By Luke Voogt
Geelong community leaders have urged Melburnians not to sneak down the highway to take advantage of eased restrictions beginning today in regional Victoria.
“Please do the right thing; observe the rules,” said Giulia Baggio, chief executive of municipal alliance G21.
“It’s a short period to stay close to home and help our regional communities remain COVID-free, so we can all get back to COVID-normal.”
Geelong mayor Stephanie Asher and Tourism Greater Geelong and The Bellarine executive director Brett Ince reiterated the call, as Melburnians face yet another seven days in lockdown.
“To our Melbourne friends; we look forward to welcoming you back to our special region,” Cr Asher said.
“But please help keep your community safe by staying at home and following the restrictions.”
Mr Ince said: “We look forward to welcoming Melburnian visitors when it’s safe to do so”.
The calls come after many Melburnians fled to holiday homes or drove down the highway without an approved reason during 2020 lockdowns to take advantage of more relaxed restrictions in regional Victoria.
Ms Baggio, Cr Asher and Mr Ince welcomed the easing of restrictions as “fantastic news” for local residents and businesses.
But they warned the initial seven-day lockdown and eased restrictions in regional Victoria would continue to impact the hospitality, retail, tourism, arts and events industries.
“Those industries will be the most impacted for weeks and even months to come,” Mr Ince said.
Geelong Chamber of Commerce chief executive Ben Flynn agreed, and questioned the initial seven-day lockdown.
“I think the Geelong business community felt the strong statewide lockdown was a disproportionate response, given there were no cases in [regional Victoria],” he said.
“While we support a health response, we want the data to drive that response.”
Mr Flynn welcomed a combined $459 million in state government grants for Victorian businesses impacted by the lockdown.
Federal government yesterday announced a temporary COVID disaster payment, but this is only available to Melburnians.
“We’d welcome any federal government support on top of the state government support already proposed,” Mr Flynn said.
“We encourage everyone to get out and support our local businesses – whether it’s going out for dinner or purchasing something online.”
