Damien Hardwick calls on Dan Andrews for isolation change

Daniel Andrews has hit back at Scott Morrison for his comments over Covid isolation rules, saying “I’m in the business of taking advice from the experts”.

Daniel Andrews has rubbished comments by Prime Minister Scott Morrison deflecting responsibility for Covid close contact isolation rules to the states.

Mr Morrison on Monday backed calls to wind back Covid isolation rules just one day after Richmond coach Damien Hardwick urged the Premier to scrap the quarantine order.

Mr Morrison said he believed the rule to make close contacts quarantine for one week was redundant, but he said action was out of his hands.

“I’m looking forward to that being removed. We don’t make those decisions at the commonwealth level. It’s premiers who decide to shut cities down or open them up,” he said in Melbourne on Monday.

But on Tuesday Mr Morrison was asked if he was aware that Australia’s expert medical panel (the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee) said isolation rules should remain in place.

The Prime Minister said he had “always been a fan” of the rules being eased, adding that was a decision for premiers to weigh up.

“I know the impact it has on the economy, on people not being able to go to work, the impact that goes with caring for children, and the disruption it has,” Mr Morrison said.

“Premiers, like prime ministers, have to make decisions that weigh up all of those factors, and I would be encouraging them to do just that.”

But the Premier hit back on Tuesday, saying: “It’s somebody else’s job? No.

“National Cabinet — which is chaired by the Commonwealth — asked AHPPC to have a look at this very issue.

“They came back and said ‘not at this time’.

“He has asked a question, on behalf of all of us, and he doesn’t like the answer and that is apparently my fault.

“If there’s a quarrel between the Prime Minister and chief medical officer than I suggest he sorts that out.

“I’m in the business of taking advice from the experts.”

Prime Minister Scott Morrison is looking forward to the close contact rule being removed. Picture: David Geraghty

Mr Andrews also dismissed Hardwick’s isolation blast as a moment of frustration following his team’s loss.

The Premier, who returned to work on Monday after a bout of Covid, questioned Hardwick’s initial comments.

“Some jokes linger don’t they,” he said.

“Damien Hardwick was obviously frustrated, not just at on-field performance and those issues.

“I think we’re all frustrated that Covid is still here.”

Hardwick on Monday night recanted the comments, saying they were “tongue-in-cheek”, after debate raged all day over the rule.

“People far better placed than myself put these rules in place to support the efforts of our healthcare workers,” he added.

Hardwick’s comments came after Richmond youngster Sydney Stack was forced to sit out a VFL match when he was a close contact.

Under current rules, someone in Victoria who has spent more than four hours inside with someone who has Covid must isolate for seven days. All other states and territories have the same edict.

But countries across the world are adapting. The UK dropped isolation requirements in February, while Germany and Israel do not require vaccinated close contacts to quarantine. People in Singapore who have mixed with a positive case can leave home if they test negative on a rapid test.

Victoria’s opposition health spokeswoman Georgie Crozier also renewed calls for isolation to go.

“There needs to be a common sense approach. You need to listen to health experts but don’t outsource the decisions to them,” Ms Crozier said.

“That’s how we’ve got to being the longest locked down city in the world. That’s why we’ve got a shadow lockdown going on at the moment.

“This is an issue that Daniel Andrews and others need to look at. It’s having massive impacts on our community.”

Damien Hardwick wants isolation rules to change. Picture Getty Images

Premier Daniel Andrews has not yet indicated when it will happen. Picture: David Crosling

But Andrews government minister Jaala Pulford said she believed Mr Hardwick’s comments were made out of frustration.

“I think Damien Hardwick’s comments were probably more about frustration at the result of a game of football,” she said.

“I’m an Essendon supporter so I can say that.

“Mr Hardwick is entitled to his view. It’s been a challenging and frustrating couple of years, but we’ll keep listening to the health experts.”

Hardwick has joined a growing chorus of voices calling for the coronavirus isolation rules to be changed.

Melbourne coach Simon Goodwin on Monday said community frustration was building around the rules.

“We’ve been really guided by the government for two-and-a-half years now in this space,” he said.

“I think from a community level there’s a frustration building in that space around close contacts, let alone a footy perspective, so we’ll be guided by the governments and we’ll follow what they need.

“But I think we all sit here in the community and we all have a similar opinion on where that sits.

“I’m sure, hopefully, it will change in time but we’ll have to wait and see.”

Simon Goodwin has backed Damien Hardwick’s plea. Picture: Getty Images

But in a statement on Monday afternoon, the AFL said: “We maintain the same position as we have for the last two years that the health and safety of everyone in the community is paramount and we are led by the relevant state governments regarding the protocols that are required to continue to keep the community safe and well.

“The work of everyone on the front line of the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic – nurses, doctors, healthcare workers – has been nothing short of incredible and we thank them for their continued dedication and sacrifice and we will continue to play our role in doing what we can to support their efforts in keeping the community safe.”

It comes as business groups say removing the isolation requirement would alleviate staff shortages and help businesses recover.

“As business continues to take strides in our recovery, we need to see every barrier removed so we can continue to accelerate out,” Victorian Chamber of Commerce chief Paul Guerra said.

Opposition Leader Matthew Guy called for an end of mandatory isolation requirements for Covid close contacts after his son tested positive for the virus last week.

However, Hardwick’s plea came just days after the nation’s leading health experts on the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee (AHPPC) ruled against easing isolation rules until after the anticipated peak of the current BA. 2 surge.

“Making changes, including changes to quarantine settings, that will result in increased transmission in the community at a time when cases are already increasing or are at their peak, may result in further disruption to the health system,” it said in a statement.

“The resulting escalation in case numbers is likely to increase, rather than decrease, any disruptions to broader societal functioning.”

Opposition Leader Matthew Guy wants an end to mandatory isolation requirements for Covid close contacts. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

Once Victoria passes the peak of its current wave, AHPPC recommended quarantine could be replaced with other measures including frequent rapid antigen testing, mask wearing, working at home and limiting access to high-risk settings.

The decision to lift the close contact isolation requirement lies with the state government.

On Friday, a Liberal party spokesman said: “We note the recommendation but continue to advocate that if you have no symptoms and a negative RAT you should be able to decide for yourself whether or not to quarantine”.

Health Minister Martin Foley accused Mr Guy of wanting to change the health orders “just because it suits him”.

“Matthew Guy only makes decisions based on what affects him, not in the best interests of the Victorian community,” Mr Foley said.

“It’s time the Liberal Party stopped making health policy on the run and started to pay attention to what the nation’s health experts say is best for the community.”

The more transmissible Omicron BA.2 variant is well established in the Victorian community as the dominant strain.

While it has led to a spike in cases over recent weeks, it hasn’t translated to a big increase in hospitalisations

Industry groups said removing the isolation requirement would alleviate staff shortages and help businesses continue to recover.

Mr Guerra said: “As business continues to take strides in our recovery, we need to see every barrier removed so we can continue to accelerate out”.

A Victorian government spokesperson said the state rules were based on the advice of the AHPPC.

Richmond’s VFL side isn’t the only team to have been hampered by Covid this year, with Fremantle coach Justin Longmuir forced to watch from afar on Sunday.

Melbourne star Ben Brown also missed Friday’s night blockbuster because he was deemed a close contact.