With COVID-19 restrictions easing in regional Victoria, State Member for Northern Victoria Wendy Lovell has again called on Premier Daniel Andrews to protect Northern Victorian communities from non-essential visitors from metropolitan Melbourne.
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In a constituency question to Mr Andrews in State Parliament, Ms Lovell sought a guarantee that every car will be screened at vehicle roadblocks and all V/Line passengers will be screened for reason for travel and residency to prevent the possible spread of COVID-19 into country Victoria.
Northern Victorian communities have recorded some of the lowest COVID-19 case numbers in the state with many of them remaining COVID-free for weeks and two local government areas in Ms Lovell’s electorate having never recorded a single case.
In her contribution Ms Lovell said regional Victorian communities had worked hard to see restrictions eased and her constituents were concerned at cars being waved through roadblocks and Melbourne visitors entering regional areas to shop or even visit a hairdresser.
“Despite Daniel Andrews promising to protect regional Victoria from the spread of COVID-19, my constituents remain very concerned about the continued influx of Melbourne visitors into communities throughout my electorate,” Ms Lovell said.
“The premier must guarantee that every vehicle will be stopped, every train passenger questioned, and every loophole removed.
“The premier needs to ensure there is a solid ring of steel around Melbourne not one with more holes than a colander.”
Ms Lovell said the greatest failure by the state government had been the free-for-all for V/Line passengers, with virtually no police presence at metropolitan railway stations.
