by Michaela Meade
Hume has transformed from one of the most COVID-19 infected municipalities in Victoria, to one of the most vaccinated against the virus as the state prepares to open up more.
Fully COVID-19 vaccinated Hume and Whittlesea residents will have more freedoms from tomorrow morning, Premier Daniel Andrews announced today.
It comes as Hume hit the 90 per cent double dose vaccination target early, as revealed by Sunbury MP Josh Bull on his Facebook page last night.
Federal health department data revealed that Whittlesea’s double dose vaccination rate was 85.9 per cent as at Monday, November 15, edging closer to the state’s target.
Victoria is set to hit the 90 per cent double dose vaccination rate milestone in the coming days, with Mr Andrews announcing that almost all restrictions in the state would ease from tonight.
There will be no limits in home settings from 11.59pm tonight, and no density limits for cafes or restaurants.
Masks will still be required for primary school staff and visitors, pupils in years 3 to 6, workers serving the public at hospitality venues, workers and customers at indoor retail, visitors and select workers in hospitals and care facilities, and people using public transport, taxi or rideshare vehicles, and planes.
All indoor and outdoor events with less than 30,000 fully vaccinated attendees will be able to proceed.
Major sports events such as the Boxing Day Test and the Australian Open will be able to proceed at full capacity.
Unless health services see a significant jump in hospitalisations, retail customers will no longer need to wear a mask after Wednesday, December 15.
Weddings, funerals, and places of worship will still have mask requirements, density limits and caps in place.
The same will apply to settings where the vaccination status is not being checked.
More information on restrictions is available on the health department website.
Details: www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au/coronavirus-covidsafe-settings.
