Jeff Kennett: Why selective lockdown is the worst thing for our state
It’s too early to say to what extent the Victorian government has contributed to the rising numbers of COVID-19 infections but what we must do right now is try to safely live with the virus while keeping the lights on in our state, writes Jeff Kennett.
Opinion
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There will be a great deal of analysis about the way we in Australia and Victoria have tackled the worldwide coronavirus.
At a federal level, and in part through the National Cabinet, we have done a very good job. When the virus arrived, we were dealing with the unknown.
At a state level here in Victoria, despite the co-ordinated directions given by the National Cabinet, the Victorian government decided to forge its own path. To what extent that contributed to Victoria’s current situation and rising numbers of COVID-19 infections only time will tell.
What we do know is that two serious errors have occurred: the inadequate quarantine of the Cedar Meats cluster and the appalling failure of security personnel administering the hotel quarantine of those arriving back from overseas. Cedar Meats is a supporter of the Victorian Labor Party and if that influenced how the cluster was handled, questions must be asked and answered.
The so-called independent inquiry announced by the Victorian government simply does not have the powers of a royal commission and its work will be restricted.
Meanwhile, the ministers responsible for managing this health crisis in Victoria are hiding behind the existence of a “political inquiry” and refusing to answer legitimate questions that must be answered to ensure the public has confidence in its elected officials.
But there is another more important issue. Most media services are reporting, and people interstate are saying, that Victoria is again in lockdown.
We are not. We are in a partial, selective lockdown. A situation that is confusing, contradictory, and causing unnecessary pain.
This virus will be with us for a long time. We must manage to live with it. If we are going to have a selective lockdown every time there is an outbreak, the social and economic impact will be many times more damaging to families and businesses than the virus.
Why do we have a selective lockdown? Supermarkets and chemists remain open for good reasons. The construction industry has continued as social distancing is achievable on work sites.
That said, shopping centres remain open. Why? At Chadstone, shops that sell luxury brands remain open — why? Essential services? Clearly not. Nor are shops that sell clothing and footwear. Hardware stores remain open. Essential service? Clearly not. Retailers of alcohol remain open. Essential product? Clearly not. As much as we enjoy a drink.
But if it is accepted that these operations should remain open, why do we discriminate against others? For instance, our restaurants were servicing 20 customers a sitting while enforcing social distancing, and were about to go to 50 patrons, when the rug was pulled from under them.
These are some of our most hygienic operators, governed by food safety regulations, codes of practice and legislation. Not only have they had their lights punched out with the second so-called lockdown, putting many in a financial hole from which they will struggle to recover, but they had to lay off hundreds of employees, many of them young. Small, family-run tourist operators also following hygiene regulations have had their lights punched out, with the same ramifications.
You cannot have your cake and eat it too. There must be a total lockdown or no lockdown. I favour no lockdown, instead responding to outbreaks as they occur.
We have four issues to address: containing the spread of the virus; keeping as many people as possible employed; rebuilding Victoria once the virus is contained; holding those who mismanaged our response to account.
Right now, we must do whatever it takes, safely, to keep the lights on in Victoria. I am not against the retailers I’ve mentioned being allowed to trade. What I am against is the government stopping our restaurants, hospitality and tourism industries from trading.
Most will not have enough patrons given social distancing to make a profit, but they might be able to break even, to keep staff employed and to give many in the community a way to enjoy a small piece of normality while supporting their local businesses.
When I was in the CBD on Monday it was like a ghost town.
When out walking my dog for exercise, I notice the increasing number of shops along the local shopping strips for sale or lease.
The increasing number of individuals and families seeking financial relief is another clear sign that, if we are not going to have a total lockdown, we must be braver and allow others operators to open, as long as they comply with strict hygiene standards, and social distancing rules.
Then we have the issue of schools. Yes, there are some where COVID-19 has been detected. Our responses should be to test, clean and resume. Why do we respond by closing most schools?
We must all get behind those who have the responsibility of leading us. But it would be easier if those in charge had a clear and consistent message, instead of a raft of damaging double standards.
Either have the strength to totally close the state down for three weeks if medical advice confirms it will work, or manage the virus, which means allowing restaurants, bars, pubs, cafes and tourism venues to open.
I clearly vote to keep the lights on. If not, I fear the social and economic cost will be devastating.
Have a thoughtful day.
Jeff Kennett is a former premier of Victoria