Coronavirus: Australian state backtracks on rule just 48 hours after banning live-apart couples from seeing each other

'Sensible, good and clear decision,' writes Twitter user

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Couples in Victoria, Australia who live apart are no longer banned from seeing each other, the state’s chief health officer has said.

On 30 March, the state imposed a strict “stay at home” order that prevented people from leaving their homes with few exceptions, such as food shopping.

On Twitter, one resident asked police minister Lisa Neville if the new rules meant that people could not visit their partners if they do not live with them.

“You cannot visit your partner for social reasons,” Neville replied before directing the user to Victoria’s health and human services website, where the regulations were outlined in full.

Now, however, just 48 hours after the order was imposed, Victoria’s chief health officer Professor Brett Sutton has said it does not apply to couples who live apart.

“Regarding ‘Stay at Home’ rules: We have no desire to penalise individuals who are staying with or meeting their partners if they don’t usually reside together,” he tweeted.

“We’ll be making an exemption. Hope that helps.”

Neville has since described the amendment as a “good outcome” for the residents of Victoria.

“This is good outcome for the community,” she tweeted in response to Sutton. “Thank you. @VictoriaPolice were also wondering how they would enforce.”

Residents have said they are grateful for Sutton’s change in direction.

“Thank you. I don’t want to be dramatic, but it’s possible this exemption can alleviate a lot of burden on the mental health services,” tweeted one person.

“These are hard times, with hard sacrifices, but sometimes we have to think human.”

Another person described the move as a “sensible, good and clear decision”.