Covid ban on Melburnians in regional Victoria on long weekend to cost $150m

The move to ban Melburnians from regional Victoria for the Queen’s Birthday long weekend is estimated to cost $150 million.

Melburnians will not be allowed to travel into regional Victoria come the Queen’s Birthday long weekend – even if lockdown is over – costing an estimated $150 million to the regional economy.

It is a decision the state’s peak body for business feared.

“The Victorian Chamber estimates that lost visitation and cancelled trips over the Queen’s Birthday long weekend will cost regional Victoria’s visitor economy in the order of $150 million over three days alone,” Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry chief executive Paul Guerra said.

The VCCI estimated the current seven day lockdown would cost the regional economy between $100-$150 million.

“The Queen’s Birthday long weekend represented the last chance for many tourism towns to earn a decent injection of much-needed revenue before the next long weekend in September,” Mr Guerra said.

“Businesses without revenue equals staff without pay.

“This is a crushing blow to an industry that was just starting to see some light at the end of the tunnel.

“Businesses were already struggling to get staff and that issue will be exacerbated as businesses face heavily reduced trade on one of their busiest weekends of the year.”

The Victorian Government announced today that lockdown would be extended for Greater Melbourne for another week, while restrictions in regional Victoria would ease from midnight tomorrow – but that was dependent on the next 24 hours.

Exposure sites in Angelsea, Glenrowan, Euroa and Wallan were added to Victoria’s growing list in the past 24 hours, but no positive cases have been detected in regional Victoria.

Acting Premier James Merlino said he expected to be in a position in seven days’ time to ease restrictions in Melbourne and further ease restrictions in regional Victoria.

“There will continue to be different settings between metropolitan Melbourne and regional Victoria for a period of time and that will unfortunately include the long weekend,” he said.

Mr Merlino said grants of $2500 for eligible businesses affected by lockdown, announced last weekend, would be doubled to $5000.

Regional businesses that are unable to open due to ongoing restrictions, such as nightclubs and amusement parks, will also be eligible for the extension payment.

Mr Guerra said while the VCCI welcomed the additional support, they would work with the Victorian Government to make sure that there is something for hospitality and accommodation providers in regional Victoria.

He said they would also continue their call for the federal and state government to come together to provide support for workers who will go without pay for another week.