By Oliver Lees
Businesses continue to bear the brunt of COVID-19 restrictions as the state government attempts to iron out the details of its roadmap out of lockdown.
A further 246 cases were announced on Monday morning, taking the total number of active cases in the state to 1619.
Last week, following a steep rise in case numbers from the Delta variant of COVID-19, Premier Daniel Andrews confirmed that most restrictions would be in place until 70 per cent of the state’s population had received at least one dose of a vaccine, estimating that date to be around September 23.
For Macedon Railway Hotel owner Stefanie Duzel, the announcement means at least another two weeks with her business unable to open.
“We’re entirely closed at the moment, all our gigs have been postponed and we’re not even doing takeaway food,” Ms Duzel said.
“As far as getting back to normal, I don’t think it’s going to happen for us until some time next year.”
Speaking on Sunday, Premier Daniel Andrews announced the government’s roadmap out of lockdown will allow greater freedoms for individuals that are fully vaccinated, with access to events, facilities and services available for those who show proof of vaccination.
“There’s going to be a vaccinated economy, and you get to participate in that if you are vaccinated,” Mr Andrews said.
“The economy, as best it can, will operate as close to normal as possible to people who have had two doses.”
Ms Duzel said she’s not sure she supports the proposition, given that some age groups have only recently been made eligible for the jab.
“I do have a problem with it, I think it’s unfair,” she said.
“It’s especially unfair for younger people who’ve only just got access [to the vaccination], I won’t even have staff for the next two months if that’s the case.”
There are more than 1000 exposure sites across the state, with none listed in Sunbury or the Macedon Ranges.
For more information on exposure sites: www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au/exposure-sites
To find out where to get tested: www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au/where-get-tested-covid-19
