As of this Friday all hospitality staff and customers have to be double vaccinated and metropolitan Melbourne opens up to travel to regional Victoria.

"We've got to hold a little faith in the science," he said.

"Our vaccination rates are very high and you have to think that is going to help protect us.

"The difficult bit is hospitality and those employed in that sector. People just have to hold the line and just be strong.

"I feel for them and I'm concerned they'll get push back from folk not vaccinated."

The mayor said the people of Warrnambool were generally vaccinated and had done the right things to protect each other during the pandemic

"I understand people will be put under pressure and there will be folk from out of town and from the metropolitan area who may put pressure on," he said.

"We all have to understand that staff are doing the right thing by turning away people who are not vaccinated as of later this week.

"It's not an easy job at all and I have nothing but admiration for those who are holding the line.

"I'm foreseeing there will be friction, but know you are doing the right thing to protect our community.

"Living with COVID is a reality at present."

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