THE easing of restrictions in regional Victoria from midnight on Sunday will provide social and economic relief as well as more certainty for what can change in the coming weeks.
Member for Mildura Ali Cupper said widening the allowances for visitors to homes would provide more social connections.
“You will only be able to have two visitors plus dependants at any one time, but the ability to have a wider group of people into your home will be a relief given we have only been able to have a bubble with one other family,” she said.
“It will allow for more interaction in our homes with family groups and friends.”
Other changes being introduced from midnight tonight include:
- Hospitality businesses able to host 40 customers indoors and 70 outdoors;
- Regional libraries and toy libraries to reopen to a maximum of 20 people;
- Outdoor gatherings will increase to 20 people;
- Indoor pools will reopen for a maximum of 20 people (under-18);
- Outdoor religious gatherings will be allowed up to 20 people (to be increased to 50 from November 1); and
- A household rather than individuals can visit a care facility.
“This is positive news for our restaurants, cafes and pubs who have been particularly hard hit by these restrictions,” Ms Cupper said.
Ms Cupper said the announcement non-contact indoor physical activity and non-contact indoor sport for under-18s for a maximum of 20 people would resume from November 1 was also positive.
“This will allow things like dance classes to resume, which has been an issue the local arts community has lobbied hard for over the past few weeks,” she said.
Ms Cupper said there were some restrictions she would continue to lobby the government to consider changing as soon as possible, including reopening gyms and allowing indoor sport to resume for adults.
“I have also been lobbying for the government to consider changing the mandatory mask rule to allow us not wear masks while outside, provided we can social distance, and I will continue to do so,” she said.
“Data shows the spread of the virus is much lower outside, provided social distancing can be observed, and with the hot weather just around the corner it is going to become much more difficult to wear masks outside in the Mildura electorate.”
