Regional Victoria set to skip ahead in recovery as state records 43 new cases
Regional Victoria’s road to recovery could be fast-tracked, but the premier has flagged a “hard” border will be enforced to keep Melburnians out of virus-free areas. It comes as 43 new virus cases and nine deaths were recorded overnight.
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Daniel Andrews has flagged a tough crackdown to keep regional Victoria COVID-free amid an expected easing of restrictions next week.
The Premier said regional Victoria could take two steps towards COVID-normal as early as next Wednesday with the average daily in cases remaining under five.
“There is great cause for optimism and to be hopeful that what’s happened in regional Victoria is proof positive that this strategy can work, is working, and will continue to work,” he said.
Some restrictions are set to be eased on Sunday, and others when the regions go 14 days with an average below five cases.
There must also be no “mystery” infections in that time, with a special team setup to investigate a rogue infection of an Echuca resident overnight.
Mr Andrews said he would be making announcements next week about plans to keep regional Victoria COVID free.
“We will have more to say next week about some changes, and some even further measures to make sure that that Melbourne regional Victoria border is as hard as it can be,” he said.
“Because one thing of consistent feedback from regional Victorians last they’d love to have tourism for instance and lots and lots of movement. They jealously guard the live virus status across regional Victoria, and they want that protected. And that’s exactly what we will do.”
Non-metro areas now host just 74 active cases along with a 4.7 average daily increase.
“I want regional Victoria to take not just one step, but if the numbers allow, two steps,” Mr Andrews said.
“We’re doing a power of work at the moment to be ready for that. That can occur next week.”
However, a question mark still hangs over whether Geelong will move forward alongside its regional counterparts, as the city still has 10 active cases and Colac has 33.
“We are using the current borders that are there. That is what guided us all the way through,” the Premier said.
“The area of real focus, the priority will be making sure we don’t have Melbourne from Metro Melbourne travelling to regional Victoria and potentially taking the virus with them.”
It comes as Victoria has seen a drop in new coronavirus cases for the second day in a row — recording 43 infections and nine more deaths overnight.
The fresh cases follow a week of mostly falling figures with 51 on Thursday and 76 the day before.
A woman in her 50s, a woman in her 70s, three men in their 80s and four women in their 90s are among the state’s latest deaths.
140 Victorians are in hospital with COVID-19, 12 of those are in intensive care with eight on a ventilator.
The state now has 1336 active cases with 223 of those affecting healthcare workers and 665 are in aged care sector.
There are 74 active cases across regional Victoria.
Colac has 33 total coronavirus cases, including four new infections, while Geelong has 10 cases, Bendigo has two active cases and Ballarat has none.
In total, Victoria has recorded 19,767 cases since the beginning of the pandemic.
Metropolitan Melbourne must reach an average daily case rate of between 30 and 50 cases over the preceding fortnight to trigger an easing of restrictions from September 28.
The state’s 14-day new case average now sits at 71.1, with the metro average being 65.3 and regional Victoria’s at 4.7.
710 Victorians have died from coronavirus since the beginning of the pandemic.
HEALTH WARNING AMID PLUNGING EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT FIGURES
Premier Daniel Andrews and Health Minister Jenny Mikakos have issued a plea for Victorians not to ignore other health issues while the state remains in hard lockdown.
“It’s important that while we remain vigilant against coronavirus, that we don’t neglect our other health needs,” Ms Mikakos said.
“I want to stress that our hospitals are safe for people to attend.
“We have had a significant decline with a great deal of effort from health services in healthcare worker infections in recent weeks.”
Presentations to emergency departments for heart attacks are down 18 per cent, compared to this time last year while strokes down 24 per cent during the same period.
GLARING FLAW IN ANDREWS’ ROAD MAP REVEALED
Trigger points for when restrictions can be eased in Victoria will not be treated as an “absolute hard and fast rule”, with business groups still blindsided by the state’s road map to recovery.
It comes as Premier Daniel Andrews stood by his government’s coronavirus strategy in the face of public criticism from the chairman of the company picked to manufacture a vaccine.
Deputy Chief Health Officer Allen Cheng on Thursday defended the modelling used as part of the state’s recovery plan. But he said experts would also reassess information about Victoria’s coronavirus situation every day to build a complete picture of how the state was faring.
“Five cases a day is not an absolute hard and fast rule and the date is not a hard and fast date,” he said. “We need to look at this every day. We’re going to look at the improvements that have been made to case management and contact management.
“Modelling is only one piece of information that we’re using to decide on these thresholds. There is going to be a lot of judgment as we get to low levels.”
CSL chairman Brian McNamee on Thursday hit out at the Premier’s lockdown plan and labelled it a “map for misery”. But when asked about the comments from the respected businessman, Mr Andrews refused to be drawn.
“Every single Victorian is entitled to their view,” he said.
“What I don’t get is the opportunity to endlessly speculate about these things and be a commentator. He’s got a vaccine to produce and I wish him well.”
Myer chief executive John King branded the state government’s consultation with business a “box-ticking exercise”, and said a lockdown of most retail until the end of October risked “devastating” scores of businesses. He also questioned the logic of Victoria’s road map out of lockdown, noting that holding off opening up bricks and mortar retail until late October at the earliest was likely to create more crowded stores in the countdown to Christmas. “We need a supercomputer with common sense attached,” Mr King said. “I think we should have a staged release of a lot of businesses.”
Mr King said Myer had been represented in talks with the state government via the Australian Retailers Association but he did not believe they were genuine.
“It was the government just collecting and disseminating information as opposed to a consultation,” he said.
“We all found it very frustrating.”
CONFUSION CONTINUES OVER CURFEW CALL
Victoria’s curfew could be extended beyond the end of the month, as the government refuses to say who suggested the controversial measure.
Despite calls for it to be scrapped, Premier Daniel Andrews has defended the government’s decision to impose the 8pm-5am lock in and even flagged the law could be extended past September 28.
He had earlier this week claimed it limited movement and helped police enforce lockdown restrictions.
But Chief Commissioner Shane Patton on Thursday said police did not request and were not consulted on the curfew — and were only told about it hours before it was introduced.
Read the full story here.
$50M BOOST FOR BUSINESS EVENTS
Conferences and trade shows could make a return across Australia next year with the business events sector to receive a $50m boost on Friday.
It is hoped the major cash injection will see thousands of jobs across the tourism and hospitality industries returned from next year.
The $36bn business events sector ground to a halt at the start of the pandemic and has not recovered, even in parts of the country where small gatherings were allowed.
Grants will be provided to businesses who want to send employees to events to help cover the costs including hire of exhibition spaces, travel and accommodation.
Scott Morrison said the package would have flow-on effects. “This is not only about supporting events companies and venues, but will also be a shot in the arm for a broad range of businesses and the people they employ,” the Prime Minister said.
Aussie businesses exhibiting at an approved event in 2021 could apply for up to half of their costs to be covered, up to $250,000.
— Tamsin Rose
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