Home  ›  Coronavirus Australia Melbourne Victoria new Covid face mask restrictions as Covid outbreak grows

Coronavirus Australia Melbourne Victoria new Covid face mask restrictions as Covid outbreak grows

Edit

Masks are once again compulsory indoors in Victoria, as officials try to stem an outbreak of the highly infectious Indian coronavirus variant transported into the state by two Sydney removalists. 

As virus-weary Melbourne braces for another lockdown, officials are reportedly discussing a three-day circuit breaker starting on Thursday. 

Talks are also under way to reimpose caps on crowd limits and restrict the number of visitors permitted in homes, although no decision has been made.  

Victoria, which suffered through a 112 day lockdown last year, has recorded 11 new locally-acquired cases linked to the Sydney removalists, who travelled to Melbourne from Sydney’s coronavirus-ravaged west.  

This includes three teachers at two separate schools, one of whom caught the virus from an infected friend while at an AFL game at the MCG on Saturday.

The stadium is among 31 new exposure sites flagged by Victorian health officials, as well as a Coles in Craigieburn where a shopper caught the virus from an infected family who had recently returned from New South Wales.    

A group of removalists, two infected with coronavirus, have sparked an outbreak in Victoria that leaves the state teetering on the edge of lockdown after visiting several venues and even travelling to South Australia

A group of removalists, two infected with coronavirus, have sparked an outbreak in Victoria that leaves the state teetering on the edge of lockdown after visiting several venues and even travelling to South Australia

A group of removalists, two infected with coronavirus, have sparked an outbreak in Victoria that leaves the state teetering on the edge of lockdown after visiting several venues and even travelling to South Australia

Eleven new infections were found in the Melbourne's north and west on Wednesday from two separate outbreaks, both of which stem from NSW (pictured, a Melbourne local)

Eleven new infections were found in the Melbourne's north and west on Wednesday from two separate outbreaks, both of which stem from NSW (pictured, a Melbourne local)

Eleven new infections were found in the Melbourne’s north and west on Wednesday from two separate outbreaks, both of which stem from NSW (pictured, a Melbourne local)

From 11.59pm on Wednesday, anyone aged over 12 in Victoria will be required to wear a mask in all indoor settings, including schools and workplaces, unless an exception applies. 

There is currently a 15-person cap on visitors allowed at the home after a recent outbreak, but that figure is expected to be greatly reduced from Thursday.

Hospitality venues could also be affected with numbers slashed and the no standing rule while eating or drinking to be reinstated at bars, restaurants, clubs and functions.

This will mean dancing and singing in licensed venues will also be banned, but no firm decisions had been announced as of Wednesday night.

Eleven new infections were found in the Melbourne’s north and west on Wednesday from two separate outbreaks, both of which stem from NSW. 

A teacher from Bacchus Marsh primary school is among the cases, having reportedly attended an AFL match between Carlton and Geelong at the MCG on Saturday as well as the Young & Jackson hotel with an infected friend who lives at the locked-down Ariele Apartments in Maribyrnong.

DFU Uni Hill shopping centre (pictured) in Bundoora was revealed as an exposure site late on Wednesday night, after an infected case shopped at Nike, Adidas, Asics, Puma, Cotton On and Connor

DFU Uni Hill shopping centre (pictured) in Bundoora was revealed as an exposure site late on Wednesday night, after an infected case shopped at Nike, Adidas, Asics, Puma, Cotton On and Connor

DFU Uni Hill shopping centre (pictured) in Bundoora was revealed as an exposure site late on Wednesday night, after an infected case shopped at Nike, Adidas, Asics, Puma, Cotton On and Connor

What are the new Covid restrictions to hit Victoria?  

