For months, almost any announcement from state premiers that their borders were to remain closed, or from Victorian leader Daniel Andrews that he was not yet ready to reopen the economy, has been met with derision from business and federal politicians.

"I just think it's ... ridiculous that they aren't opening up," thundered Flight Centre chief executive Graham Turner after Andrews – briefly as it turns out – delayed the reopening of the Victorian economy on Sunday because of continuing concerns about the spread of the coronavirus.