Dan Andrews is blasted for celebrating the end of lockdown with a 'zero cases doughnut' and a $119 bottle of whisky - while some Victorians say they 'can't put food on the table because of him'
Daniel Andrews has been savaged for celebrating the end of lockdown with a doughnut and a $119 bottle of whisky.
The Victorian Premier posted a picture of himself to social media opening a box with a caramel-iced doughnuts saying 'today's a good day' on Monday night.
Immediately beneath he put a picture of Melbourne-made whisky Starward and two glasses, saying: 'Said I'd go a little higher up the shelf. Here's to you, Victoria.'
Mr Andrews was latching onto a social media fad where Victorians marked the state's first day of zero new coronavirus cases by eating doughnuts.
Premier Daniel Andrews posted these pictures to social media on Monday as Victoria's coronavirus cases fell to zero, prompting both joyful praise and savage criticism
Hundreds blasted the premier for waiting too long to reopen
The premier was following up on a quip at a press conference earlier on Monday when he announced pubs, restaurants, and many other business would reopen.
'Can I confirm you are saying we can finally get on the beers?,' a reporter asked.
'I don't know that I'll be drinking a beer tonight,' Mr Andrews said. 'I might go a little higher up the shelf.'
Tens of thousands of joyous comments erupted beneath the post on Facebook, many of them thanking the premier for his resolve.
His post attracted more than 140,000 'likes' and over 30,000 comments in just four hours.
But hundreds of others blasted the premier for waiting too long to reopen.
'Lucky you can . Lots of people don't have food on the table because of you,' wrote one on Facebook.
Supermarkets across Melbourne sold out of doughnuts as 'DonutDay' began trending on social media to celebrate zero coronavirus deaths and cases in Victoria
Queensland University virologist Professor Ian Mackay got into the spirit reminding Victoria of how they had crushed a major outbreak of a highly infectious virus
More than 30,000 people commented on Premier Andrews' Facebook post within four hours, and most of the comments were positive and thanked him
Thousands of Victorians celebrated the easing of restrictions coronavirus with a treat
'Please. 127,000 jobs, 800 lives, thousands of businesses lost. We are celebrating Victorians not its Government... Let's drink to the human loss and find out why this happened. People need to be accountable,' wrote another, this time on Twitter.
'Dan getting drunk while everyone has lost their business,' wrote a third.
But most comments supported the premier as a wave of relief swept over Victorians, free from more than 85 straight days of being trapped in their homes under a tough Stage Four lockdown.
'Thank you for your resolve and focus to stay on track, Dan. Enjoy a much deserved treat, or two or three,' wrote one woman on Facebook.
'Brilliant day! Cheers Dan!' wrote another.
'I've never been more happy to see a North Face jacket on a Monday! So proud, Melbs!' wrote a third.
The North Face jacket has become an omen of good news for Victorians who watch the premier's daily coronavirus updates, while a suit is thought to mean bad news.
Hundreds of people posted pictures of their donuts to celebrate - even ones safe for dieters
'Dan better be in North Face, and saying 'GET ON THE BEERS',' one person said earlier on Twitter ahead of Monday's press briefing.
'North Face' began trending on Twitter, followed by 'DonutDay' as thousands of people posted pictures of themselves with doughnuts to represent the zero coronavirus deaths and cases in Victoria on Monday.
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Reports emerged on Twitter that some Melbourne stores had sold out of the sugary treats within an hour.
Coles spokeswoman Meg Rayner told radio station 3AW that the supermarket chain had seen a 'huge spike in demand' for doughnuts in its Melbourne stores.
'The bakery team this morning obviously didn't see it coming, and there's been a flurry of excitement trying to make sure that we've got enough stock in our stores,' she said.
Ms Rayner said Coles then put the full might of its bakery behind producing doughnuts.
'We're just going to keep churning them out all day. If the people want doughnuts, we'll make them,' she said.
Queensland virologist Ian Mackay tweeted Victoria's coronavirus chart with 'Donut Day' written in for October 26.
'Victoria records a zero case day! This is after reporting a 725 case day in the peak of Wave 2 80 days ago,' he wrote.
Even Victoria Police joked about it on Twitter.
'It's true. Police love doughnuts,' they wrote, in a meme attached to a post thanking Victoria for its 'amazing achievement'.
Victoria Police couldn't help joining in the fun by posting a police meme
Victoria free at last: What are the changes?
From Tuesday 27 October, 11.59pm
All retail, bars and restaurants open with 20 indoors and 50 outdoors
Beauty services and tattoo parlours open
Outdoor contact sport for under 18s back on and non-contact sport for adults
Four reasons to leave home removed
25km travel limit remains in place
Melbourne to regional VIC border remains
Outdoor gatherings up to 10 people
Gatherings can be of more than two households
Weddings increase to 10 attendees, funerals to 20
Church services open with 10 indoors and 20 outdoors
PT, fitness and dance classes can be held outdoors with up to 10 people
Number of people at outdoor pools can increase to 50, subject to density limits
Must work from home if you can
From 8 November
25km travel limit scrapped
Travel to regional VIC allowed
Retail, pubs and restaurants allowed 40 people indoors, 70 outdoors
Funerals allowed indoors with 20 and outdoors with 50
Non-contact sport for U18s allowed indoors
Gyms and indoor fitness will be able to reopen
Holiday accommodation to re-open
Religious gatherings will expand with up 20 people and a faith leader indoors, and 50 outside