Australia Covid news: Supreme Court vaccine mandate challenges tossed out
Anti-vaxxers are fast running out of options after the NSW Supreme Court this afternoon acted emphatically to crush their cause.
Welcome to Friday’s coverage of Australia’s Covid-19 situation.
Premier Dominic Perrottet has revealed some major changes to NSW’s roadmap, as the state hurtles towards its 80 per cent vaccination goal.
NSW recorded 399 Covid cases and four deaths on Friday.
Victorian has recorded another day of high Covid cases, with 2179 infections and six deaths.
Parts of Tasmania were thrown into a three-day lockdown after a NSW man who was supposed to be in hotel quarantine managed to escape and visit a supermarket while infectious.
The live blog has closed for the day but you can follow along below for the biggest stories from Friday.
Blow for anti-vaxxers as NSW challenge to vaccine mandates thrown out
The NSW Supreme Court has thrown out two cases challenging mandatory vaccinations for essential workers.
#BREAKING Supreme Court dismisses two cases challenging Covid19 vaccination mandates for NSW workers. @9NewsSyd
— Kelly Fedor (@KellyFedor) October 15, 2021
A group of essential workers had been arguing in court that Health Minister Brad Hazzard’s orders were an attempt to remove personal choice from the vaccination debate.
Lawyers for Mr Hazzard earlier told the court the requirements for essential workers to get the Covid vaccine in order to continue working were not a “mandate” at all.
Two challenges were dismissed shortly after 4pm local time on Friday.
In the court’s judgment, the judge directly addressed the argument that NSW’s vaccine orders were a breach of bodily integrity. He dismissed the notion.
“So far as the right to bodily integrity is concerned, it is not violated as the impugned orders do not authorise the involuntary vaccination of anyone.”
The hearing made headlines earlier in the week after anti-vaxxers circulated fraudulent court transcripts purporting to show one of the state’s leading infectious diseases experts admitting the vaccines had not been adequetly tested and were unsafe.
The fake court transcript was outed on NSW Police’s Facebook page on Wednesday as it began circulating among anti-vaccination groups.
Police shared the transcript with bold red letters declaring it “DEBUNKED” by fact checkers from Melbourne’s RMIT University. The fact checkers labelled it “wholly inaccurate”.
The fake document contained fabricated statements from Professor Kristine Macartney, the Director of the National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance (NCIRS), about what she said in the NSW Supreme Court.
Prof Macartney had given evidence in a case brought against NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard, which seeks to overturn mandatory Covid-19 vaccine requirements for public sector workers.
The document claimed Prof Macartney told the court “yes” when asked whether “double vaxxed people are 13 times more likely to catch the virus”.
In a statement on Wednesday, Prof Macartney and the NCIRS corrected the record.
“We are aware of misinformation being shared online and on social media platforms regarding NCIRS Director Professor Kristine Macartney’s recent appearance as an expert witness in a case before the Supreme Court of New South Wales,” the statement read.
Victorian region of Mildura has lockdown extended
The Victorian regional city of Mildura will not escape lockdown until October 22 after the state government extended the lockdown for a further seven days.
There are 188 active cases in Mildura. A week ago, there were just nine cases.
In a statement on Friday afternoon, the Department of Health said the lockdown is being extended due to “significant and ongoing transmission of COVID-19 in the local community”.
“Victoria’s Chief Health Officer on Friday recommended the seven-day extension after 34 new cases of COVID-19 were diagnosed in the region in the past 24 hours. The lockdown will now extend until midnight on 22 October.
“Victoria’s public health teams remain concerned about high caseloads in Mildura, which accounts for 18 per cent of all regional cases confirmed in the past 24 hours.”
Prime Minister ‘very pleased’ with NSW no quarantine arrangement
The Prime Minister Scott Morrison is discussing the new measures introduced in NSW today, which will take effect from November 1.
NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet earlier announced quarantine will be scrapped for fully vaccinated residents returning from overseas.
Mr Morrison said the announcement was “a welcome step forward”.
He said the measure was only for Australian citizens, which should reassure states and territories to follow suit.
“That should provide some sense of assurance to those in other states that all we are talking about now is Australian citizens, residents and their immediate families.
“That is good news and we’re making good progress as we’re looking to hit 70 per cent national double dosed vaccinations.
“We’re not opening up to everyone coming back to Australia, I want to be clear about that.
“We will take this forward in a staged way as we have done in all these things.”
Hobart thrown into three-day lockdown from tonight
The Tasmanian government has announced a snap lockdown for Hobart and southern Tasmania from 6pm tonight.
