SOUTH-WEST leaders have backed a state government plan that could ease coronavirus restrictions in regional areas earlier than in cities.
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Premier Daniel Andrews says the government is looking at easing some remaining restrictions earlier in some parts of the state.
"We are looking closely at whether in some regional communities where there has been no community transmission ... is it possible to have differential arrangements at some point in the future?," he said on Sunday.
"We may be able to make the judgement that some parts of regional Victoria are different to CBD Melbourne."
But he said any easing would be "based on the science" and did not highlight which restrictions could be reduced in which areas first.
Moyne Shire community safety co-ordinator Mark Handby has worked in a role between three south-west councils, the state government and the health services during the pandemic.
He said he would support Victoria's restrictions easing for the south-west sooner than in metropolitan areas.
"We should be rewarded for not having community transmission, but we have to be dynamic and understand that it can change very quickly," he said.
Mr Handby said lifted directions on working from home could help businesses, while further easing of restrictions on sport, pubs and eateries would particularly benefit communities.
"It shouldn't be one-size-fits-all and that's the key to this," he said.
Mr Handby said one risk was the south-west's tourism appeal meant it was "closer to the metro areas".
"It's a factor we need to consider to be more cautious," he said.
Moyne Shire mayor Daniel Meade said he was supportive of restrictions easing if the health advice allowed it.
"Businesses have done a great job to date with dealing with the extra burdens, hopefully the rewards will pay off with state health advisors allowing us to open a little bit earlier," Cr Meade said.
South West Coast MP Roma Britnell said it now made "better sense to tailor restrictions to certain areas".
"We have not had a case of coronavirus in the south-west for more than eight weeks now," Ms Britnell said.
"Regional areas have plenty of space, with low population density and we don't have public transport networks like the city that can act as potential infection points.
"That's not to say we shouldn't remain vigilant and continue to maintain social distancing and good hygiene practices. We will have to do those things for some time to come.
"It's also important to recognise we must learn to live with this virus, at least until there is a vaccine. The aim has always been to flatten the curve and to stop our health services being overrun with patients; the plan was never to eliminate the virus."
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