CIVIC leaders have praised the Victorian Government’s easing of COVID-19 restrictions that will see the majority of Mildura businesses back up and running on Friday morning, but lamented that it was a case of “better late than never”.
The easing of restrictions for country Victorians came into effect at midnight Thursday, while Melburnians remain in strict lockdown and are banned from travelling to regional areas.
The capital city restrictions were extended for a further week following an initial seven-day statewide lockdown despite very few active cases being in the regions.
It prompted renewed calls for regional Victoria to be treated differently than they city counterparts where authorities scrambled to contain numerous outbreaks.
Member for Mildura Ali Cupper said that while earlier opportunities for an easing of regional Victorian restrictions had been lost, she was pleased with this week’s outcome.
“This is what we’ve been calling for … a tailored setting for regional Victoria and that’s what we’ve got, so I’m happy,” Ms Cupper said.
“It’s not a full snapback, so we can’t be back to normal by Friday morning, but this is a hell of a lot better than being lumped in with Melbourne,” she said.
“People in Mildura, for the most part, are not thinking COVID is a hoax — they are acknowledging this is a global pandemic and for a proportion of people who get COVID, they will get very, very sick and they may die and we don’t want that.
“So, there is a tolerance for some level of restrictions, but we just want those restrictions to be proportionate and this is a lot better than what we’ve had in the past week, so I’m taking that as a win.”
However, Ms Cupper said a proportional response to the lockdown would have been preferred when restrictions were first implemented.
“It would have been good if that two-tiered setting had of been announced straight up, but better late than never, I guess.”
Mildura Mayor Jason Modica said the easing of restrictions was “great news” for the regions.
“There has been a genuine push from rural Victoria to be considered in a different way and it’s wonderful the government has taken that onboard,” Cr Modica said.
“But there’s a proviso that if there is a case — and I’ve had a bit of feedback already that this (COVID-19) variant is very strong — and if it does get out we’ll be back to square one.
“So it’s up to everybody to get vaccinated, log in with the QR code wherever you go, wear your masks and make sure we do all those other things so we can go about our lives as best that we can.
“The realities of the decision abound by how well we adhere to the rules and how well Melbourne adheres to the rules.
“Hopefully, we both do it and we can enjoy that little bit more freedom.
“It has happened, which feels good, but we’ve got to hold up our end of the bargain.”
Key regional Victoria rules from Friday
- Residents can leave home for any reason
- Face masks must be carried at all times, worn indoors except at home and worn outdoors if 1.5metre social distancing can’t be maintained
- No private gatherings permitted
- Public gatherings allowed for up to 10 people
- Schools return to face-to-face learning for all year levels
- Childcare centres open
- All retail sites open with QR code compliance
- Indoor sport closed
- Community sport: permitted for juniors, but training only for adults
- Hospitality venues: open for seated service only with a patron maximum of 50 people, group sizes to a cap of 10
- Entertainment venues including cinemas: open up to 25 per cent seated capacity indoors and 50 per cent capacity outdoors, both up to a maximum of 50 people
- Hairdressers, beauty salons: open with face masks required
- Weddings: permitted with a maximum of 10 people
- Funerals: permitted with up to 50 people
- Accommodation: open
- Hospital: no visitors are permitted, except for end-of-life reasons, a support partner for birth and a parent to accompany a child
- Care facilities: visitors permitted into aged care or other care facilities for end-of-life reasons and permitted purposes only
