Victoria’s Premier Daniel Andrews told the state on Sunday that Victorians “can’t pretend your way out of this” and extended the stage four restrictions in Melbourne for another two weeks.
But even as he spoke, there was no pretending in Oakleigh’s famous Hellenic precinct, Eaton Mall, where bustling Father’s Day trade of previous years was replaced with families cycling in the mall, people walking their dogs and police patrols.
Neos Kosmos was at sunny Eaton Mall on Father’s Day 6 September, between noon and 1pm just as the Premier held his media conference outlining the government’s five-step roadmap out of COVID-19 lockdown.
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We saw an empty mall with families on bikes stopping to take a breather in the middle of it, where outdoor diners would normally be.
We also saw people walking their dogs through the mall and people picking up their takeaway orders. Police on foot were also patrolling the mall and surrounding streets.
Oakleigh Police is stationed near the mall at the corner of Atherton and Warrigal roads.