hall Hire

Every hirer must adhere to density quotient and COVIDSafe Plan requirements.  Make sure the hirer and the landlord have up to date COVID Safe Plans that are consistent with each other.

Food and drink facilities

e.g. church café

Some churches and agencies do also have a café or other food and beverage facilities on-site.  In relation to these spaces:

• Where the total area of all indoor spaces and outdoor spaces accessible to members of the public (but excluding all communal or shared space) at the facility is less than 50 square metres, the number of members of the public permitted in the facility at any one time is limited to (with any infant under one year of age not counting in this limit) 25.
• Where the total area of all indoor spaces and outdoor spaces accessible to members of the public (but excluding all communal or shared space) at the facility is 50 square metres or more, the number of members of the public permitted in each indoor space or outdoor space at any one time is limited to (with any infant under one year of age not counting in this limit), the number calculated by dividing the total area of the indoor space or outdoor space accessible to members of the public (but excluding all communal or shared space) (measured in square metres) by 2.

Food & Beverage

Food and drink can be served during or after a religious gathering – you just cannot share the food, drink, crockery, utensils, vessels or other equipment. 

It is recommended that single use items are used to serve food or drink, and that one person serves or distributes food or drinks e.g. one person makes the tea and coffees rather than everyone sharing the milk jug and urn.  

Communion

Communion can be served as part of a religious gathering. No food, drink, crockery, utensils, vessels or other equipment is permitted to be sharedby participants (but everyone can have their own). Minimise contact by having only designated people serve and collect back communion cups (no handing them all to the end of the row) or provide bins for collection of used cups. 

Physical distancing

Physical distancing: 

Faith organisations should implement physical distancing measures to create a COVIDSafe workplace or place of worship . This means keeping a minimum distance of at least 1.5 metres between attendees and visitors. Faith leaders should frequently remind participants to avoid physical contact.

Density quotients:

Density quotients apply to the number of people who can be in a venue or facility at the same time. Where a faith organisation has publicly accessible space(s), the faith organisation must display a sign at each public entrance to each space that specifies the maximum number of members of the public that may be present in the space at a single time.

Implement virtual forms of worship:

Where possible, services, prayers and other forms of worship may be held virtually or in outdoor areas that allow for appropriate physical distancing between participants. Ceremonies and services can still be recorded or broadcast live from the place of worship for viewing online.

Minimise contact:

Remove excess chairs from communal areas to encourage all people participating in religious gatherings, ceremonies and activities to stay a minimum 1.5 metres from one another. Participants should avoid sharing items such as prayer mats and service books. 

Greetings and goodbyes:

Replace handshakes and hugs with friendly words, a bow or other sign language to minimise contact and maintain at least 1.5 metres physical distance.

Avoid carpooling:

Faith leaders and participants should avoid carpooling where possible.

Minimise gathering proximity:

Use physical barriers or floor markings to provide minimum physical distancing guides and direct one-way flow where possible. Minimise the congregation of people in outdoor spaces where people are participating in religious gatherings, ceremonies and activities. Where possible, stagger arrival times to minimise queues or crowds and ensure physical distancing at hand sanitiser stations. For carparks, consider directing people to park in every other spot. It is recommended that attendees avoid gathering before or after services.

(Source link)

https://www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au/covidsafe-religion-and-ceremonies-guidance

Face Masks

You must always carry a face mask with you at all times when you leave the home, unless you have a lawful reason not to.

Face masks must be worn:

• on public transport, in commercial passenger vehicles such as taxis and ride share vehicles, and in tour vehicles
• by visitors to a hospital
• by visitors at a care facility (while indoors)
• on flights to and from Victoria
• at airports
• if you are a diagnosed person, or a close contact of someone diagnosed with COVID-19, when leaving your home or accommodation for a permitted reason, such as to seek medical care or to get tested
• while awaiting the results of a COVID-19 test when leaving your home or accommodation for a permitted reason, such as to seek medical care (except as part of a surveillance or other asymptomatic testing program)
• while experiencing any symptoms of COVID-19.

It is recommended that you wear a face mask when at a private gathering or when you cannot maintain 1.5 metres distance from other people (such as at outdoor markets, outdoor concerts, street markets, at a busy bus stop or train station platform).

Please ensure your Church/Agency COVIDSafe plan has been updated to reflect this change from mandatory to recommended wearing of masks. 

Members Meetings

There are no longer any restrictions on the type/purpose of events a Church can run.  Those Affiliates who have not yet held their 2020 members meetings (AGM etc) should now do so as per their constitution/rules. For more information on changes to ACNC compliance due to COVID-19 please see the ACNC website.

CURRENT AS OF 11:59PM ON FRIDAY 12 FEBRUARY 2021

Religious Gatherings

Places of worship are closed. In-person religious gatherings are not permitted but may be broadcast.

Broadcasting

Faith leaders broadcasting services and ceremonies at places of worship are permitted to attend the church property. The 5km limit does not apply.

Weddings

Weddings are not permitted unless for end-of-life or other exceptional reasons.

Ceremonies must involve only 5 persons (including the 2 persons being married, celebrant, and 2 witnesses).

Funerals

Funerals (indoor and outdoor) must involve no more than 10 people (plus those necessary to conduct the funeral).

Public Gatherings

Public gatherings are not permitted.

Prayer Groups &

Bible Study Groups

Places of worship are closed. In-person religious gatherings are not permitted but may be broadcast. Private gatherings are not permitted.

Workers

If you can work from home, you must work from home.

Some people who work for our Affiliates are able to go to their place of work e.g.:

• faith leaders broadcasting services and ceremonies at places of worship
• administrative services provided by an employer to enable its employees to work from home e.g. payroll and IT services
• organisations that provide urgent services necessary for the health and safety of any person, animal, or premises e.g. foodbanks 

Please check the full Essential Workers and Essential Providers List to confirm if your organisation or workers meet the definition of “essential”.

The 5km limit does not apply to work if you meet the criteria for essential.

Pastoral visitation in private home

Try to conduct pastoral visitation over the phone or go for a stroll with one other person not from your household. 5km limit applies.

If you think your pastoral care may meet essential worker criteria please consult the COVID19 Hotline for confirmation prior.

Pastoral visitation in hospital/care facilities

There will be no capacity to visit private residential aged care or public or private hospitals.

No visitors are permitted into health care settings, except for end-of-life reasons, as a support partner for birth, or a parent to accompany a child.

Essential Support Groups & Support Services

(e.g. AA, food banks etc)

Essential public support services are permitted.

Face Masks

Face masks must now be worn everywhere (unless an exemption applies), except in private homes.

Members Meetings

Cannot be conducted in person.

CURRENT AS OF 11.59PM ON 17 JANUARY 2021

Religious Gatherings

All activities allowed – no restrictions on the type or purpose of the event/activity

Indoors: The limit on the number of people who can attend a religious gathering, service, or ceremony is now determined by the size of the venue.  The venue must apply the 2sqm rule if using electronic record keeping, or the 4sqm rule if manual record keeping is used. The square metre rule doesn’t include babies under 12 months of age.

Outdoors: Places of worship may hold religious ceremonies outdoors. The 2sqm rule must be applied to ensure everyone has enough room to maintain 1.5 metres distance from each other. The square metre rule doesn’t include babies under 12 months of age.

Outdoor religious gatherings must be held in an outdoor space that is near to the place of worship hosting the service. This means: 

- a service could be held on the grounds of a place of worship or in the car park. 

- a public outdoor space, like a park, close to the place of worship. You may need a permit from your local municipal council.

Note: While attending a religious gathering there are steps you need to take to keep yourself and others safe including not sharing food, drink or other items.

Weddings (including receptions)

Weddings can be held indoors and/or outdoors. The limit on the number of people who can attend a wedding is now determined by the size of the venue. The venue must apply the 2sqm rule if using electronic record keeping, or the 4sqm rule if manual record keeping is used.

The square metre rule includes the couple, the celebrant, but not the photographer or other workers such as catering staff.

A wedding held in a private residence will be limited to the members of the household and up to 15 visitors, the people required to conduct the ceremony are not included in this limit, as they are attending for the purposes of work.

Funerals (including wakes)

Funerals can be held indoors and/or outdoors. The limit on the number of people who can attend a funeral is now determined by the size of the venue. The venue must apply the 2sqm rule if using electronic record keeping, or the 4sqm rule if manual record keeping is used.

A funeral held in a private residence will be limited to the members of the household and up to 30 visitors, the people required to conduct the ceremony are not included in this limit as they are attending for the purposes of work.

Prayer Groups & Bible Study Groups

At church (indoor and/or outdoors): The limit on the number of people who can attend a prayer group or bible study group is now determined by the size of the venue. The venue must apply the 2sqm rule if using electronic record keeping, or the 4sqm rule if manual record keeping is used.

At a private residence: Religious gatherings and prayer groups held at a private residence are subject to the private gathering limit. Currently, you can have up to 15 visitors to your home per day (excluding babies under 12 months old). There is no limit on the number of households those people come from. Front and backyards are considered part of the home. Faith leaders can visit homes to provide religious guidance, to perform rituals or for care and compassionate reasons.

Workers

From 18 January 2021 more office workers will be able to make a partial return to the office. In line with previous announcements, up to 50% of office workers who are not in the public service will be able to return to on-site work as well as up to 25% of public service workers. Offices with fewer than 40 staff can have 20 staff on-site subject to density quotients. Additionally, from Monday 18 January 2021 face masks will no longer be required to be worn in offices.

You must always carry a face mask with you when you leave home unless you have a lawful reason not to.  It is strongly recommended you wear one whenever you cannot keep 1.5 metres distance from others.

Every Affiliate MUST have a COVIDSafe Plan in place. See more info at: www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au/covidsafe-workplaces.

Pastoral visitation in private home

Visitors to private homes: You can travel to see friends and family who live anywhere in Victoria. You can have up to 15 people visit you at home per day. There is no limit on the number of households those people come from. Infants under the age of 12 months are not included in the cap.

It is strongly recommended that you wear a face mask when someone visits you at your home.

Pastoral visitation in hospital/care facilities

Hospitals and Care Facilities: There are no longer specific limits under the Victorian Chief Health Officer’s directions for visitors to hospitals and Care Facilities. This means that the number of visits, the length of the visit and the purpose of the visit are limited by the visiting rules set by the facility itself. Rules may vary between locations to reflect different risks. Please seek case by case advice directly from the facility.

Public Gatherings

Outdoor public gatherings: Up to 100 people can gather outdoors from any number of households, excludes infants under 12 months. Remember to keep at least 1.5 metres distance between you and anyone you don’t live with. 

It is strongly recommended that you wear a face mask where you can’t maintain 1.5 metres distance from others. You must carry a face mask with you when you leave home, unless you have a lawful reason not to.

Visitors to private homes: You can travel to see friends and family who live anywhere in Victoria. You can have up to 15 people visit you at home per day. Infants under the age of 12 months are not included in the cap. It is recommended that you wear a face mask when someone visits you at your home.

Essential Support Groups and Support Services

(e.g. AA, food banks etc)

Places of worship can continue to be open for essential public support services and support groups. Essential public support services include food banks, help for people experiencing homelessness or other essential activities. Density quotient rules do not apply. Keep a distance of at least 1.5 metres between yourself and others.

Singing

Singing or chanting can occur as part of a religious ceremony, wedding or funeral. Group singing is safest when the following measures are applied:

• singing outside or in a well-ventilated room (with windows open)
• physical distancing of at least 2 metres between each person while singing
• short performances (of less than an hour)
• wearing a mask when singing indoors
• singing softly

These measures are recommended to help slow the spread of COVID-19. Fans, free standing or ceiling, are not recommended for use in enclosed indoor spaces for singing. Performers should be 5 metres from the audience where practical.

Record Keeping

Electronic record keeping: Affiliates are strongly encouraged to use QR codes to record the details of anyone who spends more than 15 minutes onsite. QR codes are a barcode that a patron scans using their smart phone camera. The QR code takes the patron to a website where they enter their details. For those who do not have smart phones, staff/volunteers can enter their details using the QR code or contact details can be manually recorded. The Vic Govt QR Code Service is free for all Victorian businesses, organisations, clubs and events. You don’t have the use the Government version – you can use any QR Code system you like. Using an electronic system means you can then have 1 person per 2 square metres as your density quotient instead of 1 per 4sqm.

