Six new Victorian COVID cases recorded in hotel quarantine

Six new coronavirus cases have been recorded in Victoria, all of which are returned travellers in hotel quarantine.

A child and a teenage boy are among six new coronavirus cases detected in Victoria overnight among returned travellers in hotel quarantine.

Another case included a woman in her 50s, while three men aged in their 20s, 40s and 50s also returned positive tests.

There have been no locally acquired cases for 72 days.

The hotel quarantine cases come as Victoria’s new vaccinations centres prepare to accept bookings from the public this week.

From Tuesday May 11, walk-ins or eligible residents can book in their vaccination at the new Warrnambool centre overseen by South West Healthcare and Barwon Health.

Meanwhile, open-access centres at Cobram, Kilmore and Mansfield will this week open for phone bookings.

The new jab hubs come as research reveals more Australians supported a mandatory coronavirus jab than rolling up their sleeves for the vaccine voluntarily.

In the first available data on public sentiments towards a vaccine mandate, the study by the University of Sydney and the University of Western Australia found three quarters of Aussies would get a mandatory vaccination for work, study or travel.

66 per cent of people reported being willing to receive the vaccine voluntarily, but 73 per cent agreed the government should require people to roll up their sleeves if they choose to leave the house for travel, going to work or school.

Political scientist Associate Professor David Smith from the University of Sydney’s Department of Government and International Relations said it was “surprising” that more Australians approved of the mandate than would get the vaccine by their own accord.

“A lot of people who are hesitant would approve of the government making a vaccine a requirement to go to work or study,” Prof Smith said.

“There would be wide political support for a mandate with some small pockets of opposition based on broader dissatisfaction with government.

“It’s a surprising finding.”

Prof Smith said other more recent polls mirrored the study’s findings, with mandatory vaccinations already an established practice in the education sector with the No Jab No Pay and No Jab No Play rules already being widely accepted.

RESTRICTIONS EASE FOR PUBS, CLUBS

Crowds of up to 200 will again be allowed in restaurants, bars and nightclubs with density limits set to be scrapped.

Under the changes, to take affect from May 28, density limits will be dropped for small-to-medium size businesses in rooms 400 sqm or less.

But venues will need to ensure COVID marshalls are on site to force patrons to sign in.

Density quotients will also be removed for outdoor non-seated venues.

It comes as new data has revealed less than half of all visitors to hospitality venues check in every time.

Health Minister Martin Foley said: “This is great news for many live music venues, restaurants and nightclubs who can open the doors to up to 200 people per space – but getting every Victorian to check in using the QR code service is the goal.”

More to come.

Originally published as Six new Victorian COVID cases recorded in hotel quarantine