Are we set to have a third lockdown for 2021. Under new testing changes, those who test positive on a RAT will be considered "probable" cases and must isolate immediately for seven days and notify their contacts. Local lockdown orders are reinstated in the northern beaches. Read more: No wonder local councils and businesses are stepping in. On 28 September, the Latrobe Valley went into lockdown for 7 days. Until today I had not thought that that was a serious option, now Im reconsidering. The government has also announced a raft of "strong recommendations": that people take a RAT before visiting aged care facilities and hospitals, and work from home until late January. The Herald Sun reports the state government is holding high-level meetings this afternoon to weigh up whether to reimpose restrictions across Melbourne, with an announcement expected as early as Thursday. My husband is working overtime, heaps of chefs and [front-of-house staff are] unwell or close contacts, and there is no support. The Premier on Thursday said he was listening to struggling sectors and didnt rule out providing future support. Sydney Aquarium staff bring their dogsto the closed aquarium to see the fish. "But generally, for that ordinary day-to-day travel, be that to a workplace or to a friend's house or family, that travel is no longer happening. Victoria goes into lockdown for the third time. Australia recorded more cases in the first two weeks of 2022 than in the previous two years combined. "Going to be so mad if we get sent into our fifth lockdown because of a Sydney removalist who wasn't wearing a mask," Choice journalist Jarni Blakkarly tweeted. Whether the period spent in lockdown and the desire to do anything it took to avoid more of the same was a motivating factor, or whether there were other reasons for this, does not really matter. Retail shops like Bunnings are closed for the first time. I have adjusted to living a more sheltered life and enjoy being in my house, running the same route, cycling the same loop, doing the Wordle, going to bed on time, she says. We uncover the best of the city and put it all in an email for you. Kakadu National Park rangers in war against feral animals as populations boom, Shoe polish stands begin to vanish, lose their shine, A Nazi-hunting nun, an accused murderer, a theatre legend: This Australian actor plays them all, Macron says no 'double standards' between Ukraine and Africa as Congo leader urges France to back sanctions against Rwanda, They can be cheeky, nippy, and playful but these camels are also helping put a business on the map, Neurodivergent children are three times more likely to drown than their peers this class is working to change that, Mooney's Aussies humbled in Gujarat loss in WPL opener, A sea of colour as WorldPride takes over Sydney Harbour Bridge. Professor Cowie said in light of that, it was time to recognise that positive rapid antigen tests had "the same authority as a PCR test". Earlier, one locally acquired case was announced before a press conference at 11.30am where a further seven cases were announced. Nonetheless, Friday's Google mobility data, which compares activity to a pre-pandemic baseline of several weeks over January and February in 2020, showed retail and recreation activity in the City of Melbourne falling62 per cent below the baseline. Sydneysiders who live alone are permitted to establish a 'single's bubble' with a friend. Despite enduring one of the longest aggregate periods of strict lockdown in the world, the Victorian community by and large hung in there. NSW has meanwhile suffered its worst day of the pandemic with 5,715 new Covid-19 cases. And our society will be all the worse for it. COVID in Victoria: 262 days in lockdown, 3 stunning successes and 4 avoidable failures Published: December 16, 2021 2.11pm EST Hassan Vally Associate Professor, Deakin University Catherine. "In the past, you could say it's OK, it's the government, it's the policy, but that's not what we have right now. It is up to individuals to determine and manage their own risk. It just feels like theres no plan and younger people are bearing the brunt of it.. NSW has recorded 97 new Covid-19 cases in the 24 hours to 8pm last night. Time Out rebrands as Time In worldwide to bring our readers ways to connect with their cities and support urban culture without leaving home. Its important to appreciate the experiences across the states and territories in the pandemic have been as different as Swan Lager is to Victoria Bitter. Victoria will not be sent back into lockdown despite a surge in cases linked to the hyper-contagious OmicronCovid strain, the state's deputy premier has vowed. But maybe Im wrong. The bigger question of course will be whether we ever need to rely on hotel quarantine again or whether we have learned the more important lesson about how unsuitable hotels are for containing infectious