24 new local Covid cases, possible playground transmission, mystery cases linked to St Kilda
Police have received a startling number of calls about reports of public gatherings in breach of Melbourne’s lockdown.
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Melburnians dobbed in about 1800 public gatherings on the weekend, Victoria’s top cop has revealed.
It comes amid a sharp crackdown on illegal gatherings after video emerged showing dozens of people breaching lockdown to host an illegal engagement party in St Kilda on Sunday.
Sixty-nine people attended the party last Wednesday, with six people so far testing positive from attendingand health authorities concerned it will become a super-spreading event.
It sparked an angry response from Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews who tightened Covid-19 restrictions on Monday and reimposed a curfew for Melbourne.
Victoria Police Chief Commissioner Shane Patton said the police assistance line received 800 to 900 calls about public gatherings on Saturday and nearly 1000 calls on Sunday.
“People have been very good in terms of raising awareness to us of where there are large public gatherings,” he told 3AW.
At Monday’s Victorian Covid-19 media briefing Mr Patten said police had discovered two more illegal public gatherings on Sunday night in the Melbourne area.
He said there were six people gathered inside at one location, and eight people at a separate venue.
They will all receive infringements.
“Be in no doubt, from here on for the rest of the week we will increase the enforcement activities,” Mr Patten said.
“We don‘t want to give out any infringements but the reality is we’re prepared to do so.
“Work with us, do the right thing and we will continue to make sure we have a very large visible presence.”
People found in breach of Melbourne’s lockdown face $1817 fines and $10,904 for businesses.
FIVE MYSTERY CASES
Health authorities are urgently working to contact trace five mystery cases that all seem linked to the St Kilda area.
It comes as Victoria reported 24 new locally acquired infections on Tuesday.
Of the new cases, 21 are linked to known outbreaks and 14 have been in isolation throughout their infectious period.
Investigations into the source of three cases are ongoing.
Health Department Covid response deputy secretary Kate Matson raised concerns over five mystery cases linked to the St Kilda area, including Dandenong and Middle Park residents who work in the suburb.
“We are concerned that there are cases here that we do not yet know about,” she said.
“These cases got the virus from somewhere. The virus is circulating in those geographic areas of Melbourne … These cases are not linked by age. They’re not linked by faith. They aren’t all in the same book club. They’re not all in the same footy club.
“The only thing they share is geographic proximity.”
Authorities have ruled out any link between the St Kilda East engagement party and the St Kilda mystery cases.
Of Melbourne’s latest 24 infections:
• Nine are linked to Glenroy West Primary (all in isolation)
• Four are linked to the St Kilda East engagement party (three guests, one work contact)
• Three are linked to Al-Taqwa College (household contacts in isolation)
• Three are linked to the Newport community outbreak; and
• Two are linked to the Lygon St housing tower
Premier Daniel Andrews urged Victorians to get tested, saying testing numbers continued to remain “too low”.
Victoria recorded more than 31,000 tests on Monday, an increase on Sunday, but the premier said that figure was still not high enough.
More than 25,000 Victorians received a Covid vaccine on Monday, as the state’s rollout continues to gather pace.
One new case, acquired overseas, was also recorded in hotel quarantine.
Meanwhile, NSW has recorded 452 new Covid infections and one death.
SUTTON DEFENDS HIS HARDLINE PLAYGROUND RULE
On Tuesday, chief health officer Brett Sutton revealed alarming details of child-to-child transmission, with 50 of the state’s active cases aged younger than 10.
“It happens very quickly in households between children and we are investigating a potential transmission in a playground,” he said.
“It’s not definitive and maybe we won’t be able to make it definitive, but it looks like there’s been transmission in a playground.
“We’ve seen transmissions between students who were not in classes together, who didn’t have other face-to-face interaction other than sharing a walk home.
“Didn’t play together, don’t live together, didn’t have classes. They shared an outdoor walk home and transmitted between them.”
But president of Liberty Victoria, Julia Kretzenbacher, called on the Victorian government to release the expert advice on which the decision to close playgrounds and outdoor gyms was made.
“Liberty Victoria supports government measures that are evidence-based and will reduce the risk to public health,” Ms Kretzenbacher said.
