ANOTHER RUN OF INFECTIONS ANOTHER LOCKDOWN

MEDIA RELEASE - 16 JULY 2021

It gives VIC Active no joy to remind Victorians that we have been predicting multiple long-term lockdowns since the start of 2021.

We acknowledge that lockdowns do play a fundamental role in limiting the spread of the virus. That is absolutely clear.

But what is not clear is how and why the Andrews Government and the CHO Sutton makes these decisions.

There is no transparency, no consultation and, in most cases, businesses are left without support funding from the Commonwealth or State Governments.

Industries, including ours, report meaningful dialogue with their relevant Ministers only to have their agreed plans overruled by the CHO. 

It is time to ask – is Mr Andrews really receiving the best medical advice?

VIC Active argues that by chasing one goal – a ZERO number – that health advice is completely disregarding other key health indicators which are all heading in the wrong directions. 

These include the deterioration in the physical and mental health of Victorians – the lag in cancer check-ups, the rampant increase in conditions like obesity, diabetes, liver disease and chronic heart disease and to echo comments by the Premier and other senior Ministers Victoria is currently in the midst of a mental health catastrophe!

By all means chase a low infection numbers but surely it’s time to bring some balance to these lockdown deliberations. And surely its time to let fitness centres in regional Victoria operate when most of the state has operated with zero infections for more than 12 months. COVID has been a capital city problem.

VIC Active reminds you that fitness centres are COVID SAFE – we practice social distancing, have first rate contact tracing systems and sanitise equipment after each use. Since COVID hit our shores, not one case originated from a professionally operated fitness centre in Australia.

We think it is time that the fitness industry is classified as “essential” and thereby giving us that same status as first responders and other accepted life-saving industries. We remain concerned that unless the Andrews Government frees itself of CHO Sutton’s reckless thinking we will suffer ongoing lockdowns.

How will Victorians be feeling during Lockdown 8.0?

ENDS

STAY SAFE - STAY HEALTHY - STAY ACTIVE!

NOTE:

VIC Active represents the owners of around 500 fitness centres around Victoria. Fitness centres employ over 40,000 professionals around the State and more than 1,000,000 Victorians identify as a member of a fitness centre.

ENDS

VIC Active – www.vicactive.org

For general enquiries: team@vicactive.org

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: TIM SCHLEIGER – 0407 565 597