Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews had flagged an announcement on easing restrictions for retail, hospitality, and other businesses on Sunday, but due to an outbreak in Melbourne’s Northern suburbs, the Premier has taken a “cautious approach” and left the lockdown rules unchanged in Metropolitan Melbourne.

The Victorian Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) reported seven new cases of COVID-19 on Sunday, bringing the 14-day average to fewer than five – which was the initial target to reopen businesses in metropolitan Melbourne. The State Government also required there be less than five cases with an unknown source in the past 14-days before reopening could happen. There have been nine in the past 14 days.

Of the seven new cases from the 24 hours prior, six were linked to an outbreak in Melbourne’s Northern suburbs.

“We had hoped today to announce today that metropolitan Melbourne would take some significant steps from the middle of the week around retail and hospitality and a whole range of important next steps. We’re not in a position to do that today, because we have at least 1,000 test results from that Northern Metropolitan outbreak that are in the labs,” said Mr Andrews at the daily press conference.

“This is not anything other than a cautious pause to wait and get that important information and get the results of those tests.”

Daniel Andrews said that while businesses would remain closed, he was optimistic the planned announcement for reopening would go ahead in the coming days.

The Premier did however lift restrictions in regional Victoria, allowing gyms and fitness studios to reopen to the public with a maximum of 20 people, along with increases to the number of people allowed to indoor pools, weddings, and funerals.

Victorian Chamber (VCCI) Chief Executive Paul Guerra voiced businesses’ frustration at the State Government’s refusal to allow businesses to reopen despite hitting the targets outlined by the State Government.

“Today’s announcement is a shattering blow to businesses, who have again been told to wait. It’s like Groundhog Day, and has left businesses in limbo even though average case numbers are now below the Government’s target for reopening,” Mr Guerra said.

“Victorians have done everything asked of them to reduce infections to an average of less than five new cases per day – meeting the Government’s very cautious target for metropolitan Melbourne – only to see the goalposts move once again.

“The delay announced today can only point to a lack of confidence in the efficacy of the contact tracing system and the ability of health officials to manage the COVID-19 crisis.”

Help and support

For up-to-date information and resources to help you and your business get back to work safely, visit our Reopen, Restart and Recovery page of our website.

For more information on the Victorian Chamber’s advocacy work and current campaigns, along with submissions and taskforces, visit the Policy and Advocacy section of our website. If you have any questions or would like to be involved in our advocacy work, please contact policy@victorianchamber.com.au.