A FURTHER easing of COVID-19 restrictions for regional Victoria should be the catalyst for borders to reopen.
Member for Mildura Ali Cupper said Sunday’s announcement for a range of activities to resume showed how small the risk of COVID-19 was in regional Victoria.
There are currently only two active COVID-19 cases in regional Victoria, both in the Shepparton region.
“It is so pleasing to hear indoor gyms and fitness studios will be able to reopen from midnight Tuesday for up to 20 people, with a maximum of 10 per space and a density of one person per 8 square metres,” Ms Cupper said.
“Gyms and fitness studios remaining closed has been one of the main issues raised with me in recent weeks. For so many people, gyms are place to boost both physical and mental health.
“But the border closures with South Australia and New South Wales remain the biggest cause of angst and I would urge the Premiers of those two States to now seriously consider reopening – this week.”
Other changes from midnight on Tuesday include:
- Indoor pools will reopen to all ages, to a maximum of 20 people;
- Food courts can reopen;
- Indoor sport can begin for people under-18;
- School graduations can be held in school communities;
- Live music can resume outdoors;
- Religious gatherings can have people indoors and 50 outdoors; funerals can increase to 50 people outdoors.
“The easing of restrictions has been a slow and at-times agonising process but we are finally starting to see some progress towards a COVID normal,” Ms Cupper said.
“But we need to see movement on the border closures. Until that happens, frustration for many people in my electorate will continue.”
