Victorians to go back to the office as Premier signals transition away from Covid-19 restrictions

Victorians are being told it is time to go back to the office, but many have reacted angrily about the reasons given for ending work from home.

Millions of Australians have become accustomed to the work from home lifestyle necessitated by the pandemic.

No peak-hour commute. No small talk in the office kitchen. More time at home with the family.

It is, for many, the preferred option.

So the response was mixed when Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews on Tuesday announced Victorians “can head back to work next week without needing to wear a mask in the office”.

“From 11.59pm on Friday, masks can come off in most indoor settings, and the recommendation to work from home will go,” the Premier said.

From 11.59pm on Friday, masks can come off in most indoor settings, and the recommendation to work from home will go.

You'll still need to wear a mask in some workplaces, rideshares, public transport, hospitals, and a few other circumstances.

— Dan Andrews (@DanielAndrewsMP) February 21, 2022

“You’ll still need to wear a mask in some workplaces, rideshares, public transport, hospitals, and a few other circumstances.

“But this means Victorians can head back to work next week without needing to wear a mask in the office.

“And cafes and lunch spots around Victoria can start to welcome back the regulars they’ve missed so much.”

While many were pleased restrictions are easing, some accused the government of trying to revive the economy at expense of public health.

A single comment on Twitter received 13,000 likes.

So we're straight, I'm expected to spend $15 bucks a day to spend 2 hours travelling on rona riddled trains, pay for and put my son in outside hours care, and the sole reason I need to do all this is to prop up CBD cafes?

— Nic (@nicolethewestie) February 19, 2022

“So we’re straight, I’m expected to spend $15 bucks a day to spend 2 hours travelling on rona riddled trains, pay for and put my son in outside hours care, and the sole reason I need to do all this is to prop up CBD cafes?” wrote @nicolethewestie on Twitter.

Others expressed similar views.

“Why? Cases are still in the thousands,” one person wrote.

“New Omicron variant looming. I don’t understand this after all the good that’s been done. I think this will be a mistake.”

Another added this: “Dan: after all the incredibly hard work we Victorians did throughout 2020 and 2021 - with the support of your government - I’m feeling more than a little betrayed right now.”

On Reddit, where the topic generated plenty of heated discussion, users suggested a return to the CBD would be bad for suburban businesses which had barely survived.

Victorians are being urged to return to the CBD for work. Picture: NCA Newswire / Gaye Gerard

“Yes, prop up CBD cafes at the expense of my local cafe which has had a good run during Covid, and did a lot to help the community along the way,” one user wrote.

Another suggested there was a reason the Andrews Government wants to get people back inside office buildings.

“Every day that passes without people in the CBD is another day a lease comes up for renewal and a company reconsiders its need for excessive office space,” they wrote.

“They will tell you literally anything at this point to get people back in.”

Victoria recorded 6786 new cases of Covid-19 on Tuesday and 14 deaths.

There are 345 people hospitalised with the virus, including 48 in ICU and eight on a ventilator.

Originally published as Victorians to go back to the office as Premier signals transition away from Covid-19 restrictions