Data from the Department of Transport and City of Melbourne shows there was no noticeable change to commuter numbers after July 12,when state Health Minister Mary-Anne Thomas asked employers to encourage their staff to work from home and recommended greater mask use.
People walk through Melbourne CBD late last week.Asanka Ratnayake/ Getty Images
On Thursday,public transport patronage was 65 per cent of the pre-pandemic level in July 2019,up from 64 per cent a week prior. Two weeks earlier,on July 5,patronage was 68 per cent of the normal traffic. That was before the minister decided not to mandate masks and work-from-home arrangements,instead strongly recommending them.
Traffic on Punt Road and Hoddle Street was busier than pre-pandemic levels,at 101 per cent on Thursday. Traffic was at 98 per cent a week prior and 97 per cent two weeks prior.
“Traffic volumes and patronage on public transport has remained consistent,with no significant changes to network utilisation,” a Department of Transport spokesman said.
Foot traffic near the Town Hall was also stable after health advice was strengthened,according to City of Melbourne data.
The number of pedestrians dipped the week before last from 86.4 per cent to 76.6 per cent but recovered last week to an average of 86.6 per cent between Monday and Wednesday.
Public sector workers are still expected to go to the office three days a week,but extra flexibility has been provided.
Wayne Townsend,acting branch secretary of the Community and Public Sector Union,said employers were “far less insistent” on workers returning to the office in light of the latest health advice.
“There are now more workers discussing with their employers working from home to a greater extent,” Townsend said.
“A few weeks ago,employers were also encouraging people to return to the office. The insistence people come back to the office is not occurring to the extent it might have been.”
Property Council data released this month showed that a recent rise in in June.
Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry chief executive Paul Guerra said people were now commuting to the office for one or two days a week instead of three or four.
“Nobody wants to see the health system under pressure,” Guerra said. “People are coming to different arrangements with their employers.”
Thousands of nursing and midwifery students will be deployed across Victoria to help ease strain on health system.
The City of Melbourne held firm in its flexible working arrangements after the arrival of the new Omicron subvariants,with about 90 per cent of council staff going into the office.
Ben Cowie,as Victoria’s acting chief health officer earlier this month,had strongly advised people to work from home where possible in July and August,a view shared by federal Chief Medical Officer Paul Kelly.
On July 11,Thomas asked that suited them and their staff. A recommendation rather than a directive,her comments left a grey area for employers and staff to navigate.
The Australian Health Practitioners Regulatory Agency had informed staff that they would still be required to commute to the office at least twice a week,but reversed that advice after queries and complaints from staff.
“... Following staff feedback and media coverage in the past few days,we recognise people may be feeling unsafe commuting to the office. So,if you are able to effectively work from home,you can choose to do so,” chief executive Martin Fletcher told staff in an email seen byThe Age.
Telstra and Westpac have to provide employees with as much flexibility as possible,while NAB,Optus and Commonwealth Bank continued their hybrid working arrangements.
A WorkSafe spokesman said employers needed to consult workers about their circumstances when assessing COVID-19 risks.
“This includes consulting with workers about their individual circumstances and the suitability of work-from-home and other flexible arrangements,” the spokesman said.
Speaking to the media recently,Premier Daniel Andrews said employers and employees needed to find a balance.
“I know that there are challenges with working from home ... but some changes,I think they’re here to stay,” Andrews said.
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