Man tests positive after flight from Melbourne to QLD, protesters march in CBD
A man has tested positive to coronavirus in Queensland after catching a flight from Melbourne Airport last Monday. Now Victorian authorities are working to trace any potential contacts he may have had.
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Victoria is working with Queensland health authorities to trace potential contacts of a man who tested positive to coronavirus in Queensland on Friday.
On Monday June 1, the man caught a Skybus from Southern Cross Station to Melbourne Airport then flew to Queensland on Virgin flight VA313, which left Melbourne at 8am. He was likely infectious.
The man is linked to a confirmed case from the Rydges on Swanston outbreak, but was not disclosed as a close contact so was not in quarantine when he left Victoria.
No new cases of coronavirus were reported in Victoria overnight.
Victoria’s Chief Health Officer Professor Brett Sutton said great progress had been made in Victoria slowing the spread of coronavirus, thanks to Victorians playing their part, staying at home and getting tested.
“Recording zero cases today is a great start, but this pandemic is far from over and now is not the time for complacency,” Professor Sutton said.
“Our low rate of community transmission means we have been able to ease some restrictions in time for the long weekend, but it’s still important to stay safe.
“Although it’s tempting to rush out or have your friends over or head out to a cafe, it is important that we all still use common sense.”
“That means continuing to maintain physical distance from others, practise good hygiene — wash your hands regularly and cough and sneeze into a tissue or your elbow, avoid crowds, be cautious and if you’re unwell stay home and get tested.”
“This particularly applies to people in the west and north of Melbourne where we have recorded most of recent cases.
“This indicates there is on-going community transmission in these areas, and although it appears to be at low levels.”
“While our testing message applies to all Victorians, it is especially relevant to residents in the north and west.”
“I know there are many people wanting to protest in person this weekend and show their support. Unfortunately now is not the time for thousands of people to gather together, putting your and others’ health at risk.”
Health minister Jenny Mikakos announced the positive development of no new cases this morning, writing: “We’ve been able to achieve this through Victorians doing an incredible job keeping themselves and each other safe. The public health advice is that the risk is not over yet so it’s up to all of us to keep it up.”
Meanwhile, thousands of people are packed tightly at Melbourne’s anti-racism rally, despite pleas for them to stay home and follow social distancing rules to prevent the spread of COVID-19. A massive police presence has flooded the CBD as crowds rally over the death of George Floyd in the United States.
READ FULL BLACK LIVES MATTER PROTEST STORY HERE
Organier Tarneen Onus-Williams, of The Warriors of Aboriginal Resistance group, urged those attending the protest to follow social distancing measures.
“Do not protest in groups of more than 20,” she said.
“Within your group of 20, you are to remain 1.5m apart and ensure there is room between each group of 20.”
The protest organisers read out a list of demands which included dismantling the police and justice system, an end to police brutality and the release of all children from youth detention.
Ms Onus told the Herald Sun yesterday protesting was an “essential service”.
“If Dan Andrews is worried about public health, what about the public health issue of Aboriginal people that die at the hands of racist policing,” she said.
“We see standing for the right to somebody’s life as an essential service.”
Dr McKinnon said the group had a “reputation” for remaining peaceful across dozens of previous indigenous protests.
“Our reputation stands for itself, our demonstrations are always peaceful,” she said.
A spokesman for RMIT did not comment when asked about Dr McKinnon’s involvement in the rally.
MORE NEWS
FEARS CBD PROTESTS COULD SPARK SECOND WAVE
SIGNS OF NEW CLUSTER IN MELBOURNE’S WEST
CHIEF MEDICAL OFFICER WARNS AGAINST RALLY
RALLY ORGANISERS THREATENED WITH FINES
Organisers of today’s planned mass protest could face fines, charges or even arrest — while the thousands also attending will get away with breaking the law.
Victoria Police Chief Commissioner Graham Ashton has assured the government organisers will be fined if the gathering exceeds the current 20-person limit under COVID-19 restrictions.
But neither the police nor the Premier’s office could last night answer questions about how many organisers there were, who would be classed as an organiser, or how organisers would be identified.
Premier Daniel Andrews said during the week police would not fine protesters, saying the focus would be instead on maintaining a peaceful event.
But police yesterday changed their position, saying they would not hesitate to fine people.
“We will apply our discretion in relation to the exercise of police powers available to us at the protest, in the interests of securing public health and safety, the protection of life and the protection of property,” Mr Ashton wrote to Police Minister Lisa Neville.
“You can be assured that in the exercise of our discretion, those who intentionally break the law will be held to account. The means by which we secure that accountability will be determined by us in the exercise of police discretion.”
Mr Ashton said organisers had been put on notice that they faced consequences.
“While we may not immediately issue fines for identified breaches, we may well issue fines for breaches after the protest, if in our assessment the circumstances warrant that enforcement option,” he said.
Organisers and any protesters police decide are in breach of the law will face maximum fines of $1652.
Police have said that violence similar to scenes across the United States in the last week would not be tolerated.
Organisers have encouraged protesters to wear masks, bring hand sanitiser and stand 1.5m apart, as well as encouraging them to self-quarantine for a few weeks afterwards.
Orchard Grove Primary School in Blackburn South told parents that if pupils and their families protested they should “self-isolate for two weeks”, but last night issued fresh a statement “affirming the Chief Health Officer’s advice”.
“All Victorians should follow the advice of Victoria’s Chief Health Officer, which is to stay at home and consider other ways to show they support this cause,” the Department of Health said after questions from the Herald Sun.
Mr Andrews urged Victorians not to go the protest, saying there were other ways to make the important point of showing support for the “Black Lives Matter” cause.
“Big events are not allowed. Big events are not safe. Big events will do nothing but spread the virus,” he said.
“This is not an ordinary Saturday in June, we’re in the midst of a global pandemic.”
Health authorities are fearful any mass gathering could ignite a second wave of coronavirus in Victoria.
National Chief Medical Officer Brendan Murphy said yesterday protesters flooding the city in defiance of restrictions could quickly spread the deadly coronavirus.
“One single, high-viral-load person can infect 30, 40, 50 other people,” Dr Murphy said.
“If you had 50 unrelated people who got infected at a mass gathering, you can imagine that over a period of weeks you could get a very significant community spreading event.”
Dr Murphy said it was impossible to safely attend a mass gathering of any kind.
He said that throughout the crisis he had been “absolutely terrified” of the virus spreading to indigenous communities.
“We have done remarkably well in protecting our indigenous communities from this virus,” Dr Murphy said. “This would be an absolute tragedy if we got that virus into one of our remote communities.
“It would be catastrophic.”
NO NEW CASES OVERNIGHT
No new coronavirus cases have been recorded in the past day.
But Victoria’s COVID-19 cases jumped to 1681 yesterday with three new cases, including a prep pupil at Newbury Primary School, Craigieburn.
The school — closed yesterday — will be deep cleaned and any close contacts of the students will isolate for 14 days.
Seven people remain in hospital — one in intensive care — with more than 70 active COVID-19 cases in the state.
Victorian Chief Health Officer Brett Sutton urged people to avoid the protest, saying the risk was too great.
He said there was evidence of ongoing community transmission with hot spots in Melbourne’s inner north and west.
“There is risk of transmission in the community and if you don’t have to do something, please don’t,” he said.
“From a public health perspective, it is not the time to be having large gatherings.
“I do urge anyone not to be breaking the directions.
“The directions state that gatherings should not be greater than 20 people.”