CONFIRMED 

FACE MASKS 

â€" From 11.59pm on Wednesday, anyone aged over 12 in Victoria will be required to wear a mask in all indoor settings, including schools and workplaces, unless an exception applies

UNDER CONSIDERATION

VISITORS TO THE HOME SLASHED

â€" There is currently a cap of 15 people allowed to attend home gatherings, but it is expected that figure will be greatly reduced in an announcement on Thursday

HOSPITALITY NUMBERS CUT

â€" Hospitality venues could also be affected with numbers slashed and the no standing rule while eating or drinking to be reinstated at bars, restaurants, clubs and functions

â€" This will mean dancing and singing in licensed venues could also be banned 

PROTOCOLS FOR COMMERCIAL AND FREIGHT OPERATIONS TIGHTENED 

â€" It is not yet clear what restriction will be brought in for interstate freight workers, but stricter check-ins, face masks and other protocols could be part of the announcement

THREE-DAY LOCKDOWN

â€" Reports also suggest health officials are considering a snap three-day lockdown to begin on Thursday 

Advertisement

 The man, aged in his 60s, is one of four residents of the apartment complex to test positive on Wednesday.

He also infected his parents, aged 89 and 90, who live in Craigieburn, and visited multiple stores at Highpoint Shopping Centre on Friday.

Bacchus Marsh Grammar has confirmed the infected teacher attended a staff day on Monday but had no contact with students on Tuesday or Wednesday.

He is understood to have infected two household contacts, one of whom is also a teacher at the same school. 

Staff have been told to self-isolate and get tested, while the school’s Woodlea and Maddingley campuses will be closed for the rest of the week.

Barwon Heads Primary School near Geelong has also been closed until further notice after a case of coronavirus was reported.

Another new case is a man in his 30s who attended Coles Craigieburn at the same time as a member of a family who recently returned from Sydney infected with Covid-19.

Millions of residents in Melbourne are bracing a new wave of Covid restrictions after two infected Sydney removalists transmitted the virus during a trip to Victoria last week (pictured, a woman in Melbourne)

Millions of residents in Melbourne are bracing a new wave of Covid restrictions after two infected Sydney removalists transmitted the virus during a trip to Victoria last week (pictured, a woman in Melbourne)

Millions of residents in Melbourne are bracing a new wave of Covid restrictions after two infected Sydney removalists transmitted the virus during a trip to Victoria last week (pictured, a woman in Melbourne)

The Ariele Apartments in Maribyrnong, Melbourne (pictured) is at the centre of a Covid outbreak after the infected Sydney removalists spent several hours there - spreading the virus to at least four people in two households

The Ariele Apartments in Maribyrnong, Melbourne (pictured) is at the centre of a Covid outbreak after the infected Sydney removalists spent several hours there - spreading the virus to at least four people in two households

The Ariele Apartments in Maribyrnong, Melbourne (pictured) is at the centre of a Covid outbreak after the infected Sydney removalists spent several hours there â€" spreading the virus to at least four people in two households 

The family of four from Melbourne’s northwest were required to self-isolate at home as red zone permit arrivals, but one visited the Coles and a Metro petrol station in Broadmeadows.

All have now tested positive, with the fourth infection confirmed on Wednesday.

The Ariele Apartments outbreak is linked to a NSW removalist crew who did a pick up at the complex on Thursday while infectious, forcing some 200 residents into 14 days of lockdown.

The crew had the necessary travel permits to enter Victoria, but their movements are now under the microscope.

Covid-19 Commander Jeroen Weimar said the three removalists, two of whom have tested positive, weren’t wearing masks, in a breach of their worker’s permit conditions.

Young & Jackson Hotel in Melbourne's CBD (pictured) has been flagged as an exposure site after a coronavirus-infected man from the Ariele Apartments dined there with a friend before a match at the MCG. That friend, a teacher, now also has the virus

Young & Jackson Hotel in Melbourne's CBD (pictured) has been flagged as an exposure site after a coronavirus-infected man from the Ariele Apartments dined there with a friend before a match at the MCG. That friend, a teacher, now also has the virus

Young & Jackson Hotel in Melbourne’s CBD (pictured) has been flagged as an exposure site after a coronavirus-infected man from the Ariele Apartments dined there with a friend before a match at the MCG. That friend, a teacher, now also has the virus

Vic Health personnel wearing PPE enter Ariele Apartments in Maribyrnong (pictured) where infected Sydney removalists spread coronavirus to at least four residents

Vic Health personnel wearing PPE enter Ariele Apartments in Maribyrnong (pictured) where infected Sydney removalists spread coronavirus to at least four residents

Vic Health personnel wearing PPE enter Ariele Apartments in Maribyrnong (pictured) where infected Sydney removalists spread coronavirus to at least four residents

The trio also did a drop off at a Craigieburn home the same day, and are believed to have slept in their trucks on Thursday night before travelling to SA.

