Victoria’s finally on the move and learning to live with Covid

The further rolling back of restrictions has provided a ration of welcome reality. Finally, Victoria’s on the move.

The axing of mandatory masks indoors and the work-from-home recommendation will breathe life back into the city. Picture: David Crosling

Finally, good news.

Workers can go back to work. We can show our faces. The pitiful monument of the pandemic – the CBD – might once again spill with people.

This is a belatedly defining moment in the longer Covid story. We’re tossing away the (mostly grotty, overused) masks, except in exceptional settings. We are finally seeking to live with the virus rather than be controlled by it.

The Andrews government headlined Tuesday’s announcement with a “safe and sensible” branding.

Masks will only need to be worn indoors in exceptional settings. Picture: Sarah Matray

Critics might pick unkinder words to describe the tardiness of the changes.

As usual, we are weeks behind NSW, which has set a pandemic agenda for Victoria to follow.

The requirement for primary school kids from grade three upwards to wear masks at school seems petty. As does the need for hospitality and retail workers to be masked for the entirety of their shifts.

Does “the science” delineate between these settings and the maskless others who will come into direct contact with dozens of people each day?

Was a similar “science” applied to playground bans, which had nothing to do with virulence and everything to do with naughty chatterers?

These edicts also ignore plainer truths. People have been applying their own rules to masks for some time.

The shroud of fear has been lifted by acceptance, given everyone has either had Covid or knows many people who have.

Biting criticism has earned its place in the Victorian response. But is probably better applied to other moments and circumstances.

Victorians will be enjoy more freedoms from 11.59pm Friday night. Picture: Ian Currie

Today is not a drip-fed target, but a ration of welcome reality. Finally, we are on the move.

Elective surgery will soon flow again. Those suffering from ailments, such as chronically infected tonsils or the need for a knee replacement, can consult a calendar to plan life without pain.

Incentives to attract people to the CBD – as well as the regions and entertainment venues – will undoubtedly encourage people to spend, even if some have derided the $100m voucher scheme as a “sugar hit”.

Today’s announcement portends a better year than the last two, an overdue return to age-old rituals, of peak hour traffic and delayed trains and too many bums and not enough seats.

That’s no bad thing.