Victoria has recorded four new locally acquired cases of COVID-19, as the state prepares to introduce even tougher border measures with New South Wales.
Key points:
- The four local cases and one in hotel quarantine were found from more than 22,000 test results
- The number of active infections continues to drop, a week since lockdown lifted
- The Mayor of Albury has criticised a lack of communication from the government over the new border rules
The new cases were all in quarantine for their infectious period and linked to known infections, the department of health said.
The local infections and one case in hotel quarantine were detected from 22,217 test results processed on Monday.
The number of active cases in the state is continuing to drop, with 124 people now listed, including those in hotel quarantine.
The most recent outbreak, which began on July 12, is now linked to 220 local coronavirus cases.
There were 16,591 doses of a COVID-19 vaccine administered in state-run centres. A similar number is delivered by the Commonwealth each day.
ABC News: Danielle Bonica
)New border bubble rules from midnight
Victoria will tighten the "border bubble" rules with New South Wales from 11:59pm tonight, a week after the state's fifth lockdown ended.
Cross-border travel will only be allowed without a permit for six essential reasons. They are:
- Necessary goods and services including medical care and COVID tests
- Care and compassion reasons
- Paid or voluntary work
- Education including childcare
- COVID-19 vaccination
- Sport and exercise
New South Wales is already declared an "extreme risk" zone under the state's traffic light system, but border communities were previously exempt from the rules.
Health Minister Martin Foley said the decision was made based on advice from the Chief Health Officer "given the deteriorating situation in New South Wales".
ABC News: Jennifer Douglas
)The Mayor of Albury, just over the Murray River from its Victorian sister town of Wodonga, has criticised a lack of communication between the government and local councils.
"At no point have they consulted anyone in the border region and I think that's where we sit at the moment," Cr Kevin Mack said.
"There's no information, there's no data to support what they are doing, yet here we go again."
Much of regional NSW has been COVID-free for months, but the Victorian government is pushing for Sydney to have a "ring of steel" between the city and the rest of the state.
Businesses on the NSW side of the border have told the ABC the rules will decimate trade.
The Victorian government is today introducing new legislation to grant rent relief to businesses suffering at least a 30 per cent downturn due to the latest lockdowns.
The package also includes more mediation resources for any commercial landlords who cannot negotiate relief directly with their tenants.
Calls for rapid testing
The Victorian state opposition has called for the government to roll out rapid testing in a bid to prevent the need for lockdowns.
State Opposition leader Michael O'Brien said rapid testing was already in use in the court system and could be implemented for major sport events like the AFL Grand Final.
"Rapid testing is the key to getting Victoria open and keeping us open. It's part of our plan. [Premier] Daniel Andrews is guilty of not having a plan. He wants to keep us in restrictions for the foreseeable future," he said.
Mr Andrews dismissed the call, saying rapid testing was only suitable in certain scenarios.
"The key point here is that rapid testing is often at its best when it's done in what's called a serial way. As in, day after day after day, not a one-off," he said.
"I won't be taking advice from people on the front steps of parliament. I'll be taking advice from experts."
Loading form...
Victoria records four new local COVID cases, all in isolation for infectious period - ABC News
Read More
No comments:
Post a Comment