THE Victorian Government’s announcement the Mildura electorate will join the rest of regional Victoria in moving to a broader Step 3 in the roadmap to reopening from COVID-19 restrictions is an outstanding outcome.
Member for Mildura Ali Cupper said the allowance for indoor dining – with patron and density limits – was particularly welcomed.
“I had lobbied the government to allow indoor dining in my electorate given our unique situation regarding our hot weather in spring and summer, so to see that concession added today is wonderful,” Ms Cupper said.
“This is a huge win for our struggling hospitality sector, which will now be able to have outdoor dining as well as limited indoor dining – so our cafes, restaurants and pubs will be able to open their doors from midnight Wednesday.”
Other changes under the move to Step 3 include:
- Household bubbles to allow five people from one household to visit your home. Outdoor gatherings will allow up to 10 people.
- No restrictions on the reasons to leave your home.
- Outdoor contact and non-contact sport for people under 18 and non-contact outdoor sport for all adults.
- Numbers at weddings and funerals will increase.
- Real estate agents can conduct outdoor auctions with 10 people.
- A staged return to school will return from Term 4.
- Beauty and personal care services will be available where both client and service provider can wear masks.
- Travel can resume for regional Victorians to other regional areas of the state.
“This is a significant day for all of us in the Mildura electorate, particularly for many of our small businesses who have been very hard hit over the past few months despite the fact we’ve had no COVID-19 cases since April,” Ms Cupper said.
“For the easing of restrictions to be announced on the same day the Mildura Base Public Hospital was returned to public hands makes it a double celebration for our community.”
