Industry welcomes further easing of VIC restrictions

The Australian Industry Group in Victoria (Ai Group) has welcomed the return to more normal operations for industry in the State following announcements made by the Premier this morning.

Tim Piper, the Victorian Head of Ai Group said: “Workforce number caps have been removed for manufacturers so that businesses can return to more normal arrangements and ramp up production in the lead up to Christmas. The easing is most relevant for abattoirs and meat processing plants, poultry and seafood processing.

“Many COVID restrictions have been placed on businesses and they are managing them extremely well. While those restrictions create inefficiencies, the further easing will help.

“Christmas demand is looming large and businesses need to be working at full tilt to meet the public requirements for this COVID Christmas period.

“Ai Group also appreciates the return to a State without a regional border. Reunifying the State will help regional Victorian economies with the return of metropolitan Melbourne consumers.

“We also welcome the easing of personal restrictions as Victorians benefit from the discipline shown in the State over 112 days of lockdown conditions.

“Other states should now re-open their borders to Victoria as the State has achieved 9 consecutive days of zero cases in what is a remarkable turnaround,” Mr Piper said

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