Victoria is reportedly ahead of schedule in its pursuit of 70 per cent double vaccination target

Victoria is reportedly running ahead of schedule in its push to reach 70 per cent double-vaxxed - and an easing of restrictions could come sooner than expected.

Victoria is reportedly running ahead of schedule in its push to get 70 per cent of its eligible population double vaccinated - and as a result, the planned easing of Covid restrictions could happen sooner than expected.

The Herald Sun reports that official vaccination tracking figures, provided to the state government by Covid Commander Jeroen Weimar, show Victoria is on track to reach the 70 per cent target by October 23, rather than October 26.

The 80 per cent threshold may be reached by November 3, two days ahead of schedule.

Meanwhile, genomic sequencing has uncovered eight cases of a new strain of the Delta variant circulating in NSW, with authorities scrambling to find the source.

Chief health officer Dr Kerry Chant made the revelation while delivering NSW’s 11am Covid update on Friday.

“We have been having a program throughout this response to the pandemic around genome sequencing,” she said.

“Those investigations have identified a strain of Delta which is different genome sequencing to the current strains circulating in Sydney.”

A new strain of the Delta virus has been discovered in NSW. Picture: National Institutes of Health/AFP

There are currently eight cases identified with this new strain, including seven people from one household and one other additional case.

“There is no evidence that this new strain presents any differences regarding transmission, vaccine effectiveness or severity,” Dr Chant said.

“We are undertaking investigations into the source and to how the transmission occurred.”

Mildura placed into lockdown

Victoria’s chief health officer Brett Sutton has declared that Mildura will enter a seven-day lockdown from midnight tonight, subjecting the area to the same restrictions as Melbourne (except for the curfew).

A further three cases have been confirmed in the region, bringing the total number of active cases to 12.

“If you’re in the Mildura Rural City Council area, please follow the lockdown restrictions, get tested if you have symptoms, and get vaccinated if you haven’t already,” Professor Sutton said in a statement.

“We’ve seen regional communities get through an outbreak so we know it can be done – it’s vital we protect the local community and the rest of regional Victoria from significant outbreaks.”

Chief health officer Brett Sutton. Picture: NCA NewsWire/David Geraghty

Two new cases in South Australia

There’ve been two new cases of Covid-19 in South Australia in the past 24 hours, bringing the total number of active cases in the state to four.

One of the cases is a returned overseas traveller – a woman in her 50s who is currently in a medi-hotel.

The other is a man in his 60s from South Australia who works as a freight driver. The man arrived in the state from NSW last night, and is believed to be in the early stages of infection.

He’s received one dose of the Pfizer vaccine.

Daniel Andrews issued two PINS

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews has been issued two penalty infringement notices for failing to wear a face mask while walking up to the doors of Parliament this week.

Both fines are valued at $200, with the incidents occurring on Wednesday and Thursday.

Mr Andrews earlier apologised for the error, saying if Victoria Police choose to issue him a fine he will pay it, and if they don’t he will donate the $200 amount to a charity.

“If they do not issue a fine I will donate the same value to a charity working to support people in this pandemic because, whilst this was an overnight, overnights matter – everyone needs to follow the rules and I am sorry it occurred.

Commenting on the footage this morning 3AW host Neil Mitchell said the Premier “might have to fine himself!”

“Premier, if you’re going to lock us up for lapses and fine businesses when they’re trying to do the right thing, well you’ve got to pay the price yourself,” he said.

“Maybe he could just apologise at the press conference, say he’s made a mistake … and give $200 to charity.

“It was an oversight, it’s not a huge issue, but it’s a symbol.”

Government ‘quietly waters down’ vaccine mandate

The Victorian Government has “quietly watered down” its mandatory vaccination directions, declaring that a “worker” does not include a Commonwealth employees who person who works in connection with court proceedings.

The state government appears to have quietly watered down its mandatory vaccination directions, potentially exempting thousands of Victorians from the tough crackdown. Commonwealth employees and people who work in connection with court proceedings now appear exempt. #springstpic.twitter.com/L45AHRttN5

— Shannon Deery (@s_deery) October 8, 2021

Force ‘scaled back’ at Victorian border

Victoria Police “will be scaling back its enforcement at the NSW state border” due to updated health advice.

In a statement on Friday afternoon, police said “presence will gradually reduce over the next few days and as of Tuesday, the dedicated border operation with more than 300 police will come to an end”.

“After that point, Victoria Police will use its local resources to patrol the border to ensure ongoing compliance with the permit conditions,” they added.

“100 police resources originally earmarked to work at the state border will be redeployed to Operation Guardian to patrol the metro regional border.

“The remaining 200 resources will return to their original place of work or to assist with Covid-19 enforcement operations.”

ACT records 40 Covid cases

The ACT has recorded 40 Covid-19 cases in the past 24 hours.

This brings the total number of active cases in the state to 430.

