Coronavirus Australia live news: Wednesday, November 18 - ABC News

Victorian truck drivers travelling into SA to get rapid tests

New Breakfast's Paul Kennedy:

A quick one on the truck drivers. I'm interested in the technology we have achieved so far. They will get tested. They get to 
keep going, into Victoria. At what stage to they get a message on their tests?

Victorian Health Minister Martin Foley: 

 
So, we will be rolling out the rapid swab testing, which is the saliva testing, in those facilities. That takes just a few minutes, between 5-10 minutes. It will be a slight disruption of the program for the freight movement but we are working with the South Australians and the freight industry to keep that important trade route open. It's the second busiest freight route in and out of Victoria and it is vital to keep that open so our friends in South Australia can see this through.

Paul Kennedy: 

 
Now, we know that South Australia's cluster started in hotel quarantine. Victoria knows about that. How has Victoria's crisis informed its reaction to this cluster in South Australia?

Martin Foley: 

 
All Victorians have sacrificed an enormous amount to get to us where we are now. Several weeks of no new cases and no deaths. We have all put in a lot, the people of Victoria and shared those learnings right around the country with our friends in South Australia.   

   

Everyone in this country has learned a lot over the course of 2020, and we are sharing those learnings and assisting our friends in South Australia. 

   

Paul Kennedy: 

  

Have South Australia asked you to help with this particular cluster and contact tracing, or any advice?

   

Martin Foley: 

 
The Western Australians are helping the South Australians with contact tracing at the moment. We have offered any assistance and at the moment this is the first request that the South Australians have made. We stand ready to in anyway, because this is [about] all Australians getting on top of this virus outbreak and we are committed to that outcome.

  

Paul Kennedy:

  

What are the chances of having all or most interstate borders open before Christmas, as has been discussed federally. Well, national cabinet has agreed to that goal?

   

Martin Foley: 

  

Victoria is committed to that outcome. We, of course, always take the advice of our public health experts as to how to manage these issues. We are monitoring very closely the position in South Australia but at the moment our public health is advice is that the South Australians are staying ahead of this.

On that basis we see no reasons to close our borders and we look forward to a COVID-normal Christmas. So all Victorians and all Australians can share that special time with their family in a safe manner.

Paul Kennedy: 

 
On Victoria's testing. What is the testing like at the moment? Have numbers gone down? Are you still testing sewage? What exactly is the latest?

Martin Foley: 

 
Our testing regime is really going well. We've increased by over 30 per cent the numbers of tests over the last four to five weeks. We have seen that extraordinary level of commitment by Victorians, whether they be in high-risk work places or with any signs of the virus. And that is so important. Because it gives us that early warning system to stay ahead of the virus and it is a key part of why we are now almost approaching two weeks of being virus free.

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2020-11-17 19:25:00Z
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