Business group lobbies Victorian government for changes to isolation rules

A leading business group is calling for major changes amid fears supermarket shelves in Victoria could be empty over Easter.

There are new calls for the Victorian government to change its isolation rules for household contacts over fears supermarket shelves and restaurants could be left empty over the Easter holidays.

While many businesses are still feeling the squeeze of Covid, Australian Industry Group Victoria head Tim Piper holds particular concern for the manufacturing industry as it tries to keep supplies stocked over Easter.

There are fears businesses don’t have the workers they need. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Sarah Matray

“Manufacturers who would normally be ramping up their product production for Easter are having difficulty due to the lack of people,” Mr Piper said.

“In some cases they’re about 20 per cent (workers) down because of Covid … which they can’t afford particularly in the lead-up to Easter.

“Companies have been pretty good in maintaining the level of product on shelves and hopefully they’ll continue to do that, but it’s costly due to overtime and Covid cleaning. It has an inflationary impact on the cost of goods.”

Another industry that continues to be affected by the pandemic is hospitality, with Mr Piper saying businesses are considering closing during one of the most lucrative times on their calendar.

“It’s a terrible thing to have to do over a holiday period because that’s when they (hospitality businesses) make their money,” he said.

“The Alpine Hotel … they’re closing over Easter because they can’t get people and it’s going to cost them tens of thousands of dollars to do that. They’d prefer not to, it’s a very important time for them.

He also said the mandate for hospitality workers to wear masks was likely a factor in people’s reluctance to work in the industry.

Victorian head of the Australian Industry Group Tim Piper says he’s surprised there haven’t been more empty supermarket shelves. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Sarah Matray

Mr Piper suggested that the isolation period of seven days for household contacts should be reduced to three or four days.

He made it clear the industry didn’t want Covid to spread, but he said the restrictions needed to continually be revamped and reconsidered to lessen the impact on businesses.

“Having people locked up for as long as somebody has to be in Covid isolation doesn’t seem to make sense,” Mr Piper said.

“Most people will be pretty responsible about it … so they can still go to work.”

A spokesman for the Victorian government said it would consider changes to isolation practices based on public health advice from the experts.

He said isolation rules had been guided by the nation’s public health experts and endorsed by every state and the commonwealth government at national cabinet.

“There are also generous exceptions to these rules for household contacts who are essential workers,” he said.

“The Australian Health Protection Principal Committee was asked by National Cabinet to consider isolation rules for close contacts, and will provide advice based on health advice.”