Victorians react to restrictions easing, no visitors on Grand Final Day

Victorians are celebrating today after months of lockdown but there was one part of Daniel Andrews’ announcement they absolutely hated.

Well, that was a long time coming.

Victorians are finally seeing the rewards from a months-long lockdown that separated them from family and friends and left businesses devastated and forced to close.

Premier Daniel Andrews’ announcement that restrictions will ease — including a contentious 5km radius rule — from 11.59pm tonight has been met with almost universal praise.

On social media, Victorians celebrated the news — news that included the 5km travel limit being extended to 25km, the reopening of golf courses and tennis courts, and gatherings of up to 10 people outdoors.

RELATED: Follow the latest coronavirus updates

Where I can meet my Dad. Anyone got any hot Mulgrave tips? pic.twitter.com/XdpyCgXrje

— Geoff Orton 🌏 (@GeoffsOpinions) October 18, 2020

I’m feeling quite peppy now and I’ve also texted my hairdresser. Go Melbourne!

— Emily Webb (@emilybwebb) October 18, 2020

Booking a haircut online right now is like trying to get concert tickets before they sell out. Appointments at my local already gone for the next few weeks

— Tom Cowie 🐄 (@tom_cowie) October 18, 2020

Great news from Vic Premier Dan Andrews, As at 1159pm tonight,
no time limit on leaving home,
5km increases to 25km radius to leave home; outdoor gatherings can be 10 people, from 2 households. You can now play tennis, golf & go to the skate park.
Hairdressers allowed to open pic.twitter.com/BmY1MTyE4B

— Karen Percy (@PercyKaren) October 18, 2020

Haircut! Visit the beach! See my baby nephew in a park for the second time ever! I'll take that this week!

— Rachael Dexter (@rachael_dexter) October 18, 2020

On Monday I'm going to spend 24 hours walking 25kms

— David Milner (@DaveMilbo) October 18, 2020

But there was one aspect of the Premier’s announcement that understandably left Victorians feeling a little flat — the ban on visitors on AFL Grand Final Day next weekend.

“Grand Final, fantastic day, important day, don’t go to your mate’s place,” he said.

“Now, the Grand Final is very different this year, very different for obvious reasons, and while I know that many people would normally spend time with family and friends to celebrate that day, whether their team is in the Grand Final or not, it is a big part of who we are.

“But your household and only the members of your household, that is how Grand Final Day has to be. You cannot have friends over. Into your home. You cannot pretend that it is over because we all desperately want it to be.

“As important as it is, in a cultural sense, in a very passionate way, for every single football fan across our state, it is not worth risking all that we have done, all that we have built, all that we can do in just a few days’ time by having gatherings that are unsafe.”

Footy-mad Victorians hoping to cheer on Geelong or Richmond with some mates did not take the news well. Former Blues star Brendan Fevola was among them.

No Grand Final party or BBQ’s with friends 😭 I’m officially done. Might have to get hammered for Brownlow tonight 💪🥃

— Brendan Fevola (@BrendanFevola25) October 18, 2020

So Grand Final day will be a lonely affair.

— Titus O'Reily (@TitusOReily) October 18, 2020

For everyone asking.. no, you can’t have people over for the Grand Final. The Premier says it must be different this year. Home visits don’t resume until Nov 1 (with restrictions). Former Premier Jeff Kennett isn’t happy about it... https://t.co/qneLwPylI7

— Candice Wyatt (@CandiceWyatt10) October 18, 2020

LONELY GRAND FINAL DAY #AFLGrandFinal

— PatriciaKarvelas (@PatsKarvelas) October 18, 2020

No one was hoping for a Port Adelaide v Brisbane Lions AFL Grand Final more than Dan Andrews.

— maddie (@maddiemelb) October 18, 2020

The sporting capital of the world has had a rough 2020 and it looks like the Melbourne Cup will be a very quiet affair, too.

Mr Andrews told reporters he had no announcements to make about that today and the racing minister will have more to say soon.

The Premier thanked Victorians for their hard work and urged them to keep following the rules.

“Yes, these lockdowns have come with pain and damage and hurt but the strategy is working and will continue to work,” he said.

“Not so long ago we had 725 cases and there was simply no way we could have a debate, a perfectly legitimate debate about how to open, when to open, how to do that.

“It was not an option available to any of us. But Victorians, in every community, from every background, every circumstance, have stayed the course and we just have a little longer to go, just a little longer to go in order to see off the second wave, defeat the second wave, and then to find the normal and to begin the process of rebuilding — not just repairing damage but making sure our state, individuals, families, communities, the economy, is stronger than it has ever been.”

[e-mail] | @ro_smith