Manual record keeping: A template Visitor and Patron Contacts Log and accompanying posters/signs are available for organisations using manual processes such as pen and paper. Pens used to record details should be wiped with an alcohol wipe between users. Records must be kept for 28 days before being securely destroyed. If you want to use a pen and paper system for registering attendees, you must use 1 person every 4 square meters as your density quotient.

COVIDSafe Plans

Every Affiliate must have a current COVIDSafe Plan. Affiliates that hire space in another organisation’s facility must adhere to the COVIDSafe Plan for both the host facility and their own events.

Baptisms

There are no longer any restrictions on the type/purpose of events a Church can run.  See Religious Gatherings section above for venue limits. CCVT recommend baptism be conducted by a member of the same household as keeping 1.5m distance is not required for members of the same household. It is recommended that you do not baptise multiple people in same enclosed water e.g. baptismal bath. Masks are useless and dangerous when wet – do not baptise while face is covered – remove beforehand and replace with new mask immediately after.

Hall Hire

Every hirer must adhere to density quotient and COVIDSafe Plan requirements.

Food & Beverage

Food and drink can be served as part of a religious gathering or after a religious gathering. It is recommended that single use items are used to serve food or drink. It is recommended that one person serves or distributes food or drinks. For example, one person uses the urn for hot water for tea. No food, drink, crockery, utensils, vessels or other equipment is permitted to be shared by participants.

Communion

Communion can be served as part of a religious gathering. No food, drink, crockery, utensils, vessels or other equipment is permitted to be shared by participants. Minimise contact by having only designated people serve and collect back communion cups (no handing them all to the end of the row) or provide bins for collection of used cups.

Face Masks

Wearing a face mask is only mandatory on public transport, while in taxis or ride share vehicles, or when going to large retail venues, including shopping centres, supermarkets and department stores. It is strongly recommended that you wear a face mask at a religious gathering when you can’t maintain 1.5 metres distance from other people. Please ensure your COVIDSafe plan has been updated to reflect this change from mandatory to recommended wearing of masks.

Members Meetings

There are no longer any restrictions on the type/purpose of events a Church can run.  Those Affiliates who have not yet held their 2020 members meetings (AGM etc) should now do so as per their constitution/rules. For more information on changes to ACNC compliance due to COVID-19 please see the ACNC website.

COVIDSAFE SUMMER:

CURRENT AS OF 11.59PM ON 6 DECEMBER 2020

Religious Gatherings

e.g. worship service, communion service, or  ceremonies other than weddings and funerals

Religious gatherings can now be held indoors and/or outdoors at the same time.

Indoors: The limit on the number of people who can attend a religious gathering, service, or ceremony is now determined by the size of the venue.  The venue must apply the 2sqm rule if using electronic record keeping, or the 4sqm rule if manual record keeping is used.

Outdoors: Places of worship may hold religious ceremonies outdoors. The 2sqm rule must be applied to ensure everyone has enough room to maintain 1.5 metres distance from each other.

Outdoor religious gatherings must be held in an outdoor space that is near to the place of worship hosting the service. This means: 

- a service could be held on the grounds of a place of worship or in the car park. 

- a public outdoor space, like a park, close to the place of worship. You may need a permit from your local council. You can find your local council using Know Your Council.

Note: While attending a religious gathering there are steps you need to take to keep yourself and others safe including not sharing food, drink or other items. 

The square metre rule doesn’t include babies under 12 months of age.

Broadcast Team

No specific restrictions – the broadcast team are now included in the overall cap.

Weddings (including receptions)

Weddings can be held indoors and/or outdoors.

The limit on the number of people who can attend a wedding is now determined by the size of the venue. The venue must apply the 2sqm rule if using electronic record keeping, or the 4sqm rule if manual record keeping is used.

The square metre rule includes the couple, the celebrant, and photographer, but not other workers such as catering staff.

A wedding held in a private residence will be limited to the members of the household and up to 30 visitors, the people required to conduct the ceremony are not included in this limit, as they are attending for the purposes of work.

Funerals (including wakes)

Funerals can be held indoors and/or outdoors.

The limit on the number of people who can attend a funeral is now determined by the size of the venue. The venue must apply the 2sqm rule if using electronic record keeping, or the 4sqm rule if manual record keeping is used.

The square metre rule doesn’t include the people required to conduct the funeral if it is taking place in a private residence, otherwise they are included in the density limit.

A funeral held in a private residence will be limited to the members of the household and up to 30 visitors, the people required to conduct the ceremony are not included in this limit as they are attending for the purposes of work.

Prayer Groups & Bible Study Groups

At church (indoor and/or outdoors):

The limit on the number of people who can attend a prayer group or bible study group is now determined by the size of the venue. The venue must apply the 2sqm ruleif using electronic record keeping, or the 4sqm rule if manual record keeping is used.

At a private residence:

Faith leaders can visit homes to provide religious guidance, to perform rituals or for care and compassionate reasons. Religious gatherings and prayer groups held at a private residence are subject to the private gathering limit. This means the household itself plus up to 30 visitors per day (excluding any babies under 12 months old).

Workers

Offices and professional services can open with COVIDSafe requirements: up to 25 per cent of workforce. Offices will be able to increase to 50 per cent from 11 January 2021 or – for workplaces with fewer than 40 staff, up to 20 staff onsite – subject to public health advice.

Every Affiliate MUST have a COVIDSafe Plan in place.

People leading religious gatherings, activities or ceremonies and volunteers should not work across multiple places of worship, where possible. A system to manage this must be implemented (e.g. a roster).

See more info at: www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au/covidsafe-workplaces.

Pastoral visitation in private home

Visitors to private homes: You can travel to see friends and family who live anywhere in Victoria. You can have up to 30 people visit you at home per day. Infants under the age of 12 months are not included in the cap. It is recommended that you wear a face mask when someone visits you at your home.

Pastoral visitation in care facilities

Hospitals and Care Facilities: No restrictions on purpose, number or time limits of visits. Symptomatic individuals (e.g. sore throat), close contacts and returned international travellers excluded from visiting. Please note that visitors may be limited by rules of the facility so please seek case by case advice directly from the facility.

Public Gatherings

Outdoor public gatherings: Up to 100 people can gather outdoors from any number of households, excludes infants under 12 months. Remember to keep at least 1.5 metres distance between you and anyone you don’t live with. 

It is strongly recommended that you wear a face mask where you can’t maintain 1.5 metres distance from others. Face masks are no longer mandatory except on public transport, when using taxis or ride shares, and when indoors in shopping centres and in some retail settings. You must carry a face mask with you when you leave home, unless you have a lawful reason not to.

Visitors to private homes: You can travel to see friends and family who live anywhere in Victoria. You can have up to 30 people visit you at home per day. Infants under the age of 12 months are not included in the cap. It is recommended that you wear a face mask when someone visits you at your home.

Indoor Essential Support Groups and Support Services

(e.g. AA, food banks etc)

Places of worship can continue to be open for essential public support services and support groups. Essential public support services include food banks, help for people experiencing homelessness or other essential activities. Keep a distance of at least 1.5 metres between yourself and others.

Playgroups

Religious playgroup at church: As per Religious Gatherings section above.

Op Shops

Retail is open. Density limits and COVIDSafe Plan apply.

Childcare

Childcare and kinder are open. Must have a COVIDSafe Plan.

Property Maintenance

General repairs and maintenance can be undertaken by commercial service providers and by volunteers. Must have a COVIDSafe Plan.

Singing

Singing is permitted. Group singing is safest when the following measures are applied:

• singing outside or in a well-ventilated room (with windows open)
• physical distancing of at least 2 metres between each person while singing
• short performances (of less than an hour)
• wearing a mask when singing indoors
• singing softly

These measures are recommended to help slow the spread of COVID-19.

Fans, free standing or ceiling, are not recommended for use in enclosed indoor spaces for singing.

Performers should be 5 meters from the audience where practical.

Record Keeping

Electronic record keeping:

You may apply the 2sqm rule if using electronic record keeping to record the details of anyone who spends more than 15 minutes onsite.

Businesses are strongly encouraged to use QR codes to support contact tracing. For more information on this free service see Victorian Government QR Code Service.

Manual record keeping:

The 4sqm rule applies for manual means of record keeping.

A Visitor and patron contacts log - Coronavirus (COVID-19) contact tracing register is available for businesses using manual processes such as pen and paper.

Pens used to record details should be wiped with an alcohol wipe between users.

Records must be kept for 28 days before being securely destroyed.

COVIDSafe Plan

Every Affiliate that is open must have a COVIDSafe Plan. Please update to account for the larger groups that are now permitted.

Baptisms

See Religious Gatherings section above for venue limits.

Recommend baptism by a member of the same household as keeping 1.5m distance is not required for members of the same household.

Do not baptise multiple people in same enclosed water e.g. bath, spa, or pool.

Masks are useless and dangerous when wet – do not baptise while face is covered – remove beforehand and replace with new mask immediately after.

Hall Hire

Only allowed if hiring out for permitted activities. Err on the side of one group or activity onsite at the facility at a time.

Every hirer must have a COVIDSafe Plan. Every hirer must adhere to density quotient or industry restrictions, whichever is lower.

(Source: Business Victoria hotline)

Morning Tea / Catering / Sausage Sizzles

Food or drink can be served as part of a religious gathering or after a religious gathering. 

No food, drink, crockery, utensils, vessels or other equipment is permitted to be shared by participants therefore, it is recommended that single use items are used to serve food or drink.

Consider asking attendees to BYO or provide contactless serving if food is required.

It is recommended that one person serves or distributes food or drinks e.g. one person uses the urn for hot water for tea.

Communion

Communion can be served as part of a religious gathering.

No food, drink, crockery, utensils, vessels or other equipment is permitted to be shared by participants, minimise contact by having only designated people serve and collect back communion cups (no handing them all to the end of the row) or provide bins for collection of used cups.

Face Masks

You must carry a face mask with you at all times when you leave home, unless you have a lawful reason not to. This is in case you require your face mask, for example, if you aren’t able to keep 1.5 metres distance from other people.

Wearing a face mask is only mandatory on public transport, while in taxis or ride share vehicles, or when going to large retail venues, including shopping centres, supermarkets and department stores.

It is strongly recommended that you wear a face mask at a religious gathering when you can’t maintain 1.5 metres distance from other people.

Please ensure your COVIDSafe plan has been updated to reflect this change from mandatory to recommended wearing of masks.

Christmas Carols in public spaces (e.g. local parks)

Christmas Carol services run as a public event in public parks or spaces may be subject to the new Public Event Framework.  Please check if you need to register your event. 

AGM/SGM

A business meeting such as an AGM or SGM is still not an allowed reason for an in-person gathering for a Place of Worship. 

It is recommended that these meetings be held online if possible.  It is okay to defer.

If your constitution requires you to meet in-person (e.g. for voting), you may consider setting a tentative date for a future meeting (even if it has to be further postponed) or circulating financials, reports, and other communications to at least keep the members up to date with governance matters as an interim measure.

For more information please see Consumer Affairs Victoria and ACNC websites.

(Source: Business Victoria hotline and CCVT advice)

LAST STEP:

CURRENT AS OF 11.59PM ON 

22 NOVEMBER 2020 UNLESS OTHERWISE STATED

COVID NORMAL:

DATE TO BE ADVISED

SUBJECT TO TRIGGER POINTS

Religious Gatherings

e.g. worship service, communion service, or  ceremonies other than weddings and funerals

Indoors: Cap of 150 with a density quotient of 1 per 4sqm.

Outdoors: Cap of 300 with a density quotient of 1 per 4sqm.

Note: Only one onsite gathering or ceremony can be conducted at a particular time either indoors or outdoors.

Note: Small separated group limits within the overall cap no longer apply)

(Source: Restricted Activity Directions and vic.gov.au)

No restrictions but organisers required to keep records of attendees.

Broadcast Team

No specific restrictions – the broadcast team are now included in the overall cap.

No restrictions.

Weddings (including receptions)

At church (indoors or outdoors): Cap of 150 people with density quotient of 1 per 4sqm indoors or outdoors. Persons necessary to conduct the wedding (such as celebrant or wait staff) excluded from this limit.

