VIDEO-Tears, cheers and beers: Melbourne joyous as Daniel Andrews puts end to lockdown | Australia news | The Guardian
The news was greeted with tears, cheers and, at the afternoon school pick-up, a spontaneous concert of parents honking car horns in celebration.
As Victoria’s premier, Daniel Andrews, announced at 3.30pm on Monday that Melbourne’s months-long lockdown would (largely) come to an end, residents rejoiced.
From midnight on Tuesday cafes, restaurants, bars and beauty services will reopen, subject to patron limits, and people will be able to leave their home for any reason.
It was a moment of high anticipation.
As Andrews spoke, the activist and author Sally Rugg tweeted: “Is Dan ok? He seems like he’s about to cry?” Minutes later, after the announcement, she added: “Oh god now I’m crying.”
Sally Rugg (@sallyrugg)oh god now I'm crying
October 26, 2020
For millions around the city and the state, the floodgates of emotion opened.
Some cracked a beer during the press conference, toasting the latest episode of what had become the state’s longest-running, and usually dourest, daytime TV show. Others quoted the famous words of Melbourne’s Nobel Prize-winning immunologist Peter Doherty.
Chelsea Hetherington (@chelsea_hetho)Dan Murphy's opening hours
October 26, 2020
Elyce Phillips (@ElycePhillips)
Fuckin cheers, mates pic.twitter.com/YTPQ1ENAEw
October 26, 2020
The author Andrea Rowe said she was in the car with her daughter at the school gates listening to the radio as the news came through.
“She’s crying,” Rowe wrote. “I’m tooting. Folks are flashing lights and hollering. The Rosebud school carpark pickup is going off.”
Andrea Rowe (@AndreaRowe_au)Listening to @DanielAndrewsMP press conference with a teen in the car that we are opening up! She’s crying. I’m tooting. Folks are flashing lights and hollering. The #Rosebud school carpark pickup is going off. Opening joy! #victorialockdown
October 26, 2020
Georgia Love (@GeorgieALove)SEE YOU AT THE PUB 12.01 WEDNESDAY
October 26, 2020
Madman Films (@MadmanFilms)
the vibes in Melbourne right now pic.twitter.com/dG4V1eFxuZ
October 26, 2020
Asked by reporters about his famous quote from March at the start of the lockdown – “[that you can’t] have all your mates around to home and get on the beers”) – Andrews announced he would in fact be reaching for the spirits.
Benita Kolovos 🐯 (@benitakolovos)Q: Can I confirm you are saying we can finally get on the beers?
The premier: “I might go a little higher up the shelf.”
October 26, 2020
A week ago,Andrews’ “get on the beers” clip had in fact been remixed into a dancefloor banger – and played at a Western Australian festival.
On Monday, Victorians finally had reason to share it themselves.
cowboy himbo (@cameronwilson)lets gooooooooooooo https://t.co/z2WR9wbKuy
October 26, 2020
Tyson Whelan (@tyson_whelan)
regret to inform the premier’s press conferences are going off at perth’s nightclubs pic.twitter.com/bB3BVgC21f
October 18, 2020
Not everyone was overjoyed. The News Corp columnist Sophie Elsworth said the short notice meant some businesses “have just over one day to get sorted”. The former premier Jeff Kennett said it was “long overdue”.
Sophie Elsworth (@sophieelsworth)Pubs, cafes restaurants etc can open from 11.59pm tomorrow. They have just over one day to get sorted. Immense pressure to get staff, stock & sorted in time. #COVID19Vic 😷
October 26, 2020
But for others, it was a moment of unqualified joy after months of darkness.
Greg Larsen (@gregmlarsen)
Country towns about to get smashed #COVID19Vic pic.twitter.com/Y2u5qKR6mA
October 26, 2020
Osman Faruqi (@oz_f)Everyone was at home Brigid https://t.co/RG4W6pGOId
October 26, 2020