Classroom Covid cases soar as Tourism and industry bosses raise concerns over third dose mandate

Over 7000 staff and students have tested positive for Covid as Victoria reached a major vaccine milestone among children.

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A further 1714 students and 165 staff tested positive for covid in the past 24 hours, bringing the total number of students infected to at least 7000.

The figures are for the period from 4pm Monday to 4pm Tuesday.

On Tuesday 2368 students were reported to have acquired the virus for the previous reporting period and 607 over the weekend.

But the figures are not directly comparable because students are only testing twice a week.

A Department of Education spokesman said the figures show the school rapid detection program is working by “catching cases before they enter the classroom to keep school communities safer, and showing that parents and carers are using rapid antigen tests for their intended purpose”.

“No schools have moved to remote learning due to coronavirus outbreaks or staff shortages, and all affected schools are managing their cases well,” he said.

The rules require students to test using RAT tests at home and positive cases and household contacts must isolate at home for seven days.

Kindergartens and childcare centres have now also received RAT tests and will begin testing children aged between three and five.

Mr Merlino said the recommendation that children take rapid tests twice a week would be under review after four weeks.

It comes as Victoria reached a major milestone in the vaccine rollout among children.

Half of the state’s five to 11-year-olds have now had their first dose of the Covid jab.

A Health Department tweet announcing the news thanked “all the children and parents that have come forward to help protext themselves, their families and the community”.

Chelsea, 6, who recieved her covid jab at South Melbourne Primary School, helped Victoria reach the milestone. Picture: Rob Leeson.

On the same day the state’s daily case numbers are continuing to hover below the 10,000 mark, with Victoria recording 9908 new Covid cases and 21 deaths on Wednesday.

The state reported 542 people in hospital on Wednesday, with 71 in intensive care and 27 on a ventilator.

Premier warned over third dose mandate

Meanwhile, tourism and business leaders fear the state’s economy could face “severe disadvantage” if the state government imposes a third-dose mandate for international arrivals.

Premier Daniel Andrews on Tuesday warned that travellers would need to be triple-vaccinated to enter most public ­places, if the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation rules a third dose is needed to be deemed “fully vaccinated”.

It comes despite Prime Minister Scott Morrison on Monday confirming that international arrivals would need to only be double jabbed.

While ATAGI is yet to make its official recommendation, Mr Andrews has been calling for the change and has already mandated a third jab in some employment settings.

Federal Finance Minister Simon Birmingham says Daniel Andrews’ third-dose mandate could be detrimental to major events. Picture: David Crosling

Federal Finance Minister Simon Birmingham has warned Victoria risks losing major events if Daniel Andrews sticks with a third-dose mandate for international visitors.

Senator Birmingham urged the Premier to reconsider his stance on Wednesday morning, declaring it would be “a crippling blow to businesses that have been on their knees for two years now and finally saw light at the end of the tunnel”.

He called on the Victorian government to “back in the commonwealth health advice that says we can go with a double dose”, adding that they could choose to offer booster shots to tourists from overseas when they arrived.

“We’re making that decision to open up the borders on the 21st of February, that’s going to happen and we’ll see that opportunity for internationals to come to Australia,” Senator Birmingham said.

“Now, if Victoria starts missing out on those international visitors, I can see plenty of pressure coming from the sports, the events, the conventions and the tourism industry across Victoria, urging for that to change.”

“We don’t have a fight over this. We want them to adhere to the same type of approach that we’re trusting the rest of the country will stick to, which is the health advice, (which) says double dose.

“Of course, boosters are available. We encourage people to get boosters.”

“We urge Australians to get boosters, and we’re grateful that millions of Australians are getting those boosters. But we also want to make sure that Australian jobs continue to be secure, that Australian businesses who’ve done it tough and particularly in sectors like tourism, have a real future and viable future ahead of them.”

Tourists arriving in Victoria may need a third dose to be considered ‘fully vaccinated’. Picture: Andrew Henshaw

At present, people must be double-vaccinated – or have a valid exemption – to attend hospitality venues and events across the state.

Asked if a possible triple-vaccinated economy would apply to international travellers, Mr Andrews said: “It will apply here in … Victoria.”

“I’m sure the commonwealth government will reserve the right to change the view based on advice that comes from experts … ATAGI must be getting very close to making that decision.”

Federal Tourism Minister Dan Tehan said: “The best way to support our tourism recovery is to make travelling in Australia as easy as possible for visitors – that means removing barriers to travel and cutting red tape.” Mr Tehan said chief medical officer Paul Kelly made it clear that two doses was “sufficient for travel to Australia, given most countries around the world do not currently offer booster shots”.

Tourism and industry bosses on Tuesday called for a “nationally consistent approach”.

Victoria Tourism Industry Council chief Felicia Mariani said the state risked being put at a “severe disadvantage” if states weren’t aligned on a “level playing field”.

The international tourist market represents a third of Victoria’s visitation spend, with Melbourne deriving 40 per cent of its visitor earnings from overseas arrivals.

“We can’t have a situation where some states are sitting at two doses, and others at three,” Ms Mariani said. “Any state requiring three would be put at severe disadvantage. Whatever the advice from ATAGI turns out to be, this would be one time where we absolutely need to see ­national consistency.”

There are concerns Victoria won’t be on a ‘level playing field’ because of the third jab rule. Picture: Jenny Evans

Tourism and Transport Forum chief Margy Osmond said: “If we’re going to open our borders to the world, we need to be on the same page.”

Tourism Accommodation Australia general manager Dougal Hollis said about 70 per cent of overnight business in Melbourne hotels was from interstate and international markets. “Interstate and international travellers may be less inclined to travel to our state … if Victoria adopts more stringent vaccination requirements,” Mr Hollis said.

Small Business Australia chief Bill Lang said: “It is astounding that two years into the nation’s Covid response we still have our states acting like small nations.”