Respondents to survey back lockdown return for south-west amid increase in coronavirus cases

More than 530 people completed the survey and 73 per cent of the respondents said they believed the whole state should be placed back in lockdown.

But others said they believed only 'hotspots' should be put back in lockdown.

"See how this Melbourne lockdown goes then act if more cases appear in the next week around different parts of the state," wrote one person.

"Locking the metro down is a reasonable decision," another person wrote. "Let's hope it's not too late."

But others wanted a return to full lockdown for the whole state.

"Should have locked down two weeks ago," wrote another.

"I don't want to but the numbers are climbing very quickly," another person added.

Calls to further ease restrictions in regional areas was concerning to one respondent. "While it's incredibly difficult for regional businesses, further transmission will simply deepen the economic and social impacts," the person wrote.

Locking down the Victorian/NSW border was the right call, according to 92 per cent of respondents to the survey.

One person welcomed any measures implemented to stop the spread of COVID-19, but another pointed out Victoria did not close its border to NSW residents after the Ruby Princess outbreak.

A number of people called for everyone be forced to wear masks in public.

"Residents should be issued with masks by the federal government," wrote one person.

South West Healthcare infection prevention director Dr Mark Page said masks were part of the armoury to try and prevent infection spread.

"We know you get infected by direct inoculation into your mouth or nose by someone coughing, breathing or sneezing on you through droplets or you self-inoculate by touching infected surfaces and then touching you're own face and eyes.

"If you are practising physical distancing, not touching your face, washing your hands and respiratory etiquette, you already significantly reduce that risk of infection. A mask only really adds to that if you can't have physical distancing and you're at risk of being directly coughed or sneezed on.

"The WHO recommendations is what I would agree with; if you're in an area where you have sustained high-level of community transmission and you're in the public and you can't practice physical distancing such as being on public transport, then it's reasonable to wear a mask.

"But currently, in our community, with no evidence of community transfer and there's no reason people shouldn't be able to physically distance when they're out in the community, then we don't think there's an indication for masks."

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More than half of people said stricter restrictions could help ease the spread of the virus, while 13 per cent of respondents said all Australian borders should be closed.

One person called for heavier penalties for people who breach coronavirus restrictions.

"More testing in country areas to make sure it hasn't spread there," wrote one respondent.

"Stop anything that isn't essential," wrote another.

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