Advice issued to the public sector including local councils about returning to work has "peeved" Wangaratta Mayor Dean Rees.
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Public servants were scheduled to return to work from Monday at 25 per cent capacity and the private sector could return with up to 50 per cent in Victoria.
Acting Premier Jacinta Allan flagged earlier in the week that would be reviewed.
Cr Rees said the advice issued, at this point delaying the return to 18th January, did not make sense to him.
"This is only advice, but I hate that the public sector get a return of 25 per cent only, yet the private sector is 50 per cent of their workforce," he said.
"Where's the competitive neutrality between the private and public sector?
"It's almost like we're too precious to send our workers back to work.
"I'm peeved at that announcement, that there's disparity between public and private, it's not fair on our taxpayers that they want services and retail sectors to be back at work but they want us to sit at home, getting paid by the taxpayer."
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Cr Rees said he was part of that workforce and understood delaying the return to work in areas of concern, but not in regional areas.
"I believe all of our workforce can go back now - it will help business," he said.
"They're [council workers] all used to working from home, but for the general public who need council services, I believe having them there at the office, where things get done better and quicker [is a better option]."
On 18 January, 50 per cent of the private sector workforce can return to the office and 25 per cent of the Victorian Public Service can return to the office.
All open businesses and services must have a COVIDSafe Plan focused on safety.
A requirement for Victorian workers to wear face masks indoors was reinstated on New Year's Eve.