Restrictions on businesses and community sport in regional Victoria will be examined each day in line with the state's daily case numbers but no date is set for more COVID rules to be eased.
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There is no indication when the state government may further ease restriction in regional Victoria despite a number of hospitality businesses saying it is not financially viable to fully re-open their restaurants or cafes.
Community sport is also stuck in limbo with clubs permitted to train in groups of 10 but no competitions can be held.
Regional Victoria will exit its current lockdown at 11.59pm on Thursday night.
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Regional development minister and Member for Macedon Mary-Anne Thomas said controlling the COVID-19 Delta variant created dynamic situations that required constant monitoring.
"At a round table this morning with (councils) and business leaders across regional Victoria, this issue was raised," she said. "I understand many businesses will make decisions not to re-open or to continue providing only takeaway service (but) we will always act on the health advice.
"The feedback I have received from businesses is very important. I (also) understand that it is disappointing for sporting leagues. Sport so important to so many people and communities.
"What the government has to do is balance the competing restrictions while giving people certainty and something to look forward to while continuing to examine case loads each day and how virus tracking in communities."
On Wednesday, Harpoon Social Club co-owner Zoe Waddington said she and her husband, Chris, had yet to decide if their Bendigo restaurant would fully re-open under restrictions that allow 10 dine-in customers and 20 outdoor diners.
"All we want to do is get open again but it's hard to see if it is viable to open to (dine-in) customers," Ms Waddington told the Bendigo Advertiser.
Victoria's public health police and strategy deputy secretary Nicole Brady said it was a deliberately careful easing of restrictions in regional Victoria.
"It is definitely a careful, cautious easing in the way regional Victoria is being reopened," she said. "We definitely acknowledge that some business are unable to open.
"In regards to number of people who are able come together in locations where they take their mask off to eat and drink, it is a safe, slow careful step forward in how people come together.
"When the chief health officer feels comfortable taking a bigger step, we will take that advice. But that's where we are at the current time."
AFL Central Victoria has released finals scenarios roadmaps but no league has plans of extending their seasons into October.
When lockdown ends in regional Victoria, sporting clubs will be able to train together in groups of 10 but not compete.
Ms Thomas said she understood it meant most leagues would not be able to have a finals series.
"I understand how challenging it is and how disappointing," she said. "But we need to balance some certainty and clarity on what restrictions are against the ongoing daily examination of case numbers. We are in the hands of the health team.'
Ms Brady said holding sporting competitions would mean athletes are moving around communities and Victoria.
"If it is just training then it is good for mental health and the community," she said. "It also keeps the same people operating in a bubble because the same people are turning up to training.
"(Similarly with) gyms, the nature of activity inside gym is people inhaling and exhaling heavily with masks off. That is something that is not considered safe. So groups of up to 10 for personal training classes is the first step forward in regards physical exercise."
Ms Brady said there is no definitive date for a new announcement of eased restrictions.
"We have no dates locked in (for further easing of restrictions). We are in a difficult circumstance with Delta. We are seeing case numbers increase but each day vaccinations increase. It is a balancing act and dynamic situation."
Ms Thomas said the pathway to more restrictions being eased also lied with vaccination rates.
"We know vaccination is our pathway out of the COVID pandemic," she said. "We are doing all we can do to encourage communities and loved ones and friends that getting vaccinated is the best thing we can do."
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