Source: 9News
Acting Victorian Premier James Merlino has announced some “common sense, sensible changes” in response to the Omicron strain of COVID-19, as the state recorded 2005 new cases today.
Mr Merlino said from 11.59pm tonight, face masks would be required in all indoor settings, except private homes, for persons aged eight and over.Face masks will also be required at all major events over 30,000 people.
“This is a sensible response which will allow businesses to stay open, bars and restaurants to continue to stay open, and major events to go ahead,” he said.
Mr Merlino said the government was further recommending Victorians take advantage of the festive season and work from home.
Health Minister Martin Foley said hospitality venues were advised to stick to seated service and to only operate dance floors in well-ventilated outdoor areas.
Mr Merlino said the government would stay true to its promise that Victorians would not be heading into lockdown.
“This is the commitment that we gave to the people of Victoria,” he said.”The promise was if you go and get vaccinated, you can enjoy Christmas and New Year with your families and loved ones and that’s exactly what will happen.”
He said the Victorian government was investing in a “major boost to support the third-dose rollout, including more than $31 million to support the Commonwealth’s program”.
Mr Merlino said the government was awaiting ATAGI’s advice on the booster interval, but said his position on the interval was “really clear”.”
The interval needs to be shortened and the interval needs to be shortened immediately. That’s the view of Victoria.”The Acting Premier also urged all eligible Victorians to get their third dose of a COVID-19 vaccine.
“My final message is if you are eligible for your third dose, make a booking and get it done.”
Mr Foley said a further 28 vaccination sites would open over the coming weeks and the existing 50 sites would expand to operate 12 hours a day, seven days a week.
Some sites are opening at shopping centres, including Watergardens and Emporium, to encourage people to get their booster shot while Christmas shopping.
Omicron’s high case numbers a ‘significant’ challenge
Mr Foley said the new measures were to put Victoria in the best possible position “to get ahead of what is going to be a significant set of challenges” with rising COVID-19 case numbers.
Chief Health Officer Brett Sutton said there was still a lot of uncertainty around Omicron.
“There is some suggestion it is good news that it might be less virulent, maybe a fifth as virulent as the Delta variant, but the numbers are big with Omicron,” he said.”
New South Wales has 15 times the number they had just a couple of weeks ago, so one-fifth as severe but 15 times as many cases is going to be a challenge to a health system.
“So we need to do everything we can, boosters being at the backbone of that.”
State records new cases, deaths
The state recorded 2005 new COVID-19 cases and 10 further deaths overnight.
There were 10 new cases of the COVID-19 Omicron variant identified in Victoria yesterday, taking the total number of confirmed Omicron variant cases in Victoria to 71.
There are 398 people in hospital, with 72 in ICU and 39 on ventilators.
Testing clinics in Melbourne have been overwhelmed this week ahead of Christmas Day.
