Testing chief Jeroen Weimar forced to defend bizarre retail rule as Victoria records 1534 cases and 13 deaths

Jeroen Weimar has attempted to explain why it’s safe for the unvaccinated to shop from Friday, despite eventually being banned when vaccine coverage increases.

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Victoria’s Covid Testing Commander Jeroen Weimar has been forced to defend confusion over why it has been deemed safe for unvaccinated shoppers to attend retail precincts from Friday.

When vaccine coverage increases, in a matter of weeks, the unvaccinated will then be banned from retail stores.

Retail will reopen to all Victorians, regardless of vaccine status, from 6pm on Friday – when the state hits its 80 per cent target – but the settings will shift to the vaccinated economy from November 24.

Asked to explain the logic behind the decision, Mr Weimar said: “I think it’s a question of timing … We’ve given a bit more time and space for retailers to get back and moving again.”

“We are sending out a very clear signal that says if you’re going to be active in these retail environments post 90 per cent you’re going to need to get yourself vaccinated,” he added.

Mr Weimar said he thought the state government would “morally support” retailers who wanted to lock out unvaccinated people from Friday.

Crowds at Queen Victoria Market ahead of the reopening of Melbourne’s indoor retail. Picture: David Geraghty

“We would absolutely discourage anybody who is not vaccinated from going into any of those retail settings. The provisions will be put on the table over the coming weeks to make sure that’s the case from the 90 per cent mark,” he said.

When asked if it was ever realistic to have a Covid marshal checking a person’s vaccine status, Mr Weimar said: “The enforcement of this, and how shop owners manage this will be largely a matter for them”.

“I don’t think these are impossible things to do, and if that’s the price to open up all these facilities and get everybody moving around again and to get rid of all these restrictions, that seems like a pretty acceptable thing to do.”

MAN IN 30S DEAD AS JAB RATES FALL

A man in his 30s and a woman in her 40s are among Wednesday’s 13 Covid-related deaths, Mr Weimar revealed.

However, he said the virus was not the main cause of death for both of the youngest victims.

“I don’t believe so. I believe they passed away while being Covid positive. I don’t believe it was the primary cause,” he said.

Mr Weimar welcomed the TGA’s announcement that Pfizer booster shots had been approved for people over 18.

He said Victoria’s jab army stood ready and waiting to roll out the booster shots.

“That’s a really important step forward,” he said.

Covid Commander Jeroen Weimar provided a Covid update in Melbourne. Picture: Nicki Connolly

“We’re obviously ready for us to assist them to support that rollout across Victoria. We’ll be very keen to evolve with the booster program when we get the green light.”

It comes as the number of jabs administered at the state-run hubs has started to fall.

There were 24,180 vaccines administered at the state-run facilities on Tuesday, down from 28,232 on Monday.

“We are seeing those numbers start to drop,” Mr Weimar said.

“It is not unusual and it is what we projected in terms of the number of people still to come forward but we still have literally hundreds of thousands of Victorians who are eligible.

“Just under half a million who have not had their first dose and they are in real danger of being left behind.

“Look at the things that are going to open up in the weeks ahead and come and join us in the vaccinated world.”

It comes as the number of active Covid cases in Victoria has dipped again after 1534 new infections were detected on Tuesday.

Thirteen Victorians have also died with the virus.

People out and about in the CBD as Melbourne emerges from lockdown. Picture: Paul Jeffers

More than 83,000 test results were received on Tuesday, with 24,164 active cases across the state — a decrease of 551 from the previous day.

At least 76 per cent of eligible Victorians are fully vaccinated.

It comes as booster doses of Pfizer have been approved for all Australians over 18 at least six months after receiving their first two doses of any jab.

The Therapeutic Goods Administration confirmed on Tuesday morning that Pfizer’s booster shot had received provisional approval.

“The TGA provisionally approved the booster dose following careful evaluation of the available data supporting safety and efficacy,” the regulator said in a statement.

“The TGA’s decision was also informed by expert advice from the Advisory Committee on Vaccines, an independent committee with scientific, clinical and consumer representation.”

It comes as young people living in certain parts of Melbourne are of particular concern to Victorian health officials who warn the “pandemic of the unvaccinated” is ongoing.

Victoria reported 1510 new locally acquired coronavirus infections on Tuesday after authorities said two-thirds of the new cases recorded each day were yet to receive a first dose of a coronavirus vaccine.

On Tuesday morning, about 91 per cent of Victorians older than 16 had received one shot of a vaccine, while 75 per cent were fully vaccinated.

The state’s Covid commander Jeroen Weimar this week said particular areas of concern were Wyndham — where 96 per cent of the new cases aged under 40 are not fully vaccinated — and Hume, where 97 per cent under 40 were not fully vaccinated.

There are at least 1972 active infections in Wyndham and 2058 in Hume, according to Victorian government figures, making them two of the hardest-hit LGAs in the state.

However, vaccination rates have soared in both of those areas: in Wyndham, more than 95 per cent of people aged over 16 have had at least one dose of a Covid vaccine and in Hume that figure is just below 94 per cent.

Victoria’s Covid-19 Commander Jeroen Weimar. Picture: Ian Currie

The inner-city LGAs of Port Phillip, Yarra and Melbourne have the lowest first-dose rate of vaccination at 79.1 per cent, 76.3 per cent and 74.1 per cent, respectively.

“For your protection, and the protection of those you love around you, get the vaccination job done over the coming days,” Mr Weimar said on Monday.

About 500,000 people aged over 12 in Victoria are not protected by any vaccine.

“It is that half a million that we really want to focus on now,” Mr Weimar said.

