Fury as 'Dictator' Daniel Andrews forces Victorians to wear masks at their DESKS - despite pushing for workers to return to the office as the state faces 'dire' debt crisis

Frustrated business leaders have slammed Victorian Government rules that force workers to wear face masks at their desks - despite pushing for employees to return to the office to revive the decimated economy.

The decision to force workers to wear masks at their desks comes as new figures obtained by The Australian show the state's finances are so dire that Victoria could be stripped of its AAA credit rating by S&P Global Ratings. 

That would mean the state, already suffering under its worst-ever deficit, would have to pay even more to service the multi-billion-dollar debt that's set to hit $104billion by 2024, up from $44 billion in June. 

'What we have seen is pretty dire,' Anthony Walker, an S&P analyst for Australia said.  

Since the first wave of COVID-19 hit in March, Victorians able to carry out their duties from home were told to steer clear of offices, including hundreds in Melbourne's CBD.

That will change from Monday, with workplaces now allowed to welcome 25 per cent of their staff back into the office.

It means businesses with fewer than 40 staff can have ten back on site, as long as they comply with density limits.

From Monday, workplaces are allowed to welcome 25 per cent of their staff back into the office as long as they wear masks at their desks 

Business Council chief executive Jennifer Westacott said Melbourne's CBD has been reduced to a ghost town (pictured in August), and pushed for many workers to return to the office

The state's public service is not incorporated in the new edict, but Chief Health Officer Professor Brett Sutton clarified office workers must wear face masks when indoors.

On Monday, Victoria notched its 31st consecutive day without a new coronavirus case.

Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry chief executive Paul Guerra said the mask rules could deter workers from coming back on site. 

'We'd prefer to see masks off when you're sitting down, the same as it is for hospitality,' Mr Guerra told the Herald Sun. 

'You already have to have social distancing. So we say, let people breathe normally while they're sitting at their desks, and when they stand up the mask goes back on.' 

Business Council chief executive Jennifer Westacott said Melbourne's CBD has been reduced to a ghost town, and pushed for many workers to return to the office.

'This is a good start and welcome relief for thousands of small businesses in the city. Empty CBDs are economic dead zones,' she said.

Big businesses such as ANZ have flagged they won't have workers back in the office until next year, further destroying struggling shops and cafes in the city that rely on foot traffic.    

On Monday, Victoria notched its 31st consecutive day without a new coronavirus case

Big businesses such as ANZ have flagged they won't have workers back in the office until next year, further destroying struggling shops and cafes in the city that rely on foot traffic

Lord Mayor Sally Capp said city workers urged city workers to return to their offices 'as swiftly and safely as possible' as they contribute greatly to the economy. 

Meanwhile, epidemiologists classify 28 days with no new locally acquired infections as the marker for virus 'elimination', given that period represents two 14-day incubation periods.

The milestone means other states have started welcoming travellers from previously virus-hit Victoria once again.

NSW lifted restrictions for Victorian travellers last Monday, while Queensland and South Australia will reopen their borders from Tuesday.