Victorian Opposition Leader Matthew Guy hits out at Covid declaration extension

Daniel Andrews’ extension of the pandemic declaration means Victorians are unable to move on with their lives, his most vocal critic says.

Victorian Opposition leader Matthew Guy has hit back at the extension of the state’s pandemic declaration by another three months.

Mr Guy made the comments on Tuesday after the government revealed it had made the move due to the arrival of new Covid variants.

“Victorians deserve to have control of their lives handed back. Today’s extension of state of emergency laws show Daniel Andrews has no intention of doing that,” he said.

“Extending these laws mean a longer, slower road to recovery.”

The declaration was supposed to lapse on July 12 but will now be in place until at least October 12.

Mr Guy said the time had come for Victoria to ditch pandemic measures despite thousands of daily cases.

Victorian Opposition Leader Matthew Guy has responded to the pandemic declaration being extended. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Andrew Henshaw

“The threat of mandates, lockdowns and restrictions remain, which overshadows efforts for us to recover,” he said.

“It’s time to give Victorians back the certainty and confidence to move on with their lives.

“Emergency powers hurt confidence. They hurt our ability to get back on track.”

Premier Daniel Andrews explained his government’s decision by pointing out the “serious risk” Covid still posed to public health.

“In making the declaration, I am satisfied on reasonable grounds that there continues to be a serious risk to public health throughout Victoria due to the coronavirus disease,” he said.

“(This) requires continued public health and other protective measures to reduce the risk of transmission and hospitalisation.”

Victoria recorded 10,056 Covid cases on Tuesday and 8740 in the previous 24 hours.

There are 523 infected people in hospital, including 29 in intensive care, and 39 Victorians have died with the virus so far this week.