The state government hasfinally responded to the pleas of long-suffering traders to re-energise the CBD, lifting its work from home recommendation.It comes days the Herald Sun’s Spring Into Action campaign urged the government to lift the shackles off the city, with disease experts saying it was time to put “unwarranted fears” about the virus to rest.However, the state’s pandemic declaration order will stay in place until October 12.The lifting of the working from home recommendation has sparked hope of a daytime CBD recovery, with tens of thousands of public servants and private sector employees free to return to work.Melbourne’s return-to-office rate has lagged well behind other capital cities. Latest figures from the Property Council of Australia showed office occupancy levels in July at just 38 per cent, an 11-point drop on June’s 49 per cent average.As Covid cases soared in July, the state government issued advice recommending workers stay home if possible.Health Minister Mary-Anne Thomas said the move to scrap the recommendation was in line with health advice.“With spring now here and case numbers and hospitalisations declining significantly, more people may want to get back into the office – and back out to the cafes, shops and bars,” she said. “We encourage employers and employees to have a conversation about what’s right for their individual needs.”Ms Thomas said a significant reduction in case numbers, down from a peak of 71,428 in July, meant it was safe to drop the recommendation.She said employers and staff may still consider remote working arrangements where appropriate.The Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry welcomed the move, and encouraged people to safely return to the office.“This is a positive step that paves the way for Victorians to safely return to the office now winter is over and the Covid-19 peak has passed,” chief executive Paul Guerra said.“It will also provide a welcome boost for Melbourne’s CBD and regional cities as we head into spring. This will give Victorians the confidence to embrace both business and social opportunities again.“We strongly encourage businesses to have the conversation with their staff and make appropriate arrangements.”Lord Mayor Sally Capp said it was “great news”. “The shackles are off,” she said.“There are regularly more people in the city on weekends than before the pandemic, and now we expect to see a new weekday rhythm emerge.”Small Business Australia executive director Bill Lang said it was vital public servants were forced back to offices.“At last a step in the right direction to resuscitate the City of Melbourne’s small business community,” he said.“However, one breath through mouth-to-mouth resuscitation does not lead to full recovery from a cardiac arrest.“Let’s get all the government workers back in their office, particularly on Mondays and Fridays, because there are significant benefits for them and their colleagues and the productivity and quality of the service they provide.”Infectious diseases physician and microbiologist Paul Griffin said the move was a “very reasonable” step forward. “It is clear that we’re in a much better position than we were even a few weeks ago,” Dr Griffin said. “As we appropriately relax all these restrictions we do need people to understand personal responsibility is still going to be a big part of this.”Liberal Party deputy David Southwick said more work was needed for the CBD to recover. “The future of work has changed and Victoria now needs real solutions to return confidence and vibrancy across our state,” he said. “For our CBD and small business to recover, workers need to be given a reason to return to work.”
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