Big flaw in NSW‘s reopening plan with vaccine passports likely delayed

NSW’s vaccine passport has been flagged to be in use by October 18 but there is one issue that could prevent the roll out.

Welcome to Sunday’s live coverage of Australia’s Covid-19 situation.

On Saturday, Victoria recorded another day of record Covid cases with 1965 infections and five deaths. There was a slight drop on Sunday to 1890 cases, but health authorities have warned the virus is now spreading across the state, not just in hotspot areas.

In NSW, there were 477 locally transmitted cases and six deaths. Today will be the last day of heavy restrictions before they ease for the state tomorrow. Meanwhile, the ACT recorded 25 new cases on Saturday.

Follow below for today’s top updates. Keep refreshing the page for the latest news.

Big flaw in NSW‘s reopening plan

With just weeks until NSW’s vaccine passport will be implemented there is a glaring flaw in the plan.

The state’s vaccine passport program is awaiting clearance from the federal government before it can be effectively used in NSW.

The app will be rolled out in trials this week but NSW Customer Service Minister Victor Dominello said it will be ‘hopefully’ ready on October 18.

“The reality is we need to get information from the federal government … and the federal government had to get their house in order to make sure that they could then get that certificate in the Medicare app,” Mr Dominello said.

🔹First Look

This is the VaxPass.

1. It’s in testing phase now.

2. In the next few days we will undertake closed pilots in some regional areas.

3. At this stage we are still on track for statewide roll-out on 18 October… pic.twitter.com/WUNwKLHvFa

— Victor Dominello MP (@VictorDominello) October 8, 2021

“Now, we can easily install the vaccine certificate right now on the app but, quite frankly, that’s meaningless unless it’s integrated into the check-in experience, because, otherwise you can use Google and Apple and some other places to … have a placeholder for the certificate.”

The passport allows venues such as pubs and clubs and other businesses to check whether a patron is vaccinated as they sign in.

The vaccine passport is ­designed to help businesses navigate the public health ­orders whereby only vaccin­ated people are allowed into a venue.

Delta warning for Victoria as cases surge

Victoria’s Covid Commander Jeroen Weimar has issued a warning to the state, saying the virus is now spreading everywhere, not just in previous hotsports.

“I would really stress again please do not rely on these case narratives but says it is only in a few locations, it is increasingly coming in the suburbs across Melbourne and regional Victoria,” he told a press conference in Melbourne today.

“[We are seeing] a significant continual growth in the case numbers and we are seeing ongoing growth in case numbers across regional Victoria.”

There are now more than 120 active cases in regional Victoria.

The border town of Mildura, which entered a snap lockdown on Friday, recorded 20 new cases on Saturday.

Across the state there have been repeated and unexpected coronavirus fragments detected in wastewater.

Locations of concern include Portland, Cobram, Swan Hill, Ballarat, Wonthaggi, Apollo Bay and Aireys Inlet.

The most significant locations in regional Victoria are Shepparton, 16 cases, Geelong 12 cases, Maceon Ranges, 12 cases, Latrobe, 11 cases and the Baw Baw shire with 18 cases.

NSW records 477 new cases and milestones met

More than 90 per cent of NSW has now received one Covid vaccination as locally transmitted cases continue to drop.

There were 477 new cases reported in the latest 24-hours. There were also six deaths in this time.

The state moved over the 90 per cent single vaccination milestone while 72 per cent of the state is now totally protected against the virus.

There has been a significant downward trend of locally transmitted Covid cases in the past few weeks. It is more than 100 less cases than the 580 recorded on Saturday.

Yesterday, Health Minister Brad Hazzard warned that lockdowns may occur again if the numbers explode when the state reopens.

“Don’t assume that we will not go into some form of restriction or lockdown in some areas where we have particular case numbers coming up quickly,” he said on Saturday.

“We still have to look at all that.”

NSW recorded 477 new locally acquired cases of COVID-19 in the 24 hours to 8pm last night.