Mr Weimar said the next two days would be critical to stamp out the outbreaks.

‘We are right on the heels of this particular outbreak,’ he told reporters on Wednesday.

Two of the removalists have tested positive back in Sydney and the other remains in isolation. 

HOW MELBOURNE’S TWO NEW COVID CLUSTERS BEGAN

City of Hume, Craigieburn, cluster

  • A family of four returning from New South Wales have all tested positive â€" a 40-year-old couple and their two children
  • A 30-year-old man caught the virus from the family at Coles in Craigieburn Central

    • Maribyrnong cluster

  • Two Covid infected removalists spent four hours in the Ariele apartment complex
  • Three people living in one apartment have since tested positive.
  • Another 60-year-old man living in the building also caught Covid and has since passed the virus onto his parents, an 89-year-old and a 90-year-old
  • The 60-year-old also spent time at the Young & Jackson hotel with a teacher from Bacchus Marsh primary school before going to the AFL match between Carlton and Geelong at the MCG on Saturday.
  • The teacher has since infected two household contacts, one of whom is another teacher from the Bacchus Marsh school. 

    • Another teacher at Barwon Heads Primary School has also tested positive, bringing the locally-acquired infections in Victoria to 11. 

    Advertisement

    Poll

    Should these three removalists be punished for breaking Covid rules?

  • Yes 844 votes
  • No 135 votes
  • Not sure 36 votes

    • Now share your opinion

    Covid requirements such as mask wearing and social distancing were reportedly not followed, and four people in the apartment building they went to have since tested positive.

    The removalist crew set off from Covid-ravaged Western Sydney on July 8 stopping at a Hungry Jacks and a Caltex service station in Kalkallo before dropping off a load of furniture to a home in Craigieburn on Melbourne’s northern outskirts.

    They then travelled to Maribyrnong in Melbourne’s west to the third floor of the Ariele Apartments and picked up a set of furniture bound for Adelaide. 

    All 200 resident living at the Ariele Apartments have now been ordered into isolation for 14 days.  

    A Covid case went to the MCG (pictured) to watch the Carlton Blues versus Geelong Cats clash where he passed on the virus to a school teacher who has since transmitted the Indian Delta strain to two others

    A Covid case went to the MCG (pictured) to watch the Carlton Blues versus Geelong Cats clash where he passed on the virus to a school teacher who has since transmitted the Indian Delta strain to two others

    A Covid case went to the MCG (pictured) to watch the Carlton Blues versus Geelong Cats clash where he passed on the virus to a school teacher who has since transmitted the Indian Delta strain to two others

    The infected removalists stopped at the Mobil service station in Ballan (pictured) during their interstate trip

    The infected removalists stopped at the Mobil service station in Ballan (pictured) during their interstate trip

    The infected removalists stopped at the Mobil service station in Ballan (pictured) during their interstate trip

    Later that evening on July 8, the removalists left Melbourne and travelled to Ballan, near Ballarat where they visited a Mobil service station and a McDonald’s for food and a shower.

    The following morning, on July 9, they headed to McLaren Vale in Adelaide, where one of the crew was informed by NSW Health they were a primary close contact of another positive case back in Sydney.

    All three crew members then headed back to Sydney on July 10, but stopped off at a Shell service station in South Australia’s Tailem Bend, and a Hungry Jack’s in Marulan, NSW.

    It was later that day one of the crew returned a positive test. Then on July 11, a second crew member was also confirmed to be infected. 

