Regional Victoria will go back into lockdown for the second time from Thursday in a decision backed by Dr Haines.

But she said Victoria's restrictions will be tougher on North East businesses than other parts of the state because they have been introduced in addition to restrictions already caused by the closure of the NSW border.

"My concerns remain that this will add, inevitably, additional pressure on our border communities who have already had one month effectively of being under restrictions with the difficulties in crossing the border," she said.

"Everyone across the state knew that if we had to go into lockdown again, it may be a bridge too far for some.

"But we have to, we have no choice about that.

"This is going to cause, of course, additional pressure on all our businesses.

"The businesses on the border have been affected for the past month, additional to other communities in Victoria."

IN OTHER NEWS:

Dr Haines supported Victoria's $5000 grants for regional businesses forced to close due to stage three restrictions and called on the federal government to match that funding.

She was among those wearing a mask in public and at her office, as required from Monday.

"Fundamentally I think masks are the least of our problems," she said.

"I full support the Chief Medical Officer's order to start wearing masks.

"It's not hard - put on a mask.

"If you can purchase a mask that's handmade by a charity that makes it a bit more fun and contributes to the common good, then do that."

Benambra MP Bill Tilley said that "it just doesn't seem fair" for regional schools to go back to remote learning from Wednesday while the North East region remained free of coronavirus.

"People I have talked to are shell-shocked - parents are worried, kids feel flat and I know teachers will now have to again rise to the unique challenge they face," he said.

"We have been responsible, we've listened, we've done all we could. But we are paying the penalty for Melbourne's failings."

Mr Tilley disputed the claim from Premier Daniel Andrews that there was no choice but to move regionmal Victoria to stage three.

"He could have enforced the ring around Melbourne, he could have used trained Defence Force personnel rather than bouncers and Uber drivers to manage the quarantine hotels, he could have had a fully staffed contact tracing team and so much more," he said.

"The only threat to us here on the Border has been generated by people coming out of Melbourne, people visiting Melbourne, people coming for a Big Mac."

He said jobs, families and businesses will be torn apart.

"I want to protect our people from this hideous disease as much as anyone else, but realistically no one here has seen the disease at this stage," Mr Tilley said.

"How can putting people out of work, destroying businesses and adding further stress to our young people really help?"