Bold plan to trigger end of Victoria’s Covid restrictions

Premier Daniel Andrews has refused to confirm whether dancing will be allowed at nightclubs and weddings or if people will be able to eat or drink while standing up at licensed venues.

Masks will also still be required in high risk settings including all public transport and hospitals.

Fully-vaccinated close contacts of confirmed cases will also likely still isolate for seven days after exposure, even after the state’s jab target is met.

However, confirmed rule changes in the state will include the removal of caps on cafes, restaurants, shops and other events for fully-vaccinated locals.

Victorians will also be able to have as many house guests as they like ahead of the Christmas season.

It comes as the state’s peak business group want to push new freedoms even further in order for the “shackles” of Covid to be removed.

The bold plan, by the Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, would mean international borders are opened to tourists and students before the end of the month.

The group’s Chief Executive Paul Guerra also said heavily eased restrictions will help launch Melbourne “into a proper recovery mode” ahead of Christmas.

“We also need an agreement that double-vaccinated people who are identified as close contacts of a positive case only have to isolate until they return a negative PCR result, and then some additional testing as they enter their workplace for the following seven days,” he said.

“This will significantly help businesses navigate the issue of staff shortages.”

More than 87 per cent of Victorians aged 12 and above are now fully vaccinated while 92 per cent have received at least one dose.

The state recorded 996 new cases and nine Covid deaths on Tuesday.