Backroom Baz: Latest Covid rules just court confusion

Ever-changing Covid rules have left us scratching our heads but while the government stresses it’s all simple, even Melbourne’s sharpest minds were stumped by the latest rules.

Health Minister Martin Foley has confused us all with the changing Covid rules. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Sarah Matray

It's been a constant gripe throughout the pandemic – the rules are just too hard to follow.

The constantly changing crowd caps, mask mandates and office orders are a pain to keep up with if you’re trying to do the right thing (which increasingly it seems people are not).

At various times we’ve had to mask up while walking alone in parks, but were allowed to sit barefaced indoors at cafes or pubs.

We’ve been allowed to sit in a restaurant with 50 other diners or visit busy shopping centres but not have our fully vaccinated parents around for a cuppa. And while the government is at pains to stress it’s all so simple, finally some vindication for Baz this week after whispers that even Melbourne’s sharpest minds were confused about the latest rules.

The most recent changes, which came into effect on Friday, left court staff heads spinning with everyone from judges to janitors unable to decide whether masks needed to be worn inside our courthouses.

The changes mean masks no longer have to be worn in offices, but what about courtrooms, judges’ chambers and registry desks?

After much consideration, deliberation and procrastination, a staff email went out that pretty much raised the white flag and told staff to just carry a mask whenever they were at work lest they fall foul of the law.

BYE BYE BRUSSELS

Many a Spring Street regular was saddened to hear iconic rooftop bar Madame Brussels call last drinks this week, another victim of the blasted pandemic.

Journos, pollies, and spinners alike have spent many a great night there, perched precariously on a bar stool while chewing the fat.

In reminiscing this week, Baz stumbled upon this little gem of Treasurer Tim Pallas having a good night out there at Christmas drinks in 2016.

DAN’S BIG DAY A PIECE OF CAKE

Premier Daniel Andrews turned 49 this week and said he was spending his birthday evening personal training.

What better way to burn off the extra calories after indulging in a little cake. And what a cake, Baz is told!

Millionaire businessman Max Beck was overheard buying a cake from a well-known St Kilda cake store this week, with the message: “D – Happy Birthday”. It’s believed said cake was destined for delivery to none other than Dan himself.

Baz has no idea if the cake made it there. Or if Beck or his business partner Lindsay Fox dropped in at Casa Andrews to join the festivities.

WILDLIFE WARRIORS MARK WOMBAT WIN

Baz is a cleanskin when it comes to tattoos (you wouldn’t put a bumper sticker on a Lamborghini!!) but he had to chuckle when he heard Animal Justice Party’s Andy Meddick was at it again, adding to his already impressive ink collection while on winter break.

Baz is told the colourful character even managed to convince his own chief of staff, Georgie Purcell, to get a matching tattoo.

It only made sense for the wildlife warriors to get a wombat imprinted on them.

Why a wombat? To celebrate the fact they managed to close a loophole that made it illegal to shoot the Aussie mammals for fun.

MP Andy Meddick’s wombat tattoo.

Getting the tattoo done.

OOPS, MASKS ON FOR WEDDED BLISS

With the recent departure of deputy Chief Health Officer Allen Cheng, whose 12 month secondment to the Department of Health has ended, two new acting CHOs were rolled out this week. Dan O’Brien was first up, followed by Deb Friedman. Associate Professor Friedman was about the happiest and friendliest CHO we’ve seen, but Baz wonders how long it took for the smile to be wiped off her face after her first media conference in which she declared weddings could now go ahead without masks! Such excitement sparked a spontaneous round of applause from the press pack (very odd), explained by the fact that it raised the spirits of Channel 9 reporter Mark Santomartino who has already cancelled his upcoming nuptials twice because of Covid. But how short lived that sweet relief was. Most of the press pack were not yet back at their desks before the Premier’s media unit was on the phone declaring the learned professor had got a little ahead of herself. Masks at weddings are definitely still necessary. Though Baz strongly suspects that rule’s not being followed.

PARLIAMENT: THE HOUSE OF LOVE

All that talk of weddings must have got Liberal backbencher Ryan Smith feeling nostalgic.

He posted a throwback picture of his wedding day on the Parliament House steps on social media.

“Not many people get to come to work at the same place they got married,” he said. “I might be a few years older and without the super trendy goatee, but my love for what this place stands for is as strong as ever.” Awww.

Not many people get to come to work at the same place they got married! I might be a few years older & without the super trendy goatee, but my love for what this place stands for is as strong as ever.

Posted by Ryan Smith MP on Tuesday, July 6, 2021

GUESS WHO?

Which former Liberal government staffer was this week publicly celebrating the cancellation of the Grand Prix? Very off message.

OVERHEARD

“I’m going along well. I’m absolutely delighted to be back. Delighted to be spending my birthday with you. Absolutely delighted.” Premier Dan Andrews on kicking off birthday celebrations with journalists.