Businesses fear restriction easing won’t save regional Vic

Restrictions could ease in regional Victoria from next week but businesses say it will be too little, too late.

Regional Victorian towns say easing restrictions next week will not begin their Covid recovery.

On Wednesday, the Victorian Government said most of regional Victoria could see restrictions ease — but to what extent remains to be seen.

Premier Daniel Andrews said “significant” restrictions would remain in place and Shepparton, dealing with an outbreak in the state’s north, is not likely to be included.

“No decision has been made on the status of Shepparton,” he said.

“But it is fair to say the rest of regional Victoria will be able to move before Shepparton but we will have Shepparton following along as close behind as we possibly can.

“I don‘t know exactly what that will look like yet.”

Country Victorian business owners say more needs to be done to help their struggling economy.

Bendigo Motel Association president Kristyn Slattery said the state needed to open to operate at its peak.

“We’re hamstrung by restrictions especially if there is a limit on travel,” she said.

“Everyone is still sitting here with locked doors and vacant rooms. It’s not viable for many businesses to operate under such tough circumstances.

“And even with the rules changing in regional Victoria, it might be too late for the school holidays which start in a couple of weeks.”

Leongatha Business Association president Anthony Walls said lifting any restrictions would be a start to easing the pain but more needed to be done.

“To open up just to the locals in town would make a massive difference,” Mr Walls said.

“People are starting to really struggle and anything to help ease the burden is going to be welcomed.

“We need to get out and about in the community to help boost the economy and people’s mental health.”

With the nearest known Covid case hundreds of kilometres away, Mr Walls said localised lockdowns should be considered.

“Each council or shire should be assessed on their own situation,” he said.

“Our community hasn’t had a positive result in over a year and it makes no sense we’re still under the same restrictions as people in Melbourne.”

Benalla Business Network chair Lindsay Thomas said the inability for people to plan was having the biggest impact.

“Businesses like to have plans in place but bouncing in and out of lockdown isn’t something they account for,” he said.

“It would be great to have a road map in place to give people certainty and something to work towards — just as businesses would do in a normal world.

“We are sick and tired of having to restructure all of the time because of all the changes that are being made.

“It is becoming far too demanding on staff and owners.”

Hamilton Regional Business Association president Darcy Walker said an easing of restrictions could potentially mean “survival” for some locals.

“It’s the same businesses who are being hurt over and over,” he said.

“Hospitality is an industry which is hurting. People have started to lose a bit of hope.

“We haven’t had a case since March 2020 and are living under the same restrictions as Melbourne. It doesn’t make sense.”

Mr Andrews said changes would be announced next week.

Originally published as Businesses fear restriction easing won’t save regional Vic