LET’S MAKE CLEAR WHAT IS ESSENTIAL AND WHAT ISN’T

IT seems the Victorian Premier’s announcements on Sunday and Monday may have been misleading in relation to non-essential businesses, creating a large amount of concern in the community — that most businesses have to close.

Yesterday I chased down a definition of the ‘Non-essential activities’. It is contained in the Direction from Deputy Chief Health Officer (Communicable Disease) attached to a media release from the Victorian Premier. It says: “Definition of nonessential business or undertaking

4. A non-essential business or undertaking means any of the following, whether operated on a for-profit or not-for-profit basis: a. A business characterised as a pub, bar or club that supplies alcohol under a general licence, an on-premises licence or a club licence, but not including any part of the business constituted by a bottleshop; b. A hotel, whether licensed or unlicensed, but not: (i.) To the extent that it provides accommodation, takeaway meals or a meal delivery service; or (ii.) any part of the hotel constituted by a bottleshop; c. A gym; d. An indoor sporting centre; e. A casino; f. A cinema, nightclub or entertainment venue of any kind; g. A restaurant or cafe, other than to the extent that it provides takeaway meals or a meal delivery service; h. A place of worship, other than for the purposes of a wedding or funeral.”

Doesn’t that mean anything NOT mentioned is deemed able to open, consistent with the PM’s message on Sunday night? It needs to be made very clear!

RjS, Highton