Premier Daniel Andrews will propose changes to the state of emergency legislation in Victoria’s Upper House today, as he prepares to reveal a ‘roadmap’ to easing restrictions on Sunday.
The Andrews government has had to compromise on its proposed 12-month extension to the bill, dropping it down to a potential six months, as stage four lockdowns in Melbourne are due to come to an end on September 13.
Greens leader Samantha Ratnam will return from maternity leave to help the government pass the state of emergency legislation.
She will reportedly vote in favour of the bill, giving the government the support it needs.
State of emergency powers allow the government to enforce restrictions recommended by the Chief Health Officer Brett Sutton to keep the spread of the coronavirus in check.
The Andrews government needs three cross-bench votes to get it through.
Mr Andrews has previously described extending the state of emergency powers as an “insurance policy”.
“We certainly hope that we don’t have to draw down on it,” he said.
This morning, the opposition’s David Davis said it would move to limit an extension of the state of emergency powers.
It comes as the premier has confirmed he will release details of the state’s roadmap to recovery on Sunday.
It’s believed the government is working on a traffic light system for industries to denote the varying level of restrictions, depending on risk.
There are likely to be four levels including closed, heavily restricted, restricted or open with a COVID-Safe plan.
Businesses will likely have to overhaul their safety procedures in order to get a green light including measures such as workplace bubbles, which would limit the number of staff who have contact with each other.
Meetings and break rooms could be moved to outdoor areas while carpooling could be banned.
During yesterday’s daily update, Mr Andrews said it was “too early” to provide a roadmap, but another week would give the government a clearer picture.
“Another week’s data is almost invaluable,” he said.
There are likely to be four levels including closed, heavily restricted, restricted or open with a COVID-Safe plan.
Businesses will likely have to overhaul their safety procedures in order to get a green light including measures such as workplace bubbles, which would limit the number of staff who have contact with each other.
Meetings and break rooms could be moved to outdoor areas while carpooling could be banned.
During yesterday’s daily update, Mr Andrews said it was “too early” to provide a roadmap, but another week would give the government a clearer picture.
“Another week’s data is almost invaluable,” he said.
“I know a week feels and indeed is a long time locked at home, but it is also a very lengthy period of time when it comes to understanding what this virus is doing.
“The numbers are too high for us to open at this time. It is also very, very challenging for us today to predict with any certainty where we are going to be in a week or two weeks.”
Yesterday, Victoria recorded 73 new cases, the lowest daily number in two months.
But infectious disease experts believe 20 is the number for when restrictions can start to be lifted.
Source: 9news
