Regional Victorians to be released from Covid-19 lockdown

Regional Victorians are on the cusp of freedom and will likely be spared from an extended lockdown in the state.

‘It’s very frustrating’ … Geelong’s Wharf Shed co-owner Andrew Clark, front, with chef Chris Hudich and co-owner Matt Connell. Picture: Aaron Francis

Regional Victorians are on the cusp of freedom and will likely be spared from an extended lockdown in the state.

Acting Premier James Merlino said regional Victorians would be exempt from restrictions – which will apply to metropolitan Melbourne for another seven days – and be allowed to live under eased Covid rules from 11.59pm on Thursday, but only if community transmission stays at zero.

“We want to ease restrictions in regional Victoria … however, with wastewater detections in Bendigo and Axedale and new ­exposure sites in Anglesea and northern Victoria, we are in the process of testing or urgently retesting a number of people who may have been exposed,” Mr Merlino said.

“The public health team will work their hardest over the next 24 hours to make sure we have all the information we need to proceed with the easing of restrictions in regional Victoria.”

After Melburnians attempted to sneak out of hotspots during the long lockdown last year and flee to freedom, he also announced restaurants and beauty services would need to check the addresses of patrons and turn them away if they are found to be from metropolitan Melbourne.

Under the eased rules, regional Victorians can leave home for any reason. The “five reasons to travel” rule for Melbourne – food shopping, authorised work, caregiving, exercise and getting vaccinated – will be abolished.

Public gatherings can also go ahead, with a maximum of 10 people. As well, limited recreational outdoor sport can go ahead for adults and unrestricted community sport can return for children.

Students from every year level will also return to face-to-face classes. Religious services and ­funerals have 50 people, and weddings can proceed with 10.

A cap of 50 patrons will be allowed to dine at hospitality venues. Retail, beauty services and entertainment venues can also open subject to the one person per 4sq m density limit and as long as face masks are worn.

Despite the eased rules, some regional businesses say they do not go far enough. Based in Geelong, Wharf Shed co-owner Andrew Clarke said he was “very close” to not opening his 480-seat capacity venue on Friday with the new patron limits in play.

“My initial reaction was yes that’s a start. But 50 is really not viable to open. We are opening because we have staff who rely on an income,” the 68-year-old said.

“It’s very frustrating … we just can’t be stopping one week and starting the next. The hospitality industry has been hit the most,” he said. “It has been belted.”

Mr Clarke said it was vital that the government published a clear road map out of restrictions, after he estimated his business lost more than $100,000 in the most recent lockdown. He also said he would not “have a problem” turning away customers if they were from Melbourne.

Greater Geelong mayor Stephanie Asher welcomed the announcement after she said the latest shutdown had “crippled” businesses in Geelong and around the state’s peninsula. “It’s a huge morale boost to be given that freedom and a big relief,” Ms Asher said.

“The biggest impact to business is the uncertainty.”