Melburnians race to book out pubs, restaurants and cafes as coronavirus restrictions finally ease after 111 days tonight - but they still don't know when they'll be able to have friends over
Melburnians are racing to make bookings at pubs, restaurants and cafes as coronavirus restrictions finally ease after more than 100 days of lockdown.
Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews on Monday announced the city would come out of lockdown and enter the 'third step' of his roadmap at 11.59pm on Tuesday.
Under the third step, cafes, restaurants and pubs can reopen with an outdoor limit of up to 50 and indoor limit of up to 20. Beauty, personal services and tattoo parlours will also reopen.
But the premier is still yet to announce one crucial piece of the puzzle - how many people are allowed to visit a household.
Melburnians are racing to make bookings at pubs, restaurants and cafes as coronavirus restrictions finally ease after more than 100 days of lockdown. Pictured: Two women enjoy a drink in Melbourne in June before the city was sent back into lockdown amid a deadly second wave
Two women in face masks walk along St Kilda Beach in Melbourne during the coronavirus crisis
Mr Andrews assured Melburnians they would be able to visit homes with more freedom in line with other rule changes from midnight, but wanted to mull over the final decision on Monday night.
'We do not want to do a bubble because we think that can be a particularly confusing set of arrangements for families, but we have not quite settled on it,' he told reporters on Monday.
Further changes are slated from midnight on November 8, including the end of the so-called 'ring of steel' separating the capital from regional Victoria, as well as the 25km travel limit.
Victoria recorded no new coronavirus cases on Monday, for the first time since June 9. The state followed with zero new infections and deaths on Tuesday.
Joe Vargetto, from Kew restaurant Mister Bianco, told The Herald Sun he was 'ecstatic' to receive calls and online bookings ahead of the eased restrictions.
'I'm absolutely over the moon. I'm very happy to have survived and got to this point,' Mr Vargetto said.
Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews on Monday announced the city would come out of lockdown and enter the 'third step' of his roadmap at 11.59pm on Tuesday. Pictured: Melburnians enjoy the sunshine at a park
Under the third step, cafes, restaurants and pubs can reopen with an outdoor limit of up to 50 and indoor limit of up to 20. Beauty, personal services and tattoo parlours will also reopen. Pictured: Residents at South Melbourne Market on Sunday
Duke of Wellington manager Andy O'Brien described the changes as 'the best news we've had in a long time'.
'It's fantastic being back doing what we love, pouring beers, having happy customers in,' he said.
Baby, an Italian restaurant in Richmond, welcome the eased restrictions on Facebook.
'All your favourites, served with the smiles you've missed!' the restaurant wrote.
'From Wednesday 28 October we are serving YOU! We are taking reservations via our website in line with government restrictions, with lunch and dinner available daily.'
Hawker Hall in Windsor also shared their excitement.
'The woks are heatin' up and so are we! Crack yo chopsticks and get your feed on,' they wrote.
'We are serving you dinner Monday - Thursday and lunch and dinner Friday - Sunday from Wednesday 28 October. Book in a Hawker Feast with your best friends via our website.'
Victoria free at last: What are the changes?
From Tuesday 27 October, 11.59pm
All retail, bars and restaurants open with 20 indoors and 50 outdoors
Beauty services and tattoo parlours open
Outdoor contact sport for under 18s back on and non-contact sport for adults
Four reasons to leave home removed
25km travel limit remains in place
Melbourne to regional VIC border remains
Outdoor gatherings up to 10 people
Gatherings can be of more than two households
Weddings increase to 10 attendees, funerals to 20
Church services open with 10 indoors and 20 outdoors
PT, fitness and dance classes can be held outdoors with up to 10 people
Number of people at outdoor pools can increase to 50, subject to density limits
Must work from home if you can
From 8 November
25km travel limit scrapped
Travel to regional VIC allowed
Retail, pubs and restaurants allowed 40 people indoors, 70 outdoors
Funerals allowed indoors with 20 and outdoors with 50
Non-contact sport for U18s allowed indoors
Gyms and indoor fitness will be able to reopen
Holiday accommodation to re-open
Religious gatherings will expand with up 20 people and a faith leader indoors, and 50 outside