There is a lot to unpack in Victoria’s roadmap out of the COVID pandemic. The biggest takeaway: it’s going to be a slow burn.
On Sunday the State Government released its plan to see us return to a sense of normality and it will take hitting key vaccination numbers for the state to reach that point of freedom.
Sunday’s announcement did next to nothing to immediately support hospitality businesses – along with the arts sector being the hardest hit during the pandemic - stuck with numerical limitations on patrons. Density quotas will be introduced after we meet certain vaccination marks, not expected for more than a month.
School students – aside from prep to grade two and VCE students completing units three and four, face similar waits to return to class.
As the economy slowly reopens, businesses will also have to adjust to a new world of checking patrons’ vaccination status, with many rules regarding events and gatherings relying on people having had the double dose.

IMAGE: The Waterwheel Tavern will reopen this Friday but is reminding patrons that due to the small numbers permitted on the premises, it will have to ensure a high turnover of custom. “Be prepared to share the time with other patrons,” owner Kevin Campbell said. A new outside pop-up kitchen is being installed and will be completed and ready for use on Friday. Takeaway meals will also be available.