Regional lockdown confirmed as Victoria records 77 new cases
Exposure sites across Victoria have swelled as regional areas were plunged back into lockdown. Meanwhile, kids are being urged to wear masks under the state’s toughest ever restrictions.
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More than 30 new exposure sites have been identified across Melbourne and Shepparton on Saturday, just hours after regional Victoria was plunged back into lockdown.
Tier 1 sites in Shepparton include SkySalon Hairdressing on August 18 between 1.15pm-3.30pm and Shepparton Tutoring Centre on August 13 between 4pm-5.30pm.
Melbourne’s latest Tier 1 sites include Kuz’s Kebabs in Footscray on August 14 between 6.30pm-7.30pm and Fawkner Medical Centre on August 16 between 10.30am-12pm.
Two supermarkets have also been listed — Coles Showgrounds Village in Flemington on August 16 between 4.52pm-5.47pm and IGA Xpress Plus Liquor in Moonee Ponds on August 16 between 4.30pm-5.22pm.
Anyone who attended these venues at the listed times must get tested and isolate for 14 days.
More than 530 venues have now been deemed exposure sites.
REGIONAL VICTORIA BACK IN LOCKDOWN
Regional Victoria will be plunged into lockdown from 1pm on Saturday, bringing it into line with metropolitan Melbourne.
But the curfew will not be implemented in the regions.
Stronger restrictions will also be brought in a bid to protect children, as the number of infections among kids continues to rise.
Childcares will only be open for the kids of essential workers with a valid permit.
Major changes from 1pm Saturday 21 August:
• Regional Victoria will move to metropolitan Melbourne - except for curfew
• Childcare centres will close — except for vulnerable children and children of authorised workers who cannot be supervised at home
• Prospective aged care residents will not be allowed to inspect facilities
• Masks for primary school children are recommended
The construction industry will be reduced to 25 per cent capacity from 1pm today.
Premier Daniel Andrews said the number of cases who had been infectious out in the community over the last few days and the number of mystery cases emerging in different areas across the state was “extremely concerning”.
“We need to slow the spread of the virus and get in front of this outbreak,” the Premier said.
“This is not where we wanted to be as a community.
“It’s not a decision we wanted to make after Victorians have sacrificed so much, but we have no other option. Cases need to be lower and vaccination rates need to be higher.
“There’s a million things that we miss about life before the pandemic and a million things we’re looking forward to doing again once we’re through this outbreak — each of those is a reason to get vaccinated.”
In a statement to the Herald Sun, the Royal Melbourne Hospital confirmed three people — two patients and a staff member - had tested positive to coronavirus.
A hospital spokeswoman said extensive contact tracing and testing was underway and all staff identified as having come in close contact would be required to isolate.
The hospital said data on the number of staff affected would be made available to the Department of Health.
In regional Victoria, face masks will still be mandatory outdoors and indoors (not at home) unless an exemption applies. This includes all workplaces and secondary schools.
Workplace permits will be required to leave the house for authorised work from 11.59pm on Monday August 23.
Chief Health Officer Professor Brett Sutton recommended primary school aged children wear a face mask while indoors.
Professor Sutton said this was a “difficult” day for the entire state.
“We have really significant challenges with the Delta variant,” he said.
“It moves very quickly ... That’s very concerning. It does show that regional Victoria is under threat.”
Professor Sutton said he believed the virus had escaped Shepparton and was likely in other places across the regions.
He said the attack rate of the virus inside the home was almost always 100 per cent.
Workforce limits apply to the construction from 1pm on Saturday, however the state government will engage with industry about safely reducing staff numbers as secure sites.
Playgrounds, basketball hoops, skate parks and outdoor exercise equipment will be closed.
The age demographic of the current outbreak is “very different” to what we’ve seen before, authorities say.
Paediatrician Professor Sharon Goldfeld said children wearing masks is a “sensible idea”.
“It hasn’t been mandated which is good but it is a sensible idea,” she said.
Her comment comes as one school principal said primary-school aged children will be supportive and co-operative in wearing masks.
Michael Gray, principal of St Joseph’s Primary in Warrnambool, said primary school children are “very conscious of health advice and measures and want to play their part”.
He said putting on the masks - which is only a recommendation, not a mandate - could be difficult for some children, but there would be plenty of people around to help.
Mr Gray, who is president of the Victorian Association of Catholic Primary School Principals, said young children had watched their older siblings wearing masks. “For those who have to come to school still we think there will be a very calm approach and very good compliance.”
“Teachers will be able to make other arrangements for those who are struggling but we think most children will adapt well,” Mr Gray said.
Around 80 per cent of active cases aged below 40 and around 25 per cent under the age of nine.
Professor Sutton said this was a “tough day” for Victorians.
