A set of revelations claim secret surveys were conducted in Narre Warren and Ballarat during the 2020 Lockdown, to gauge the public’s sentiments regarding restrictions.
According to The Australian, the Victorian Government reportedly held focus groups and surveyed locals in late September 2020 when they were deciding whether to lift Covid restrictions following the state’s second wave of the virus.
The groups were reportedly asked about their views on several lockdown measures, including gathering rules, a ban on visitors to homes, the 5km movement radius, and 8pm curfew, said news.com.au.
One question asked those surveyed their “initial reaction/top of mind discussion following recent announcements”, news.com.au reported.
It is believed that, in addition to expert health advice, the surveys may have guided the government on which restrictions to ease once Covid cases lessened.
The Premier’s Office was contacted for comment.