One new case was acquired overseas and one was acquired interstate in the same period, bringing the total number of cases in NSW since the beginning of the pandemic to 68,523. pic.twitter.com/BxIEptA3RR

— NSW Health (@NSWHealth) October 10, 2021

Victoria records 1890 cases 

Victoria has had another huge day of locally transmitted cases recording 1890 in the latest reporting period.

It comes as the state remains on track for the grim milestone of 3000 daily infections.

Premier Daniel Andrews again urged for people to get vaccinated.

Victoria again recorded a huge amount of locally transmitted cases on Sunday with the premier explaining a huge portion of those in hospital with Covid were unvaccinated.

“609 people are currently in hospital with COVID-19. 126 of those are in ICU. 88 are on a ventilator,” he said.

“Of the people in hospital yesterday, less than 7 per cent were fully vaccinated.”

He added, the single dose vaccination mark had gone over 68 per cent and the amount of people fully vaccinated was 58 per cent of the state.

On Saturday, Department of Health deputy secretary Kate Matson said the grim milestone could be reached by the end of this month.

“At this point in time, we are on track in terms of hospitalisations and new cases,” she said.

“But I will remind you there is a middle line and an upper and lower band, and we are still within that band.”

Reported yesterday: 1,890 new local cases and 0 cases acquired overseas.
- 39,861 vaccines administered
- 74,105 test results received
- Sadly, 5 people with COVID-19 have died

More later: https://t.co/OCCFTAchah#COVID19Vic#COVID19VicDatapic.twitter.com/6U7hNSXiCG

— VicGovDH (@VicGovDH) October 9, 2021

Premier Andrews also flagged the freedoms that Victorians would soon be allowed when they reach their vaccination targets.

Up to 10,000 racing fans will be allowed at the Melbourne Cup, Oaks Day and Stakes Day, if 80 per cent of people across Victoria are fully vaccinated.

They will be spread across a number of zones at Flemington with allocated seats. They will be required to wear masks and be fully vaccinated.

The state government aso announced on Sunday that music lovers will also be able to attend a concern at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl in late October.

While an exact capacity is yet to be decided, “several thousand people” will be allowed to attend the outdoor concert on October 30, days after the state is tipped to hit the 70 per cent double dosed milestone.

Health authorities were chasing Virgin passengers after a COVID-19 positive cabin crew member worked on six flights across Victoria, New South Wales and South Australia.

Police called to Bondi Beach

The iconic beach has been at the forefront of Covid drama with locals regularly breaking rules – just hours before Freedom Day the trend continued.

Throughout the pandemic crowds have continuously gathered at the iconic beach and just hours before restrictions were eased the trend continued.

Police were called to the beach on Saturday evening after thousands flocked to the beach.

Photographs, taken by The Sunday Telegraph, showed hundreds of people not socially distancing or wearing masks.

Under current restrictions, fully vaccinated people are allowed to gather outdoors in groups of up to five, but huge groups were seen congregating in the area.

No fines were issued but NSW Police did give out a number of move-on orders.

Stay-at-home orders will lift across the state on Monday, with outdoor gatherings of up to 30 people among the new rules coming into effect.

Vaccinated residents from other Sydney LGAs will also be allowed to move freely around the city.

Police had to move on hundreds of people. Picture: Damian Shaw

NSW hits new vax achievement

NSW has officially hit a huge vaccine milestone with 90 per cent of the population aged 16 and over now having received one jab.

Data released by the federal government confirmed the milestone, as 121,514 doses were delivered across the state on Friday.

That means 90.1 per cent of those aged 16 plus have had one dose of a Covid-19 vaccine, with 72.8 per cent now fully vaccinated.

The achievement means that NSW is one of the most highly vaccinated populations around the world – dragging Australia up from a low vax rate that left it sitting towards the bottom of the table globally.

Currently, the United Arab Emirates leads the world in terms of vaccinations, with 94 per cent of its population having received a first dose and 83 per cent double dosed, followed by and Portugal which has 88 per cent of people with some protection against Covid and 85 per cent double jabbed, according to Our World in Data.

