The Acting Premier of Victoria James Merlino announced that on the advice of the public health team, Victoria will move to circuit breaker restrictions from 11:59 pm tonight.
These settings will remain in place until 11:59 pm on 3 June.
Mr Merlino also said that “if we can end that sooner, we will.”
Acting premier says as seen in Victoria, and across Australia, this kind of short, sharp action is effective in stopping this thing in its tracks.
Victorian public health experts are concerned about just how fast the B1.617.1 variant is moving.
“Overseas, they haven’t been able to track how quickly this version of the virus can move. Here in Victoria, though, we’re seeing not only how quick it is – but how contagious it is too.”
Victorian contract tracers are identifying and locking down the first ring, second ring and third ring contacts within 24 hours. That’s faster than ever. And yet this variant is still moving faster.
The time between catching the virus and passing it on is tighter than ever. The ‘serial interval’ – how long it takes between the onset of symptoms in the first and secondary case – is in many cases just over a day.
And in just 24 hours, the number of cases has doubled.
It means that although these cases are all connected, this variant of the virus is making people more infectious, more quickly.
Mr Merlino said, “We’ve seen other countries come up against these variants and lose. Badly. Places like Taiwan that have gone from no or very low cases to skyrocketing numbers in the space of just days and weeks – and now are struggling to get it under control.”
“We also know our nation’s vaccine roll-out has been slower than we’d hoped. And if more people were vaccinated, we might be facing a different set of circumstances. Sadly, we’re not.”
“If we make the wrong choice now, if we wait too long, if we hesitate too much, this thing will get away from us. And lives will be at risk,” warned Mr Merlino.
There will be five reasons to leave home from 11:59pm tonight;
- Food and supplies. Authorised work. Care and caregiving. Exercise, for up to two hours and with one other person. And getting vaccinated.
- Exercise and shopping will be limited to five kilometres from home. If there are no shops within your 5km radius, you can travel to the ones closest to you. Shopping is also limited to one person per day, per household.
- Face masks will also need to be worn inside and outdoors – everywhere except your own home.
- Private and public gatherings will not be permitted, although visiting your intimate partner continues to be okay. Single person bubbles will also be allowed.
- Childcare and kinder will remain open, but schools will need to close other than for the children of authorised workers and vulnerable kids.
Few other important changes to understand;
A- Shops like supermarkets, food stores, bottle shops, banks, petrol stations and pharmacies will also remain open.
B- Cafes and restaurants will be able to offer takeaway only.
C- Gyms, hairdressers, community facilities and entertainment venues will all close.
D- Non-essential retail may only open for click and collect.
E- Hotels and accommodation can only stay open to support guests already staying onsite. No new bookings can be made – unless it’s for one a permitted purpose, like authorised work.
Advice on who can open, and who can’t, will be made available online ahead of directions coming into place – as will the full list of authorised workers and workplaces.
Acting Premier said, “It’s clear more than ever that this virus isn’t going away. And vaccines are the only way we’ll ever get back to normal.”
“Without full vaccination, this virus will just keep mutating – and just keep making its way back in.”
From tomorrow and dependent upon supply from the Federal Government, all Victorians over the age of 40 will be eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine.
Mr Merlino had a clear message for Victorians, “if you’re eligible, get vaccinated. Make your plan today.”
“If someone you love is eligible, make a plan together.”
“Do it for yourself. Your family. Your friends. Your community. Whatever your motivation – please do it.”
Because vaccination is our only real ticket out of this pandemic.
