Restrictions to be eased in Australia’s Covid-19 hotspot

Sydney (dpa), 18 October 2020 - Restrictions in the state at the centre of Australia’s second wave of the coronavirus pandemic were set to be eased, Victoria Premier Daniel Andrews said on Sunday, as the state recorded just two new cases and zero deaths.   

“Victorians have done an amazing job ... what that means is that as so many cities across the world head in what is going to be a deadly winter, we in Melbourne and across Victoria are well placed to have a Covid-safe summer and a Covid-normal 2021,” Andrews said in a press conference.   

He said that time limits for exercising and socializing would be scrapped, with the 5-kilometre travel limit also to be expanded to 25 kilometres as part of the block of measures to be eased in metropolitan Melbourne starting at 11:59 pm on Sunday (1259 GMT).   

Social gathering outdoors will increase to 10 people from two households while outdoor pools will be allowed to host up to 30 swimmers.