However, ACT appears to be leading the charge with an incredible 97.1 per cent of residents aged 12 and over having received their first dose, although the figure sits at 69.3 per cent for those double vaxxed.

Striving for as close to 100% vaccination coverage as we can get and doing so as quickly as we can.

Slow vaccine supply was always the constraint holding us back.

80% double dose coverage should be a floor not a ceiling.

The more people vaccinated the safer the community. pic.twitter.com/Mj8NQdq4MC

— Andrew Barr MLA (@ABarrMLA) October 9, 2021

Victoria statistics show it has gotten to 57.7 per cent of over-16s having one jab and 85.2 per cent being double vaxxed.

There are predictions the state will hit the 70 per cent double vax rate by October 22 and 80 per cent on November 3.

Australia celebrates national vaccine milestone

Nationally, Australia has hit 60 per cent of the population aged 16 and over now being fully vaccinated.

That means 30 million doses have been given across the country.

Bullseye🎯we’ve hit more #COVIDvaccine milestones 🇦🇺
6⃣0⃣% of people 16+ are now fully vaccinated🙌
3⃣0⃣ million doses have been administeredThank you for rolling up your sleeves so we can get back to doing the things we enjoy🧳🏊‍♀‍Find & book yours at💻https://t.co/bHrqu2sFOXpic.twitter.com/U2zszsT8Uw

— Australian Government Department of Health (@healthgovau) October 9, 2021

‘Don’t assume we won’t go into lockdown’

Health Minister Brad Hazzard has warned there could be more lockdowns in the future as cases rise when NSW begins to reopen.

“Don’t assume that we won’t go into some form of restriction or lockdown in some areas where we have case numbers coming up quickly,” he said.

“We still have to look at all that. I think Dr Chant and the team will give us some advice on that as we go forward.”

Mr Hazzard said the main message to the community was still to go out and get vaccinated.

“There’s plenty of vaccine. Go and get vaccinated. We all want to get out. We want to get rid of this artificial boundary between Greater Sydney and the rest of the state,” he said.

NSW set to hit another vax milestone

NSW is set to hit a new major vaccine milestone this weekend, just days after the state reached it’s 70 per cent double dose jab target.

Yesterday, the state hit the 89.8 per cent mark for first dose vaccinations in Australia, setting NSW up to hit 90 per cent first dose this weekend.

“We have the highest vaccination rate in the country and importantly we’re coming close on that first-dose mark to 90 per cent,” Premier Dominic Perrottet said.

There are some reports that the state has already reached that vaccine milestone, though this is yet to be confirmed by NSW Health.

🚨 *EARLY LEAK* 🚨
NSW: Now hit 90.1% first dose. 💉 72.75% fully vaccinated. 💉 💉

Two thirds (65.6%) of the state’s doses have been delivered through the GP and primary care network run by Commonwealth. @9NewsAUS

— Chris O'Keefe (@cokeefe9) October 8, 2021

Around 71.5 per cent of residents over the age of 16 have had two doses of the vaccine, triggering eased restrictions for fully vaccinated residents from Monday.

It comes as Australia reached a vaccine milestone on Saturday, with 60 per cent of Aussies over the age of 16 now fully vaccinated against Covid-19.

‘That’s untrue’: Premier denies ignoring health advice

Premier Dominic Perrottet has denied he “sidelined” public health advice when announcing changes to NSW’s road map.

Speaking at Saturday’s press conference, Mr Perrottet said claims he ignored public health advice were “untrue”, adding there would “always be different opinions” on what should be done in relation to reopening NSW.

Premier Dominic Perrottet speaking at a press conference. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Adam Yip

“This is a balance and that’s the approach the NSW Government has taken successfully over the course of the last 18 months,” he said.

“We listened to the health advice. We listened to the economic advice. We listened to the mental health advice as well. There are many challenges that occur during a pandemic and it’s not just NSW. I think Australia has done incredibly well

“Our role is to listen to advice and make decisions off the back of it. Yes, there will be challenging times ahead. We make no qualms about that.