“They are the ones who are far more likely to be caught up in our daily case numbers and far more likely to end up in hospital in intensive care.”

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews said coronavirus restrictions will be further eased from Friday when the state is expected to hit an overall 80 per cent double dose vaccination target.

POLICE ON PATROL OVER LONG WEEKEND

Police will be out in force, patrolling major roads and highways across the Melbourne Cup weekend as travel restrictions continue to ease on Friday.

Operation Compass will run statewide in two phases, from 12:01am Friday, October 29 to 11.59pm Tuesday, November 2, and from 12am Friday, November 5 to 11.59pm on Sunday, November 7.

As travel resumes between metropolitan Melbourne and regional Victoria, police are warning increased traffic volumes combined with long hours behind the wheel and a deterioration in driving skills could be a recipe for disaster.

Eleven lives were lost on Victorian roads last year when lockdown lifted and police are determined to avoid a repeat.

There have already been 190 lives lost on Victorian roads in 2021, which is trending well above the same time last year (178).

Assistant Commissioner of Road Policing Glenn Weir said police “don’t want to see anybody else become an unnecessary statistic”.

“Victorians have done a fantastic job in the fight against Covid-19. But it’s no good surviving the pandemic if you end up dead or seriously injured in a car crash,” he said.

“Many of us haven’t driven long distances for months. Our skills have deteriorated and there’s going to be an enormous amount of traffic as people escape the city and head to regional Victoria.”

BLOW AS KOOYONG CLASSIC SCRAPPED

The Kooyong Classic has been cancelled for the second successive year amid ongoing uncertainty over quarantine arrange­ments for international tennis stars.

The popular Australian Open lead-in tournament, which draws some of the sport’s biggest names, was scheduled for January.

However, organisers decided to scrap it for 2022, citing difficulties in planning an event when they did not know what rules and regulations would apply.

Kooyong president Adam Cossar said the decision was made in the interests of players, fans and staff.

“We are disappointed having to make this decision,’’ he said.

“But with the great deal of uncertainty over recent months about the arrangements that would be in place in January, it has not been possible to make the necessary plans to deliver the best and safest sporting and hospitality experience.’’

It comes as tennis chiefs face a scramble to lock in key events leading up to the Australian Open. They are awaiting directives on quarantine arrangements for foreign players arriving in Melbourne for the grand slam event, especially those who are unvaccinated.

Maria Sharapova in action at the Kooyong Classic in 2020.

Premier Daniel Andrews refused to say whether his government would ban unvaccin­ated players from entering Melbourne Park, instead saying he would await federal government advice.

“Let’s just wait and see what the federal government does, rather than responding to what they might do,’’ he said.

It comes after a leaked email from the Women’s Tennis Association claimed unvaccinated stars would be granted visas – provided they quarantined for two weeks.

Tournaments in Brisbane, Adelaide and Hobart usually used by the world’s best players to tune up for Melbourne Park are also up in the air.

Australian Open qualifying – last year staged in Doha due to the pandemic — is expected to be played in Melbourne before crowds.

Tennis Australia said the recent easing of restrictions had “been a great boost to our planning for the Australian Open”.

“We are also working with government and both the women’s and men’s tours on the lead-in to the Australian Open and look forward to announcing more detail soon,’’ it said in a statement.

The Kooyong Classic is billed as “the premier lead-up event” for the Open. It drew the likes of Nick Kyrgios, Stefanos Tsitsipas and Maria Sharapova when last staged in 2020.

Businesses looking to wine and dine on the street will be able to apply for $2000 government vouchers. Picture: David Geraghty

VOUCHER FOR STREET MOVE

Businesses looking to wine and dine on the street will be able to apply for $2000 government vouchers to support their efforts from Wednesday morning.

The Andrews government will make more than 7000 “outdoor economy” vouchers available from 11am.

Money can be used to buy new outdoor furniture and other equipment to allow more Victorians to revel outside over summer.

It is part of a $54.5m outdoor economy package.

Pubs and cafes can apply along with dance studios, hairdressers, gyms, retail and many more.

“Our reopening is gathering pace and it’s fantastic to see businesses across the state moving from survival footing into relaunch mode,” Small Business Minister Jaala Pulford said.

Children aged 6-11 may soon be able to get the Covid vaccine. Picture: Daniel Pockett

MODERNA OK FOR KIDS

Moderna’s Covid vaccine is safe and produces a strong immune response in children aged 6-11, the US biotech firm said on Monday, adding it would submit trial data to global regulators soon.

The news comes as a panel of US government advisers prepared to meet on Tuesday on the question of whether to authorise the Pfizer vaccine in kids aged 5-11, with top infectious disease expert Anthony Fauci predicting it would be available by mid-November.

An interim analysis from a clinical trial of 4753 children showed two doses produced a high level of neutralising antibodies. The vaccine was dosed at 50 micrograms, which is half what is used for adults, but produced on average 1.5 times as many antibodies in children as it did in young adults given the higher dose.

SA’S ROAD TO FREEDOM

South Australia will reopen its border to Victoria on November 23 and most Covid-19 restrictions will likely lift by Christmas.

The state’s hard borders with NSW, ACT, as well as international travel, will also be lifted on November 23 – when South Australia is forecast to reach its 80 per cent vaccination target.

Quarantine rules will still apply to areas where community transmission is still occurring and in council zones where fewer than 80 per cent of the population is fully vaccinated.

Testing will also stay in place and travellers will need to provide proof of a negative Covid before entering SA.

Health modelling predicts the 90 per cent double vaccination target will be met before Christmas.