Pending no cases in the region in the next 48 hours, local Nationals MP, Tim Bull, wants East Gippsland removed from the lockdown restrictions.

He is also calling for immediate business supports to be provided for those who are impacted yet again, stating that in previous lockdowns the State’s business support has had such a strict criteria it reaches only one in five businesses.

“There are more than one in five facing hardship, probably closer to four in five, so the State needs to loosen this criteria. It is devastating hearing from severely impacted business owners, who have been locked down by the state, despite no cases in the area, and are then ruled out from receiving the business supports.

“If you are going to lock them down and take away their income, you need to support them appropriately,” Mr Bull said.

“Business owners and the public generally are angry that, with no cases in the area - in fact none within several hundred kilometres - we are locked down again.

“There is growing support from experts that when there is an outbreak, the restrictions need to be heavily applied to that area, including travel, and allow those not impacted to function.

“In this case I understand there were infectious people at the MCG, and I realise the initial cautious approach. However, if we get through the next 48 hours, we need to open up those areas that do not have cases and let’s hope East Gippsland is one of them,” said Mr Bull.

Caption: State MP Tim Bull with Deniese from REG FM, sending out an “on air” plea for immediate business supports and seeking an early release from lockdown if East Gippsland remains COVID free.

Friday, 16 July 2021