Officials met with health experts earlier today to discuss a three-day lockdown after an infected man from NSW breached hotel quarantine requirements and attended a supermarket.
The 31-year-old man flew into Hobart from Melbourne on Monday without an appropriate border pass.
He was taken into hotel quarantine but on Tuesday afternoon guards discovered he was missing from his room.
Police located the man at a home in Bridgewater at 4.45pm on Tuesday and he later returned a positive result for Covid-19.
It was revealed the man has visited a Woolworths in Bridgewater while infectious, prompting hundreds of people to come forward for testing.
Premier Peter Gutwein said the man who absconded hotel quarantine has “not been cooperative” and it took “two days to find out he went to Woolies”.
“We can’t continue to wait another two days to find out what has been going on,” he said.
Tasmania’s lockdown rules include five reasons to leave home (shopping, exercise, personal safety, medical reasons or work).
Facemasks are required indoors and outdoors and the construction industry has been shut down.
Even before the announcement, pictures on social media showed panic buying had set in. Toilet paper aisles were already depleted of stock and long queues stretched throughout a number of supermarkets.
I don’t want to encourage panic buying… But could Tasmania actually run out of toilet paper? @Coles@woolworthshttps://t.co/rUa5C1M2Ti
— Rhiana Whitson (@rhianawhitson) October 15, 2021
Supermarkets across Hobart with long lines. Southern Tasmania is bracing for a possible lockdown #covid19taspic.twitter.com/kcvIWC9flR
— Monte Bovill (@MonteBovill) October 15, 2021
The state of Australia in one handy graphic
A map showing the literal fracturing of states and territories has been released by the Federal Government. We share it here with no comment.
Are you confused about COVID restrictions across the different states? Here's a handy (ahem) guide from the federal government pic.twitter.com/gOMGpvfJMp
— Katina Curtis (@katinacurtis) October 15, 2021
‘All of us will be infected’: Qld’s opening panic
Queensland’s chief health officer has issued a grim warning to residents, claiming everyone will “end up infected with Covid” when the state reopens its borders.
CHO Dr Jeannette Young’s comments came after she said there was a “real challenge” ahead for Queensland, but the impacts could be minimised by boosting vaccination rates.
“All of us are going to end up being infected with Covid, but if you’ve been vaccinated it’s highly unlikely you will be sick,” she said.
“We are all of us going to end up being infected with Covid, every single person in Queensland.”
Health Minister Yvette D’Ath echoed Dr Young’s words, saying vaccination is “the only way out of this” for Queensland.
“The virus will go into every single one of our towns,” she said.
“The question is, are you going to be protected?”
‘Take a chill pill’: Foley hits back over Vic/NSW comparisons
Victorian Health Minister Martin Foley has brushed off comparisons between Victoria’s and NSW’s reopening roadmaps.
After being asked about why Victoria’s reopening path seems so different to NSW’s in light of today’s announcements around international borders, Mr Foley said everyone needed to “take a chill pill”.
“We have just announced an integration of our domestic permit and travel system to closer integrate the ACT, Victoria and NSW as a significant part of that,” he says.
“We are already part of the national trials for home-based quarantine and when those trials are finished and when we go through a proper assessment, I am sure we will have more to say.
“Everyone needs to take a chill pill. We are not aware of the full details of a media release hot off the printer from the NSW government. We will go through that.
“We wish NSW, as we always do, every success, and Victoria will go about its business in the national context, understanding it’s the Commonwealth who control international borders, not the states.”
Vic border restrictions removed for vaccinated
Vaccinated NSW residents will be able to enter Victoria without having to quarantine from next week.
From October 19, fully vaccinated from red zones can enter Victoria if they have received a negative Covid test within 72 hours of entering the state and they complete a travel permit.
“And then, once having entered to Victoria, they must isolate whilst they get another test within a further 72 hours. And once they get that negative result, go about their business,” Health Minister Martin Foley said.
Unvaccinated people coming from red zones must still test negative to the virus before arrival and then quarantine for 14 days.
Quarantine to be scrapped in NSW
In a major change, Premier Dominic Perrottet has announced quarantine will be scrapped for fully vaccinated residents.
“From November 1st, those people returning to Australia who want to come back, who want to visit Australia and coming to Sydney, hotel quarantine will be a thing of the past,” he said.
“People coming into here, you’ll need to do a PCR test before you board the flight and you will need to show proof of your double vaccination.
“For double vaccinated people around the world, Sydney, New South Wales is open for business. We want people back. We are leading the nation out of the pandemic. Hotel quarantine, home quarantine is a thing of the past.”