    The Hungry Jack's in Marulan in NSW (pictured) has been flagged as an exposure site after being visited by the men on their way back to Sydney

    The Hungry Jack's in Marulan in NSW (pictured) has been flagged as an exposure site after being visited by the men on their way back to Sydney

    The Hungry Jack’s in Marulan in NSW (pictured) has been flagged as an exposure site after being visited by the men on their way back to Sydney

    Barwon Heads Primary School near Geelong (pictured) has also been closed until further notice after a case of coronavirus was reported. It is not yet known which cluster this case is linked to

    Barwon Heads Primary School near Geelong (pictured) has also been closed until further notice after a case of coronavirus was reported. It is not yet known which cluster this case is linked to

    Barwon Heads Primary School near Geelong (pictured) has also been closed until further notice after a case of coronavirus was reported. It is not yet known which cluster this case is linked to

    Mr Weimar said the information the trio gave to contact tracers was ‘not as crisp and clear and consistent’ as it should be, with two not believed to speak English.

    ‘I don’t have a complete accurate track in terms of exactly where they stayed,’ Mr Weimar said.

    ‘My understanding at this point in time is that they stayed in their cab as part of their protocols.

    ‘Any other locations they may have stopped at we’re still trying to track down definitively.’ 

     Mr Weimar said the next two days would be critical to stamp out the outbreaks.

    Residents currently under quarantine at the Ariel Apartment complex are seen on their balcony on Wednesday after being put into a strict lockdown and banned from leaving their homes

    Residents currently under quarantine at the Ariel Apartment complex are seen on their balcony on Wednesday after being put into a strict lockdown and banned from leaving their homes

    Residents currently under quarantine at the Ariel Apartment complex are seen on their balcony on Wednesday after being put into a strict lockdown and banned from leaving their homes

    Meanwhile, Prime Minister Scott Morrison on Tuesday announced a new, joint state- and federally-funded support package for NSW due to the Sydney outbreak that has infected more than 800 people and claimed two lives.

    The package will also be offered to other jurisdictions if they have to impose extended lockdowns.

    Premier Daniel Andrews’ office issued a statement on Tuesday night accusing the federal government of NSW favouritism, while federal Treasurer Josh Frydenberg said people were ‘sick’ of Mr Andrews’ ‘whingeing and his politicking of the crisis’.

    MELBOURNE’S EXPOSURE SITES

     Tier 1 â€" Anyone who has visited the following locations during the listed times must get tested immediately and quarantine for 14 days from the exposure:  

    Bundoora: Nike, DFO Uni Hill â€"  Friday 9 July , 4.15pm â€" 5pm 

    Bundoora: New Balance, DFO Uni Hill -Friday 9 July, 4.30pm â€" 4.45pm

    Bundoora:  Puma Australia DFO Uni Hill â€" Friday 9 July, 4.05pm â€" 4.50pm

    Bundoora: Fila, DFO Uni Hill â€" Friday 9 July, 4.05pm â€" 4.50pm

    Bundoora: ASICS, DFO Uni Hill â€" Friday 9 July, 4.40pm â€" 4.55pm

    Bundoora: Under Armour, DFO Uni Hill â€" Friday 9 July, 4.25pm â€" 5.10pm

    Bundoora: yd, DFO Uni Hill  â€" Friday 9 July, 4.25pm â€" 5.30pm

    Bundoora:  Cotton On, DFO Uni Hill, Friday 9 July, 4.45pm â€" 5.30pm

    Bundoora: Adidas, DFO Uni Hill, Friday 9 July, 4.50pm â€" 5.35pm 

    Bundoora: Rivers, DFO Uni Hill, Friday 9 July, 4.55pm â€" 5.40pm

    Bundoora: Connor Clothing, DFO Uni Hill  â€" Friday 9 July, 5pm â€" 6pm

    Craigieburn: McDonalds Craigieburn â€" Sunday 11 July, 11.50pm â€" 12.30am 

    Craigieburn: McDonalds Craigieburn â€" Tuesday 13 July, 1.35pm â€" 2.20pm 

    Campbellfield: Bizzler Take-Away Food â€" Sunday 11 July, 2.30pm â€" 3.30pm 

    Epping:  Southern Cross Medical Imaging â€" Monday 12 July, 9.45am â€" 10.35am

    Maribyrnong: Bras N Things, Highpoint Shopping Centre â€" Friday 9 July, 11.15am â€" 11.30am

