Opposition Leader Michael O'Brien said regional Victoria is paying the price for coronavirus restrictions that are applicable to Melbourne.
Mr O'Brien visited Bendigo on Wednesday with Member for Northern Victoria Wendy Lovell and said the Premier is holding regional Victoria back unnecessarily.
"We are calling on Daniel Andrews not to have a one size fits all approach," Mr O'Brien said.
"Don't make regional Victoria pay for the issues Melbourne faces."
Mr O'Brien was critical of the state government for allowing a weekend Black Lives Matter protest, where an estimated 10,000 people converged on Melbourne's CBD, but imposing restrictions of no more than 20 people in the state's cafes and restaurants.
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"Victoria is still the lockdown state," he said.
"We have harsher restrictions than other states and a lot of Victorians are confused because our restrictions are so complicated."
Since June 1, cafes, restaurants and other hospitality businesses have been permitted to resume dine-in services with up to 20 seated patrons per enclosed space.
This is expected to increase to 50 patrons on June 22 and increase further by mid-July.
Hargreaves Street's Percy & Percy has remained open during the pandemic.
Owner Elisha Bahen said she had to turn her business on its head to adapt as restrictions were enforced in March.
Ms Bahen said it is frustrating to see people gathering for protests, but strict measures enforced at cafes such as Percy & Percy.
"We have been conscious and concerned about having three or four people gathered here and to see huge protests and crowds is really disappointing," Ms Bahen said.
"I have family in a hospitality business in South Australia and listening to how they are proceeding and we aren't is frustrating.
"It puts our recovery back a long way."
South Australia now allows 80 people in its hospitality venues.
Ms Lovell said cafes, restaurants and tourism operators in regional Victoria need people to return soon.
"In vast areas of regional Victoria, we have zero cases of COVID-19," Ms Lovell said.
"There is no reason why we can't be getting these economies kick started already.
"We need to fill every room of accommodation in places like Bendigo so we can save businesses and jobs and get our economy going again."
Mr O'Brien said while Victoria has flattened the curve, it has also flattened its economy.
"Victoria is the only state to be in recession," he said.
"We lost 127,000 jobs last month.
"We need a plan to get Victoria back to work and back in business."
