CORONAVIRUS restrictions are putting businesses and families under immense financial pressure and need to be partly lifted by early May, a south-west councillor says.
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But Victoria's Premier Daniel Andrews has cautioned against the "false hope" of thinking "we can just flick a switch", although he says there could be some gradual "options" in coming weeks.
Moyne Shire's councillor Jim Doukas said he feared if people weren't able to return to work soon, there would be "no coming back" for the economy.
"We can't afford people to be out of work," Cr Doukas said.
While he wanted dine-in options at cafes and restaurants to partly resume, he believed tourism in the shire should be discouraged for at least six months.
"Most of the business people would know if you're a local or not, and if in doubt ask for proof of ID," Cr Doukas said.
"The restaurants don't have to be overflowing, at least it gives your staff some work. Same as clothing stores.
"Our situation whether it's Moyne Shire, or Warrnambool, is totally different to Melbourne. The number one rule is keep the visitors out."
The south-west's last known positive coronavirus case was on April 11 at Hamilton.
Premier Andrews told reporters on Wednesday people needed to "stay the course".
"If we relax restrictions too quickly or too broadly we will be back to where we were two or three weeks ago," he said.
"If we keep this performance going ... then we will have options in a few weeks' time."
He said the state needed to deal appropriately with the health challenge or it would see "even more economic damage".
"This is going to run for months and the recovery will take years," Mr Andrews said.
Victoria's Chief Health Officer Professor Brett Sutton said this week restrictions were working, but the situation was still volatile.
"Our physical distancing measures are working but this is not a time to relax our strong approach as this disease can get away from you very quickly as we have seen in cities overseas," Professor Sutton said.
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Jackson Graham
Jackson is a reporter for The Standard.
Jackson is a reporter for The Standard.
