Virus experts reveal the restrictions they want introduced in Victoria amid rising cases

As Covid numbers rise, virus experts have called on the Andrews government to implement these measures now, or risk the need for far greater restriction in the coming weeks.

A return to restrictions is being considered by the Andrews government due to fears over soaring Covid infections.

Acting Premier Jacinta Allan on Tuesday predicted extra restrictions, saying “common sense measures” were on the table.

Renewed work-from-home directions, density limits in pubs, restaurants and cafes and elective surgery slowdowns have been mooted.

Australian Open organisers are nervous that crowds could be capped at the grand slam tennis event which starts on January 17. On Tuesday night the government refused to comment on crowd limits.

Lorne’s famous Pier to Pub ocean swim and Mountain to Surf run have both been cancelled, with both now switched to virtual events.

It comes as Victoria recorded 14,020 new cases on Tuesday with the state’s testing and vaccination regimes fully stretched.

There were massive queues across Melbourne for rapid ­antigen tests, PCR swabs and booster shots.

Four private pathology companies temporarily suspended PCR tests at 54 sites in a bid to clear their backlog.

And just three out of 10 PCR results are being returned by the next day, with Victoria’s Covid-19 commander Jeroen Weimar pleading with Victorians to “be patient”.

People line up on Swanston St to receive a Covid test. Picture: David Crosling

Mr Weimar also revealed that one in four people taking a PCR test were returning a positive result, with fears there are “far more” cases circulating undetected in the community.

Asked whether any changes to restrictions were planned, Ms Allan said: “We’ll continue to look at if there are any other common sense measures that can be taken.”

“Those are obviously matters (for the Health Minister) … to consider as we monitor very closely what’s going on in the Victorian community at the moment,” she said.

It is believed that chief health officer Professor Brett Sutton will provide updated health ­advice to government over the coming week.

Small Business Australia chief Bill Lang said the government must hold its nerve and properly educate citizens on how to safely live with the virus rather than threatening further restrictions.

“Each time we see the state government ‘keep everything on the table’ or float an idea, it’s a further reduction of trust,” he said, urging officials to “calm Victorians and educate them with the things we can do rather than what we can’t do.”

Days before the Pier to Pub and Mountain to Surf were due to be held, race directors on Tuesday announced that rising case numbers among volunteers and in the local community had forced the cancellation.

Up to 40,000 people were due to flock to the events, but Lorne Surf Life Saving Club’s Mike Napolitano said health services were at capacity and event organisers had been concerned about adding pressure to the system.

After a number of tough months, hospitality may soon face some restrictions again. Picture: Getty Images

Epidemiologist Professor Nancy Baxter called on the state government to implement minor public health measures to avoid more “draconian” limits being required later. “We need to try to do something to limit spread,” she said.

Prof Baxter, of the University of Melbourne, said a ban on elective surgery was likely to be the first restriction.

Work-from-home edicts and density caps in hospitality settings and in nightclubs were also likely, she said.

NSW reintroduced density limits of one person per two square metres at pubs, restaurants and clubs, as well as compulsory QR code check-ins, from December 27.

Mr Weimar said that while almost one in four PCR test results was positive, it was expected there were “far more” unconfirmed cases.

“We all need to be aware that Omicron is sweeping through our community now in a way that we have not seen in the past two years,” Mr Weimar said.

“This is not moving like Delta, this is not moving like Alpha … let alone the original variants we were dealing with 18 months ago.

“This is a very different beast,” Mr Weimar said.

“We would expect there to be far more positive cases out in the community, either people who have not yet come forward to get tested, or those who just can’t get into the testing system in a way that they think is acceptable.”