FACEBOOK HEALTH PAGES UNAFFECTED No Victorian health pages have been affected by Facebook’s latest move to block Australian news over a proposed media bargaining law, Health Minister Martin Foley said.“This is an issue of concern, we need to make sure reliable, authoritative health information is readily available on all platforms.“Anything that removes credible and reliable information sources in the midst of a global pandemic is beyond regrettable and needs to be fixed. “This matter needs to be taken up by the federal government and fixed as soon as possible.”Mr Weimar said the social media giant was an important channel for communicating to Victorians.“I would implore all social media organisations: Getting critical health information is going to be particularly important not only at a time where we’re trying to get people tested and do the right thing, but also heading into vaccination,” he said.VACCINE A ‘TURNING POINT’Health Minister Martin Foley said authorities were expecting the COVID-19 vaccine to arrive over the next couple of days and said it would be a really significant turning point in the pandemic. “Our plan is that we will be ready to go from Monday,” Mr Foley said.“Victoria’s looking to get about 11,000 a week”The first to be vaccinated will be hotel quarantine workers and airport workers dealing with the international borders. Regions will be targeted early in the distribution of the vaccine.PAINFUL COST OF LOCKDOWN Victoria’s snap lockdown is estimated by economists and industry experts to have cost the state up to $1bn over the five days. Businesses rejoiced as the lockdown was lifted, but the Australian Industry Group estimated the shutdown cost the state as much as $2.3bn in lost or postponed household spending. Compensation for the state’s lockdown will start flowing as early as next week, according to Premier Daniel Andrews.Amid businesses warning they will have to close their doors permanently, the Premier said work was underway to support operators hit hard by the five-day shutdown.“We are still finalising that package of support for small business and others who have been impacted in recent days, we will make announcements soon, “ he said on Thursday.“I accept there is a responsibility of the government to get this package of support right and that’s exactly what we will do and then we will make sure we get that money out to people as soon as we can, … certainly next week.”Ai Group Victoria director Tim Piper said business could only “cautiously” welcome the end of the state’s third lockdown given the ongoing possibility of future snap closures. “It is clear that testing and tracing were the keys to resolving this potential outbreak and not the lockdown, which was disproportionate to the risk,” Mr Piper said.
“We need to learn from this lockdown and adjust the responses accordingly.”AMP Capital chief economist Shane Oliver estimated the closure would slash about $715m from the economy — with the hospitality and retail sectors hardest hit — while the Victorian Chamber of Commerce put the cost at between $500m and $1bn. Mr Oliver said the shorter nature of the lockdown meant economic activity was likely to have been postponed rather than cancelled. “It should bounce back quickly,” he said.The Restaurant and Catering Association said the state’s hospitality sector would have lost $100m while the Victorian Tourism Industry Council said operators had been hit with “hundreds of millions of dollars” in lost bookings and extra expenses. Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry chief executive Paul Guerra said the return of workers to CBD offices — sorely needed by traders there — would not happen while masks had to be worn. Preparations were under way on Wednesday night at bar and restaurant The Commons at Ormond to welcome back diners on Thursday.
Owner Bruce Keebaugh said he hoped the Australian Open finals and warm weather forecast until Saturday night would bring Victorians back. “What we’ve got to do now is look forward to this weekend and get people to support hospitality again,” he said.Mr Keebaugh said it was a relief to be able to welcome dine-in patrons once again after having to throw away more than $1m in stock and supplies purchased ahead of Chinese New Year and Valentine’s Day. There are now 25 active cases across the state and 3400 people in isolation. Nearly 40,000 Victorians were tested for COVID-19 on Tuesday and a total of 130,000 tests were received over the lockdown.More than 40 locations have been listed as exposure sites, with 1312 people isolating because they are primary close contacts.Mr Andrews said the “circuit breaker” had worked but warned there were still nine days to go until the last positive case finished their 14 days of quarantine.