diseases. No wonder local councils and businesses are stepping in, initial challenges with the vaccine rollout, Associate Lecturer, Creative Writing and Literature, Lecturer / Senior Lecturer, Emerging Technologies, Committee Member - MNF Research Advisory Committee. NSW records extraordinary 5,715 new cases two days before Queensland Covid cases double AGAIN to 369 as Annastacia Isabel Oakeshott receives 'menacing' message from Matt Hancock, Insane moment river of rocks falls onto Malibu Canyon in CA, Pavement where disabled woman gestured at cyclist before fatal crash, Incredible footage of Ukrainian soldiers fighting Russians in Bakhmut, Pro-Ukrainian drone lands on Russian spy planes exposing location, 'Buster is next!' A leading Australian infectious disease expert has ripped into one of the most draconian measures enforced during the pandemic. The first Covid-19 vaccine doses are administered in Australia. I cannot stress this enough that everyone needs to take it seriously as hard lockdown," she said. "And that really untangles that narrative that we had, you know, all the way through 2020 and 2021,where there was this fear, there was the suspicion,that there were other people somewhere else that weren't doing the right thing," he said. Almost everyone has a pre-existing condition, Cooper says. one of the longest aggregate periods of strict lockdown, outbreaks that devastated the aged-care sector, Multilingual Australia is missing out on vital COVID-19 information. "I dont think it is fair to compare because every state has different circumstances at a different way of dealing with the virus. We acknowledge Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the First Australians and Traditional Custodians of the lands where we live, learn, and work. The rules have been introduced to curtail the tens of thousands of cases reported each day, as the virus spreads like wildfire in the community. But of course we are not living in normal times, everything, including the flu, is now politicised. How did it come to this? Melbourne spent more time in lockdown than any other city on Earth. The messy family drama behind one of the world's biggest K-pop empires, as the wave of infections sends staff into isolation at the same time COVID-19 patients are growing, Victorian hospitalisations surge to 631 as state records nearly 22,000 new infections, Timely reminder: How to respond if you test positive to COVID-19. Im double vaxxed and feeling like, what was the point? The Department of Health in Victoria has revealed "two unexpected detections of COVID-19 viral fragments" in wastewater around Geelong. Switching to rapid antigen would slash these numbers and stop testing sites being overwhelmed by the 'worried well' and delay testing for those who are feeling sick. Tattoo and massage parlours can reopen with up to ten clients. Welcome to the Coronation! Deputy Premier James Merlino urged hospitality venues to switch to a seated-only service to reduce transmission. . Victorians are furious at the way Covid was spread from Sydney to Melbourne and are anxious about the prospect of a fresh lockdown as new cases emerge tonight. 'Wear a mask in an indoor setting. NSW recorded 97 new locally acquired cases of COVID-19 in the 24 hours to 8pm last night. The Department of Transport's figures show public transport usage steadily rose through December to hit 83 per cent of February 2020 levels before crashing to 32 per cent. Despite the Government trumpeting no more lockdowns once vaccine targets were met, isolation requirements, coupled with density limits and further restrictions have left Victoria in a shadow lockdown, he said. Dj vu! We should absolutely acknowledge that [lockdown] was bad and a lot of people suffered, but a lot of people are also alive now because of it, she says. As we reach the end of 2021 and cast our eyes towards 2022, we can begin to imagine what life in the post-pandemic world might look like. Housing policies favour the rich and leave first home buyers high and dry. Mr Weimar revealed on Wednesday that the removalists were in Melbourne on a workers' permit but that they did not wear masks inside the apartment building. It's what young people do and we don't begrudge them that," he said. Multicultural groups are more reliant on different channels to get their health advice and may have different attitudes towards government and health officials. Help keep family & friends informed by sharing this article, How a 21yo man with the code name 'Svyat' smuggled residents past Putin's private army, Anna called police to report an assault, but they took out a family violence order against her. Fronting up to press conferences day after day and answering all of the tough questions was important for many reasons. There are confirmed positive cases on board at the time, and 130 people test positive within a week. It's usual to see a lull in public transport use over the summer holidays, and network and road upgrades have caused disruption to some services. NSW announces more of its restrictions will ease, allowing people in the state to: Then-NSW premier Gladys Berejiklian announces that from July 1, the following will be allowed: Victoria announcespostcodes 3038, 3064, 3047, 3060, 3012, 3032, 3055, 3042, 3021 and 3046 will go back into lockdown from July 2. A controversial media star and politician says there is no point in maintaining his political ambitions. Density limits of one person per 2 square metres will be introduced indoors at hospitality venues and entertainment venues. As the virus. