Regional Victoria COVID restrictions eased

From breakfast at cafes to getting their nails done, regional Victorians are out and about enjoying their first day of relaxed coronavirus restrictions. We’ve stepped out across the state to talk to people and business owners.

Outdoor dining at Sturt Street, Ballarat Central

Regional Victorians are enjoying breakfast at cafes and getting their nails done after coronavirus restrictions eased overnight.

And business owners are buoyed with the turnout.

In Ballarat, Higher Society cafe owner Rhys Jeffrey said the first day of eased restrictions had been a success, with only “slim” openings for patrons wanting to sit down.

“This morning has been surreal hearing the murmur of the crowd, the cutlery, the cups, it’s a really happy moment for us,” he said.

“People just wanted to come out and have some normality to their day, it wasn’t a surprise but it was a bit overwhelming of how many people wanted to do that on day one.

“Having people back in, bums on seats, is overwhelming, as an owner to see that.”

Higher Society owner Rhys Jeffrey and worker Alex Murphy.

Patrons at Higher Society. Picture: Tess Ikonomou

Maggie Ryan said it was exciting to have the freedom to dine in with friend Mimi Barnett after months of isolation.

“Just being around people is what we need right now, especially in these tough times,” she said.

“Absolutely loving it, it’s really good,” Ms Barnett said.

“I’ve missed it a lot, missing that connection with people.”

Friends Mimi Barnett and Maggie Ryan enjoy dining in at Sturt Street cafe Higher Society

Kaffenio manager Chris Kimerlis said his Mildura CBD cafe had welcomed back its usual early-morning crowd of “the blockies, the electricians, the plumbers” for sit-down meals.

“It’s just completely different,” he said.

“Usually they get something small and go, this time they can actually have a meal.”

Mr Kimerlis said he had also been able to have more staff working.

Anthony and Vince Calvi prepare for breakfast and a coffee at Kaffenio in Mildura, served by manager Chris Kimerlis.

Bass Coast residents have flocked to nail salons as regional Victoria enters into step three in the road map to reopening.

Desa Nails, Waxing and Beauty owner Sa Le said she was “so happy” to open her doors this morning.

Within 30 minutes of being opened, the Wonthaggi nail salon had 10 customers.

Ms Le expects to see an influx of customers over the next few days after being closed for six weeks.

Bass Coast residents have flocked to Desa Nails, Waxing and Beauty

Lemon Tree Cafe manager Anthony Andronaco said Shepparton’s coffee lovers were out and about enjoying the relaxed dine-in restrictions, with takeaway orders also seeing a boost.

“It has definitely been busier today – everyone’s just happy to be out and about,” he said.

While the outdoor dining area was only filled to about a third of capacity, Mr Andronaco expected the coming days to be flat out.

“People are trying to call up and book a table a week in advance,” he said

“We have limited numbers, so it has been hard getting everyone in.”

Lemon Tree Cafe worker Keziah Lowden and manager Anthony Andronaco

Wodonga residents have flocked to cafes to enjoy a meal and a hot beverage.

Suzanne Sharpe said it felt surreal being out and enjoying something as simple as sitting in a cafe.

“It feels bizarre,” she said.

“I still feel like we’re doing something wrong!

“But it’s lovely, it’s very enjoyable.

“It will be a saviour for all the shops to have business back and some semblance of normal.”

Wodonga residents Suzanne Sharp (left) and mother Elle Carter

But relaxed restrictions for regional Victorians wasn’t the only welcome change for the border city on Thursday, after it was announced on Wednesday night that Albury-Wodonga residents can cross freely over the Murray River, provided they have a border pass.

Wodonga resident Erin Sharma said she was excited and nervous about the border reopening.

“It’s exciting and nerve wracking because we haven’t been able to do it for so long,” Ms Sharma said.

“But we are a twin city, and being stuck in Wodonga you realise how much you rely on Albury.”

Wodonga residents Samantha Dwyer and Erin Sharma.

Regional Victoria’s easing of restrictions comes after the state’s daily case total dipped below 30 for the first time since June, with 28 new infections in the past 24 hours.

The 14-day average daily case is now 2.9.

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