At a private residence: As per private gathering limits. Persons necessary to conduct the wedding (such as celebrant or wait staff) excluded from this limit.

No restrictions but organisers required to keep records of attendees.

Funerals (including wakes)

At church: Cap of 150 mourners with density quotient of 1 per 4sqm indoors or outdoors. Persons necessary to conduct the funeral (such as a faith leader) excluded from this limit.

At a private residence: As per private gathering limits. Persons necessary to conduct the funeral (such as a faith leader) excluded from this limit.

(Source: Restricted Activity Directions and vic.gov.au)

No restrictions but organisers required to keep records of attendees.

Prayer Groups & Bible Study Groups

Indoors at church: Cap of 150 with a density quotient of 1 per 4sqm.

Outdoors at church: Cap of 300 with a density quotient of 1 per 4sqm.

At a private residence: Religious gatherings and prayer groups held at a private residence are subject to the private gathering limit. This means the household itself plus up to 15 visitors per day (excluding any infants under 12 months old).

- face masks recommended when physical distancing cannot be maintained. 

- keeping a record of visitors is advised.

(Source: Restricted Activity Directions and vic.gov.au)

No restrictions but organisers required to keep records of attendees.

Workers

From 30 November, up to 25% of workers will be able to attend onsite.  Please update your COVID Safe Plan to account for who and how you will phase workers back in.

Standard workplace requirements including density limits continue to apply

Businesses with fewer than 40 staff can have 10 staff on-site subject to density quotients.

People leading religious gatherings, activities or ceremonies and volunteers should not work across multiple places of worship, where possible. A system to manage this must be implemented (e.g. a roster).

(Source: Restricted Activity Directions, Industry Restart Guidelines, and vic.gov.au)

Phased return to onsite work for those who have been working from home.

Pastoral visitation in private home

Up to 15 visitors, including dependants, per day can visit a household, either together or separately. Infants under 12 months are excluded from the visitor caps. 

- face masks recommended when physical distancing cannot be maintained. 

- keeping a record of visitors is advised.

(Source: Restricted Activity Directions and vic.gov.au)

No restrictions but organisers required to keep records of attendees.

Pastoral visitation in care facilities

Hospitals and Care Facilities: There are now no restrictions on purpose, number or time limits for visitors, but please note that visitors may be limited by rules of the facility so please seek case by case advice directly from the facility.

Seek case by case advice from facility.

Public Gatherings

Outdoor public gatherings: Up to 50 people can gather outdoors from any number of households, excludes infants under 12 months. 

Visitors to private homes: You can travel to see friends and family who live anywhere in Victoria. You can have up to 15 people visit you at home per day. Infants under the age of 12 months are not included in the cap. It is recommended that you wear a face mask when someone visits you at your home.

No restrictions but organisers encouraged to keep records of attendees.

Indoor Essential Support Groups 

(e.g. AA)

Permitted. Must maintain density requirements of 1 person per 4sqm. Face masks must be worn when indoors, unless you have a lawful exemption. Keep a distance of at least 1.5 metres between yourself and others. Face masks must be worn when outdoors when you cannot maintain 1.5 metres distance from others (unless they are people you live with).

No restrictions but organisers encouraged to keep records of attendees (subject to privacy).

Indoor Essential Support Services 

(e.g. food bank)

Permitted. Must maintain density requirements of 1 person per 4sqm. Face masks must be worn when indoors, unless you have a lawful exemption. Keep a distance of at least 1.5 metres between yourself and others. Face masks must be worn when outdoors when you cannot maintain 1.5 metres distance from others (unless they are people you live with).

No restrictions but organisers encouraged to keep records of attendees.

Playgroups

Religious playgroup indoors at church: As per Religious Gatherings section above.

Secular playgroup: In-person playgroups in Victoria can operate. They can be held indoors or outdoors. Up to 20 participants can attend indoors and 50 participants can attend outdoors. Children and their parent or carer are each considered one person towards the 20 person cap. Babies under 12 months of age are not included in the cap.

No restrictions but organisers encouraged to keep records of attendees.

Op Shops

Retail is open. Density limits and COVIDSafe Plan apply. 

No restrictions.

Childcare

Childcare and kinder are open. Must have a COVIDSafe Plan.

No restrictions.

Property Maintenance

General repairs and maintenance can be undertaken by commercial service providers and by volunteers. Must have a COVIDSafe Plan.

No restrictions.

Singing

Singing is permitted, but it is important to do it safely as singing has been shown to spread the virus in religious settings. 

Indoors: 

Small choirs or singers should only perform in well ventilated indoor settings, such as with windows open. 

Fans are not recommended for enclosed indoor spaces for singing. 

If there is singing indoors or the use of woodwind or brass instruments, there can only be a maximum of five people, at least 5 meters from audience and spaced 2 meters from each other.

Congregation members can also sing but must wear face masks unless exempt.

Outdoors:

Singing may occur in outside gatherings – this is the recommended option as it is much safer because it is outdoors. 

(Source: Industry Restart Guidelines and vic.gov.au)

To be advised.

Record Keeping

You must keep records of attendees at weddings, funerals, and ceremonies.

Keep records of faith leaders, volunteers and people attending a gathering or ceremony for contact tracing, where a person attends a place of religion or worship for longer than 15 minutes. 

This needs to be done in a way that preserves individual confidentiality (such as electronically). 

Records can be kept electronically or in hard copy. 

Pens used to record details should be wiped with an alcohol wipe between users.

Records must be kept for 28 days before being securely destroyed. 

Signs, poster, and templates

(Source: Industry Restart Guidelines and vic.gov.au)

Required.

COVIDSafe Plan

Every Affiliate that is open must have a COVIDSafe Plan. Please update to account for the larger groups that are now permitted.

Required.

Baptisms

See Religious Gatherings section above but note that a Baptism is not specified under the definition so err on the side of not baptising indoors. Adhere to restrictions relative to the location.

Recommend baptism by a member of the same household as 1.5m distance does not apply.

Do not baptise multiple people in same enclosed water e.g. bath, spa, or pool. 

Masks are useless and dangerous when wet (hello waterboarding!) – do not baptise while face is covered – remove beforehand and replace with new mask immediately after.

(Source: Business Victoria hotline and CCVT advice)

No restrictions but organisers required to keep records of attendees.

Hall Hire

Only allowed if hiring out for permitted activities. Err on the side of one group or activity onsite at the facility at a time. Every hirer must have a COVIDSafe Plan. Every hirer must adhere to density quotient or industry restrictions, whichever is lower.

(Source: Business Victoria hotline)

No restrictions but organisers required to keep records of attendees.

Morning Tea / Catering

No food, drink, crockery, utensils, vessels or other equipment is permitted to be shared by participants.

Ask attendees to BYO or provide contactless serving if food is required.

(Source: Restricted Activity Directions and CCVT advice)

To be advised

Communion

No food, drink, crockery, utensils, vessels or other equipment is permitted to be shared by participants.

Consider asking people to BYO communion elements, use pre-filled cups, or use double cupping. 

Minimise contact by having people pick up communion as they arrive or putting it at chairs beforehand, so it doesn’t have to be handed out.  Provide bins for collection of used cups. 

(Source: Restricted Activity Directions and CCVT advice)

To be advised

Face Masks

You must carry a mask with you when you leave home.

Face masks are no longer required when you are outdoors and where it is possible to stay more than 1.5 metres away from people.

Face masks remain mandatory when indoors – for example, in shopping centres, at a hospital, at an indoor church services etc) or when you cannot social distance outside.  

People attending religious gatherings or ceremonies must wear a face mask unless they have a lawful exemption. 

People who are leading services or events in a place of worship, and those who assist them (for instance by reading, or leading prayer) do not need to wear a face mask, when doing that particular activity, but must wear face mask at all other times.

Only one person may have their mask off at any time (the person leading that part of the service.) Faith leaders must wear masks when in proximity to participants, such as for distribution of consumables.

Participants may take their mask off briefly for consumables, when at least 1.5 metres from another person.

(Source: Industry Restart Guidelines and vic.gov.au)

To be advised

Sausage Sizzles

Not currently allowed for Places of Worship. Change to restrictions anticipated 6th Dec subject to trigger points.

(Source: Business Victoria hotline and CCVT advice)

To be advised

Christmas Carols in public spaces 

(e.g. local parks)

Christmas Carol services to be held in public parks are subject to the new Public Event Framework.  You will need to register your event.

(Source: Business Victoria hotline and CCVT advice)

To be advised

AGM/SGM

A business meeting such as an AGM or SGM is still not an allowed reason for an in-person gathering for a Place of Worship. 

It is recommended that these meetings be held online if possible.  It is okay to defer.

If your constitution requires you to meet in-person (e.g. for voting), you may consider setting a tentative date for a future meeting (even if it has to be further postponed) or circulating financials, reports, and other communications to at least keep the members up to date with governance matters as an interim measure. 

For more information please see Consumer Affairs Victoria and ACNC websites.

(Source: Business Victoria hotline and CCVT advice)

To be advised

THIRD STEP:

CURRENT AS OF 28 OCTOBER

LAST STEP:

SUBJECT TO TRIGGER POINTS

COVID NORMAL:

SUBJECT TO TRIGGER POINTS

Religious Gatherings

e.g. worship service, communion service, or  ceremonies other than weddings and funerals

Outdoors: Up to 20 people plus 1 faith leader. Must meet in an open space near place of worship. 

Indoors: Up to 10 members of the public. Each group can have 1 faith leader in addition to the 10 person cap. Groups must maintain a distance of 10 metres apart or be in separate rooms, and fit in under density quotient of 1 per 4sqm. 

Religious Gatherings:

No food, drink, crockery, utensils, vessels or other equipment are permitted to be shared by participants. 

You cannot conduct an outdoor and indoor gathering at the same time. 

Must comply with signage, cleaning, and record keeping requirements.

Limited to 90 minutes duration.

(Source: Restricted Activity Directions Melbourne)

Public worship can resume in outdoor and indoor settings subject to density quotient. 

Open with a COVIDSafe Plan. 

No limits but organisers required to keep records of attendees.

Broadcast Team

Permitted. Limit of 5 people.

25km limit does not apply. 

It has not yet been clarified if the 5 are included in the 10 or in addition to the 10 allowed at indoor gatherings, so err on the side of a combined max of 10 until further notice.  

Permitted.

Permitted.

Weddings

Weddings can be held indoors or outdoors with up to ten people (including two witnesses) plus the couple, the celebrant and a photographer. 

You cannot travel to or from regional Victoria to attend a wedding as a guest unless there is an exemption on compassionate grounds.

Allowed with 50 people (including the couple, two witnesses and celebrant), 20 in a private residence.

No limits but organisers required to keep records of attendees.

Funerals

Funerals can be held indoors or outdoors with up to 20 people. 

This limit doesn’t include babies under 12 months of age, or the people required to conduct the funeral.  

Allowed with 50 people (not

including infants under 12 months of age or people required to conduct the funeral), 20 in a private residence.

No limits but organisers required to keep records of attendees.

Prayer Groups & Bible Study Groups

Permitted:

Indoors at church: Prayer Groups can be held with up to 10 people (including a faith leader) per facility.

Outdoors at church:

Religious gatherings can be held near a place of worship with up to 20 people plusa faith leader.

Outdoors public place:

Up to 10 people as per outdoor social gatherings.

At private homes:

Subject to the private gathering limit. At the current time this is the household itself plus up to two visitors, but both visitors must be from the one household.

Increased to up to 50 people outdoors. 

Visitors to the home increase to 20 at a time.

No limits but organisers required to keep records of attendees.

Workers

Work from home if you can.

Workers only require permits if they are travelling between metropolitan Melbourne and regional Victoria for work.

This means church offices can now open, if staff and volunteers are unable to work from home.

Work from home if you can.

Phased return to onsite work for workers who have been working from home.

Pastoral visitation in private home

Permitted. You can have up to two people from the same household visit you at your home. You can only have one visit a day – this means once a day you can visit someone’s home or have them visit you at your home. Children and dependants are not included in this cap. The two people must be from the same household and visit together. You can only visit people within 25km of your home. In some situations the 25km limit may not apply, such as for care of an elderly person. Please ensure your pastoral care meets the definition.

Allowed. Visitors to the home increased to up to 20 visitors at a time.

No limits but organisers required to keep records of attendees.

