Victoria’s latest COVID-19 pandemic failure waiting to happen

The ring of steel is gone but what could well be another disaster in the making is Victoria’s appalling contact tracing system, Sophie Elsworth argues.

After months of lockdown it appears Victoria has for now crushed COVID-19.

Case numbers can be counted on one hand, a feat that seemed virtually impossible months ago.

But let’s not forget, there has been draconian rules statewide that left Victorians locked out from the rest of the country and still the state doesn’t have hotel quarantine.

And how can anyone forget the pain endured along the way that left 5 million Melburnians locked in their homes 23 hours a day.

It’s any wonder the strategy worked.

The ring of steel was pulled down last week and many Melburnians, myself included, were among those to flee the big smoke.

But what could well be another disaster in the making is Victoria’s appalling contact tracing system.

I’ve heard many examples of eateries that have no contact tracing in place at all, while others are using pen and paper.

If there’s another outbreak heaven help trying to track down those who have been in any impacted locations.

The Department of Health and Human Services even suggested Victorians take to jotting down their own notes of their whereabouts each day and who they’ve seen.

Many would think while Premier Daniel Andrews had Victorians living under house arrest his army of nicely-paid ministers and bureaucrats had ample time to ensure a decent contact tracing system was up and running by time the state opened up again.

But of course that’s not the case.

Victoria likes to go things alone as we learned from the decision to knock back defence force personnel to help run hotel quarantine.

This too applies with contact tracing – NSW has had a QR (quick response) code system since September and it will be mandatory for businesses to use it from November 23.

It allows users to scan their smartphones using an app as they enter hospitality venues and businesses.

But Victoria is creating their own QR system.

In multiple restaurants and hotels I’ve been to in the past few weeks some have had no contact tracing system at all.

Others have a random notepad shoved on the bar with a pen on top, leaving it up to Victorians to fill in their details if they can be bothered.

Last weekend authorities went on a blitz of businesses to ensure they had COVID-safe plans in place and weren’t breaking the rules.

The penalty – up to $10,000.

Victorian businesses need help not a smack on the hand to ensure if there’s another outbreak they’ve got it covered.

@sophieelsworth

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