Brett Sutton reveals why travel limit was eased to 10km during latest Victorian lockdown

Brett Sutton has conceded there is no more risk to public safety after doubling the limit of one of Melbourne’s controversial lockdown rules.

One of Victoria’s lockdown travel restrictions has been brought into question after the chief health officer conceded there was no more risk to public safety in doubling the limit.

Chief health officer Brett Sutton made the admission as the state’s lockdown was extended by a further seven days.

For the first week of lockdown, Victorians were limited to travelling just 5km from their homes to a supermarket, for exercise or purchasing takeaway food or coffee.

But that radius has now been extended to 10km as Victoria attempts to control the latest outbreak of Covid-19 with the lockdown in Melbourne extended into a second week.

“It doesn't make a world of difference, I totally recognise that,” Professor Sutton told reporters on Wednesday.

Victorian chief health officer Brett Sutton conceded that allowing people to travel 10km would not compromise public safety during lockdown. Picture: Daniel Pockett

“But for some people, it is the difference between exercising in a place that they feel is safer than would otherwise be the case.

“I think we are comfortable enough that the 10km limit can be in place without significantly increasing the risk (of spreading the virus).”

It means that people can now travel further to purchase essential supplies and exercise, which are permitted reasons to leave the home.

People exercise at Albert Park Lake in February during one of Victoria’s four lockdowns. Picture: Getty Images

Professor Sutton said the 10km radius was based on feedback gathered during last year’s lockdown, one of four the state’s residents have had to endure, although it took a week for the travel radius to be broadened.

“Extending the distance from 5km to 10km is really a reflection of some of the feedback through last year,” he said.

“People look to have exercised sometimes in areas beyond that 5km that is safer for them, or that is in an area where it’s more appropriate for them to exercise,” Mr Sutton said.

“There are some significantly built-up areas in the suburbs, and that 10km – for retail purposes, where permitted for food and for exercise – is just a little bit easier.”

There are 67 active cases of coronavirus across the state and more than 350 public exposure sites.