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Wrapping up the blog for today
By Rachael Dexter
Our free coronavirus blog has finished for today. As always, we'll be back early tomorrow morning. Thanks for reading and if you haven't already, we'd love you to consider taking out a subscription to help support independent news. You can check out options for doing so here.
Here's what you need to know from today's news:
COVID-positive staff member at QV Woolworths was not in 'customer facing role'
By Rachael Dexter
An update on some information we brought you earlier in a post at 4.55pm about a positive COVID-19 person who worked at Woolworths in QV in central Melbourne.
The staff member last worked at the store in the QV shopping precinct on the corner of Lonsdale and Swanston streets on October 6 between 11pm-4am.
We noted that while the company had issued an alert over the case, Victoria's Department of Health had not added the supermarket to its public list of exposure sites.
We've since heard back from DHHS, which has informed The Age that the case was counted in today's new daily figures, but was not considered a risk to others.
The case did not work in a customer facing role and most recently worked night shift (11pm-4am) when the store was closed to the public, as the store is open 7am-10pm.
A spokesman for the department said the the store could be effectively contact traced and therefore was not put on the website as a high-risk exposure site.
The store was closed for a deep clean and the investigation continues with any close contacts being identified.
'Caught out': McGowan's claims about hard border contradicted by Chief Health Officer
By Heather McNeill and Nathan Hondros
Premier Mark McGowan has been “caught out on his political decision” to keep WA’s border closed after his Chief Health Officer told a parliamentary inquiry the state could open to five of the other seven Australian jurisdictions.
Opposition health spokesman Zak Kirkup said the evidence, given at an Education and Health Standing Committee inquiry into WA’s response to COVID-19 on Wednesday, cast doubt over the government's border policy.
WA Chief Health Officer, Andy Robertson.Credit:ABC Perth
WA Chief Health Officer Andy Robertson told the inquiry his health advice to ease the border policy had not been taken up.
“I’ve given broad guidance to say further exemptions could be considered, whether that includes things like business travel or family reunions, we could consider removing the quarantine requirements for states that have no community spread... that would be dependent on our confidence with the border arrangements in those states,” he said, adding he was “generally satisfied” with other border policies.
Dr Robertson also revealed the state government’s 'all-or-nothing' approach to reopening the border was not based on health advice, despite Premier McGowan regularly claiming it was.
Asked by a journalist on October 1 where the 'all-or-nothing' approach came from, Mr McGowan said: “It’s medical advice, it’s confirmed by the Federal Court that heard all the evidence, it’s the advice of the Chief Health Officer.”
Yet in July, Mr McGowan told reporters the approach was based on legal advice.
“To pick and choose between the states we’ve been advised is constitutionally unlawful,” he said.
The Premier’s office has since refused to clarify whether the legal advice, originally provided by the State Solicitor’s Office, had changed.
Every other Australian jurisdiction, except Tasmania and Victoria, have their borders open to selected states only.
Rebel Berwick retailer vows to keep opening his menswear shop
By Carolyn Webb
A defiant Berwick retailer has vowed to trade indefinitely, despite facing a fine of almost $10,000 after throwing open his menswear store on Wednesday.
Harry Hutchinson said he was fed up with the state government's compulsory lockdown of retail outlets in metropolitan Melbourne and so had made his own decision to reopen his business, Harry's Clothing.
Harry Hutchinson with customers Alan and Lorraine Bamford at his Berwick clothing shop on Wednesday.Credit:Eddie Jim
Mr Hutchinson, who told The Age on Sunday the closure had been ''horrendous'' for his business and his mental health, said he would not pay any fines, on principle.
Others had offered to help pay them, including by crowd funding, but he said he did not support it.
Mr Hutchinson said that from 9am until after 5pm on Wednesday, more than 150 customers entered his shop and voiced support.
"Every customer that's come in has said, 'Thank God you're open, well done, it's amazing what you're doing, we support you'," Mr Hutchinson said.
"They said, 'If you get a fine we'll help you'. My two phones haven't stopped all day, ringing with messages of support."
Mr Hutchinson said social media has "gone ballistic. Probably just half a dozen aren't too pleased with it."
He said police from Narre Warren visited him at about 2.30pm "and suggested that I close".
