Ahead of school holidays, Victoria’s COVID-19 commander warned the decision on easing rules like the 25km movement limit will be more difficult if testing numbers do not increase.
Victoria’s COVID-19 commander Jeroen Weimar has warned the decision on easing restrictions such as the ban on travel between Melbourne and the regions ahead of this month’s school holidays will be more difficult if testing numbers do not increase in the coming days.
Contact tracers are still investigating the source of infection of a Reservoir family of four who tested positive on Friday and Mr Weimar said it was mystery cases such as those that fuelled his suspicion there were more cases yet to be picked up. “If we’re in a world where we’re seeing really low testing numbers over the next three or four days and we’re still finding one or two cases out there, that makes the decision on Wednesday, Thursday so much harder to make.”
“If they can look at how many people are coming forward on symptoms, and they’re being maintained, then it doesn’t matter if the total number drops,” Professor Bennett said. Regional Victorians could enjoy Mount Buller on Saturday but Melburnians cannot travel more than 25km from home.In a sign the dip in testing off record highs has health authorities worried, Health Department chief Euan Wallace tweeted overnight that people with a sniffle and sore throat should get tested.
Professor Esterman, the chair of biostatistics at the University of South Australia, said while he was now cautiously optimistic the Victorian outbreaks would be contained, the current restrictions which see Melburnians mostly banned from having guests in their homes would need to continue for a number of days.
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