Time To Fling The Church Doors Open
The Premier has been asked in the Victorian Parliament why Western Victoria is still being treated like Melbourne with draconian restrictions undermining basic liberties.
The Liberal Member for Western Victoria, Bev McArthur, asked the Premier when churches could begin indoor services.
“Past Melton, and one in Geelong today, there isn’t a single active coronavirus case left in Western Victoria,” Mrs McArthur told the Parliament.
“It’s a disgrace that this Government refuses to further ease restrictions because the Chief Health Officer (CHO) insists that we have to “move together””.
The disturbing nature of that position from the CHO, Dr Brett Sutton, was further exacerbated by his acknowledgement on the weekend that ‘he doesn’t know’ if Victoria will ever get to the proposed threshold of five cases a day, providing the trigger to further open the economy.
“Who knows?”, he said. The position could lead to shutdown stagnation for many more months.
Mrs McArthur said the nonchalance of Dr Sutton’s attitude is terrifying to the health – and mental health – of regional Victorians battling to keep businesses and institutions operating in a Covid-free environment.
She told the Parliament that while it was encouraging to see the hospitality industry being allowed to reopen indoors in regional Victoria, albeit in a very limited capacity, it was completely unjust to other organisations.
“That churches are precluded from reopening for religious ceremonies, while pubs are allowed to serve patrons indoors is bizarre.
“Like pubs, cafes and restaurants, churches can also implement COVIDSafe plans and socially distance parishioners,” she told parliament.
“It’s why I asked the Premier today when he will allow religious ceremonies to be conducted indoors in Western Victoria and the rest of regional Victoria?
“Imagine if the opposite scenario were true – if Melbourne was Covid-free and regional Victoria had a few cases – would Melbourne be open for business?
“You bet it would.
“Regional Victorians have proven their ability to engage Covid-safe practices and my question to the Premier requires an answer, a responsible, caring attitude and a lack of amnesia”.
13 October 2020