Couldn't get tested in Shepparton today? You need to isolate tonight
By Rachael Dexter
Victoria's chief of testing has promised there will be more capacity for testing in the regional city of Shepparton tomorrow after testing sites were overwhelmed by lines today in the wake of three cases of COVID-19 in the town.
Jeroen Weimar said another drive-thru testing station was ready to open at the Shepparton sports ground tomorrow morning and apologised to those who had to wait in enormous lines on Wednesday.
"I know for many people that was a long wait in the sun and for others they may not have been able to get tested today. And if so I do apologise. We're working as fast as we can to get to the bottom of this," he told ABC Radio Melbourne Drive host Raf Epstein.
Mr Weimar said those who hadn't been tested yet but were considered close or casual contacts according to the DHHS' exposure site list need to isolate tonight before getting tested tomorrow.
"There will be even more capacity tomorrow and I'll ask you to try again tomorrow. And in the meantime, please do self isolate," he said.
"If you're at those locations in that time window then we'd ask you to come and get tested regardless of how you feel."
The Shepparton GP Respiratory Clinic will also open until 8pm tomorrow.
Attorney-General rules out reductions to jury sizes
By Adam Cooper
Victorian Attorney-General Jill Hennessy has ruled out reducing juries from 12 to eight jurors after considering the proposal as one solution to deal with a backlog of criminal trials delayed by the coronavirus pandemic.
The state government considered reducing jury sizes to allow the courts to resume holding jury trials, which have been suspended since March because of social-distancing rules. The County Court – which hears the bulk of the state's trials – estimates 750 accused people have had trials adjourned, while other accused people are now having trials scheduled for 2022.
Attorney General Jill Hennessy.Credit:Justin McManus
Ms Hennessy said on Wednesday the government was weighing up ideas to reduce the backlog of cases, but cutting jury sizes was no longer an option.
"Looking at jury reform was one of those things that wasn't off the table. We worked that through, it's not something that we intend to pursue," she said.
"We don't think it will deliver the yield that we're looking for. And we continue to look at a whole range of other reforms."
The Criminal Bar Association of Victoria, while keen for jury trials to resume, opposes a reduction in the number of jurors hearing each case. But advocates for smaller juries believe the reform would still provide a cross-section of community representation and allow courts to begin safely holding trials sooner.
Tom Gyorffy, QC, a barrister for more than 40 years and a former Crown prosecutor, recently wrote to the Andrews government arguing for six-member juries to hear criminal trials. He told The Age it was vital the justice system didn't grind to a halt and that Victoria's judges were under-used while no jury trials were being heard.
Mr Gyorffy said the High Court had previously ruled that 12 people were not required on a jury, so long as there was a panel representative of the community, and that as a barrister he would be comfortable appearing in a trial with a small jury.
"If they were chosen at random and you went through that process, then yes," he said.
More NSW warnings: two tutoring locations, Mt Druitt Westfield
By Matt Bungard
Two tutoring institutions in western Sydney are at the forefront of NSW Health’s latest COVID-19 announcement, whilst anyone who attended the Westfield at Mt Druitt should monitor for symptoms.
People who attended Al-Jabr – A different Class of Mathematics in Auburn on either Thursday October 8 between 4.30pm and 8.45pm, or Sunday October 11 between 10am and 4.30pm are considered close contacts, and must get tested and isolate for 14 days.
The same advice is being applied to anyone who was at ACE Tutoring in Parramatta on Saturday October 10 between 9.30am and 1.20pm.
In addition, anyone at Westfield Mt Druitt on Monday October 12 between 11.30am and 1pm is considered a casual contact, and should monitor for symptoms.
Shepparton outbreaks: what you need to know
By Rachael Dexter
As has been reported extensively today, there are three active cases of COVID-19 in the northern regional city of Shepparton in Victoria, after an infected man from Melbourne travelled there after visiting Kilmore where he caused an outbreak. You can read more about the case here.
But if you're a resident of Shepparton here's the latest advice from the Department of Health and Human Services - note that there are high-risk locations where people are considered 'close contacts' and locations of concerns where people are considered 'casual contacts', and the rules for both are different.
Close contacts
If you have visited any of the high-risk locations below during the dates and times identified, you should get tested and quarantine for 14 days even if you don’t have any symptoms or only mild symptoms.