Pastoral visitation in care facilities

Strict limits. Speak with family and facility before you visit to avoid a situation where the visitor limit is exceeded.

End of Life care may be provided to a resident of a care facility or hospital. 

For those in end of life or  palliative care, visitors should discuss visitation with the facility, as special considerations may apply.

Seek case by case advice from facility.

Seek case by case advice from facility.

Public Gatherings

Public gatherings of friends and family can meet outdoors in a public place in a group of up to 10 people within 25km of home. 

Increased to up to 50 people outdoors.

No time limit or radius limits.

No restrictions but organisers encouraged to keep records of

attendees.

Essential Support Groups 

(e.g. AA)

Permitted. Cap is limited to the lesser of 1 person per 4sqm, or 10 people.

(Source: Restricted Activity Directions Melbourne)

Permitted. Must maintain density requirements of 1 person per 4sqm.

No restrictions but organisers encouraged to keep records of attendees (subject to privacy).

Essential Support Services 

(e.g. food bank)

Permitted. No cap on numbers is specified so apply density requirement of 1 person per 4sqm, or a maximum of 10 people, or number reasonably required to operate, whichever is less.

(Source: Business Victoria hotline and CCVT advice)

Hospitality: indoor (group limit of 20 and seated service, cap 50 patrons), outdoor dining subject to density quotient.

No restrictions but organisers encouraged to keep records of attendees.

Playgroups

As a religious gathering:

Indoors at church: Religious gatherings can be held with up to 10 people (includingfaith leader) per facility

Outdoors at church:

Religious gatherings can be held near a place of worship with up to 20 people plusa faith leader.

As a secular activity:

Up to 10 people as per outdoor social gatherings within 25km of home.

In homes, up to 20 people.

At church, subject to density quotient.

No restrictions but organisers encouraged to keep records of attendees.

Op Shops

Open. Density limits, record keeping and COVIDSafe Plan also apply.

Open

Open

Childcare

Childcare and kinder now open with COVIDSafe Plan.

Open

Open

Property

Maintenance

General repairs and maintenance can be undertaken by commercial cleaners, gardening services, commercial contractors, and by volunteers.

Internal and external construction permitted. 

Must have a COVIDSafe Plan.

Open

Open

Singing

DHHS in Victorian have not made a restriction on singing but recommend notdoing it as it does have increased risk.

Eliminate/minimise singing where possible. Wear facemasks unless exempt.

(Source: Business Victoria hotline and CCVT advice)

Record Keeping

You must request the first name and contact phone number of the people who have attended (except for essential support groups where confidentiality is required). Records must be kept for 28 days for the purposes of contact tracing. 

Required

Required

COVIDSafe Plan

Every Affiliate that is open must have a COVIDSafe Plan.

Required

Required

Baptisms

See Religious Gatherings above but note that Baptism is not specified so err on the side of not baptising indoors. 

Must adhere to restrictions relative to the location. 

Recommend baptism by a member of the same household (1.5m does not apply).

Do not baptise multiple people in same enclosed water e.g. bath, spa, or pool. 

Masks are useless and dangerous when wet – do not baptise while face is covered – replace mask immediately.

(Source: Business Victoria hotline and CCVT advice)

Hall Hire

Only allowed if hiring out for permitted activities. Err on the side of one group or activity onsite at the facility at a time. Must have a COVIDSafe Plan. Must adhere to density quotient or industry restrictions, whichever is lower.

(Source: Business Victoria hotline) 

Morning Tea

Eliminate if possible for now. Consider BYO, or contactless if food is absolutely required. No shared food, utensils, etc. 

(Source: Business Victoria hotline and CCVT advice)

Communion

Consider BYO, pre-filled, double cupping, or contactless dispensing if holding communion. No shared food, utensils, etc. 

(Source: CCVT advice)

THIRD STEP:

CURRENT AS OF 28 OCTOBER

LAST STEP:

SUBJECT TO TRIGGER POINTS

COVID NORMAL:

SUBJECT TO TRIGGER POINTS

Religious Gatherings

e.g. worship service, communion service, or  ceremonies other than weddings and funerals

Outdoors: Religious gatherings for up to 50 people plus a faith leader in an open space near place of worship. 

Indoors: Up to 20 members of the public in multiple groups of up to 10. 

Each group can have 1 faith leader in addition to the cap. 

Groups must maintain a distance of 10 metres apart or be in separate rooms, and fit under density quotient of 1 per 4sqm. 

Note re all Gatherings: 

No food, drink, crockery, utensils, vessels or other equipment are permitted to be shared by participants. 

You cannot conduct an outdoor and indoor gathering at the same time. 

Must comply with signage, cleaning, and record keeping requirements.

Limited to 90 minutes duration.

(Source: Stay Safe Directions Non-Melbourne #6)

Public worship can resume in outdoor and indoor settings subject to density quotient. 

No limits but organisers required to keep records of attendees.

Broadcast Team

Permitted. Limit of 5 people. 

It has not yet been clarified if the 5 are included in the 10 or in addition to the 10 allowed at indoor gatherings, so err on the side of a combined max of 10 until further notice.  

Permitted.

Permitted.

Weddings

Weddings are limited to 10 people including the 2 witnesses. 

The couple, celebrant, and photographer are not included in the cap. 

You cannot travel to or from metro Melbourne to attend a wedding as a guest. 

Allowed with 50 people (including the couple, two witnesses and celebrant), 20 in a private residence.

No limits but organisers required to keep records of attendees.

Funerals

Funerals are limited to 20 people indoors, and 50 people outdoors, plus those required to conduct the funeral. 

Babies under 12 months of age are not included in the limit.

Allowed with up to 50 people (infants under 1yo or people required to conduct the funeral not included in the limit). Max of 20 in

a private residence.

No limits but organisers required to keep records of attendees.

Prayer Groups & Bible Study Groups

Outdoors at church: up to 50 people plus a faith leader. 

Indoors at church: up to 10 people per group to a max of 20 people per facility (plus 1 faith leader per group). See Religious Gatherings above.

At home: Subject to the private gathering limit. At the current time this is the household itself plus up to 2 visitors.

Public worship can resume in outdoor and indoor settings subject to density quotient. 

Visitors to the home: increased to up to 20 visitors at a time.

No limits but organisers required to keep records of attendees.

Workers

Work from home if you can.

Workers only require permits if they are travelling between metro Melbourne and regional Victoria for work. Church offices can be open if staff/volunteers cannot work from home.

Work from home if you can. However, if you cannot do your work from home, you can go to work. Must have a COVIDSafe Plan.

Phased return to onsite work for workers who have been working from home.

Pastoral visitation in private home

At home: Up to 2 people can visit you separately at your home each day. You can only have 1 visitor at a time.  This replaces household bubbles.

Outdoors: Up to 10 people outdoors in a public place. Pastoral care should be conducted outdoors if possible.

Allowed. Visitors to the home: increased to up to 20 visitors at a time.

No limits but organisers required to keep records of attendees.

Pastoral visitation in care facilities

Strict limits. Speak with family and facility before you visit to avoid a situation where the visitor limit is exceeded.

End of Life care may be provided to a resident of a care facility or hospital. 

For those in end of life or  palliative care, visitors should discuss visitation with the facility, as special considerations may apply.

Permitted but seek case by case advice from facility.

Permitted but seek case by case advice from facility.

Public Gatherings

Gatherings of friends and family outdoorsin a public space of up to 10 people from different households (babies under 12 months old are not included in this cap).

Increased to up to 50 people outdoors.

No restrictions but organisers encouraged to keep records of

attendees.

Essential Support Groups 

(e.g. AA)

Permitted. Cap is limited to the lesser of 1 person per 4sqm, or 20 people.

(Source: Stay Safe Directions Non-Melbourne #6)

Permitted. Must maintain density requirements of 1 person per 4sqm or a maximum of 20 people, whichever is less.

No restrictions but organisers encouraged to keep records of attendees (subject to privacy).

Essential Support Services 

(e.g. food bank)

Permitted. No cap on numbers is specified so limit to whichever is the lesser of the density requirement of 1 person per 4sqm, maximum of 10 people, or number reasonably required to operate. 

(Source: Business Victoria hotline and CCVT advice)

Hospitality: indoor (group limit of 20 and seated service, cap 50 patrons), outdoor dining subject to density quotient.

No restrictions but organisers encouraged to keep records of attendees.

Playgroups

As a religious gathering: 

See Religious Gatherings above.

As a secular activity:

Gatherings of friends and family outdoors in a public space of up to 10 people from different households (babies under 12 months old are not included in this cap).

In homes, up to 20 people.

At church, subject to density quotient.

No restrictions but organisers encouraged to keep records of attendees.

Op Shops

Open. Comply with the 4sqm rule, signage and cleaning recommendations. Must have COVIDSafe Plan.

Open

Open

Childcare

Childcare and kinder now open with COVIDSafe Plan.

Open

Open

Property

Maintenance

General repairs and maintenance can be undertaken by commercial cleaners, gardening services, commercial contractors, and by volunteers.

Internal and external construction permitted. 

Must have a COVIDSafe Plan.

Open

Open

Singing

DHHS in Victorian have not made a restriction on singing but recommend not doing it as it does have increased risk.

Eliminate/minimise singing where possible. 

Wear facemasks unless exempt.

(Source: Business Victoria hotline and CCVT advice)

Record Keeping

You must request the first name and contact phone number of the people who have attended (except for essential support groups where confidentiality is required). Records must be kept for 28 days for the purposes of contact tracing. 

Required

Required

COVIDSafe Plan

Every Affiliate that is open must have a COVIDSafe Plan.

Required

Required

Baptisms

See Religious Gatherings above but note that Baptism is not specified so err on the side of not baptising indoors. 

Must adhere to restrictions relative to the location. 

Recommend baptism by a member of the same household (1.5 m does not apply).

Do not baptise multiple people in same enclosed water e.g. bath, spa, or pool. 

Masks are useless and dangerous when wet – do not baptise while face is covered – replace mask immediately.

(Source: Business Victoria hotline and CCVT advice)

Hall hire

Only allowed if hiring out for permitted activities. Err on the side of one group or activity onsite at the facility at a time unless otherwise allowed. Must have a COVIDSafe Plan. Must adhere to density quotient or industry restrictions, whichever is lower.

(Source: Business Victoria hotline)

Morning tea

Eliminate if possible for now. Consider BYO, or contactless if food is absolutely required. No shared food, utensils, etc. 

(Source: Business Victoria hotline and CCVT advice)

Communion

Consider BYO, pre-filled, double cupping, or contactless dispensing if holding communion. No shared food, utensils, etc. 

(Source: CCVT advice)

FIRST STEP:

CURRENT AS OF 

13 SEPTEMBER 

SECOND STEP:

CURRENT AS OF

19 OCTOBER

THIRD STEP:

SUBJECT TO TRIGGER POINTS

LAST STEP:

SUBJECT TO TRIGGER POINTS

COVID NORMAL:

SUBJECT TO TRIGGER POINTS

Worship Services

Closed for on-site worship. 

Online services only.

Places of worship closed for indoor worship.

Outdoor religious gatherings and ceremonies are allowed for up to 5 people plus 1 faith leader, near to the place or worship, with only 1 group permitted at a time. No sharing of food, drink, crockery, utensils, or other equipment by participants. 25km limit applies. No time limits.

Places of worship open for private worship for households or social bubbles, plus a faith leader.

Outdoor religious gatherings for up to 10 people plus a faith leader allowed.

Public worship can resume in outdoor and indoor settings subject to density quotient. 

Open with a COVIDSafe Plan. 

No limits but organisers required to keep records of attendees.

Broadcast Team

Permitted. Limit of 5 people.

Permitted indoors. Limit of 5 people. 25km limit does not apply. No time limits.

Permitted. Limit of 5 people.

Permitted.

Permitted.

Weddings

Not permitted except for compassionate reasons, with up to 5 people (including the couple, two witnesses and celebrant).

Allowed in outdoor public spaces with up to 5 people (including the couple and

two witnesses but notincluding the celebrant).

Allowed with up to 10 people (including the couple, two witnesses and celebrant).

Allowed with 50 people (including the couple, two witnesses and celebrant), 20 in a private residence.

No limits but organisers required to keep records of attendees.

Funerals

Permitted. Limited to 10 mourners plus infants under 12 months of age and people required to conduct the funeral.