“Any restrictions need to be proportionate and based on such advice. It is not a proper reason to impose restrictions on the basis that it makes compliance easier to enforce.”
Ms Kretzenbacher cited the impact on children and families as reasons for transparency in the decision making process.
“We are concerned that the government has not clearly articulated to the public how the evidence supports these additional restrictions.
“This risks diminishing public trust in the response and reducing compliance for the evidence-based measures,” she said.
The group said it was also concerned about the disproportionate impact fines had on people from lower socio-economic backgrounds.
“Liberty Victoria is concerned about the continued focus on policing and fining people to deal with the pandemic,” Ms Kretzenbacher said.
“The response from the government should be based on prioritising supporting the community and helping understand the restrictions and their purpose, rather than a punitive policing approach.”
NEW TIER 1 EXPOSURE SITES
A child care centre in Melbourne’s south east is the latest venue to be listed as a Tier 1 exposure site.
Anyone who attended Goodstart Early Learning at Carrum Downs on August 11 between 3 – 3.40pm or on August 13 between 8.10am – 8.50am or 5.20pm – 6.10pm must get tested and isolate for 14 days.
A Malvern East pizza restaurant was also listed as Tier 1 exposure site on Tuesday afternoon.
Anyone who visited Central Park Pizza on August 14 between 4.50pm – 9pm or August 15 between 4.50pm – 8pm must get tested and isolate for 14 days.
ANTI-SEMITISM SLAMMED
The families who organised an engagement party during lockdown have gone to ground after receiving a barrage of anti-Semitic abuse and death threats.
Authorities fear the party, which was attended by more than 60 people during lockdown, could become a superspreader event.
So far, seven cases have been linked to the party.
The severe backlash prompted the Premier to slam “appalling” anti-Semitic commentary on social media.
“The event we spoke about yesterday was not a function of being Jewish,” Mr Andrews said.
“We called out some bad behaviour. We didn’t call out a community.
“It was a stupid function. It was an illegal function (but) it was not an act of faith or culture. “Anti-Semitism is purely evil.”
Prof Sutton also slammed the anti-Semitism hate.
The chief health officer said while the attacks were “profoundly wrong”, they also hindered the public health response.
“It’s incredibly destructive to the public health response … We’ve seen it with Islamophobia,” he said.
Of the 69 attendees who were at the illegal engagement party, just two people are still yet to be tested.
Ms Matson said she thought it was a possibility that people in the St Kilda East and Caulfield area may not turn out for testing after the wave of anti-Semitic abuse.
She said some people may feel uncomfortable coming forward.
“This is a geographic concern we have,” the Covid response deputy secretary said.
Read the full story here.
POLITICIANS SENT HOME
Victorian politicians have been sent home from parliament an hour after turning up to work, with the government passing a vote to end the sitting week.
Parliament was due to sit from Tuesday but the lower house’s schedule was postponed immediately after the government announced stage restrictions for Melbourne.
The upper house, where both parties need crossbench support to pass legislation, was forced to come in at 11.30am.
Attorney-General Jaclyn Symes immediately moved to push the sitting week until the end of August, in line with advice from the chief health officer.
But the Opposition’s leader in the Legislative Council, David Davis, put forward a counter offer to keep parliament running under stricter guidelines and with rapid testing in place.
The government was successful, winning 22 votes to 12 in a final vote.
This included support from Reason Party MP Fiona Patten, Animal Justice MP Andy Meddick, Greens MP Samantha Ratnam and Transport Matters MP Rod Barton.
Ms Symes said postponing parliament was necessary because it was believed coronavirus was still undetected in the community.
“We cannot ask the Victorian community to limit their movement and continue to make sacrifices to keep our citizens safe and not ask that of ourselves,” she said.
“I sought unanimous agreement from the members of this house not to sit this week.
“I am disappointed we are here today when we didn’t have to be.”
Mr Davis said the closing down of parliament would prevent scrutiny.
“There is health advice but it is shallow health advice and the full background advice has not been released,” he said.
Ms Ratnam said she did not support parliament being suspended indefinitely but would vote in favour of a postponed sitting week with a clear set date.
TIGHTER RESTRICTIONS RETURN TO MELBOURNE
Melbourne was plunged back into the harshest restrictions the city has endured since last year’s devastating second wave, with a night curfew to return for at least 17 days.