Victoria’s restrictions
“We have to be vigilant and we can’t pretend its over,” he said. “I want to thank all Victorians for understanding this is often about making difficult choices — it’s not easy, nobody takes it lightly.” Mr Andrews said it was too early for Treasury to report the impact of the lockdown but flagged the government was working on further support packages for businesses. Masks will remain mandatory indoors and outdoors, when people cannot socially distance, as “an ongoing insurance policy”.
Schools will reopen, half of public and private sectors will be able to return to their place of work, and retail and hospitality businesses will throw open their doors with their same density limits as before the outbreak. Household visits will be limited to five people, and 20 people will be allowed at public gatherings.Federal Treasurer Josh Frydenberg said the lockdown had cost businesses “a lot of money” over what should have been a bumper weekend. “In the days leading up to the weekend, where trade was cancelled and you go into a statewide lockdown, it has a massive economic impact, not to mention the emotional impact on people,” he said.Meanwhile, the state’s Opposition says immediate compensation should be delivered to businesses impacted by the 5-day lockdown in Victoria.Speaking at parliament on Thursday Michael O’Brien said businesses were suffering and compensation “needs to happen now”.“There are bills that are not being paid today,” he said.“Small business has been absolutely smashed by these lockdowns… we’ve had thousands and tens of thousands of dollars being thrown away. “When is the government going to stand up and actually give those small businesses the compensation they deserve.”He called for assistance for the hospitality industry in particular, with millions in perishables.It comes after Daniel Andrews has previously flagged there would be assistance, but has not yet made any announcements.Treasurer Tim Pallas on Thursday said a package was being consider, but that the state first had to see what the impacts were.
BORDER RULES
HOT ENOUGH TO FLIP OUTMelbourne’s five-day lockdown did not stop some from lapping up the sun at Parkdale beach on Wednesday afternoon.Beachgoers at Half Moon Bay near Black Rock, north of Parkdale, were also taking a dip as the temperature climbed into the 30s across most of Melbourne.Housemates Helene Rapassanis, 18, Luis Soto, 20, and Sam Plaisted, 20, made a “last-minute” decision to head to the beach.Mr Soto said Parkdale beach was “real close” to their house, with the trio spending more than three hours in and by the water.
“We weren’t too sure of the rules about the beach,” Mr Soto said. “But it was packed.”He said he did not pay attention to whether people were wearing masks, “I just saw people enjoying themselves.” Under the circuit-breaker restrictions, which ended at 11.59pm on Wednesday, Victorians were permitted to go to the beach to exercise — for up to two hours — if a beach was within their 5km radius.Masks were and remain mandatory both indoors and outdoors, unless an exemption applies, such as exercising. Melburnians can expect the hot weather to stick around, with maximums of 31C, 33C and 32C forecast for the next three days.AUS OPEN NUMBERS CUT Australian Open crowd numbers have been slashed, with the Andrews government to allow just 7477 spectators at each remaining session of the Melbourne grand slam.The state government previously ruled up to 25,000 fans would be able to attend the business end of the Open, including the final four days.But only 14,954 spectators in total will be allowed to attend day and night sessions on Thursday.And crowds will be capped at 7477 for twilight sessions on Friday as well as Saturday and Sunday’s women’s and men’s finals.
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The Splash
WARNING NOTICE FOR HOTEL QUARANTINE Victoria’s hotel quarantine agency is racing to build a secure workspace at Melbourne Airport after the state’s safety watchdog raised infection control concerns.COVID-19 Quarantine Victoria will construct new offices within six weeks in the bid to stop staff who interact with incoming overseas travellers entering “green zone” areas around the airport.It is feared they could contract and potentially pass on the virus.The move comes after WorkSafe Victoria issued CQV and the health department improvement notices over infection protocol.
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INSIDE COBURG ‘RICE FEEDING’ DINNERA Coburg restaurant owner who hosted a ‘rice feeding’ dinner party linked to the latest COVID outbreak said it was only the second-ever function he’s held at the venue.An unknowingly-infected Holiday Inn worker attended the event at 426 Sydney Rd, where six others, including a three-year-old, have also tested positive.The restaurant owner, who asked not to be identified, said he has only leased the site since December and hosted two private functions there.
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