Following the Victorian Premier’s presser yesterday the Victorian Chamber Chief Executive, Paul Guerra wrote to his members.

Some of his comments are relevant to Victorian event industry business owners.

Today’s announcement was never going to be easy with the number of active cases in the state. Victorians all have a role to play, but every business needs hope. Today we got a plan to have a plan when what we needed was certainty, clarity, ambition, hope and a clear roadmap. We got confirmation that most Victorian businesses will remain unable to trade for the foreseeable future.

I have spoken to many businesses across the state who are in crisis and need to see an end to lockdowns, especially some LGA’s in Regional Victoria that are virus-free. We need to get off this COVID-19 treadmill. The business community stands ready to help and the Victorian Chamber would like to see the public health team take on a greater appreciation of the business perspective.

We need to learn to live with this virus. Across the globe countries are moving ahead with the knowledge the vaccine is reducing illness, hospitalisation and death. Victorians are desperate to enjoy ongoing freedoms from lockdowns. Recent turn outs by the next generation at vaccination hubs and online bookings is a powerful signal, but there is more to do to ramp up the vaccine rollout, including education and encouragement to get vaccinated.

This week the Federal Government delivered an indemnity scheme to protect employers who may face costly claims when they facilitate jabs in the workplace. This is a welcome announcement that should incentivise more businesses to roll out COVID-19 vaccinations in the workplace. The business community is more than ready to play its part.

This is a sprint now. The sooner we get there, the sooner we get to do what we love. The sooner we get to see our friends and family again. The sooner we can imagine and plan for a bloody great summer. I wrote in a Herald Sun op-ed this week on the importance of looking forward rather than back, and I encourage you all to maintain hope that we will get through this. And the Victorian Chamber has your back.

It was sad to see another event was taken off our calendar with the AFL Grand Final moved to Perth, but there was some good news this week with the first funding allocation of the $10 million Enabling Tourism Fund announced which will inject vital support into Victoria’s struggling visitor economy.