Funerals held in metro Melbourne restricted to 10 mourners (not including infants under 12 months of age) plus people required to conduct the funeral. 

25km limit does not apply. 

You can travel to a funeral outside of metro Melbourne. Restrictions apply based on the location of the funeral.

Allowed with up to 20 people (infants under 12m or people required to conduct the funeral not included in the limit).

Allowed with 50 people (not

including infants under 12 months of age or people required to conduct the funeral), 20 in

a private residence.

No limits but organisers required to keep records of attendees.

Prayer Groups & Bible Study Groups

Not permitted.

Online only.

Permitted. Outdoor religious gatherings are allowed for up to five people plus one faith leader and near the place of worship. 25km limit. No time limits.

Outdoors: religious gatherings for up to 10 people plus a faith leader are allowed. 

At church: Facilities open for private worship for households or social bubbles, plus a faith leader.

At homes: Only as per ‘household bubble’ rules.

Increased to up to 50 people outdoors. 

Visitors to the home: increased to up to 20 visitors at a time.

No limits but organisers required to keep records of attendees.

Workers

Work from home. Permits for permitted work only.

Work from home. All Permitted Workers require work permits. All admin functions, even in essential services, need to be undertaken remotely, therefore Church offices are still closed.  The 25km limit does not apply to work.

Work from home if you can.

Work from home if you can.

Phased return to onsite work for workers who have been working from home.

Pastoral visitation in private home

Ensure single parents/carers and everyone who lives alone, especially socially isolated and elderly people, are included in a

single social bubble so that they can have a visitor at home. Church pastoral carers outside the bubble can only meet with people within 5km and only outdoors. 

End of life: Under Stage 4 restrictions, faith leaders may visit someone in their home on request to share spiritual ministry (or equivalent religious services) to provide care and support to a person who is at the end of their life.

Ensure single parents/carers and everyone who lives alone, especially socially isolated and elderly people, are included in a single social bubble. 

Church pastoral carers outside the bubble can only meet with people as per the social gathering restrictions or as per the definition of care and compassion for at home visitation.

Faith leaders may visit someone in their home on request to share spiritual ministry (or equivalent religious services) and provide care and support to a person who is at end of life.  

Visitors to the home: create a ‘household bubble’ with 1 nominated household allowing up to 5 visitors from that household

at a time.

Allowed. Visitors to the home: increased to up to 20 visitors at a time.

No limits but organisers required to keep records of attendees.

Pastoral visitation in care facilities

Under Stage 4 restrictions, faith leaders may visit someone in a hospital or care facility to share spiritual ministry (or equivalent religious services) to those who are at the end of their life, or if it would support a patient or resident with their emotional or mental wellbeing, in line with other visiting restrictions and if this support cannot be provided remotely. Seek case by case advice.

Social/emotional care: limited to 1 visitor at a time. The number and duration of visits should not exceed what is essential for that care.  Speak with other family, friends and carers before you visit to avoid a situation where the visitor limit is exceeded.

End of Life care may be provided to a resident of a care facility or hospital. Contact the facility before visiting as they may have additional requirements, conditions or restrictions,

For those in palliative care, visitors should discuss with the hospital, as special considerations may apply.

Seek case by case advice from facility.

Seek case by case advice from facility.

Seek case by case advice from facility.

Public Gatherings

Increased. Two people or a household can meet outdoors for a maximum of 2 hours. Limited to 5km radius. However, you can choose different people to catch up with outdoors at different times. That means you can choose a different person to exercise with on different days. 

Permitted outdoors:

Up to 10 people from a maximum of 2 households can meet outdoors to socialise (infants under 12 months of age are not included in the cap) within 25km of home. No time limits.

Increased to up to 10 people outdoors.

No time limit or radius limits.

Increased to up to 50 people outdoors.

No time limit or radius limits.

No restrictions but organisers encouraged to keep records of

attendees.

Essential Support Groups 

(e.g. AA)

Permitted. Must maintain density requirements of 1 person per 4sqm, or a maximum of 10 people, whichever is less.

Permitted. Limited to the lower of 10 people or the number of permitted people under the 4 square metre rule.

Permitted. Must maintain density requirements of 1 person per 4sqm, or a maximum of 10 people, whichever is less.

Permitted. Must maintain density requirements of 1 person per 4sqm.

No restrictions but organisers encouraged to keep records of attendees (subject to privacy).

Essential Support Services 

(e.g. food bank)

Permitted. 

Take away or delivery only.

Permitted. Limited to the number of permitted people under the 4 square metre rule.

Hospitality: predominantly outdoor seated service, increased group limit of 10 and density limits.

Hospitality: indoor (group limit of 20 and seated service, cap 50 patrons), outdoor dining subject to density quotient.

No restrictions but organisers encouraged to keep records of attendees.

Playgroups

Not permitted.

Online only.

Outdoor religious gatherings of up to 5 people, plus 1 faith leader, proximate to a place of worship allowed. No time limits.

Public gatherings: increased to up to 10 people outdoors

In homes, up to 20 people.

At church, subject to density quotient.

No restrictions but organisers encouraged to keep records of attendees.

Op Shops

Closed except for click and collect/delivery. 

Must have COVID Safe Plan.

Closed except for click and collect/delivery.

Must have COVID Safe Plan.

Open

Open

Open

Childcare

Closed except for permitted workers.

Childcare open from 28 September and essential worker childcare permits are no longer required. Standalone (sessional) kindergarten programs from Monday 5 October in line with Term 4.

Open

Open

Open

Property

Maintenance

Emergency only

Emergency repairs and maintenance only. Gardening services and landscaping businesses who have an Australian Business Number (ABN) can undertake landscaping and gardening such as mowing, gutter cleaning, tree lopping and general garden maintenance, provided that the work can be conducted entirely outside safely, contact-free, and by one person operating alone at all times. Workers should abide by employers’ COVIDSafe plan.

STAGE 3 RESTRICTIONS

FIRST STEP:

DOES NOT APPLY TO REGIONAL VICTORIA

SECOND STEP:

FROM 11:59PM

13 SEPTEMBER 2020

THIRD STEP:

CURRENT AS OF

18 OCTOBER 2020

LAST STEP:

SUBJECT TO TRIGGER POINTS

COVID NORMAL:

SUBJECT TO TRIGGER POINTS

Worship Services

Closed for on-site worship. 

Online services only.

Closed for indoor on-site worship. Online services only. 

Outdoor gatherings (not ceremonies) of up to 5 people, plus 1 faith leader, proximate to a place of worship allowed.

Outdoors: Religious gatherings for up to 20 people plus a faith leader.  

Indoors: Private worship can be attended by a household and up to 2 visitors, plus a faith leader.

Public worship can resume in outdoor and indoor settings subject to density quotient. 

No limits but organisers required to keep records of attendees.

Broadcast Team

Permitted. Limit of 5 people.

Permitted.

Permitted. Limit of 5people allowed to conduct the service. Those people must wear a face covering at all times, unless you have a lawful exemption. Always keep a distance of at least 1.5 metres between yourself and others.

Permitted.

Permitted.

Weddings

Permitted. Limited to 5 people (including the couple, 2 witnesses and celebrant).

Permitted. Limited to 5 people (including the couple, 2 witnesses and celebrant).

Weddings are limited to 10 people including the couple and 2 witnesses. The celebrant and babies under 12 months of age are not included in the cap. 

You cannot travel to or from metro Melbourne to attend a wedding as a guest. 

Allowed with 50 people (including the couple, two witnesses and celebrant), 20 in a private residence.

No limits but organisers required to keep records of attendees.

Funerals

Permitted. Limited to 10 mourners plus people required to conduct the funeral.

Allowed with up to 10 people (infants under 1yo or people required to conduct the funeral not included in the limit).

Funerals are limited to 20 people plus those required to conduct the funeral. Babies under 12 months of age are not included in the 20 person limit.

Allowed with up to 50 people (infants under 1yo or people required to conduct the funeral not included in the limit). Max of 20 in

a private residence.

No limits but organisers required to keep records of attendees.

Prayer Groups & Bible Study Groups

Not permitted – online only.

Permitted outdoors.

Outdoor gatherings (not ceremonies) of up to 5 people, plus 1 faith leader, proximate to a place of worship allowed.

Outdoors: religious gatherings for up to 20 people plus 1 faith leader are allowed. 

At church: Private worship can be attended by a household and up to 2 visitors, plus 1 faith leader.

At homes: Only as per household visitor rules.

Public worship can resume in outdoor and indoor settings subject to density quotient. 

Visitors to the home: increased to up to 20 visitors at a time.

No limits but organisers required to keep records of attendees.

Workers

Work from home. 

Work from home if you can.

Work from home if you can. However, if you cannot do your work from home, you can go to work. Must have a COVIDSafe Plan.

Work from home if you can. However, if you cannot do your work from home, you can go to work. Must have a COVIDSafe Plan.

Phased return to onsite work for workers who have been working from home.

Pastoral visitation in private home

Permitted only under care and compassionate grounds. No social visits.

Visitors to the home: 1 nominated visitor if living alone/single parent.

At home: You can have up to 2 people visit you separately at your home each day. You can only have 1 visitor at a time.  This replaces the household bubbles.

Outdoors: Pastoral care should be conducted outdoors if possible.

Allowed. Visitors to the home: increased to up to 20 visitors at a time.

No limits but organisers required to keep records of attendees.

Pastoral visitation in care facilities

Seek case by case advice from facility.

Seek case by case advice from facility.

Permitted but seek case by case advice from facility.

Permitted but seek case by case advice from facility.

Permitted but seek case by case advice from facility.

Public Gatherings

Only with 1 other person. 

Up to 5 people from a maximum of 2 households can meet outdoors for social interaction (infants under 12 months of age are not included in the cap).

Outdoor gatherings in a public space of up to 10 people from different households (babies under 12 months old are not included in this cap).

Outdoor religious gatherings are allowed for up to 20 people plus 1 faith leader. This replaces the limit of 10 people. This includes ceremonies, with no sharing of food, drink, crockery, utensils, vessels or other equipment by participants. At church: Private worship can be attended by a household and up to 2 visitors, plus a faith leader.

Increased to up to 50 people outdoors.

No restrictions but organisers encouraged to keep records of

attendees.

Essential Support Groups 

(e.g. AA)

Permitted. Must maintain density requirements of 1 person per 4sqm or a maximum of 20 people, whichever is less.

Permitted. Must maintain density requirements of 1 person per 4sqm or a maximum of 20 people, whichever is less.

Permitted. Must maintain density requirements of 1 person per 4sqm or a maximum of 20 people, whichever is less. Must have a COVIDSafe Plan.

Permitted. Must maintain density requirements of 1 person per 4sqm or a maximum of 20 people, whichever is less.

No restrictions but organisers encouraged to keep records of attendees (subject to privacy).

Essential Support Services 

(e.g. food bank)

Permitted. 

Take away or delivery only.

Permitted. 

Take away or delivery only.

Permitted. Up to 70 people outdoors and up to 10 people per indoor space with a max of 40 people per venue indoors. 

The 4 sqm rule applies indoors and the  and 2 sqm rule applies outdoors. 

Must have a COVIDSafe Plan. If unsure, check with DHHS for your specific situation.

Hospitality: indoor (group limit of 20 and seated service, cap 50 patrons), outdoor dining subject to density quotient.

No restrictions but organisers encouraged to keep records of attendees.

Playgroups

Not permitted – online only.

Permitted outdoors.

Outdoor gatherings (not ceremonies) of up to 5 people, plus 1 faith leader, proximate to a place of worship allowed.

Outdoor religious gatherings are allowed for up to 20 people plus 1 faith leader.

In homes, up to 20 people.

At church, subject to density quotient.

No restrictions but organisers encouraged to keep records of attendees.

Op Shops

Open. Comply with the 4sqm rule, signage and cleaning recommendations.

Open. Comply with the 4sqm rule, signage and cleaning recommendations.

Open. Comply with the 4sqm rule, signage and cleaning recommendations.

Open

Open

Childcare

Open

Open

Open with safety measures

Open

Open

Tier 1 rate:

Tier 2 rate:

This rate is expected to apply to:

·  eligible employees who worked for 80 hours or more in the four weeks of pay periods before either 1 March 2020 or 1 July 2020, and

·  eligible business participants who were actively engaged in the business for 80 hours or more in February and provide a declaration to that effect.

