More Bendigo workers to head into offices as restrictions ease, mask changes to take effect

Bendigo Bank is allowing for up to half of its workforce at the Bendigo Centre, in the Bendigo CBD, to return.

"We will continue to review this in line with any changes made by the government," a bank spokesperson said.

They said the bank had plans in place to ensure those who chose to return to the workplace had a safe return, including staggered start and finish times.

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Coliban Water intends to reopen the customer service counter at its Bridge Street office on Monday.

The organisation moved to remote operations in March.

Coliban Water acting managing director Danny McLean encouraged customers to call first to see if their inquiry could be resolved over the phone or to make an appointment with team member.

"Our customer support team will be able to help with most enquires but in line with Victorian Government restrictions we have a limited number of staff onsite," Mr McLean said.

"Customers visiting our Bridge Street office must observe the signage with the number of customers allowed into the office at one time, wear a mask while indoors and keep to the social distancing markers on the floor."

Cash payments would not be accepted, only card.

Coliban Water had planned to open the customer service counter before the state government on Thursday announced restrictions on office capacity would ease.

The water authority's plans were largely unchanged by the announcement, which allowed for up to 50 per cent of private sector workers and 25 per cent of the public sector to return to their offices.

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The City of Greater Bendigo is sticking with its plan to scale up staffing in its offices to up to 50 per cent from January 27.

"The Victorian government advice is a recommendation but organisations can make individual decisions, provided they are in keeping with current health advice," acting corporate performance director Jenn Spelling said.

She said the city's decision, made last week, was intended to provide staff with some certainty and to allow time to see how the latest outbreak unfolded.

"The city wanted to avoid a potential situation where staff might have returned, only to have to go home again," Ms Spelling said.

Face masks are no longer mandatory in offices from Monday, but are strongly recommended if it is not possible to stay 1.5 metres away from other people.

Changes to mask wearing indoors, also announced on Thursday, come into effect Monday.

It is no longer mandatory to wear a mask indoors unless you are on public transport, using a ride share or taxi service, inside shopping centres and stores, at an indoor market, on a domestic flight, at an airport or in a hospital.

Victorians are still required to carry a mask with them whenever they're away from home.

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