Premier Daniel Andrews on Monday announced an extension of the city’s sixth lockdown until 11.59pm on September 2 – the start of spring – with playgrounds closed.
Under the curfew, all non-essential movement is banned between 9pm and 5am.
Essential workers again require permits at all hours.
Mr Andrews said the beefed-up restrictions, which came into force at 11.59pm on Monday night, were needed to combat mystery cases and to stamp out rule breaking.
“We are at a very delicate point in this outbreak,” he said.
“This is spreading in an undetected way across the community. We are running alongside this virus at best.”
The supercharged lockdown is due to end just three days before Father’s Day, possibly dashing hopes that home visits will be allowed.
Business chiefs said the extension was another wrecking ball to the economy, with the cost of lockdowns estimated to be $1bn a week.
New figures from Restaurants and Catering Australia reveal the 197 days Melbourne has spent in lockdown has cost restaurants, cafes and caterers $5.6bn in lost booking and events revenue.
Chief health officer Brett Sutton warned Victoria was “right on the cliff edge” as cases threatened to spiral out of control.
But Jodie McVernon, the director of epidemiology at Melbourne’s Doherty Institute, said she did not believe imposing a curfew on Melbourne reduced the virus’s spread.
“Personally, I’m not aware of any evidence that proves that curfews per se are particularly efficacious,” she told ABC Radio.
“Clearly we need the public to co-operate with these measures if they’re to be effective.”
Police Association secretary Wayne Gatt said the curfew was a decision made by the government rather than one proposed by police.
“We don’t think the curfew is necessary,” he said. “Our members didn’t really see great value in it (last time).”
Melbourne University epidemiologist Nancy Baxter said tougher measures were needed but data on the efficacy of curfews was “more controversial”.
“It’s controversial to whether it works or not. It’s always implemented with other measures,” Prof Baxter said.
“At this point it makes sense to use all of the tools in the toolbox (as) we are at a critical point in this outbreak.”
Prof Baxter said current restrictions didn’t appear to be bringing down the outbreak.
“They can’t continue to adopt a strategy that isn’t working – that’s bad policy and a bad approach,” she said. “Playgrounds seem to be a risk with transmission and we know children have been more affected by the Delta strain.”
Under the strengthened restrictions, playgrounds, basketball hoops, skate parks and outdoor exercise equipment will close. “I thought about it long and hard, as a father of three kids who love to go to the playground,” Prof Sutton said.
“It is one of the only escapes from home in a day. It isn’t an easy choice (but) the fact remains we have seen lots and lots of gatherings that playgrounds and kids are interacting in large numbers and in proximity and what kids do.”
Covid commander Jeroen Weimar said there appeared to be some evidence children playing outdoors had picked up the virus but it was not known whether those children had also been indoors together.
Police Chief Commissioner Shane Patton said police would make no apologies for patrolling playgrounds and parks as part of a crackdown on rule-breakers.
“I can’t tell you where everyone will be deployed … Any public space, we will be visiting those areas,” Mr Patton told 3AW. “Unfortunately, it is necessary.”
Essential workers will now be required to obtain permits for authorised work, and additional restrictions will apply to the construction industry, which will operate as it did last year with staffing reductions.
Master Builders Victoria chief Rebecca Casson said the changes would be devastating and that it appeared the industry was being unfairly targeted.
Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry chief executive Paul Guerra said even more financial support would be needed for business.
Opposition Leader Michael O’Brien said the harsher restrictions marked a “very dark day” for Victoria. He said the move to reinstate the curfew and playground closure was “cruel”.
“This is unnecessary overreach from a government that is punishing innocent Victorians because they don’t have a plan to tackle the guilty, and they don’t have a plan to tackle Covid,” Mr O’Brien said.
Victorian Tourism Industry Council chief Felicia Mariani said the extension had shattered any hope of a recovery for the state’s visitor economy.
Research from the Tourism and Transport Forum shows Victoria is losing $1.34bn a month from the loss of domestic visitors.
RULE BREAKERS PUT ON NOTICE
Melburnians have been warned their “selfish behaviour” will no longer be tolerated as Victoria Police moves to crack down on Covid breaches in its toughest stance yet.
