Business groups divided over new coronavirus controls

Business groups are divided over the state government’s latest controls to curb the spread of COVID-19.

The government on Tuesday “strongly recommended” people wear masks indoors and in crowded settings and that employers consider work from home arrangements for their staff.

Health Minister Mary-Anne Thomas revealed the acting chief health officer recommended mask mandates in some situations, but she rejected that advice after speaking to business leaders.

Victorian head of the Australian Industry Group, Tim Piper, told The Age it will put businesses “back a few months” and it’s “quite an imposing position for the government to take”.

But CEO of the Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI), Paul Guerra, welcomed the recommendations.

He told Ross and Russel Victorians should “Use a bit of what I would call virus common sense at the moment”.

“I reckon every business around the state today should be sitting down with their leaders and their staff and saying ‘Ok, what do we need to do?’

“We don’t need mandates to tell us what to do.”

Press PLAY below to hear what the VCCI CEO thinks of the new COVID-19 controls

https://www.3aw.com.au/ross-blasts-the-health-minister-for-rejecting-health-advice/