Five coronavirus cases recorded in hotel quarantine

Details of new positive coronavirus cases are being kept secret with state government officials refusing to reveal information about the infected travellers in quarantine.

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The state’s top health official has warned Victorians that more coronavirus is on its way to Australia.

Five positive COVID-19 passengers were last night in quarantine, after arriving from Europe and Asia with the virus.

But Victorians are being kept in the dark on the positive cases — the first in the state in 43 days — with state government officials refusing to reveal when the passengers arrived, the flights they were on or their nationalities.

The infected passengers — two men aged in their 30s and 50s, and three women in their 20s, 30s and 50s — were in the Novotel South Wharf under guard, with several quarantine staff seen in protective equipment outside the building on Saturday.

Evan Mulholland, director of communications at the Institute of Public Affairs, said Victorians deserved more information from the state government.

“Given that the state government’s failures with hotel quarantine and contact tracing led to the deaths of more than 800 people and locked Victorians down for months, the government should be more transparent about its processes,” he said.

“Given the deep scars that are still left, Victorians need to have confidence in the system.”

Chief Health Officer Professor Brett Sutton said the previous hotel program saw a rate of one in every 100 returned travellers testing positive and warned we would see “at least a similar rate of positive cases being diagnosed in the coming weeks”.

Professor Cowie said the five returned travellers who tested positive to COVID-19 “come from a range of countries,

Authorities are confident the new program — being overseen by Police Minister Lisa Neville — will be managed more effectively than the disastrous original operation that led to an outbreak that killed more than 800 people and sent the state into a long, devastating lockdown.

At least some of the five were housed at non-symptomatic quarantine hotels before being sent to the Novotel, a “hot” hotel for positive cases.

Deputy Chief Health Officer Professor Ben Cowie reassured Victorians extensive measures had been put in place to ensure the new system did not fail.

“Detecting positive cases actually demonstrates that the system is working and it’s doing what it’s supposed to do,” Prof Cowie said.

“While obviously we’d all prefer that there were no active cases, we’re confident that the changes made to strengthen the program will ensure that we manage this in a way that keeps returning travellers, the workers caring for them and the Victorian community as safe as possible.”

All other passengers who travelled on the same flights had been tested.

Under the new program, staff working at the hotels are required to undergo daily testing and work in “bubbles” to limit contact with other staff.

On Sunday there were 735 people in the state’s hotel quarantine program, including 680 at general hotels and 55 — including the five who tested positive — at the Novotel.

It’s understood about 119 travellers were expected to land in Melbourne on Sunday across five flights from four countries.

There were no local cases of coronavirus recorded on Saturday for the 43rd day in a row and no deaths.

NEW PUSH TO SHOP LOCAL

Australians are being urged to shop locally, with small businesses hoping to earn some of the $54bn expected to be spent in the lead-up to Christmas.

Following months of retail closures, this festive season will make or break many Victorian firms.

Bayswater toy company Milton Ashby has done well over the pandemic as customers turned online to find products made nearby.

Owner Shannon Ley said there had been a “big change” in the attitudes of customers who were expressing gratitude to the company for employing local people.

“ (Australian-made) is more expensive but you get a lot more because you’re buying it from people who have gone to the effort of setting up a factory,” Mr Ley said. “You get a higher degree of manufacturing and service.

“With a locally made product … much of people’s dollar goes into the pockets of people in their community.”

Milton Ashby Toys’ Shannon in his workshop with Edith, three Picture Rebecca Michael.

Mornington Peninsula business Buttonworks has been making Australiana gifts for almost 20 years, largely serving the tourism market though museum gift shops.

When the pandemic hit and overseas arrivals stopped, co-owner Liza Murray-Clarkson “thought we were looking at the end of our business”.

But they pivoted, moving from a factory to working at home, developing puzzles and educational games that could be easily mailed.

“Luckily our material suppliers were all on shore so we didn’t see issues from that point of view, so we were able to adapt our product range,” Ms Murray-Clarkson said.

“Buying locally supports an entire network … it’s our suppliers, our distributors, its anyone who is employed in our business.”

Industry Minister Karen Andrews said a locally made gift would bring joy to more than just the lucky recipient.

Buttonworks has been making Australiana gifts for almost 20 years

“An Aussie-made gift delivers on two fronts. It makes you feel good because you’re helping a fellow Australian, and you’re giving a top-quality item that will stand the test of time,” Ms Andrews said.

Leading economists estimate that for every manufacturing job, almost four complementary or indirect jobs are supported.

Small Business Minister Michaelia Cash said every purchase could have a big impact on communities.

“Not only will supporting local small and family businesses help those doing it particularly tough, it will also be vital to our economic comeback,” Ms Cash said.

Economic modelling shows an extra $30bn would be pumped into the economy and thousands of jobs would be created if households spent an extra $50 on Aussie-made products each week.

Founders of Sister Studios Emma Cutri (L) and Alice Mcintosh,

After almost five years in business, Fitzroy North label Sister Studios has developed a loyal customer base by championing sustainability.

Co-owners Emma Cutri and Alice McIntosh promote their use of local manufacturers and say their customers respond well when they know where everything is made.

“Our clothes are made in Brunswick and our factory has an ethical accreditation,” Ms Cutri said.

Between September and November, 360 more Australian businesses gained licences to carry the Australian Made logo.