Despite pleas and stern warnings on Monday, Victoria Police Chief Commissioner Shane Patton said police attended two private gatherings in Melbourne overnight.
Authorities have slammed those behind “blatant” breaches in the past week and the state’s top cop says it’s time to get tough.
“If anyone gets a warning from here on, they’re going to be very lucky,” Mr Patton said.
“We’ve seen so many different breaches, it’s just ridiculous, and it has to stop … The expectation now is that there will be many infringements issued contrasting to warnings … The time for discretion is over. We will be issuing infringements.”
Victoria Police will relaunch Operation Shielding, which will put Protective Services Officers — who usually patrol the public transport network — in public areas to shut down unlawful gatherings.
“This will be utilising our resources in a practical and effective manner,” Mr Patton said.
Authorised officers can issue on-the-spot fines of up to $1817 to individuals and $10,904 to businesses refusing to comply with directions, while those flouting mask rules face $200 fines.
The force maintains it will continue to maintain a highly visible presence despite concerns from the police union that resourcing capabilities had hit a record low.
Police Association of Victoria secretary Wayne Gatt said officers were stretched “paper thin”.
Mr Gatt said between 600 and 700 officers were monitoring hotel quarantine, 300 had been sent to the NSW border, and a further 250 were working on general Covid compliance as part of Operation Sentinel.
The police crackdown comes after warm weather at the weekend prompted Melburnians to illegally gather in public places.
A weekend pub crawl in Richmond, during which maskless revellers gathered in the streets, prompted chief health officer Brett Sutton to impose a new rule that makes it illegal for people to remove their masks to drink alcohol.
Prof Sutton also urged Melburnians to avoid sipping coffee while exercising with another person. “We would strongly recommend that you’re both wearing masks in the course of that exercise.”
In the past week, 16 attendees at two separate house parties in Southbank and the CBD were hit with big fines, according to police.
Officers also stopped a planned private dance event in Mornington, which was to host 1000 partygoers.
Mr Patton said “every one of these things is just totally unacceptable”.
He added that despite police having tried to apply discretion and fairness when it came to enforcement and infringements, it wasn’t enough to deter “blatant” breaches.
It comes amid criticism that those responsible for causing the sixth lockdown were not penalised.
Opposition Police spokesman David Southwick said Victorians deserved consistency and anyone deliberately breaking the rules should face consequences.
PARTYGOERS COST PUB $30K IN 24 HOURS
A popular pub in Melbourne’s inner north said it has taken a financial hit from being linked to a party on the street outside — despite being closed at the time.
Peacock Inn owner Andrew Gilbert said he was stunned that functions were being cancelled and his staff were being blamed for the impromptu lockdown booze-up when they had not been at work since August 5.
The party, which occurred when a nearby resident in Northcote set up turntables and played tunes from a balcony, saw hundreds of people descend on local streets.
Mr Gilbert said some revellers appeared to have bought drinks from other venues or brought their own, but his venue had not operated.
The police chief also apologised to Mr Gilbert for using “ambiguous” language at a press conference on Monday.
“I didn’t actually say they had been doing the wrong thing … My language was ambiguous,” Chief Commissioner Shane Patton said.
“I want to apologise, I should have been clear … They have done nothing wrong.”
Mr Gilbert later said he accepted the police chief’s apology, “to a degree”.
The publican said authorities should be more careful when attributing blame during public statements.
It comes as the pub was graffitied overnight.
“It shows how quick people jump at things,” Mr Gilbert told 3AW.
The lost business from cancellations would be “another thing to worry about when we reopen”, he said.
Read the full story here.
THE SUBURBS LAGGING BEHIND IN VAX ROLLOUT
Melbourne’s western suburbs are lagging behind in the vaccination rollout, as three out of five people aged over 16 await their first dose.
But vaccination rates are rising strongly in regional areas and at least 55 per cent of eligible residents in Bendigo, Geelong, Hume and Warrnambool are partially or fully vaccinated.
As of Sunday, 47.39 per cent of Victorians had received at least one dose. But just 39.5 per cent of eligible people in Melbourne’s northwest had been vaccinated, as well as 40.9 per cent in the west and 41.3 per cent in the southeast.
Read the full story here.
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