This rate is expected to apply to:

·  any other eligible employees and eligible business participants.

STAGE 4 RESTRICTIONS

FIRST STEP:

CURRENT AS OF 

13 SEPTEMBER 

SECOND STEP:

CURRENT AS OF 

28 SEPTEMBER

THIRD STEP:

19 OCTOBER SUBJECT TO TRIGGER POINTS

LAST STEP:

SUBJECT TO TRIGGER POINTS

COVID NORMAL:

SUBJECT TO TRIGGER POINTS

Worship Services

Closed for on-site worship. 

Online services only.

Closed for on-site worship. 

Online services only.

Places of worship closed, outdoor gatherings (not ceremonies), with no sharing of food, drink or other items by participants of up to 5 people, plus 1 faith leader, nearby to a place of worship, are allowed.

Places of worship open for private worship for households or social bubbles, plus a faith leader.

Outdoor religious gatherings for up to 10 people plus a faith leader allowed.

Public worship can resume in outdoor and indoor settings subject to density quotient. 

Open with a COVIDSafe Plan. 

No limits but organisers required to keep records of attendees.

Broadcast Team

Permitted. Limit of 5 people.

Permitted. 

Limit of 5 people.

Permitted. Limit of 5 people.

(Link not currently available)

Permitted. Limit of 5 people.

Permitted.

Permitted.

Weddings

Not permitted except for compassionate reasons, with up to 5 people (including the couple, two witnesses and celebrant).

Not permitted except for compassionate reasons, with up to 5 people (including the couple, two witnesses and celebrant).

Allowed in outdoor public spaces with up to 5 people (including the couple and

two witnesses but notincluding the celebrant)

Allowed with up to 10 people (including the couple, two witnesses and celebrant).

Allowed with 50 people (including the couple, two witnesses and celebrant), 20 in a private residence.

No limits but organisers required to keep records of attendees.

Funerals

Permitted. Limited to 10 mourners plus people required to conduct the funeral.

Permitted. Limited to 10 mourners plus infants under 12 months of age and people required to conduct the funeral.

Permitted. Allowed with up to 10 people (not including infants under 12 months of age or people required to conduct the funeral)

Allowed with up to 20 people (infants under 12m or people required to conduct the funeral not included in the limit).

Allowed with 50 people (not

including infants under 12 months of age or people required to conduct the funeral), 20 in

a private residence.

No limits but organisers required to keep records of attendees.

Prayer Groups & Bible Study Groups

Not permitted – online only.

Not permitted.

Online only.

Permitted. Outdoor gatherings of up to 5 people, plus 1 faith leader, proximate to a place of worship, are allowed.

Outdoors: religious gatherings for up to 10 people plus a faith leader are allowed. 

At church: Facilities open for private worship for households or social bubbles, plus a faith leader.

At homes: Only as per ‘household bubble’ rules.

Increased to up to 50 people outdoors. 

Visitors to the home: increased to up to 20 visitors at a time.

No limits but organisers required to keep records of attendees.

Workers

Work from home. 

Permits for permitted work only.

Work from home. Permits for permitted work only.

Work from home. All Permitted Workersrequire work permits. Church offices are still closed.

Work from home if you can.

Work from home if you can.

Phased return to onsite work for workers who have been working from home.

Pastoral visitation in private home

Not permitted – online only.

Ensure single parents/carers and everyone who lives alone, especially socially isolated and elderly people, are included in a

single social bubble so that they can have a visitor at home. Church pastoral carers outside the bubble can only meet with people within 5km and only outdoors. 

End of life: Under Stage 4 restrictions, faith leaders may visit someone in their home on request to share spiritual ministry (or equivalent religious services) to provide care and support to a person who is at the end of their life.

Ensure single parents/carers and everyone who lives alone, especially socially isolated and elderly people, are included in a

single social bubble so that they can have a visitor at home. 

Church pastoral carers outside the bubble can only meet with people within 5km and only outdoors as per public gathering restrictions. Please note the definition of “care and compassion”.

End of life: Under Stage 4 restrictions, faith leaders may visit someone in their home on request to share spiritual ministry (or equivalent religious services) to provide care and support to a person who is at the end of their life.

(Link not currently available)

Visitors to the home: create a ‘household bubble’ with 1 nominated household allowing up to 5 visitors from that household

at a time.

Allowed. Visitors to the home: increased to up to 20 visitors at a time.

No limits but organisers required to keep records of attendees.

Pastoral visitation in care facilities

Not permitted – online only.

Seek case by case advice

Under Stage 4 restrictions, faith leaders may visit someone in a hospital or care facility to share spiritual ministry (or equivalent religious services) to those who are at the end of their life, or if it would support a patient or resident with their emotional or mental wellbeing, in line with other visiting restrictions and if this support cannot be provided remotely. Seek case by case advice.

For social/emotional care that cannot be delivered by the health service care team or via electronic or means, 

1 visitor at a time and should not exceed 1 hour or is essential for that care.   

Speak with other family, friends and carers before you visit. This will avoid a situation where the visitor limit is exceeded. 

Seek case by case advice from facility as additional facility restrictions may apply.

Providing End of Life care to a resident of the facility is limited to two visitors at a time, with no limit on duration or number of visits.

Seek case by case advice from facility.

Seek case by case advice from facility.

Seek case by case advice from facility.

Public Gatherings

1 hour exercise limit, and with only 1 other person. 

Limited to 5km radius.

Increased. Two people or a household can meet outdoors for a maximum of 2 hours. Limited to 5km radius. However, you can choose different people to catch up with outdoors at different times. That means you can choose a different person to exercise with on different days. 

Permitted: Up to 5 people from a maximum of 2 households can meet outdoors for social interaction, exercise or recreation (infants under 12 months of age are not included in the cap) for a maximum of 2 hours and within 5km of their home.

Increased to up to 10 people outdoors.

No time limit or radius limits.

Increased to up to 50 people outdoors.

No time limit or radius limits.

No restrictions but organisers encouraged to keep records of

attendees.

Essential Support Groups 

(e.g. AA)

Permitted. Must maintain density requirements of 1 person per 4sqm, or a maximum of 10 people, whichever is less.

Permitted. Must maintain density requirements of 1 person per 4sqm, or a maximum of 10 people, whichever is less.

Permitted. Must maintain density requirements of 1 person per 4sqm, or a maximum of 10 people, whichever is less.

(Link not currently available)

Permitted. Must maintain density requirements of 1 person per 4sqm, or a maximum of 10 people, whichever is less.

Permitted. Must maintain density requirements of 1 person per 4sqm.

No restrictions but organisers encouraged to keep records of attendees (subject to privacy).

Essential Support Services 

(e.g. food bank)

Permitted. 

Take away or delivery only.

Permitted. 

Take away or delivery only.

Permitted. 

Take away or delivery only.

(Link not currently available)

Hospitality: predominantly outdoor seated service, increased group limit of 10 and density limits.

Hospitality: indoor (group limit of 20 and seated service, cap 50 patrons), outdoor dining subject to density quotient.

No restrictions but organisers encouraged to keep records of attendees.

Playgroups

Not permitted – online only.

Not permitted.

Online only.

Outdoor religious gatherings of up to 5 people, plus 1 faith leader, proximate to a place of worship allowed. Max of 2 hours.

Public gatherings: increased to up to 10 people outdoors

In homes, up to 20 people.

At church, subject to density quotient.

No restrictions but organisers encouraged to keep records of attendees.

Op Shops

Closed except for click and collect/delivery. 

Must have COVID Safe Plan.

Closed except for click and collect/delivery. 

Must have COVID Safe Plan.

Closed except for click and collect/delivery. 

Must have COVID Safe Plan.

Open

Open

Open

Childcare

Closed except for permitted workers.

Closed except for permitted workers.

Childcare will open from 28 September and essential worker childcare permits will no longer be required. Standalone (sessional) kindergarten programs from Monday 5 October in line with Term 4.

Open

Open

Open

STAGE 3 RESTRICTIONS

FIRST STEP:

DOES NOT APPLY TO REGIONAL VICTORIA

SECOND STEP:

FROM 11:59PM

13 SEPTEMBER 2020

THIRD STEP:

CURRENT AS OF

16 SEPTEMBER 2020

LAST STEP:

SUBJECT TO TRIGGER POINTS

COVID NORMAL:

SUBJECT TO TRIGGER POINTS

Worship Services

Closed for on-site worship. 

Online services only.

Closed for indoor on-site worship. Online services only. 

Outdoor gatherings (not ceremonies) of up to 5 people, plus 1 faith leader, proximate to a place of worship allowed.

Outdoors: Religious gatherings for up to 10 people plus a faith leader are allowed. 

Indoors: Private worship can only be attended by a household or a household bubble (the household plus up to five people from the nominated household) plus a faith leader.

Public worship can resume in outdoor and indoor settings subject to density quotient. 

No limits but organisers required to keep records of attendees.

Broadcast Team

Permitted. Limit of 5 people.

Permitted.

Permitted. Limit of 5people allowed to conduct the service.

Permitted.

Permitted.

Weddings

Permitted. Limited to 5 people (including the couple, 2 witnesses and celebrant).

Permitted. Limited to 5 people (including the couple, 2 witnesses and celebrant).

Weddings are limited to ten people including the couple and two witnesses. The celebrant is not included in the ten person cap. You cannot travel to or from metropolitan Melbourne to attend a wedding as a guest. Babies under 12 months of age are not included in the limit.

Allowed with 50 people (including the couple, two witnesses and celebrant), 20 in a private residence.

No limits but organisers required to keep records of attendees.

Funerals

Permitted. Limited to 10 mourners plus people required to conduct the funeral.

Allowed with up to 10 people (infants under 1yo or people required to conduct the funeral not included in the limit).

Funerals are limited to 20 people plus those required to conduct the funeral. Babies under 12 months of age are not included in the 20 person limit.

Allowed with up to 50 people (infants under 1yo or people required to conduct the funeral not included in the limit). Max of 20 in

a private residence.

No limits but organisers required to keep records of attendees.

Prayer Groups & Bible Study Groups

Not permitted – online only.

Permitted outdoors.

Outdoor gatherings (not ceremonies) of up to 5 people, plus 1 faith leader, proximate to a place of worship allowed.

Outdoors: religious gatherings for up to 10 people plus a faith leader are allowed. 

At church: Private worship can be attended by a household or a household bubble (the household plus up to five people from the nominated household) plus a faith leader.

At homes: Only as per ‘household bubble’ rules.

Public worship can resume in outdoor and indoor settings subject to density quotient. 

Visitors to the home: increased to up to 20 visitors at a time.

No limits but organisers required to keep records of attendees.

Workers

Work from home. 

Work from home if you can.

Work from home if you can.

Work from home if you can.

Phased return to onsite work for workers who have been working from home.

Pastoral visitation in private home

Permitted only under care and compassionate grounds. No social visits.

Visitors to the home: 1 nominated visitor if living alone/single parent.

Ensure everyone, especially socially isolated and elderly people are included in a single or household social bubble.

Individual pastoral care should be conducted outdoors where possible.

You can go to someone's house if it is an emergency, or for care and compassionate reasons.

Allowed. Visitors to the home: increased to up to 20 visitors at a time.

No limits but organisers required to keep records of attendees.

Pastoral visitation in care facilities

Seek case by case advice from facility.

Seek case by case advice from facility.

Permitted but seek case by case advice from facility.

Permitted but seek case by case advice from facility.

Permitted but seek case by case advice from facility.

Public Gatherings

Only with 1 other person. 

Up to 5 people from a maximum of 2 households can meet outdoors for social interaction (infants under 12 months of age are not included in the cap).

Outdoor gatherings have increased to up to 10 people outdoors (babies under 12 months old are not included in this cap).

Indoors at church: Private worship can be attended by a household or a household bubble (the household plus up to five people from the nominated household) plus a faith leader.

At homes: You cannot have visitors to your home who aren’t in your bubble.

Increased to up to 50 people outdoors.

No restrictions but organisers encouraged to keep records of

attendees.

Essential Support Groups 

(e.g. AA)

Permitted. Must maintain density requirements of 1 person per 4sqm or a maximum of 20 people, whichever is less.