“These are significant decisions,” he said.
“A transmission saved today is one hundred, a thousand cases saved in a month,” he said.
When asked if the government waited too long to implement restrictions in Shepparton, following repeated wastewater detections in the area, the Premier said: “We don’t lockdown over wastewater detects.”
He said the three affected clusters in Shepparton were large family communities connected through schools and sporting clubs.
Mr Andrews said there was clear evidence that some new cases hadn’t got tested in the first instance.
“Please act on your symptoms as soon as you get those symptoms,” he said.
It comes as the state has recorded 61 new local cases, with 13 new mystery infections.
Just 22 were in isolation for the duration of their infectious period, according to the Department of Health.
In addition to the 61 local cases reported, there are an additional 16 local cases which were recorded on a rapid PCR testing platform and will be reported in Sunday’s numbers.
A further four cases were detected in Shepparton on Saturday, bring in the town’s total number of positive cases to 21.
There are now 18 people in hospital, with eight in ICU and two on a ventilator.
The state now hosts 389 active cases.
PAKULA AND KENNETT IN ONLINE SPAT
Senior Victorian Minister Martin Pakula on Friday night slammed former Premier Jeff Kennett for tweeting the State’s lockdown could last until 2022, labelling his claims “alarmist ... irresponsible bulls—t”.
Mr Kennett took to Twitter on Friday night to say he did not want “to be alarmist” but he had been told by well-placed sources in the country’s food distribution sector Victoria’s lockdown was set to last until 2022.
“Tightening of restrictions” would include access to shopping, distances which could be travelled from home and the length of time people could be out of the home, he said.
Mr Kennett told the Herald Sun he had been contacted by food industry executives, who told him they had been briefed by the Victorian Government because food supply would become a “big issue” in an extended lockdown.
But Tourism, Sports, Major Events, Racing and Industry Minister Martin Pakula furiously rejected Mr Kennett’s claims, in a tweet of his own.
“You do want to be alarmist. It’s the point of your tweet. My department does industry engagement. Food companies have been told no such thing. Don’t tweet irresponsible bullshit and then pretend to care about people’s wellbeing,” Mr Pakula responded
Mr Kennett also said regional areas including those “around Shepparton” would be forced into lockdown after he was provided a document that purportedly canvassed options for new restrictions during the state’s Delta outbreak.
Seventeen Covid cases were detected in Shepparton on Friday night and the government has flagged the region could join Melbourne in lockdown as early as Saturday.
Mr Kennett told the Herald Sun: “I think this is appalling. The test will be at 80 per cent vaccination. What will Dan Andrews do when we get to 80 per cent full vaccination? He won’t guarantee that.” Mr Kennett was referring to the rate at which the country would re-open, according to guidance by Prime Minister Scott Morrison.
HOSPITAL PATIENT REPORTEDLY TESTS POSITIVE
A PATIENT at a major Melbourne hospital has reportedly testing positive for coronavirus.
The Sunday Herald Sun understands the patient was waiting to have heart surgery before they tested positive in the Royal Melbourne Hospital’s cardiac unit.
It’s understood a number of staff have been sent home to isolate for 14 days.
It’s not yet clear whether the person was symptomatic, or whether the case is linked to a known outbreak.
Contact tracing work is underway to determine who may have come into contact with the patient.
Authorities are set to address the media on Saturday morning.
VICTORIANS SHARE LOCKDOWN STORIES
Victorians have told of the pain of yet another lockdown. Read below for stories from a retired schoolteacher, a university student, beauty salon owner and care worker.
Ian Blencowe, 80, retired schoolteacher
Early in 2020, my wife commenced treatment for a melanoma, a small spot on her head. The treatments started as fortnightly visits to Peninsula Private Hospital in Frankston from our home in the Dandenong Ranges.
When the first lockdown occurred, we didn’t know if the treatments could continue. But they did, fortunately, for therapeutic reasons.
Various treatments followed throughout 2020 and 2021, meaning we had to leave home to attend medical appointments, but the remainder of our time was spent at home.
We both remained actively involved in local community groups including attending local U3A classes via Zoom during each lockdown. When we couldn’t attend church in person, we watched services broadcast on TV, which allowed us to remain connected to our faith.
My wife’s ardent support of North Melbourne continued unabated, watching every match broadcast on TV, which was better than nothing but definitely not as fulfilling as attending matches in person.
Our GP was very proactive in arranging Covid vaccinations, which gave us a level of confidence when we did need to venture out.
During May of this year, the melanoma had spread. This meant a period in ICU, followed by extended stays in hospital for ongoing treatment. I was making daily trips to the hospital, always concerned I could be turned back home. Later, in July, it was decided that further treatment would be ineffective, so respite care closer to home was arranged. With the lockdown, I had to have special provisions made with the care provider, to be allowed into the facility.