Mr Perrottet said this was a “significant day” for NSW.
ACT records 35 cases, one death
The ACT has recorded 35 new locally acquired Covid-19 cases and one death in the past 24 hours.
Zero new locally acquired cases in Qld
Queensland has recorded another day of zero locally acquired Covid-19 cases.
Friday 15 October – coronavirus cases in Queensland:
— Annastacia Palaszczuk (@AnnastaciaMP) October 15, 2021
0 new locally acquired cases detected in Queensland overnight.
1 new overseas acquired case - detected in hotel quarantine.#covid19pic.twitter.com/Dreucr1jJy
Premier confirms regional travel delay, new freedoms
Premier Dominic Perrottet has confirmed new freedoms will kick in for fully vaccinated NSW residents from Monday, though one key freedom will be delayed.
Mr Perrottet said NSW is likely to hit its 80 per cent double dose vaccine milestone tomorrow, triggering a range of easing restrictions from Monday.
Some of the new freedoms will include having 20 visitors to a home, standing and drinking at the pub, 3000 people at ticketed outdoor events, density limits will be removed for hairdressers and other personal care services and there will be no limit on the number of fully vaccinated guests at weddings and funerals.
He also confirmed that the government had pushed regional travel for Greater Sydney to November 1.
“We have made a decision today – and I know for many it will be unpopular, but as Premier I believe it is the right decision, and that is to defer regional travel from Greater Sydney until November 1,” he said.
“The reason we have made that decision is best on vaccination rates in front of us. If you look at where a percentage of LGAs have reached that 80 per cent double-dose here in Sydney, that is where regional New South Wales will be on November 1.”
He also revealed the 20 person cap on hospitality bookings will be removed from November 1.
The government said they will providing extra financial support to regional businesses by extending welfare payments at 30 per cent payroll until November 1.
Regional travel pushed back to Nov 1
NSW residents have been dealt another blow following the news regional travel will be delayed, with the Deputy Premier revealing the freedom will be delayed until November 1.
Deputy Premier Paul Toole made the surprise revelation about the new regional travel date on 2GB on Friday morning.
“Regional travel will be allowed from November 1,” Mr Toole said.
He said the decision was made to keep regional communities safe and opening with the current vaccination rates in some areas would put communities in “jeopardy”.
Earlier reports suggested the freedom would be pushed back by just a week until October 25, but now residents will have to wait more than two weeks.
Mr Toole apologised to NSW residents, saying he knew the change was “frustrating” but claiming many regional communities “are scared”.
“I know its frustrating, I know that. But I have also got to get the balance right and you know some of the communities actually want it to be longer,” he said.
“I am sorry for those people who have actually had their bags packed and those people that want to go to regional communities.”
NSW records 399 cases and four deaths
NSW has recorded 399 new locally acquired Covid-19 cases and four deaths in the 24 hours to 8pm last night.
NSW COVID-19 update – Friday 15 October 2021
— NSW Health (@NSWHealth) October 14, 2021
In the 24-hour reporting period to 8pm last night:
- 91.4% of people aged 16+ have had one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine
- 77.8% of people aged 16+ have had two doses of a COVID-19 vaccine
- 85,000 tests
- 399 new locally acquired cases pic.twitter.com/zxDFDL2bM5
Victoria records 2179 cases and six deaths
Victoria has recorded 2179 locally acquired Covid-19 cases and six deaths in the 24 hours to midnight last night.
Reported yesterday: 2,179 new local cases and 0 cases acquired overseas.
— VicGovDH (@VicGovDH) October 14, 2021
- 38,752 vaccines administered
- 73,942 test results received
- Sadly, 6 people with COVID-19 have died
More later: https://t.co/OCCFTAtS1P#COVID19Vic#COVID19VicDatapic.twitter.com/dQ8T9QNCPg
Backlash to ‘nightmare’ rule change
The government’s backflip on regional travel for Greater Sydney has come has prompted fury from residents, with the decision coming as a blow to already struggling regional businesses.
Deputy Premier Paul Toole announced today that travel between Greater Sydney and regional areas would be delayed until November 1, despite the rest of the 80 per cent freedoms on the NSW roadmap kicking in from Monday.
Owner of Sierra Escape Glamping in Mudgee, Cameron D’Arcy, said he and his team are “absolutely devastated” by the decision, with the business relying heavily on tourism from Greater Sydney.