Changes to Victoria’s mask rules

The Victorian government has made “small but important” changes to the state’s mask mandate,

Chief health officer Professor Brett Sutton said from midnight tonight the rules will change to allow the removal of masks outdoors for the consumption of alcohol.

“That is a reflection of a push to more outdoor recreation activities including picnics and a welcome change for many, I am sure,” he said.

A Nurse is seen working at a Covid-19 pop up testing clinic. Picture: NCA NewsWire/ Gaye Gerard

There is also a change to the rules around masks and schools when they reopen.

Schoolchildren in Year Three and above will be required to wear masks indoor sat school and kids for kids in Prep to Year Two mask wearing will be “strongly recommended” but not mandated.

“We have certainly seen in cases such as England or the UK where schools reopened without strong mask use from the get go, or indeed supported by all of those other layered mitigation such as good ventilation, there was an estimated 8 per cent of students absent from school in those early weeks with suspected or confirmed Covid or as close contacts,” Professor Sutton said.

“So we really want to have these measures in place early on to keep kids in school and to make sure that they are safe in the school environment.”

Qld restrictions to ease as no new cases recorded

Queensland is set to ease restrictions for parts of the state after they recorded another day of zero locally acquired Covid-19 cases.

Restrictions will ease from 4pm today for the LGAs of Brisbane, Gold Coast, Moreton Bay, Logan, Townsville and Palm Island, bringing them into line with the rest of the state.

This means:

• Cafes will return to the one person per two square metre rule indoors and outdoors

• Stadiums and events can have full capacity

• Up to 100 people can gather in homes, with no limit for people gathering in public spaces

• Visitors are permitted at aged care, correctional centres, hospitals and disability service centres

• Up to 200 people can attend funerals and weddings, and all wedding guests can dance

NSW records 646 cases and 11 deaths

NSW has recorded 646 new Covid-19 cases and 11 deaths in the 24 hours to 8pm last night.

Of the new deaths, two people were in their 50s, one was in their 60s, four were in their 70s and four were in their 80s.

Seven people were not vaccinated, three had received one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, and one had received two doses.

‘Very different to Gladys’: Roadmap backlash

NSW’s Premier Dominic Perrottet’s decision to further ease restrictions for the state from Monday has continued to attract criticism, with Australia’s top doctor warning “excessive deaths” may follow.

President of the Australian Medical Association (AMA), Dr Omar Khorshid, said he was “very concerned” about the shift in NSW’s approach to managing Covid-19 and the “potential sidelining of public health advice”.

Dr Khorshid said the fact the changes were announced without chief health officer Dr Kerry Chant being present and renaming the Crisis Cabinet the Economic Recovery Committee suggests health advice will “no longer guide the NSW government”.

Dr Omar Khorshid, Australian Medical Association President, has hit out at the changes to NSW’s road map. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Gary Ramage

“The ultimate outcomes of opening too fast or too early will be avoidable deaths and the reintroduction of lockdowns and other restrictions – things no-one in NSW wants to see,” he said.

He said the potential for transmission for people under 40 is “significant” as many of these people are yet to be fully vaccinated.

“If the NSW ‘Covid and Economic Recovery Committee’ moves to open the economy faster than is advised by health experts and the modelling, they will ultimately be held accountable for the impacts of those decisions, including potentially excess deaths, overwhelmed hospitals and the economic catastrophe that would accompany further lockdowns,” Dr Khorshid said.

“The AMA is concerned that the decisions taken in NSW since the change of leadership signal a very different approach to that taken under the leadership of former Premier Gladys Berejiklian.

“The AMA supports opening-up, but it must be done wisely and cautiously, with the ability to pause and assess the impact of lifting restrictions, before moving to the next stage. To do otherwise risks far too much.”

Government denies CHO didn’t endorse road map changes

NSW’s Deputy Premier Mike Toole has denied rumours that chief health officer Dr Kerry Chant didn’t endorse the changes to the road map announced yesterday.

Dr Chant’s glaring absence from Premier Dominic Perrottet’s press conference yesterday led many to believe that she didn’t support the decision to further ease restrictions.

Speaking to Sunrise this morning, Mr Toole said this was “not the case”.

“I had a crisis cabinet the day before and Kerry Chant was in the meeting. We don’t make decisions without the support of NSW Health or Dr Kerry Chant,” he told the program.

“I think it’s important we get the balance right between keeping peopling safe but also opening up the economy.

“[The new plan] was endorsed by Kerry Chant and NSW Health and it’s a delicate balance, but … I know the people are looking forward to Monday.”

Victoria records 1838 cases and five deaths

Victoria has confirmed another record day of Covid-19 cases, with 1838 infections and five deaths recorded in the 24 hours to midnight last night.

This is the highest number of new cases recorded in Australia throughout the whole pandemic, beating the previous record of 1763 infections set by Victoria on Tuesday.

