Regional Victorian towns concerned to reopen to Melbourne

As regional Victoria prepares to reopen to Melburnians some county towns fear the surge in Covid cases won’t be worth the economic boom.

Regional Victoria will reopen to Melburnians from this weekend but some country towns fear the rise in Covid cases won’t be worth the economic boom to their communities.

After months of being banned from entering regional Victoria, Melburnians will able to travel anywhere in the state from 6pm on Friday October 29.

According to Visit Victoria, 71 per cent of Melburnian travellers are planning a trip to regional Victoria in the next four months.

While many are looking forward to seeing the increase in trade, some country folk are concerned visitors won’t follow the rules and cases numbers will inevitably rise in the regions.

Bass State Labor MP Jordan Crugnale said she expected to see a surge in cases.

“The pandemic is not over ... we have to remain cautious and not undo all our work to get us to where we are,” she said.

“We live in a glorious part of Victoria and we want everyone to enjoy their time here.”

But Ms Crugnale urged locals to welcome Melburnians back into regional Victoria.

“We will have people who are anxious not quite ready to go all out, others excited and wanting to immerse themselves in nature, local happenings and events,” she said.

“Let’s be that welcoming community that we are and keep to the physical distancing, mask wearing and everything we know and do to keep our community Covid safe.”

Wonthaggi Hotel owner Paradee Titulaer said she was happy to see visitors return to her pub.

“We are very excited to welcome back our metropolitan friends to town and we are grateful to be able to operate even though it’s under a strict restrictions,” she said.

Some regional Victorians say they are glad Melburnians are returning but nervous about what it could mean.

“I am excited to see my family finally but at the same time nervous that some Melbourne people will not do the right thing by us locals,” Elaine Sammut said via a Bass Coast News poll.

“Hygiene, masks, being vaccinated and standing to close to others [are a concern].”

Daniel Dunker said easing statewide travel restrictions was a risk.

“I feel for the nurses and doctors as they start getting run off their feet,” he said.

“But I guess as long as most are vaccinated it’s a mitigated risk and one we sort of have to start making to recover.”

Meanwhile, Sharon Wheeler said she was looking forward to Melburnians returning.

“They’ve had it worse than any other city in the whole world,” she said.

“They deserve freedom.”

Earlier this year tensions flared between locals and city-slickers after Melburnians continuously flouted lockdown laws and fled to their holiday homes throughout the pandemic.

But shockingly, regional Victorians also turned against one another with locals experiencing unwarranted attacks.

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