Sadly, my wife died at the end of July, the day after my 80th birthday. She passed away peacefully and pain free.
We had planned a “proper” funeral with a full service according to her instructions, but the lockdown meant a family-only burial at the cemetery. When the lockdown is over, we plan to have a proper send-off.
I am thankful for the help given by our three children in making all the arrangements for the funeral, and for the kindness and love given by neighbours, relatives and friends.
Sia Psicharis, owner of salon and skin clinic beautyologist in St Kilda
The past 18 months have been exhausting. I’ve experienced a loss of momentum, determination, drive, hope, purpose and value. I am trying hard to stay focused, optimistic and be kind to myself with cardiovascular activity, sunshine, fresh air, vitamins, sleep and laughter.
Drowning out negative noise has been beneficial. It is a rollercoaster ride of emotions. I miss Dad’s hugs and lazy Sunday BBQs with my family. It’s been incredibly lonely.
My business has been forced to close for more than 280 days because of Covid. Businesses in my sector deal with debilitating skin disorders such as acne and psoriasis. These require constant support to manage flare ups, which leave clients feeling quite distressed, exacerbating the condition.
We have online skin consultations, which is limiting, but it is the only solution right now. I have tried to keep my team connected as much as possible. We are focusing on preparing for Christmas.
The same industries are on their knees again with very little support. Many of us in the industry do not qualify for support packages (and) are left to use our savings to survive.
We need transparency, encouragement and a clear national set goal. People need hope and purpose to survive – it’s been 18 months already.
I do question if, after 18 months, lockdowns are causing more distress than good.
Trisha Maginness, Bayside care worker and mother of three
I have been very fortunate this lockdown because as an essential worker my role hasn’t changed. I can still go to work five days a week and keep usual hours. I get to support people living with disabilities, which is a real privilege.
However, my children aren’t as lucky as I am. They’re feeling the burden of not working, of not studying, of not being at school. It’s hard to express how debilitating it can be to watch the people you love suffering quietly. They miss their friends and their social lives, and who can blame them?
Watching my family and the people I love struggling is hard. I also haven’t been able to see my parents, which is devastating. Most people will say they’re doing well; no one likes to show their weakness. Yet it’s becoming clear that a lot of people – especially young people – are definitely not okay.
The last two lockdowns have probably been the hardest for us. We’re tired and we just want some stability – people are losing patience, and lockdown fatigue has been kicking in for a while now.
Still, when we’re locked down, I find myself able to stick to a routine that usually seems impossible. I have time for my favourite things, like gardening and being with my family. My dog receives multiple walks a day. Obviously the toll of lockdown can be so heavy mentally, but I’ve actually found myself very emotionally grounded in this time. Daily events as seemingly small as dinner have become so special to me – it’s a time where my family comes together and talks.
Prior to Covid, I felt like I had to justify my worth through how busy my social life was. That feeling of pressure has lifted over lockdown, and I enjoy the freedom. Clearly isolation is so tough on everyone but I try to stay optimistic and look for the things I should be grateful for. In my case, I have my family, my job, and my passions.
Cassie Shaddock, 20, university student
They say your 20s are meant to be the best time of your life, right? I beg to differ. We’ve now spent almost two years of our youth in a pandemic that sees no end. I am a 20-year-old student, in the third and final year of my degree. I’ve recently moved from country Victoria to the city, seeking fulfilment during the final months of my teenage years. I should be spending this time celebrating my friends’ 21sts, going to events and the G to support the mighty Tigers.
I envisioned these months spent bar hopping and in pub crawls, playing sport, Sunday bottomless brunches or checking out local markets.
Before the pandemic, who would have guessed that we would spend the most significant years of our lives confined in the walls of our own bedrooms or lounge rooms?
Homes are now university lecture rooms, studies, workplaces, businesses and play host to endless Zoom meetings.
Our homes are meant to be relaxing and inviting, a place to kick your feet up after a long day of education, work or exercise.
Now, what seems to be the worst part about it? I, like so many others, live alone.
One of the worst things about the pandemic is the feeling of isolation and the deafening silence past 9pm, ensuring not to step out of home for a late-night run, or spontaneous McDonald’s trip.
In a practical sense, I try to keep a routine. I am an essential supermarket worker, online university has started again and I founded my own photography and content creation business last Februarsy.
Emotionally, there are many feelings at play that cause stress.
During these times everyone is supporting one another emotionally, but it’s important to put yourself first, maintain a routine, set goals and end each day feeling somewhat fulfilled.
No matter how hard it may be.
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Originally published as Regional lockdown confirmed as Victoria records 77 new cases
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