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO) for the 6th January 2022, the most recent data available, Australia has the following statistics: So according to these figures, more than 10% of all cases in the past two years were found in one day! Key points: From Friday, Victorians must register their positive at-home RAT results on a government portal Health Minister Martin Foley said about one in 50 Victorians currently had COVID-19 Mr Foley said there was no plan to introduce a lockdown and that Victorians had to "coexist" with the virus Find out more about our policy and your choices, including how to opt-out. Thats no-ones fault, it is the nature of this virus and people are making their own choices, to not go out as much as they might have., To join the conversation, please It's quieter on our roads, butthe timing of an Omicron wave during the state's summer holidays can make the picture complicated. Crises expose weaknesses, and theres no doubt the pandemic revealed a number of issues in Victoria. And they lost control in just two weeks.. COVID-19 Victoria 2022: The mood in Melbourne in another COVID winter National Victoria Coronavirus pandemic This was published 3 months ago Measuring Melbourne's mood as the city weathers another COVID winter Neil McMahon July 16, 2022 7.52pm Normal text size Larger text size Very large text size It felt like, have we given up?. Victoria's latest Covid rules have been labelled "a shadow lockdown" by the opposition which claims isolation rules, density limits and restrictions have smashed Melbourne businesses. In the midst of the ongoing pandemic, some individuals in Australia have still managed to avoid contracting Covid-19. Many issues quickly became clear, such as the understaffing of aged-care centres and infection control practices, along with the lack of the proper accountability by government for these facilities. "We will know at the end of two weeks to what extent we need to extend the lockdown, whether there is any chance of face-to-face schooling. Which somehow seems fitting as things being out of order seems to be the way things are with Covid. Victoria goes into lockdown for the sixth time. All times AEDT (GMT +11). Consequently, there is an urgent need to reflect on the journey and to address issues that have been raised so we can be on the front foot and do even better next time. We just need the governments to come together and we need assistance at this time, otherwise all the money thats been given to them in the past 22 months would have been wasted, Chapel St Precinct general manager Chrissie Maud said. Most people who spoke to Guardian Australia are still recovering from the impact of long lockdowns and do not want a return to restrictions. Catherine Bennett receives funding from the Medical Research Future Fund. But as a wave of Omicron infections wreaks havoc across workplaces and the healthcare system, data suggests Victorians are voting with their feet and staying close to home. When I have been asked for my opinion I have said that we will be free to have summer and then we will go back into lockdown in March. How can I best get on with living my best life?, NSW expects Covid hospitalisations to peak next week. There are growing calls for Greater Sydney to be placed into a hard lockdown similar to the one imposed in Melbourne last year, but chief health officer Dr Kerry Chant insists NSW is already under "hard" restrictions. The ship is later linked to up to 900 infections of Covid-19. The fact this didnt happen should make Victorians extremely proud. This is clearly a very rapidly moving situation," Victoria's Covid-19 Commander Jeroen Weimar said. More than 90 per cent of those who had a positive RAT result, ended up with a positive PCR test, he said. A crew of infectious removalists from Sydney transited through Victoria last Thursday, visiting households in Craigieburn and Maribyrnong, and coming into contact with two families of four. The health department had been depleted over many years by both sides of politics and it clearly entered the pandemic under-resourced. So it's going to be in some ways [it will be]more stressful for a lot of people.". Highpoint shopping centre has also emerged as an exposure