Permitted. Must maintain density requirements of 1 person per 4sqm or a maximum of 20 people, whichever is less.

Permitted. Must maintain density requirements of 1 person per 4sqm or a maximum of 20 people, whichever is less.

Permitted. Must maintain density requirements of 1 person per 4sqm or a maximum of 20 people, whichever is less.

No restrictions but organisers encouraged to keep records of attendees (subject to privacy).

Essential Support Services 

(e.g. food bank)

Permitted. 

Take away or delivery only.

Permitted. 

Take away or delivery only.

Permitted. 

Hospitality: predominantly outdoor seated service, increased group limit of 10 and density limits.

Hospitality: indoor (group limit of 20 and seated service, cap 50 patrons), outdoor dining subject to density quotient.

No restrictions but organisers encouraged to keep records of attendees.

Playgroups

Not permitted – online only.

Permitted outdoors.

Outdoor gatherings (not ceremonies) of up to 5 people, plus 1 faith leader, proximate to a place of worship allowed.

Outdoor religious gatherings are allowed for up to ten people plus one faith leader.

(Same ratios apply to community halls etc)

In homes, up to 20 people.

At church, subject to density quotient.

No restrictions but organisers encouraged to keep records of attendees.

Op Shops

Open. Comply with the 4sqm rule, signage and cleaning recommendations.

Open. Comply with the 4sqm rule, signage and cleaning recommendations.

Open. Comply with the 4sqm rule, signage and cleaning recommendations.

Open

Open

Childcare

Open

Open

Open with safety measures

Open

Open

STAGE 4 RESTRICTIONS

FIRST STEP:

CURRENT AS OF 

13 SEPTEMBER 

SECOND STEP:

FROM 28 SEPTEMBER

THIRD STEP:

FROM 26 OCTOBER

LAST STEP:

FROM 23 NOVEMBER

COVID NORMAL:

TBA

Worship Services

Closed for on-site worship. 

Online services only.

Closed for on-site worship. 

Online services only.

Closed for indoor on-site worship. Online services only. 

Outdoor gatherings (not ceremonies) of up to 5 people, plus 1 faith leader, proximate to a place of worship allowed.

Places of worship open for private worship for households or social bubbles, plus a faith leader.

Outdoor religious gatherings for up to 10 people plus a faith leader allowed.

Public worship can resume in outdoor and indoor settings subject to density quotient. 

Open with a COVIDSafe Plan. 

No limits but organisers required to keep records of attendees.

Broadcast Team

Permitted. Limit of 5 people.

Permitted. 

Limit of 5 people.

Permitted. 

Limit of 5 people.

Permitted. 

Limit of 5 people.

Permitted.

Permitted.

Weddings

Not permitted except for compassionate reasons, with up to 5 people (including the couple, two witnesses and celebrant).

Not permitted except for compassionate reasons, with up to 5 people (including the couple, two witnesses and celebrant).

Not permitted except for compassionate reasons, with up to 5 people (including the couple, two witnesses and celebrant).

Allowed with up to 10 people (including the couple, two witnesses and celebrant).

Allowed with 50 people (including the couple, two witnesses and celebrant), 20 in a private residence.

No limits but organisers required to keep records of attendees.

Funerals

Permitted. Limited to 10 mourners plus people required to conduct the funeral.

Permitted. Limited to 10 mourners plus infants under 12 months of age and people required to conduct the funeral.

Permitted. Limited to 10 mourners plus infants under 12 months of age and people required to conduct the funeral.

Allowed with up to 20 people (infants under 12m or people required to conduct the funeral not included in the limit).

Allowed with 50 people (not

including infants under 12 months of age or people required to conduct the funeral), 20 in

a private residence.

No limits but organisers required to keep records of attendees.

Prayer Groups & Bible Study Groups

Not permitted – online only.

Not permitted.

Online only.

Permitted outdoors.

Outdoor gatherings (not ceremonies) of up to 5 people, plus 1 faith leader, proximate to a place of worship allowed.

Outdoors: religious gatherings for up to 10 people plus a faith leader are allowed. 

At church: Facilities open for private worship for households or social bubbles, plus a faith leader.

At homes: Only as per ‘household bubble’ rules.

Increased to up to 50 people outdoors. 

Visitors to the home: increased to up to 20 visitors at a time.

No limits but organisers required to keep records of attendees.

Workers

Work from home. 

Permits for permitted work only.

Work from home. 

Permits for permitted work only.

Work from home. 

Permits for permitted work only.

Work from home if you can.

Work from home if you can.

Phased return to onsite work for workers who have been working from home.

Pastoral visitation in private home

Not permitted – online only.

Ensure single parents/carers and everyone who lives alone, especially socially isolated and elderly people, are included in a

single social bubble so that they can have a visitor at home.

Church pastoral carers outside the bubble can only meet with people within 5km and only outdoors. 

End of life: Under Stage 4 restrictions, faith leaders may visit someone in their home on request to share spiritual ministry (or equivalent religious services) to provide care and support to a person who is at the end of their life.

Visitors to the home: 1 nominated visitor if living alone/single parent.

Visitors to the home: create a ‘household bubble’ with 1 nominated household allowing up to 5 visitors from that household

at a time.

Allowed. Visitors to the home: increased to up to 20 visitors at a time.

No limits but organisers required to keep records of attendees.

Pastoral visitation in care facilities

Not permitted – online only.

Seek case by case advice

Under Stage 4 restrictions, faith leaders may visit someone in a hospital or care facility to share spiritual ministry (or equivalent religious services) to those who are at the end of their life, or if it would support a patient or resident with their emotional or mental wellbeing, in line with other visiting restrictions and if this support cannot be provided remotely. Seek case by case advice.

Seek case by case advice.

Seek case by case advice.

Seek case by case advice.

Seek case by case advice.

Public Gatherings

1 hour exercise limit, and with only 1 other person. 

Limited to 5km radius.

Increased. Two people or a household can meet outdoors for a maximum of 2 hours. Limited to 5km radius.

However, you can choose different people to catch up with outdoors at different times. That means you can choose a different person to exercise with on different days. 

Up to 5 people from a maximum of 2 households can meet outdoors for social interaction, exercise or recreation (infants under 12m not included in the cap) for a maximum of 2 hours. Limited to 5km radius.

Increased to up to 10 people outdoors.

No time limit or radius limits.

Increased to up to 50 people outdoors.

No time limit or radius limits.

No restrictions but organisers encouraged to keep records of

attendees.

Essential Support Groups 

(e.g. AA)

Permitted. Must maintain density requirements of 1 person per 4sqm, or a maximum of 10 people, whichever is less.

Permitted. Must maintain density requirements of 1 person per 4sqm, or a maximum of 10 people, whichever is less.

Permitted. Must maintain density requirements of 1 person per 4sqm, or a maximum of 10 people, whichever is less.

Permitted. Must maintain density requirements of 1 person per 4sqm, or a maximum of 10 people, whichever is less.

Permitted. Must maintain density requirements of 1 person per 4sqm.

No restrictions but organisers encouraged to keep records of attendees (subject to privacy).

Essential Support Services 

(e.g. food bank)

Permitted. 

Take away or delivery only.

Permitted. 

Take away or delivery only.

Permitted. 

Take away or delivery only.

Hospitality: predominantly outdoor seated service, increased group limit of 10 and density limits.

Hospitality: indoor (group limit of 20 and seated service, cap 50 patrons), outdoor dining subject to density quotient.

No restrictions but organisers encouraged to keep records of attendees.

Playgroups

Not permitted – online only.

Not permitted.

Online only.

Outdoor gatherings (not ceremonies) of up to 5 people, plus 1 faith leader, proximate to a place of worship allowed.

Public gatherings: increased to up to 10 people outdoors

In homes, up to 20 people.

At church, subject to density quotient.

No restrictions but organisers encouraged to keep records of attendees.

Op Shops

Closed except for click and collect/delivery. 

Must have COVID Safe Plan.

Closed except for click and collect/delivery. 

Must have COVID Safe Plan.

Closed except for click and collect/delivery. 

Must have COVID Safe Plan.

Open

Open

Open

Childcare

Closed except for permitted workers.

Closed except for permitted workers.

Open

Open

Open

Open

STAGE 3 RESTRICTIONS

FIRST STEP:

DOES NOT APPLY TO REGIONAL VICTORIA

SECOND STEP:

FROM 11:59PM

13 SEPTEMBER 2020

THIRD STEP:

CURRENT AS OF

16 SEPTEMBER 2020

LAST STEP:

FROM 23 NOVEMBER

COVID NORMAL:

TBA

Worship Services

Closed for on-site worship. 

Online services only.

Closed for indoor on-site worship. Online services only. 

Outdoor gatherings (not ceremonies) of up to 5 people, plus 1 faith leader, proximate to a place of worship allowed.

Outdoors: Religious gatherings for up to 10 people plus a faith leader are allowed. 

Indoors: Private worship can only be attended by a household or a household bubble (the household plus up to five people from the nominated household) plus a faith leader.

Public worship can resume in outdoor and indoor settings subject to density quotient. 

No limits but organisers required to keep records of attendees.

Broadcast Team

Permitted. Limit of 5 people.

Permitted.

Permitted. Limit of 5people.

Permitted.

Permitted.

Weddings

Permitted. Limited to 5 people (including the couple, 2 witnesses and celebrant).

Permitted. Limited to 5 people (including the couple, 2 witnesses and celebrant).

Weddings are limited to ten people including the couple and two witnesses. The celebrant is not included in the ten person cap. You cannot travel to or from metropolitan Melbourne to attend a wedding as a guest. Babies under 12 months of age are not included in the limit.

Allowed with 50 people (including the couple, two witnesses and celebrant), 20 in a private residence.

No limits but organisers required to keep records of attendees.

Funerals

Permitted. Limited to 10 mourners plus people required to conduct the funeral.

Allowed with up to 10 people (infants under 1yo or people required to conduct the funeral not included in the limit).

Funerals are limited to 20 people plus those required to conduct the funeral. Babies under 12 months of age are not included in the 20 person limit.

Allowed with up to 50 people (infants under 1yo or people required to conduct the funeral not included in the limit). Max of 20 in

a private residence.

No limits but organisers required to keep records of attendees.

Prayer Groups & Bible Study Groups

Not permitted – online only.

Permitted outdoors.

Outdoor gatherings (not ceremonies) of up to 5 people, plus 1 faith leader, proximate to a place of worship allowed.

Outdoors: religious gatherings for up to 10 people plus a faith leader are allowed. 

At church: Private worship can be attended by a household or a household bubble (the household plus up to five people from the nominated household) plus a faith leader.

At homes: Only as per ‘household bubble’ rules.

Public worship can resume in outdoor and indoor settings subject to density quotient. 

Visitors to the home: increased to up to 20 visitors at a time.

No limits but organisers required to keep records of attendees.

Workers

Work from home. 

Work from home if you can.

Work from home if you can.

Work from home if you can.

Phased return to onsite work for workers who have been working from home.

Pastoral visitation in private home

Permitted only under care and compassionate grounds. No social visits.

Visitors to the home: 1 nominated visitor if living alone/single parent.

Ensure everyone, especially socially isolated and elderly people are included in a single or household social bubble.

Individual pastoral care should be conducted outside where possible.

You can go to someone's house if it is an emergency, or for care and compassionate reasons.

Allowed. Visitors to the home: increased to up to 20 visitors at a time.

No limits but organisers required to keep records of attendees.

Pastoral visitation in care facilities

Seek case by case advice from facility.

Seek case by case advice from facility.

Permitted but seek case by case advice from facility.

Permitted but seek case by case advice from facility.

Permitted but seek case by case advice from facility.

Public Gatherings

Only with 1 other person. 

Up to 5 people from a maximum of 2 households can meet outdoors for social interaction (infants under 12 months of age are not included in the cap).

Outdoor gatherings have increased to up to 10 people outdoors (babies under 12 months old are not included in this cap).

Indoors

Increased to up to 50 people outdoors.

No restrictions but organisers encouraged to keep records of

attendees.

Essential Support Groups 

(e.g. AA)

Permitted. Must maintain density requirements of 1 person per 4sqm or a maximum of 20 people, whichever is less.

Permitted. Must maintain density requirements of 1 person per 4sqm or a maximum of 20 people, whichever is less.

