Top epidemiologists and business groups are critical of what they say is the Andrews government’s overly cautious approach to easing restrictions, given the state’s single-digit infections.
with three fellow epidemiologists, described the latest steps out of lockdown as "very conservative" and "containing inherent inequities" and questioned why some industries remained shuttered. "There is as yet little understanding of the broader impacts of public health decisions, including mental health, economic and financial strain," the epidemiologists wrote in an opinion article.
"There is some optimism, a confidence even, that if things continue this week the way they have the last five days, we may be able to bring that forward," Mr Andrews said. "No rules, no restrictions will be on longer than they need to be. I know it is frustrating, I know there is a lot of pain out there in the community."
Business Council of Australia chief executive Jennifer Westacott said: “This is an inexplicable and unacceptable delay for Victorians and small businesses who are hanging on by a day, not a week." The chief executive of the Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Paul Guerra, welcomed the "good news" about a timetable for restrictions to be eased, but warned that "as every day goes by that they are closed, more business owners will not recover for business".
"It’s still difficult to understand the rationale for some of the changes and ongoing business restrictions, from a public health and wellbeing perspective. For example, you can go to the hairdresser or a skate park and have more freedom to travel, but you can’t go to your local Bunnings Warehouse.'" Wesfarmers owns Bunnings stores.
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