site, with anyone who attended between on Friday night between 10am and 2pm urged to get tested. Victoria Premier Daniel Andrews has issued an ominous warning as the southern state prepares to come out of lockdown. On Thursday the NSW premier will announce the policy reversal following Covid crisis talks with fellow state leaders and Prime Minister Scott Morrison. Two years [living in a pandemic] is very different to five years when you only get three good months every year.. He said while there were rules and density limits in place for businesses, it was likely the public had changed its behaviour during the current outbreak. "Please note that we have always taken the position in New South Wales they will keep the community safe but also make sure that we keep livelihoods going.". The NSW government announces that from May 15, the following will be allowed: The Victorian government announces an easing of restrictions, allowing: Time Out announces the winners of the Time In Awards, supporting businesses and organisations that pivoted tonew initiatives during lockdowns. When will the Beast from the East be at YOUR door? are permitted to leave the ship in Sydney without being tested for Covid-19. Catch up on the latestCOVID-19 news here. In the early part of the pandemic, the amount of effort needed to reach these groups was underestimated. Among the potential exposure sites are a major Melbourne shopping centre and an AFL game. The public servant, 25, contracted Covid along with 16 others at a house party late last month. Melbourne exits its sixth lockdown, after 263 cumulative days. It's hard to believe that while Australia was so focused on the bushfires that raged in the early part of 2020, another threat was already on our shores one that would change the way we live and work for years. Its a story repeated in every Australian state, except Western Australia. Martin Radzaj says he has found the start of 2022 to be the most difficult time in the pandemic because of the utter confusion about what we should be doing. Thomas Barbera says his friend groups have done the same, and it has caused some uncomfortable conversations. The first Covid-19 case was detected in Australia on January 25, 2020. There are more women with the virus who are having babies, but unlike 2021 they are not gasping for breath, she says. Mr Merlino said Victorians should also now work from home if they can and urged hospitality venues to switch to a seated-only service to reduce transmission. Many others say they have chosen to go back into something resembling lockdown until their children can be vaccinated or until the outbreak peaks. Here's how likely you are to get it more than once, Charting the COVID-19 spread: Australia passes 10,000 coronavirus deaths, Self-help author Marianne Williamson launches primary challenge against Joe Biden for 2024 Democratic nomination, Chinese migrants walked a gruelling 500km to Victoria's goldfields in the 19th century. It comes after NSW extended the Greater Sydney lockdown by at least another two weeks until the end of July, with another 97 cases on Wednesday bringing the total outbreak to 864. What does is Victorians got vaccinated at a rate that surpassed all expectations. Up to 20 people at an indoor funeral or 30 for an outdoor funeral; and, Attend places of worship and attend a funeral with up to 49 others; and. Couples who don't live together are permitted to visit in Victoria. The best beach in Britain that you've never heard of: Seaside town is braced for tourism boom after Kate Garraway reveals Derek's heartbreaking words when they thought he had just minutes left to live. We currently have mask restrictions and in the Northern Territory there is an even more draconian lockdown than we had in Victoria. More than 2000 people who attended an MCG match between Carlton and Geelong on July 10 are also on alert after the game was attended by an infected person. Around her, in the suburbs of Melbourne, Covid cases are soaring. "In regards to the balancing of economic, social, mental health, cultural and just family reasons, that was the appropriate decision," he said. Two years of mostly home schooling has given his youngest child, who started kindergarten in 2020, social anxiety, and his older child had a panic attack at the prospect of returning to face-to-face learning. Here's everything we've learned from Melbourne's polarising e-scooter trials. Callers will speak with Aboriginal staff who can . And the Omicron variant, which has ripped through the country since December, appears to result in a less severe illness, in most cases, than previous variants of Covid-19. Victoria's roadmap out of lockdown is announced. Sign notifying customers that rapid antigen test (RAT) kits are sold out. Which somehow seems fitting as things being out of order seems to be the way things are with Covid. 24 people were infectious in the community.