- Central Tyre Service, Welsford Street Shepparton on Wednesday 30 September to Tuesday 13 October 2020
- Mooroopna Golf Club Members Bar Sunday 4 October and Sunday 11 October 2020
- Bombshell Hairdressing, Fryers Street Shepparton on Wednesday 7 October 2020 from 9:30am
- Thai Orchid Restaurant, Nixon Street Shepparton on Wednesday 7 October 2020 from 7:00pm
- Shepparton Market Place Medical Centre Midland Highway Shepparton Thursday 8 October 2020 from 9:15am to 10:15am
Casual contacts
If you have visited any of the locations of concern below you should get tested and stay at home while you await your results. In addition, people should be vigilant for symptoms of COVID-19 and get tested again at the first sign of any symptoms:
- Bunnings Warehouse Shepparton Benalla Road Shepparton Wednesday 30 September 2020
- McDonalds Shepparton North 175 Midland Highway Shepparton Saturday 3 October 2020
- Lemon Tree Café Fryers Street Shepparton Wednesday 7 October to Monday 12 October 2020
- Mooroopna Golf Club Pro Shop Sunday 11 October 2020
Testing in Shepparton is available at:
- GV Health's Acute Respiratory Clinic at Graham Street, Shepparton. Open seven days per week from 9:00am to 5:30pm.
- The McIntosh Centre at Shepparton Showgrounds, Corner of Midland Highway and Thompson Street will open from 12:30pm.
- Shepparton Respiratory Clinic, 172 Welsford Street, Shepparton, 9:00am – 05.30pm today and from 9am to 8pm from tomorrow (extended hours). The GP respiratory clinic is an appointment only site.
'Risk to mental health': Health Minister urges Andrews to ease restrictions
By Dana McCauley and Katina Curtis
Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt claims Melbourne has already met the Commonwealth threshold to move out of lockdown, urging Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews to adopt the model followed by NSW and ease coronavirus restrictions to protect residents' mental health.
And Treasurer Josh Frydenberg, a Melbourne resident, has begged Mr Andrews to "give the people of Victoria their freedom back this weekend".
Greg Hunt has urged Victoria to adopt the Commonwealth definition of a COVID-19 hotspot to allow Melbourne to move out of lockdown.Credit:Alex Ellinghausen
Mr Hunt said the hotspot definition drawn up by his department - a rolling three-day average of 10 new locally acquired cases for metropolitan areas - was "an appropriate one for Victoria to utilise" and that failing to do so posed a "risk to mental health."
"The pathway out has to be achievable," the minister told reporters in Canberra on Wednesday.
"We know the World Health Organisation has set out its concerns about prolonged lockdowns."
It comes as Mr Andrews reviews the state's road-map targets after admitting on Tuesday the initial goal - a 14-day average of fewer than five cases per day, then zero cases - may be unachievable, and after official data showed a spike in demand for mental health services.
Mr Hunt said Melbourne's rolling 14-day average was 9.6 cases, meaning it had already met the Commonwealth threshold.
But the Commonwealth hotspot definition is based on a rolling three-day average.
Under this measurement, Melbourne was close to falling below the hotspot threshold on Wednesday with a rolling three-day average of 10.33, while the state was sitting at 11.33 overall.
Mr Hunt said NSW, using the national hotspot definition, had been able to "carefully, cautiously progressively, lift restrictions" and that this model "would respectfully provide a way forward for Victoria.
Melbourne QV Woolies not yet listed as exposure site, despite positive staff member
By Rachael Dexter
In case you missed this a little earlier in the blog, Woolworths has confirmed one if its staff members at a Melbourne CBD store has tested positive to COVID-19.
The staff member last worked at the store in the QV shopping precinct on the corner of Lonsdale and Swanston streets on October 6 between 11pm - 4am, the company wrote in an email today.
Yet as of 4.30pm the Department of Health and Human Services is yet to publicise the case, or list the supermarket as an exposure site on its website.
A positive case also visited Woolworths at Miller’s Junction on Tuesday 6 and Wednesday 7 October which has also not been listed as a high-risk site by the DHHS.
The Age has asked the DHHS for an answer on why these two Woolworths have not been listed yet, we'll update you when we get an answer.
In the meantime, anyone who has visited either of the stores during the periods listed should self monitor for symptoms and get tested immediately if they develop.
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2020-10-14 08:58:00Z
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