Live Breaking News: Victoria's playground ban can't be justified in another two weeks, expert says

An epidemiologist has put an expiry date on Victoria's most controversial virus measure, saying it won't be long before it can no longer be justified.  

One of Australia's leading virus experts has put an expiry date on Victoria's controversial decision to close playgrounds, saying the restriction will no longer be justifiable in a fortnight's time. 

 

Appearing on the ABC's Afternoon Briefing, University of Melbourne epidemiologist Tony Blakely said that Premier Daniel Andrews and chief health officer Brett Sutton weren't wrong in shutting playgrounds because they "are acting as a place of transmission". 

"We have a choice. We either leave them open and reduce our chance of eliminating again or we close them and do what I call the big swing heave ho for the next few weeks. We go hard and try to eliminate," he said.

"Queensland is opening up to having sporting events. South Australia's got no cases at the moment. If we give it one big heave ho for two weeks, we might have a nice time between October and November. I think it is worth it." 

But, if Victoria isn't done to zero cases in two weeks, Professor Blakely said, "I don't think keeping the playgrounds closed will be a good option to be honest". 

If he were Professor Sutton, he added, "I don't think I could keep imposing severe restrictions beyond two weeks of now".

Follow our live coverage below. You can read through today's updates from Victoria here. 

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