Reported yesterday: 1,838 new local cases and 0 cases acquired overseas.
- 36,600 vaccines administered
- 77,554 test results received
- Sadly, 5 people with COVID-19 have died

More later: https://t.co/OCCFTAtS1P#COVID19Vic#COVID19VicDatapic.twitter.com/aQ708hWaRQ

— VicGovDH (@VicGovDH) October 7, 2021

ADF and SES called in to drive ambulances

Personnel from the Australian Defence Force and State Emergency Service will start driving ambulances in Victoria to keep up with demand caused by the state’s latest Covid surge.

For the first time in the state’s history, there will only be one paramedic deployed in each ambulance, instead of two.

Crews will now include a single paramedic and a driver from either the ADF, SES, St Johns Ambulance Australia or a student paramedic.

It comes as Ambulance Victoria recorded four of its five busiest days in history in the past two weeks alone, with wait times blowing out due to the increased demand from Covid patients.

Covid rule a ‘disaster waiting to happen’

Concerns have been raised about one of the new freedoms set to kick in for fully vaccinated NSW residents from Monday,

Under NSW’s road map, travel for holidays between Greater Sydney (including Central Coast, Wollongong, Shellharbour and Blue Mountains) and regional areas is not permitted.

However, Greater Sydney residents will still be able to travel to the regional areas for a number of other reasons, so long as it isn’t for a holiday.

“From Monday, travel will be permissible between Greater Sydney and the regions for fully vaccinated people for a variety of reasons, excluding holidays,” a spokesman for Deputy Premier Paul Toole told the ABC.

“Holidaying between Greater Sydney and the regions is not permitted.”

There are concerns regional areas could see an influx of metropolitan travellers.

Some permitted reasons could include day trips to visit family members, attending attractions such as wineries, for work, caring for people or inspecting a property.

Fully vaccinated Greater Sydney residents won’t be able to holiday in the regions until the state reaches its 80 per cent double dose vaccination target.

A number of officials on the south coast have expressed concerns about an influx of people from metropolitan areas coming to the region for day trips.

Shoalhaven Mayor Amanda Findley told the ABC it “is a disaster waiting to happen”.

“Having people come from Sydney to the Shoalhaven – and they’ll be busting to do so because they’ve been locked up for so long – is actually quite shocking and I think our health district will be shocked at that news as well,” she said.

Kiama MP Gareth Ward said there was a “lot of uncertainty and a lack of clarity” around the health orders.

‘Silliest thing’: Covid excuse slammed

Federal Finance Minister Simon Birmingham has said Australians have no excuse anymore to put off getting a Covid vaccine.

Speaking at the 1000-bed quarantine hub being built in Western Australia, Mr Birmingham said the sooner everyone gets vaccinated the quicker borders will open up again and families who are separated from loved ones can be reunited.

“The most important task right now is to drive vaccination rates, and the silliest thing I hear anybody say around the country right now is that they’re waiting to get vaccinated. Don’t wait, vaccines are in plentiful supply, the number of locations to get vaccinated continues to increase as we bring more pharmacies online alongside doctors and state run hubs and clinics,” he said.

“Get it done as quickly as possible so that we can meet those maximum vaccination targets. And in meeting those targets, then I hope and trust that states and territories can work through careful, considered reopening plans.”

– Mathew Murphy

Kerry Chant ‘did not endorse’ new NSW road map

Kerry Chant’s absence at Thursday morning’s new road map announcement raised eyebrows – leading many to believe she’d been benched by Dominic Perrottet.

And now it’s been reported the NSW chief health officer “did not endorse” the new Premier’s plan.

“I have confirmed Dr Chant did not endorse this new road map,” 9 News political reporter Chris O’Keefe wrote on Twitter on Thursday evening.

NSW chief health officer Dr Kerry Chant was noticeably absent from the Premier’s press conference on Thursday. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Flavio Brancaleone

“The chief health officer warned the new Premier these changes come with risk, but the decision was ultimately a matter for the government. A shift from Perrottet away from ‘the health advice’.”

After Mr Perrottet’s announcement of the changes to the plan at a media conference, he was grilled by O’Keefe over Dr Chant’s absence – considering the CHO has been a steady fixture of the Covid-19 updates and rule changes for most daily press conferences since the pandemic began in March last year.

“What does it say to your respect of Dr Kerry Chant that you wouldn’t invite her here today as one of your first major (press conferences). It is a bit disrespectful isn’t it?” O’Keefe asked.

“Dr Chant is one of my favourite constituents in Epping,” Mr Perrottet fired back.

“We’ve always had a great relationship. But … we are moving away from 11am press conferences, the health numbers will now be provided (at 9am).”

But O’Keefe kept pressing and said “if it’s a health crisis the chief health officer should be here.”

Originally published as Victoria is reportedly ahead of schedule in its pursuit of 70 per cent double vaccination target