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The region's accommodation sector is preparing for a slow recovery when regional Victoria's lockdown lifts.
The state government also confirmed cash grants supporting regional businesses most affected by the current lockdown would proceed next week.
Bendigo Motels Association president Kristyn Slattery said the conservative restrictions meant it would still take time for businesses to thrive and start a proper recovery.
7.30pm
Some Bendigo restaurants are still deciding whether it will be financially viable to fully re-open when lockdown ends in regional Victoria on Friday.
Capacity restrictions on hospitality venues mean they can host 10 diners inside and 20 outside if space permits it.
5pm
THERE will be 200 police officers patrolling the regional-metro border from midnight on Thursday.
Deputy Commissioner Rick Nugent said there would be a "highly visible" police presence along the main regional arterials and back roads.
4pm
SOME regional students will be returning to the classroom when lockdown lifts on Thursday night.
Premier Daniel Andrews confirmed students in prep, years one and two, along with year 12 students will return to face-to-face classes.
Earlier
REGIONAL Victoria with the exception of Shepparton will step out of harsh lockdown restrictions from 11.59pm Thursday.
The five reasons to leave your home will be removed and there will be no limit on the distance regional Victorians can travel from home.
The authorised worker list will no longer apply in the regions, meaning most businesses and venues can reopen with capacity and density limits.
Office workers will be able to return up to 25 per cent or up to 10 people, whichever is greater.
Regional schools will reopen for onsite learning for Prep to Grade 2 and Year 12 students who live in regional Victoria, while remote learning will remain for all other levels.
Onsite supervision at schools remains available for vulnerable children and children of essential workers in all year levels, including for students from metropolitan Melbourne.
Funerals will be permitted for up to 20 people and weddings will be permitted for up to 10 people, plus those required to conduct the service.
Stricter limits will be in place for both weddings and funerals with people from Melbourne in attendance.
Restaurants and cafes can reopen for seated service with patron caps. Retail, hairdressing, entertainment venues and community facilities will also open in line with density limits and patron caps.
Masks will continue to be required indoors and outdoors, apart from private residences, unless an exception applies.
A complete breakdown of changes can be found here:
Community sport training will also return, but competition will still be banned.
Making the announcement, Mr Andrews said it was cautious reopening, one he hoped would last into the future.
He indicated he would localise any future lockdowns in the regions, as has happened with Shepparton currently.
"If there were an outbreak in another part of regional Victoria then we would look to try to target and localise our public health measures as much as we could," he said.
"That's why in order to keep a handle on what's going on in regional Victoria, people need to get tested as soon as they feel sick."
Victorians who have been residing in a NSW Local Government Border Area for at least the 14 days from August 25 to September 8 will be able to apply for a new permit exemption category 'Victorians in the cross-border community' to come home.
Applications for exemptions will be open for seven days from midday on Friday 10 September, closing at 6:00pm on September 17.
Victorians applying for this exemption will need to provide proof of their primary residence in Victoria, evidence of a negative COVID19 test result 48 hours prior to their arrival in Victoria and that they have received at least their first dose of a coronavirus vaccine.
Applicants will also be required to provide evidence such as receipts and QR check in records that they have stayed within the border region and maintained minimal social contact while in NSW.
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