A trader in Melbourne’s CBD has claimed the broader community is ‘institutionalised’ after the state government ditched work-from-home recommendations.

Jackie Silverman, owner of the Black Velvet café on Exhibition Street, was not as happy as expected when reacting to the state government’s decision.

“Hearing that news last night I was kind of cynical to be honest,” she told Neil Mitchell.

“We’ve learned after so many false starts, just to take things as it comes.”

Mrs Silverman wants people to embrace each other’s company now the work-from-home recommendations have been dropped.

“I think that a lot of people have become institutionalised and forgotten how wonderful it is to have a community outside of the home,” she said.

Press PLAY to hear her full reaction to the state government’s decision 

Picture: Getty iStock