Permitted. Must maintain density requirements of 1 person per 4sqm or a maximum of 20 people, whichever is less.

Permitted. Must maintain density requirements of 1 person per 4sqm or a maximum of 20 people, whichever is less.

No restrictions but organisers encouraged to keep records of attendees (subject to privacy).

Essential Support Services 

(e.g. food bank)

Permitted. 

Take away or delivery only.

Permitted. 

Take away or delivery only.

Permitted. 

Hospitality: predominantly outdoor seated service, increased group limit of 10 and density limits.

Hospitality: indoor (group limit of 20 and seated service, cap 50 patrons), outdoor dining subject to density quotient.

No restrictions but organisers encouraged to keep records of attendees.

Playgroups

Not permitted – online only.

Permitted outdoors.

Outdoor gatherings (not ceremonies) of up to 5 people, plus 1 faith leader, proximate to a place of worship allowed.

Outdoor religious gatherings are allowed for up to ten people plus one faith leader.

In homes, up to 20 people.

At church, subject to density quotient.

No restrictions but organisers encouraged to keep records of attendees.

Op Shops

Open. Comply with the 4sqm rule, signage and cleaning recommendations.

Open. Comply with the 4sqm rule, signage and cleaning recommendations.

Open. Comply with the 4sqm rule, signage and cleaning recommendations.

Open

Open

Childcare

Open

Open

Open with safety measures

Open

Open

CURRENT STAGE 4 RESTRICTIONS

FIRST STEP:

FROM 11:59PM

13 SEPTEMBER 2020

SECOND STEP:

FROM 28 SEPTEMBER

THIRD STEP:

FROM 26 OCTOBER

LAST STEP:

FROM 23 NOV 2020

NORMAL

Worship Services

Closed for on-site worship. 

Online services only.

Closed for on-site worship. 

Online services only.

Closed for indoor on-site worship. Online services only. 

Outdoor gatherings (not ceremonies) of up to 5 people, plus 1 faith leader, proximate to a place of worship allowed.

Places of worship open for private worship for households or social bubbles, plus a faith leader.

Outdoor religious gatherings for up to 10 people plus a faith leader allowed.

Public worship can resume in outdoor and indoor settings subject to density quotient. 

Open with a COVIDSafe Plan. 

No limits but organisers required to keep records of attendees.

Broadcast Team

Permitted. Limit of 5 people.

Permitted. Limit of 5 people.

Permitted.

Permitted.

Permitted.

Permitted.

Weddings

Not permitted except for compassionate reasons, with up to 5 people (including the couple, two witnesses and celebrant).

Not permitted except for compassionate reasons, with up to 5 people (including the couple, two witnesses and celebrant).

Permitted. Limited to 5 people (including the couple, 2 witnesses and celebrant).

Allowed with up to 10 people (including the couple, two witnesses and celebrant).

Allowed with 50 people (including the couple, two witnesses and celebrant), 20 in a private residence.

No limits but organisers required to keep records of attendees.

Funerals

Permitted. Limited to 10 mourners plus people required to conduct the funeral.

Permitted. Limited to 10 mourners plus infants under 12 months of age and people required to conduct the funeral.

Permitted. Limited to 10 mourners plus infants under 12 months of age and people required to conduct the funeral.

Allowed with up to 20 people (infants under 12m or people required to conduct the funeral not included in the limit).

Allowed with 50 people (not

including infants under 12 months of age or people required to conduct the funeral), 20 in

a private residence.

No limits but organisers required to keep records of attendees.

Prayer Groups & Bible Study Groups

Not permitted – online only.

Not permitted – online only.

Permitted outdoors.

Outdoor gatherings (not ceremonies) of up to 5 people, plus 1 faith leader, proximate to a place of worship allowed.

Outdoors: religious gatherings for up to 10 people plus a faith leader are allowed. 

At church: Facilities open for private worship for households or social bubbles, plus a faith leader.

At homes: Only as per ‘household bubble’ rules.

Increased to up to 50 people outdoors. 

Visitors to the home: increased to up to 20 visitors at a time.

No limits but organisers required to keep records of attendees.

Workers

Work from home. 

Permits for permitted work only.

Work from home. 

Permits for permitted work only.

Work from home. 

Permits for permitted work only.

Work from home if you can.

Work from home if you can.

Phased return to onsite work for workers who have been working from home.

Pastoral visitation in private home

Not permitted – online only.

Visitors to the home: increased to 1 nominated visitor if living alone/single parent.

Consider meeting outdoors if living within 5km if not in single social bubble.

Visitors to the home: 1 nominated visitor if living alone/single parent.

Visitors to the home: create a ‘household bubble’ with 1 nominated household allowing up to 5 visitors from that household at a time.

Allowed. Visitors to the home: increased to up to 20 visitors at a time.

No limits but organisers required to keep records of attendees.

Pastoral visitation in care facilities

Not permitted – online only.

Seek case by case advice

Seek case by case advice.

Seek case by case advice.

Seek case by case advice.

Seek case by case advice.

Seek case by case advice.

Public Gatherings

1 hour exercise limit, and with only 1 other person. 

Limited to 5km radius.

Increased to 2 people or a household that can meet outdoors for a maximum of 2 hours.

Limited to 5km radius.

Up to 5 people from a maximum of 2 households can meet outdoors for social interaction, exercise or recreation (infants under 12m not included in the cap) for a maximum of 2 hours. Limited to 5km radius.

Increased to up to 10 people outdoors.

No time limit or radius limits.

Increased to up to 50 people outdoors.

No time limit or radius limits.

No restrictions but organisers encouraged to keep records of

attendees.

Essential Support Groups 

(e.g. AA)

Permitted. Must maintain density requirements of 1 person per 4sqm, or a maximum of 10 people, whichever is less.

Permitted. Must maintain density requirements of 1 person per 4sqm, or a maximum of 10 people, whichever is less.

Permitted. Must maintain density requirements of 1 person per 4sqm, or a maximum of 10 people, whichever is less.

Permitted. Must maintain density requirements of 1 person per 4sqm, or a maximum of 10 people, whichever is less.

Permitted. Must maintain density requirements of 1 person per 4sqm.

No restrictions but organisers encouraged to keep records of attendees (subject to privacy).

Essential Support Services 

(e.g. food bank)

Permitted. 

Take away or delivery only.

Permitted. 

Take away or delivery only.

Permitted. 

Take away or delivery only.

Hospitality: predominantly outdoor seated service, increased group limit of 10 and density limits.

Hospitality: indoor (group limit of 20 and seated service, cap 50 patrons), outdoor dining subject to density quotient.

No restrictions but organisers encouraged to keep records of attendees.

Playgroups

Not permitted – online only.

Not permitted – online only.

Outdoor gatherings (not ceremonies) of up to 5 people, plus 1 faith leader, proximate to a place of worship allowed.

Public gatherings: increased to up to 10 people outdoors

In homes, up to 20 people.

At church, subject to density quotient.

No restrictions but organisers encouraged to keep records of attendees.

Op Shops

Closed except for click and collect/delivery. 

Must have COVID Safe Plan.

Closed except for click and collect/delivery. 

Must have COVID Safe Plan.

Closed except for click and collect/delivery. 

Must have COVID Safe Plan.

Open

Open

Open

Childcare

Closed except for permitted workers.

Closed except for permitted workers.

Open

Open

Open

Open

CURRENT STAGE 3 RESTRICTIONS

FIRST STEP:

DOES NOT APPLY TO REGIONAL VICTORIA

SECOND STEP:

FROM 11:59PM

13 SEPTEMBER 2020

THIRD STEP:

WHEN THRESHOLD MET

LAST STEP:

FROM 23 NOV 2020 OR WHEN THRESHOLDS ARE MET (LATTER)

NORMAL

Worship Services

Closed for on-site worship. 

Online services only.

Closed for indoor on-site worship. Online services only. 

Outdoor gatherings (not ceremonies) of up to 5 people, plus 1 faith leader, proximate to a place of worship allowed.

Outdoor religious gatherings for up to 10 people plus a faith leader are allowed. Facilities open for private worship for households or social bubbles, plus a faith leader.

Public worship can resume in outdoor and indoor settings subject to density quotient. 

No limits but organisers required to keep records of attendees.

Broadcast Team

Permitted. Limit of 5 people.

Permitted.

Permitted.

Permitted.

Permitted.

Weddings

Permitted. Limited to 5 people (including the couple, 2 witnesses and celebrant).

Permitted. Limited to 5 people (including the couple, 2 witnesses and celebrant).

Allowed with up to 10 people (including the couple, two witnesses and celebrant).

Allowed with 50 people (including the couple, two witnesses and celebrant), 20 in a private residence.

No limits but organisers required to keep records of attendees.

Funerals

Permitted. Limited to 10 mourners plus people required to conduct the funeral.

Allowed with up to 10 people (infants under 1yo or people required to conduct the funeral not included in the limit).

Allowed with up to 20 people (infants under 1yo or people required to conduct the funeral not included in the limit).

Allowed with up to 50 people (infants under 1yo or people required to conduct the funeral not included in the limit). Max of 20 in

a private residence.

No limits but organisers required to keep records of attendees.

Prayer Groups & Bible Study Groups

Not permitted – online only.

Permitted outdoors.

Outdoor gatherings (not ceremonies) of up to 5 people, plus 1 faith leader, proximate to a place of worship allowed.

Outdoors: religious gatherings for up to 10 people plus a faith leader are allowed. 

At church: Facilities open for private worship for households or social bubbles, plus a faith leader.

At homes: Only as per ‘household bubble’ rules.

Public worship can resume in outdoor and indoor settings subject to density quotient. 

Visitors to the home: increased to up to 20 visitors at a time.

No limits but organisers required to keep records of attendees.

Workers

Work from home. 

Work from home if you can.

Work from home if you can.

Work from home if you can.

Phased return to onsite work for workers who have been working from home.

Pastoral visitation in private home

Permitted only under care and compassionate grounds. No social visits.

Visitors to the home: 1 nominated visitor if living alone/single parent.

Visitors to the home: create a ‘household bubble’ with 1 nominated household allowing up to 5 visitors from that household

at a time.

Allowed. Visitors to the home: increased to up to 20 visitors at a time.

No limits but organisers required to keep records of attendees.

Pastoral visitation in care facilities

Seek case by case advice from facility.

Seek case by case advice from facility.

Seek case by case advice from facility.

Seek case by case advice from facility.

Seek case by case advice from facility.

Public Gatherings

Only with 1 other person. 

Up to 5 people from a maximum of 2 households can meet outdoors for social interaction (infants under 12 months of age are not included in the cap).

Increased to up to 10 people outdoors.

Increased to up to 50 people outdoors.

No restrictions but organisers encouraged to keep records of

attendees.

Essential Support Groups 

(e.g. AA)

Permitted. Must maintain density requirements of 1 person per 4sqm or a maximum of 20 people, whichever is less.

Permitted. Must maintain density requirements of 1 person per 4sqm or a maximum of 20 people, whichever is less.

Permitted. Must maintain density requirements of 1 person per 4sqm or a maximum of 20 people, whichever is less.

Permitted. Must maintain density requirements of 1 person per 4sqm or a maximum of 20 people, whichever is less.

No restrictions but organisers encouraged to keep records of attendees (subject to privacy).

Essential Support Services 

(e.g. food bank)

Permitted. 

Take away or delivery only.

Permitted. 

Take away or delivery only.

Hospitality: predominantly outdoor seated service, increased group limit of 10 and density limits.

Hospitality: indoor (group limit of 20 and seated service, cap 50 patrons), outdoor dining subject to density quotient.

No restrictions but organisers encouraged to keep records of attendees.

Playgroups

Not permitted – online only.

Permitted outdoors.

Outdoor gatherings (not ceremonies) of up to 5 people, plus 1 faith leader, proximate to a place of worship allowed.

Public gatherings: increased to up to 10 people outdoors

In homes, up to 20 people.

At church, subject to density quotient.

No restrictions but organisers encouraged to keep records of attendees.

Op Shops

Open. Comply with the 4sqm rule, signage and cleaning recommendations.

Open. Comply with the 4sqm rule, signage and cleaning recommendations.

Open. Comply with the 4sqm rule, signage and cleaning recommendations.

Open

Open

Childcare

Open

Open

Open

Open

Open