By Mitchell Clarke
The state opposition has vowed to try to reduce Stage 4 restrictions for Cardinia Shire postcodes with no active infections.
Narracan MP Gary Blackwood said although the drastic measures were necessary for metropolitan Melbourne, Cardinia’s rural localities shouldn’t be subjected to such strict restrictions.
A State of Disaster was officially declared by Premier Daniel Andrews on Sunday 2 August, in a bid to slow the rapid spread of Covid-19.
“I’ve had the job of leading this state for almost six years – more than 2000 days – and this is by far the hardest decision,” the Premier said.
Residents can no longer travel further than five kilometres from their home or be outside later than 8pm under the new regulations, which are in effect until at least Sunday 13 September.
Restaurants and cafes have moved to delivery and takeaway only, beauty and personal services are closed and community sport is off limits.
There are only four reasons to leave home: to shop for essential foods, goods and services; caregiving or medical reasons; work or study; and exercise – within five kilometres.
“Of course, there’ll be some common-sense exceptions. If your closest supermarket is further than five kilometres, you can still shop there,” Mr Andrews said.
Cardinia Shire residents can travel into Baw Baw Shire – which is subject to Stage 3 restrictions – to shop, but usual restrictions will follow them outside the boundary.
Only one person per household can shop each day and exercise has been limited to a maximum of one hour.
Supermarkets, grocers, bottle shops, pharmacies, petrol stations, banks, newsagencies and post offices will remain open.
Retail will move to click and collect only, and some manufacturing and administration will be forced to close all together.
Other industries – including warehousing and distribution, construction and food production will operate under “significantly different conditions”.
The restrictions will hurt local business and has left Mr Blackwood calling for Cardinia’s small railway towns to be exempt from the “unfair” restrictions.
As of Friday 31 July, data from DHHS revealed Maryknoll, Nar Nar Goon and Nar Nar Goon North (3812), Cora Lynn, Garfield and Garfield North (3914) and Bunyip (3815) all had zero active cases.
“The problem here is that local government boundaries have been used to segregate those in Stage 3 and 4 restrictions,” Mr Blackwood said.
“It certainly appears unfair that the people who have done the right thing – and who have no active infections – are being treated the same as people living in suburbs with higher numbers.
“We’re trying to get these areas looked at by postcode to see if there is a way that we can reduce the restrictions on the postcodes with no infections.
“This is a very difficult situation we’re in and the Premier is under enormous pressure, but as the opposition we need to stand up for the people who are impacted by this.”
Bass MP Jordan Crugnale said the severity of the crisis meant the State Government had to make tough decisions.
“This is serious, this will have a massive impact socially and economically but we just have to drive the numbers down. We can’t keep teetering on the edge, we can’t move to recovery unless we deal with the health crisis at hand,” Ms Crugnale said.
“At the moment one person is infecting another one person. That means the numbers won’t go down fast enough, so by reducing people movement and interactions, by closing sectors, reducing operations, we reduce the rate of infection.
“Instead of asking ‘can I do this or can I do that?’ everyone needs to ask themselves ‘should I do this?’. Let your decision be based on you having the virus, being asymptomatic and this will determine your approach and behaviour.”
