WITH the release of the roadmap out of COVID-19 restrictions last week by the State Government, the local tourism industry said it was still grappling with limitations that made life hard for operators and was disappointed the local region was overlooked for the possibility of opening up earlier.

In addition to the roadmap, the State Government announced it would start trials in businesses and events across highly-vaccinated parts of regional Victoria to help the state open progressively as a ‘vaccinated economy’ when key double-dose thresholds are met.

But the Southern Grampians, despite its high vaccination rates, will not be part of the initial exercise.

Up to 20 trials will test systems and support in the fortnight before Victoria is aiming to reach the key 70 per cent full vaccination mark on October 26, triggering the next stage.