Source: 9news
Victoria’s lockdown has been extended until 70 per cent of residents have their first dose of COVID-19 vaccine.
Premier Daniel Andrews has allowed playgrounds to re-open from 11.59pm tomorrow but said the risk was to high to reduce other restrictions until the vaccination milestone had been reached, which is expected to be on September 23.Once the vaccination target has been hit, the five kilometre travel radius will be expanded to 10 kilometres, more exercise will be allowed and in home childcare arrangements – such a babysitters and nannies – will be allowed.
Construction sites can also go to 50 per cent capacity.
“That’s as far as we can go in terms of changes effective from midnight tomorrow night. Everything else has to stay in place until on or about the 23rd of September when we get first dose 70 per cent across our state,” Mr Andrews said.
Mr Andrews has also advised that children will not return to classrooms in Term 3.
Earlier today, Victoria recorded 120 new local cases of COVID-19, as residents wait for an announcement on the possible easing of lockdown restrictions.
Of today’s cases 64 have been linked to known cases and outbreaks, while the state’s total number of active cases has reached 900.
The announcements come after a meeting of senior ministers last night about the new plan and specific targets to trigger the staged relaxation of restrictions.
Mr Andrews foreshadowed the slight easing of restrictions, but warned it will not be a major lifting of the stay-at-home orders as coronavirus cases across the state continue to grow.
More details are also expected to be revealed today about the two women who died from COVID-19 inside their homes.
In the last 24 hours 56,501 Victorians came forward for testing. A total of 2,449,255 vaccine doses have now been administered in the state.
Melbourne Lord Mayor Sally Capp said she was hopeful small businesses, in particular, would get “clarity” from today’s announcement.
“We do understand we have ongoing responsibilities to reduce the spread of the virus, but we are looking for clarity on when we can start easing restrictions and what that means, particularly for small business owners,” Ms Capp told Today.
“Everybody wants to be able to have a bit more freedom outside, including being able to access outdoor exercise equipment and children’s playgrounds.”
But for our small business owners, if it is not that we are opening tomorrow, that is understandable. But can there be some clarity on what the steps look like to reopening?”
The toll on business owners and their teams, of not having some sort of clarity on the way forward is very deep.”
Overnight, Victoria recorded its first deaths from coronavirus since November this year.
The 49-year-old woman from Northcote and a woman in her 60s from Hume were both declared dead in their respective homes on Tuesday after developing COVID-19.
It remains unclear why they were not hospitalised and whether they had any other health conditions.
Their vaccination status also remains unknown.
The state recorded 76 new local cases of COVID-19 yesterday, taking Victoria’s total number of active cases to 836.
Last year, 820 people with COVID-19 died in Victoria.Meanwhile, a new vaccination hub will open this morning at the Melbourne Town Hall.
It will initially be prioritising vulnerable groups including the homeless and refugees, before opening to the wider community in the near future.
