Victorias business groups criticise states plan to reopen

But lockdown will remain in place until 70 per cent of Victorians are double vaccinated, which is forecast for 26 October.

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At that stage, the city's curfew will be lifted, the travel limit will increase to 25km and hospitality can open outdoors with a limit of 50 fully vaccinated people.

Fully vaccinated people will also be able to get a haircut and gather outdoors in groups of 10.

Once Victoria reaches its 80 per cent double-dose target, forecast for 5 November, the travel limit is scrapped altogether, retail, gyms and beauty services can reopen for the fully vaccinated and hospitality can resume indoors.

Home gatherings of up to 10 people will be allowed, while at Christmas the figure is expected to increase to 30.

The reopening of schools will not be tied to vaccination coverage, with Year 12 students going back to class on 6 October and a staggered return of other years starting with Prep to Grade 2s on 18 October.

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Mr Andrews said the plan was "cautious" and would prevent the state's hospital system from being overrun.

But the opposition and business groups have described it as conservative, given Sydney is on track to enjoy far more freedoms about a fortnight earlier than Melbourne, despite having recorded more COVID-19 cases, hospitalisations and deaths.

"Victorian businesses wanted a pathway to prosperity, but instead we got a roadmap with roadblocks," Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry chief executive Paul Guerra said in a statement.

Victoria’s Roadmap out of COVID-19 restrictions & lockdowns has been released, with #VCCI C.E Paul Guerra expressing his disappointment in the details.

“Victorian businesses wanted a pathway to prosperity, but instead we got a roadmap with roadblocks.” https://t.co/2QFUOPxjlq

"It is extremely tough to look over the border and see our NSW neighbours get back to relatively normal life while we continue to be locked down in a holding pattern."

The Australian Hotels Association Victorian president David Canny said he was "gutted" and called for consistency between states.

The Australian Retailers Association chief executive Paul Zahra said the road map was "disappointing" and would cost the industry $6 billion.

Greater Geelong, the Surf Coast and Mitchell Shire have went into a seven-day lockdown from 11.59pm on Sunday, meaning the regions will be under the same restrictions as Melbourne and Ballarat.

Business groups in Victoria want to come out of lockdown at a similar pace to NSW. Source: AAP

At 70 per cent double dose vaccination coverage on 26 October: 

Lockdown will end

Community sport resumes

10 fully vaccinated people can gather outdoors 

Pubs, clubs, entertainment will open to 50 fully vaccinated outdoors

Fifty fully vaccinated people can attend a wedding or funeral outdoors 

For hair and beauty sessions, up to 5 fully vaccinated people can attend sessions indoors in metropolitan Melbourne 

All students will return to on-site and face-to-face learning for some period of time during the week

In regional Victoria:

Social and recreational activity returns, community sport indoors returns

For pubs, clubs, entertainment, the limit increases to 30 fully vaccinated patrons indoors

Like for metropolitan Melbourne, all students will return to face-to-face learning for some hours in the learning week

In religious and faith gatherings, the indoor gathering limit will be 30, increasing to 50 outdoors. 

At the 80 per cent double dose vaccination coverage on 5 November: 

Household gatherings can include up to 10 people, including dependents

Up to 150 people can dine indoors

Mandatory masks will only be required inside

Pubs, restaurants, cafes will be open for seated service, with up to 150 fully vaccinated patrons indoors. The number increases to 500 patrons outdoors. 

You can work in the office, if fully vaccinated

Hair, beauty, personal care open to the fully vaccinated

Retail open

Early learning and childcare open

Schools open in "as close to the normal pre-COVID fully open environment"

On Sunday, Victoria recorded 507 new COVID-19 cases and the death of a man in his 90s, bringing the toll from the latest outbreak to 11.

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