“Not only do we now have to deal with another two weeks of cancellations, another two weeks of lost revenue (on top of the already four months of lost bookings), but our faith in the government to effectively lead us out of this mess is completely eroded,” he told news.com.au.
“There are areas in regional NSW -in fact most of regional NSW – where the vaccination rates are above the state average, and to be held back because of a few lacking areas completely blows my mind.
“I am all for protecting regional NSW health systems, but these policies make absolutely no sense, when you realise that much of Western NSW has vaccination rates above 95 per cent single and 80 per cent double, and other Regional areas not far behind.”
Mr D’Arcy said the whole lockdown has had “profound” monetary, physical and mental impacts on not only the business, but his suppliers as well.
“The uncertainty is an absolute killer. We are resilient and have adapted and done our best to hibernate with no income, and come back stronger. But when the goalposts constantly shift, and the Government doesn’t stick to it’s word, it’s a nightmare,” he said.
Mr D’Arcy said he wrote to two ministers and the Premier himself regarding his concerns but received no response.
“They promise our livelihoods back once we reach certain vaccination rates, and then change their minds. What assurances can be made that November 1st won’t be moved a few days out? he said.
“We can’t keep going on like this! People want to see their family, people want their businesses back. People want their state back.”
Major freedom delayed for vaxxed NSW
The NSW government is expected to backtrack on a promised freedom for vaccinated residents, just days out from when new eased restrictions are set to kick in.
Greater Sydney residents hoping to reunite with friends and family or set off on a regional holiday will have to delay their plans, as the government prepares to extend the ban on regional travel.
The state is expected to hit its 80 per cent double vaccination goal this weekend, a target that will trigger a range of freedoms from the following Monday – likely to be October 18.
Travel between Greater Sydney and regional NSW has continually been touted as one of those freedoms, but it is understood Thursday’s crisis cabinet meeting resolved to delay this freedom.
It comes after Premier Dominic Perrottet revealed there were “concerns” that some regional areas with lower vaccination rates could be put at risk.
It will be the second time officials have backtracked on easing this restriction, with the freedom initially set to kick in at the 70 per cent vaccination target, before being pushed back to the 80 per cent goal.
However, the rest of the roadmap is still expected to go ahead as planned and, if vaccination rates continue to grow, will kick in from Monday.
Some of the new freedoms will include having 20 visitors to a home, standing and drinking at the pub, 3000 people at ticketed outdoor events, density limits will be removed for hairdressers and other personal care services and there will be no limit on the number of fully vaccinated guests at weddings and funerals.
NSW’s VaxPass launches for Sydney residents
Getting your hands on Friday drinks will be a whole lot easier today as people across NSW are be able to use a new vaccine passport system for easy access to shops, pubs and cafes — after a big change was quietly brought in on Thursday.
It means that, for those who have the updated Service NSW app on their phones, they no longer have to trawl through Medicare to find their vaccination certificates when entering a business.
Instead, when they check-in into a business, using the normal QR code method, a green tick will appear to showed they are fully-vaccinated.
Although there was no announcement of the change, which was supposed to be rolling out from Monday, residents in Sydney noticed they could access the new system from Thursday night.
Head here to see how to get it.
– Ben Graham
Decision on lockdown will be made in the coming days
Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews has confirmed the state is still on track to ease restrictions this month, despite the state’s record number of Covid cases today.
When asked whether this meant the government was pushing ahead with freedoms because Victorians are sick of lockdowns, Mr Andrews said he “would not put it that way”.
“So, we have, fundamentally, a very important agreement with the Victorian community – you get vaccinated and we will open up, and I do what I say,” he said.
“So, that is why we are going to be opening up because people have got vaccinated in record numbers in record time and they should be proud of that and I am proud of them are deeply grateful to them.”
Mr Andrews said there would be discussions over the next few days about when lockdown will end, but made it very clear that the Victorian government “will deliver the roadmap”.
“We will answer questions about when the lockdown ends, the precise moment, as well as any additional steps, any changes to be roadmap we can make, but we are going to deliver the roadmap,” he said.
65 per cent of Aussies now fully vaccinated
Health Minister Greg Hunt confirmed on Thursday that 65.4 per cent of Australians over the age of 16 have now received two doses of a Covid vaccine.
At least 83.6 per cent have received one dose.
“So, that protection is really coming in around the country. It’s a very important number and I want to thank Australians who are coming back for their second dose, and continue to urge them to do it,” Mr Hunt said.
“For those that haven’t had their first dose yet, there is ample access right around the country and we would urge you to continue to come forward. Those numbers are increasing every day, but we’d urge you to continue to come forward.”
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