Still no return date for international flights

When asked on Thursday about easing further restrictions and returning travellers, Mr Merlino said the government wanted advice from public health investigations in ventilation and variant strains of coronavirus.“When we get to those final reports that will be the moment in which we will make some decisions about returning flights and returning to hotel quarantine,” he said.“It’s not far away.‘We’re getting some updates in terms of the work that’s required, the findings that have been made about ventilation.“We’re not going to have returning flights, we’re not going to open that hotel quarantine system until it is safe to do so.”Victoria has marked 20 consecutive days without local COVID transmission. Two active cases remain, with more than 21,000 people tested on Wednesday. IT GLITCHES HAMPER VACCINE ROLLOUTA website listing doctors administering the coronavirus vaccine has been hit with glitches as the federal government readies for the next phase of the rollout on Monday. Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt’s call for calm came as six million people soon to be eligible for the vaccine try to make bookings with GPs.Some general practices reported being inundated with calls, with many frustrated elderly people complaining of long wait times and limited ­appointments. Mr Hunt downplayed reports some GPs listed on the government website did not know they were part of the rollout.“The vaccines are actually being rolled out to the individual practices over the next 48 hours to commencement next week,” he said. “It is very important to understand that not everybody will be able to be vaccinated on day one.”Health Department secretary Brendan Murphy said Australia was not in a hurry to get shots into arms, urging people not to badger doctors.“While some GP clinics are coming online next week, they won’t be releasing appointments until they’re sure of their vaccine deliveries which are coming in the next day or two,” Prof Murphy said.More than 200,000 jabs have been delivered across the nation.John Skerritt, the head of Australia’s vaccine regulator, said the AstraZeneca shot was safe amid concerns overseas about possible adverse reactions. “We don’t have evidence that would justify pausing the rollout because we don’t have evidence that this is an effect of the vaccine,” Prof Skerritt said. Scott Morrison on Wednesday announced he had asked for a million AstraZeneca doses meant for use in Australia to be diverted to Papua New Guinea, as the island nation deals with a surge in cases.The Prime Minister said it was up to Australia to assist “our friends” because it was the “right” thing to do but also ­because the outbreak posed a serious threat to the country.