    Maribyrnong: Ariele Apartments â€" Tuesday 13 July, 12am â€" 11.59pm

    Maribyrnong: Ferguson Plarre Bakehouses â€" Friday 9 July, 10am â€" 10.40am

    Maribyrnong: Aquatic Centre â€" Saturday 10 July, 10am â€" 11.30am

    Maribyrnong: SkinKandy, Highpoint Shopping Centre â€" Friday 9 July, 11.15am â€" 12.35pm

    Maribyrnong: The Reject Shop, Highpoint Shopping Centre â€" Friday 9 July, 11.30am â€" 12.10pm 

    Melbourne: Young & Jackson â€" Saturday July 10, 2.40pm â€" 4.10pm 

    Oakleigh: Vanilla Lounge â€" Friday 9 July, 2.45pm â€" 4.30pm 

    Public Transport: Yarra Trams- Route 82 (Edgewater Square/Gordon St Maribyrnong, to Leeds St/Footscray Station, Footscray) â€" Saturday July 10, 2.09pm â€" 2.25pm  

    Public Transport: Yarra Trams- Route 70 (Flinders St/Swanston St to MCG) â€" Saturday July 10, 3.46pm â€" 3.53pm  

    Tier 2  â€" Anyone who has visited the following locations during the listed times should urgently get tested, then isolate until confirmation of a negative result. Continue to monitor for symptoms, get tested again if symptoms appear:  

    Broadmeadows: Arrow Petroleum Service Station â€" Sunday 11 July, 10pm â€" 12.30pm 

    Bundoora: DFO Uni Hill â€" Friday 9 July, 4.30pm â€" 6.30pm

    Epping: Epping North Dental Clinic â€" Monday 12 July, 9.45am â€" 10.35am

    Epping: ACL Collection Centre â€" Monday 12 July, 9.45am -10.35am 

    Epping: O’Herns Road/Dalton Road Medical Centre â€" Monday 12 July, 9.45am â€" 10.35am

    Highton: APCO Service Station â€" Sunday 11 July, 2.10pm â€" 2.45pm 

    Maribyrnong: ALDI â€" Sunday 11 July, 4.10pm â€" 5pm 

    Maribyrnong: Foodcourt, Highpoint Shopping Centre â€" Friday 9 July, 11.40am â€" 12.20pm

    Maribyrnong:  North Carpark Level 1, Highpoint Shopping Centre â€" Friday 9 July 11.10am â€" 11.40am and 12.00pm â€" 12.30pm

    Maribyrnong: ALDI â€" Friday July 9, 5.30pm â€" 6.10pm 

    Public Transport: Metro Train: Footscray Station to Flinders Street Station â€" Saturday July 10, 2.27pm â€" 2.46pm 

    Public Transport: Tram Stop 5 â€" Flinders Street â€" Saturday July 10, 3.43pm â€" 3.46pm 

    Public Transport: Jolimont Railway Station â€" Saturday July 10, 7.05pm â€" 7.17pm

    Public Transport: Metro Train (Jolimont Station to Flinders St Station) â€" Saturday July 10, 7.13pm â€" 7.20pm 

    Richmond:  Level 2 of MCG Members’ Reserve, Carlton v Geelong game â€" Saturday July 10, 4pm â€" 8pm 

    Waurn Ponds: Officeworks â€" Sunday 11 July, 1.30pm â€" 2.30pm 

    Tier 3 â€" Anyone who has visited this location during these times should monitor for symptoms â€" If symptoms develop, immediately get tested and isolate until you receive a negative result: 

    Footscray: Footscray Station â€" Saturday July 10, 2.25pm â€" 2.30pm

    Public Transport: Flinders Street Railway Station â€" Saturday July 10, 2.45pm â€" 3pm 

    Public Transport: Flinders Street Railway Station â€" Saturday July 10, 7.15pm â€" 7.40pm 

    Richmond: MCG, Carlton v Geelong game (excluding Level 2 of MCG Members’ Reserve) â€" Saturday 10 July, 4pm â€" 8pm

    Advertisement

    Source: Daily Mail

    Related Posts

    0 Response to "Coronavirus Australia Melbourne Victoria new Covid face mask restrictions as Covid outbreak grows"

    Post a Comment

    Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)