Regional Victoria must be granted its 'Freedom Day' and reopen safely sooner as vaccine targets are achieved much earlier than metro Melbourne.
Under the Andrews Government's roadmap regional Victoria will be forced to wait weeks for metropolitan Melbourne to catch up and have the shackles of restrictions removed.
Leader of The Nationals Peter Walsh said country communities have had their lives turned upside by a draconian Premier who has forced them to live under unnecessary harsh restrictions because of metropolitan outbreaks.
"Covid restrictions must lift in all country areas when the 80 per cent double vaccination rate is achieved so family events, such as weddings and funerals can proceed with confidence.
"There has been so much disappointment experienced in funeral and weddings sectors throughout the pandemic with many families unjustifiably stopped from grieving or celebrating significant events.
"It's diabolical for families to be forced to restrict guests or uninvite loved ones from funerals and weddings due to metropolitan Melbourne's slow vaccination rates – its inhumane and cruel.
"We've seen brides and grooms forced to change the date multiple times, with some weddings devastatingly stopped on the day with only a couple of hours' notice.
Mr Walsh said regional Victorians have overwhelmingly rolled up their sleeves and led the way out of Victoria's covid crisis – the Andrews Government must reward effort and let country people get on with their lives.
"The 80 per cent double dose milestone in regional Victoria must be the trigger for 'Freedom Day' in country communities.
"Frustration continues to grow as it becomes clearer that the rules are being driven by political focus groups, rather than health advice."
"Holding back lives and the economic recovery in regional Victoria makes zero sense."
