Ballarat should enjoy some freedom but must remain vigilant

The concessions for regional Victorians which come into effect from Friday will see some lockdown relief which includes people able to leave home for any reason , wearing masks indoors and schoolchildren returning to classrooms.

Retail, hospitality, hairdressing and some entertainment venues can also reopen with crowd limits and space restrictions.

Professor Catherine Bennett, Chair in Epidemiology at Deakin University said some relaxation of restrictions was a good thing particularly for local businesses and children going back to school.

"I think it's a sign there is that there is that slightly lower level of concern, the outbreak isn't contained yet but it is well mapped," said Professor Bennett.

"We've never had an outbreak where we've tracked it with such forensic detail and off a zero base."

"In the regions most of Victoria has not been directly impacted and I think it's a sign they've got a good read on the risk and it's now sufficiently low they can ease back a bit but keep some measures in place to keep it safe."

But the health expert warned that there have been COVID exposure sites in Bendigo and Anglesea.

"So it's a reminder to Ballarat that this isn't that far away and at the same time it's good Ballarat has no direct exposure sites or known cases linked to it."

Professor of Microbiology Peter Collignon at the Australian National University said it was a reasonable decision to give Ballarat a break.

"The criteria for any area should be you have limited or no community spread and particularly not mystery cases, regional Victoria sort of satisfied that so I'm not surprised."

"Overall the risk is not zero but it must be very low for regional Victoria which means you should be able to do a fair few of the normal functions or activities just accept there will be some limits," said Professor Collignon.

Professor Bennett said the easing of restrictions is something to be appreciated.

"Enjoy a bit more freedom now at the fact the virus hasn't come to visit but at the same time just be on the lookout."

ANU's Professor Collignon said it's important to keep testing and be on extra alert for the next week or two.

"It's a reasonable decision to give much more freedom of movement to regional Victoria at the moment."

The leading microbiologist said there was no room for complacency when it comes to COVID.

"This virus can come back at anytime, it's all around the world. Australia and new Zealand are almost unique in not having spread and that's dependent on keeping up our vigilance."

Both leading experts said there is a key thing people should do when it comes to dealing with the virus.

"We need everybody vaccinated but in an orderly fashion with people who are old at the front of the queue." said Professor Collignon.

"Vaccination is the best way to protect us all not only from the virus but from lockdown too," said Professor Bennett.

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