“We are still in a pandemic. Case numbers will increase. Hospitalisations will increase as well. But our vaccination rate has been key to keeping teem safe and importantly being able to get people back to work as quickly as possible.”

More details on new Delta strain in NSW

Chief health officer Dr Kerry Chant has revealed the new Delta strain detected in NSW has been linked back to an overseas traveller.

Dr Chant announced yesterday that genomic sequencing has uncovered eight cases of a new strain of the Delta variant circulating in NSW.

Speaking on Saturday, she said the strain had been linked to an overseas arrival, though authorities were still investigating how the strain leaked into the community.

“We’ve linked that back to a person who returned from overseas but the exact mechanism of how that strain emerged and got into the community in western Sydney is still under investigation,” Dr Chant said.

“So we will update you as those investigations continue. But I want to reassure you that there’s nothing about this Delta strain from looking at the genomics that suggested it’s not

any more transmissible, not going to cause more illness or any other issues, additional to the current Delta strain.

“So in essence, it is another Delta strain circulating in the community.”

Vic’s lockdown could end sooner than expected

Victorians could be celebrating the end of lockdown sooner than expected, as the state barrels towards its 70 per cent vaccine target.

According to The Herald Sun, official vaccination tracking has Victoria ahead of schedule for its reopening dates, meaning the state is on track to enjoy earlier eased restrictions.

Victoria was originally expected to reach it’s 70 per cent double dose vaccination target on October 26, but that has now been moved forward to October 23.

The 80 per cent double dose target is now expected to be hit on November 3, instead of November 5.

There is a chance these dates could be changed again if Victorians are able to reduce the time between Pfizer doses from six to three weeks.

Crowds along the Yarra in Melbourne during lockdown. Picture: Tony Gough

The following changes will apply when the 70 per cent target is hit:

• The stay at home orders will be removed for lockdown areas

• Pubs, clubs and entertainment venues can open in Melbourne with 50 fully vaccinated people outdoors

• Community sport can return in regional Victoria

• The return to schools can begin

• In Melbourne, weddings can have 50 fully vaccinated people outdoors (30 indoors and 100 outdoors for regional areas)

• In Melbourne, funerals can have 20 vaccinated people indoors and 50 outdoors (30 indoors and 100 outdoors in regional areas)

• Hairdressers can personal care services can resume for up to five fully vaccinated people at a time

Part of NSW road map making doctors ‘nervous’

One of NSW’s top doctors has revealed the part of the reopening plan that is making health officials “nervous”, as the backlash continues to the extra freedoms announced by Premier Dominic Perrottet.

President of the NSW branch of the Australian Medical Association (AMA), Dr Danielle McMullen, told Weekend Sunrise, the organisation would have preferred to see a “slower return” to normalcy for NSW.

“At 80 per cent we’ll feel more confident. NSW is doing a fantastic job of getting vaccinated and be on track for being above 90 per cent vaccinated. Will be comfortable moving around the community,” she said.

“This couple of weeks between 70 per cent and 80 per cent makes us nervous. We want people to be cautious in the way they move around the community and really continue to minimise that.”

Daniel Andrews issued two fines

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews has been issued two penalty infringement notices for failing to wear a face mask while walking up to the doors of parliament this week.

Both fines are valued at $200, with the incidents occurring on Wednesday and Thursday.

Mr Andrews earlier apologised for the error, saying if Victoria Police choose to issue him a fine he will pay it, and if they don’t he will donate the $200 amount to a charity.

“If they do not issue a fine I will donate the same value to a charity working to support people in this pandemic because, while this was an overnight, overnights matter – everyone needs to follow the rules and I am sorry it occurred.”

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews was fined for failing to wear a face mask. Picture: James Ross/AAP

Commenting on the footage this morning 3AW host Neil Mitchell said the Premier “might have to fine himself!”

“Premier, if you’re going to lock us up for lapses and fine businesses when they’re trying to do the right thing, well you’ve got to pay the price yourself,” he said.

“Maybe he could just apologise at the press conference, say he’s made a mistake … and give $200 to charity.

“It was an oversight, it’s not a huge issue, but it’s a symbol.”