Coronavirus: Victoria’s eased Covid-19 restrictions don’t go far enough industry says

Industry groups say the Victorian state government should have snapped back Covid-19 restrictions to pre-outbreak settings.

Acting Premier, James Merlino speaking at a press conference in Melbourne. Picture: NCA NewsWire / David Geraghty

Softened restrictions on individuals and businesses in Victoria will remain for at least 14 days despite the state only recording three locally acquired Covid cases over the past week, prompting backlash from industry groups as debt-laden businesses face reduced trading over the school holidays.

Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry chief executive Paul Guerra said he was at a loss as to why the state government didn’t go further on Wednesday, saying ongoing restrictions diminished the state’s desirability as a place to live and visit.

“Today we got served a bunch of complications when all we really needed was a simple snap-back,” he said.

“Aside from a select few, our events, our hospitality and our entertainment sector is going to continue to be cruelled by not being able to go to capacity to make it viable for them.”

Under eased restrictions – which will kick in from 11.59pm on Thursday – restaurants and bars can host up to 300 seated patrons, with the same limit applying to religious gatherings, weddings and funerals. Live music will be allowed but dance floors prohibited and density limits of one person per 4sq m remain for cafes, restaurants, bars and pubs.

Football crowds will also return with 25,000 allowed at the Melbourne Cricket Ground over the weekend – a move welcomed by the AFL – and up to 15,000 fans can attend the A-League grand final between Melbourne City FC and Sydney FC on Sunday. On July 1, 80,000 fans will be allowed into the MCG.

Indoor entertainment such as cinemas, theatres and galleries will be limited to 75 per cent capacity with a maximum of 300 patrons.

Save Victorian Events spokesman Simon Thewlis said the latest easing of restrictions did not go far enough for the $12bn events industry. “Three hundred people … might sound fair for a dinner but for an exhibition that is nothing yet 25,000 people will be allowed at the MCG,” he said.

From 11.59pm Thursday, the number of visitors allowed in homes will increase to 15, up from two in metropolitan Melbourne and five in regional Victoria.