REGIONAL Victoria will exit lockdown from 11:59pm tomorrow night, with travel limits set to be dismissed and schools to reopen for select year levels, Greater Shepparton excluded.


Premier Daniel Andrews announced the changes on Wednesday, lauding the efforts of regional communities in driving case numbers down, getting tested, and getting vaccinated.


He did, however, outline that regional lockdowns could be localised for any future outbreaks, similar to the extended lockdown continuing in the Shepparton area.


The five kilometre limit will be dispelled, as will the five reasons to leave home, while schools will open for children completing year–12 subjects and in grade prep to grade two.


A new home–based quarantine scheme will allow a trial of 200 Victorians stuck in a New South Wales ‘cross–border community‘ to return home, with residents permitted to apply for exemptions if they have spent the 14 days between August 25 and September 8 in a NSW border area.


The ‘modest easing‘ of restrictions will allow hospitality venues to open as of Friday morning, with a maximum of 10 people seated inside and up to 20 outside subject to density limits, while offices will also be permitted to return to 25 per cent capacity or 10 people, whichever is greater.


The ski–fields will reopen, with visitors expected to show evidence of a negative COVID test within the previous 72 hours to gain access to the alpine resorts, and public gatherings will now be permitted for up to 10 people.


Private gatherings continue to not be permitted.


The “minimum number required to train“ will be permitted under new rules for outdoor community sport, while outdoor pools will be open to up to 50 people as the weather heats up.


For the full table of changes, visit https://www.premier.vic.gov.au/coronavirus–restrictions–lift–regional–victoria–0.