THERE are concerns some of regional Victoria's most popular community events could have to cancel plans for the third successive year under the state government's roadmap to recovery from the global pandemic.

Event managers and committees spoken to by the Bendigo Advertiser have expressed fears for community celebrations held outdoors - such as New Year's Eve, the Bendigo Easter Fair, and local Australia Day events.

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Bendigo Easter Fair Society president Simon Mulqueen said he was concerned the heavy COVID-19 protocols currently in place as part of the health response to the pandemic will not be lifted in time for the 2022 celebrations to occur - meaning the 150th anniversary Easter Fair would have to be postponed for the third year running.

"There is no provision in the Victorian government's roadmap for events like ours," Mr Mulqueen said.

"The roadmap does not address larger community events... the government has not contemplated our industry. They don't want to think about it," he said. "But it's time to start moving, and thinking, forward."

Related: Easter Fair launches Hall of Fame

Large community events that cannot provide controlled access points with QR codes requiring people to scan in face significant challenges under the roadmap.

Other events - such as race meetings and sporting events in stadiums where everyone must enter via a gate or turnstile, can more readily adapt to the roapmap rules.

Other tourism industry leaders spoken to this week have raised concerns about claims the Bendigo CBD might need to be fenced off to facilitate any planned Easter parade, with crowds segregated into separate areas along any parade route to conform to COVID protocols.

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Bendigo Chinese Association president Doug Lougoon said he was concerned planning for the 2022 celebrations needed to start now, but there was uncertainty about future events.

"We really need some certainty about what the plans for events in 2022 are, so we can plan with confidence. It (the Easter Fair) is significantly under threat for the third year in a row," he said.

"We need to draw a line, step across it and have a health system that's ready for it."

The Easter Fair's status as a major community event and its attraction to so many people has given the long weekend celebration status as central Victoria's biggest event of the year. Motels, restaurants, hotels, coffee shops, retailers and the Easter Fair all benefit from the tens of thousands of people who would otherwise flock to the city over Easter.

Mr Mulqueen said the Bendigo Easter Fair committee can provide a covid-safe event to the extent of providing QR codes for rides, at entrances to a fenced off Rosalind Park and for food vendors and stall holders, but it would seem impossible to police the estimated 60,000 crowd expected to attend the gala Easter parade, under the current rules.

"So the Bendigo Easter Fair is seeking community views as to whether there is support to stage a traditional Easter celebration in 2022."

He said concerns for community events come despite estimates Greater Bendigo and regional Victoria will surpass a fully vaccinated level of 90 per cent of the eligible population by Christmas 2021 - almost four months before Easter 2022.

"The Easter Fair Society is fully prepared to work toward a traditional Easter Fair in 2022 - covid-safe of course, but will need the community to express its determination to the government and the premier on the need to return to some semblance of normal life.

"Our community needs it, our businesses need it, and most importantly society needs it.... if not now, then when?"

Mr Mulqueen said the Bendigo Easter Fair Society would launch a poll in coming days seeking to garner support from the community for the return of the Bendigo Easter Fair in 2022.

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