Victoria’s lockdown to end at midnight but restrictions remain as Daniel Andrews offers warning to Sydney

Premier Daniel Andrews has renewed calls for a ring of steel around Sydney, saying he’s “not being boastful” but rather sees it as a necessity for NSW to quash their outbreak.

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Victoria’s fifth lockdown is set to end at midnight but the state faces a raft of restrictions.

Premier Daniel Andrews on Tuesday morning confirmed face-to-face learning would return for schools, the 5km limit would be scrapped and 10 people can now gather in public outside.

Pubs, restaurants, cafes and bars will open with limits of 100 people inside and 300 outside.

Hairdressers and beauticians will also be permitted to open, while workers can return to the office but with a maximum 25 per cent capacity, or 10 people — whichever is greater.

Home visits will be banned for at least the next two weeks, with Mr Andrews deeming private gatherings the highest-risk settings.

Weddings and funerals will be capped at 50 people.

It comes as NSW recorded 172 new cases overnight, sparking fears the outbreak is now out of control.

Sixty of those people were infectious in the community.

Melbourne’s lockdown will end on Tuesday. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Ian Currie

The death toll in NSW continues to climb, with a further two deaths in the past day.

On the situation in NSW, Mr Andrews renewed his calls for a ring of steel to be implemented around Sydney.

“We’re not being triumphant. We’re not being boastful. We’re not lecturing anyone. We’re not into that. I’ve never done that nor will I. A ring of steel will work. It will, and that’s why I called for it,” he said.

Mr Andrews said being able to end the lockdown sent a very clear message.

“We have seen off two Delta outbreaks. I don’t think there’s a jurisdiction in the world that has done that,” he said.

Chief health officer Professor Brett Sutton said three main factors contributed to Victoria defeating the Delta variant for a second time.

He said fast and thorough contact tracing, lockdown and the compliance of every Victorian allowed the state to take the next step.

“This is a greater step forward than we’ve had in other outbreaks,” he said.

It comes as 10 new coronavirus cases were detected in Victoria on Tuesday.

All are linked to current outbreaks and all were isolating throughout their infectious period.

More than 24,000 people turned out to get tested.

Mr Andrews thanked Victorians for their efforts throughout the latest outbreak.

“All in all, this is a good day … it’s not over, though, we need to be vigilant against this virus,” he said.

There are currently 190 cases linked to the current outbreaks — 188 of those are active after two people were deemed to have recovered.

Seven people are in hospital. Two are in intensive care while one of those remains on a ventilator.

Covid-19 commander Jeroen Weimar said three of the 10 new cases were linked to a Wallabies rugby game at AAMI Park.

Two of those attended the game and originally tested negative but returned positive tests on day 13.

Mr Weimar said this highlighted the need for people to stay in isolation despite having originally testing negative.

Two more cases have been linked to the Ms Frankie outbreak.

The remaining are household contacts linked to outbreaks at Trinity Grammar (2), St Patrick’s (1), City of Hume (1) and Young & Jackson (1).

VICTORIA’S NEW RULES EXPLAINED

Restrictions are easing but strict rules remain over household visitors, trips away and going to the snow.

Click here to read all the new restrictions

NEW MELBOURNE EXPOSURE SITES NAMED

More Tier 2 exposure sites have been identified by the health department for the first time since Saturday.

The Emerald Hotel in South Melbourne, Sushi Hub on Swanston St, the Guilty Moose cafe in Albert Park and Cofezo Coffee Station in Balaclava were visited by a positive case on July 15.

Woolworths and Source Bulk Foods in Balaclava and Humming Puppy yoga studio in Prahran were also visited by a positive case that same day.

The Emerald Hotel in South Melbourne was visited by a positive case.

A Sandringham train, travelling from Balaclava to Flinders St, as well as Level 8 of the T&G Building have also been identified as Tier 2 exposure sites on July 15.

Anyone who visited one of these sites between the specified times must get tested urgently and isolate until they receive a negative result.

The list of exposure sites now stands at 321.

BROTHEL RULES SLAMMED

Brothels will be allowed to open from Wednesday under the state government’s easing of restrictions.

Under the changes, sex on premises, brothels and sexually explicit venues can open with a cap of 100 patrons.

They must adhere to a density quotient of 1 person per 4 sqm and must have a COVID Check-In Marshal on site.

Opposition spokesman Tim Smith slammed the opening up of brothels while Victorians were still banned from visiting their families.

“In Daniel Andrews Victoria, for at least the next two weeks, Victorians will be able to visit a brothel but not their mum at home,” he said.

“This is profoundly inconsistent. The Andrews Labor government is really weird.”

ROGUE REMOVALISTS TO ESCAPE CHARGES

Police have confirmed the NSW removalists who sparked Victoria’s latest Covid outbreak will not be charged.

As first revealed by the Saturday Herald Sun, the force has declared there is no need for criminal action against the removalist crew.

This is despite footage showing the removalists not wearing masks in breach of their workers permit and failing to socially distance when coming into contact with people outside Maribyrnong’s Ariele Apartments on July 8.

On July 12 Premier Daniel Andrews sent a warning to anyone travelling from NSW on a permit, saying: “For those travelling across the border, the permits are real, the conditions are real. You will be fined, you will be found and you’ve got every chance of becoming very famous if you do not comply with those permit conditions.”

Two days later COVID-19 response commander Jeroen Weimar said health authorities will “throw the book” at the three removalists.

Covid-19 testing in the outer northern suburb of Craigieburn. Picture: Ian Currie

But on Tuesday, Mr Weimer said just one removalist would receive a $200 fine.

“(Department of Health) under its standing powers will issue a small fine of $200 to one … for failing to comply with mask-wearing.”

“This has been a complex and extensive investigation involving at least two police jurisdictions, CCTV records across the entire state, logbooks and phone records.

“My thanks to the investigation teams of both organisations and I’m pleased we can draw a line under this incident as we start to draw a line under the subsequent outbreak.”

The removalists delivered to Covid’s deadly Delta strain to Victoria, plunging 6.7 million people into lockdown.

Read the full version of this story, here.

Australia is still battling vaccine hesitancy. Picture: Daniel Pockett/Getty Images

RADICAL PLAN FOR $1M ‘VAXLOTTO

The Grattan Institute revealed a plan for a vaccination lottery — rewarding people who get the Covid shot with the chance to win $1m.

The “Vaxlotto” would be held weekly from the Melbourne Cup for eight weeks to increase vaccination rates and dispel vaccination hesitancy, the institute’s Stephen Duckett said.

“We can improve our position by launching a national lottery — with 10 $1m prizes every week — for people who are vaccinated,’’ Professor Duckett said.

“With one jab you’ll have 10 chances to win $1m each week; people who get fully vaccinated will double their chances.’’

Prof Duckett said the lottery’s $80m cost would be a tiny fraction of the cost of just one day of a capital city lockdown.

Prof Duckett also called on the federal government to ensure the promised vaccines arrived in coming months.

“Dan Murphy’s and Amazon can get large-scale logistics right. Our national government should be able to do the same,” he said.

Originally published as Victoria’s lockdown to end at midnight but restrictions remain as Daniel Andrews offers warning to Sydney