Weekly covid news at a glance

1   International flights resumed in VIC

Victoria has again started receiving international arrivals, with over 100 travellers entering hotel quarantine from 4.30am on 8th April Thursday. 

Some officials have expressed concern that the updated quarantine program is not risk-free enough to restart operations. But Victoria’s acting Police Minister Danny Pearson says his team has done a thorough check of each hotel room.

International arrivals into the state were stopped in mid-February after a new strain of COVID-19 leaked into the community from the hotel quarantine system. The government shut down the program as the state entered a five-day snap lockdown.

Six hotels are now accepting travellers, with the first arrivals heading to the Holiday Inn near Melbourne Airport and the Intercontinental on Collins Street in the CBD. All hotel quarantine workers have received first doses of the vaccine with almost half also receiving their second dose.

Victorian COVID-19 Quarantine Commissioner Emma Cassar says extra safety measures are in place, including regular health checks and the vaccinations for all staff.

2  Targets info to CALD communities

The ABC has found that as cultural and language barriers make it harder to find accurate information, some families have found themselves divided over the safety of vaccines.

Responses from an audience callout found that misinformation problems can be intensified for family members who don’t speak English or are using social media and international sources for their information. Many also said the subject of COVID-19 at family gatherings is not discussed to avoid disagreements which could be culturally challenging.

Last week, multicultural affairs ministers from across Australia held a forum to discuss how to involve Culturally and Linguistically Diverse communities in the vaccine information process.

In a statement, the ministers said they had been working with multicultural community members and faith leaders to counter pandemic misinformation and distribute accurate, and targeted health information to CALD communities.

3  Vaccination hubs plan

Mass vaccination hubs at sites such as stadiums and parks could be used when Australia moves to later stages in the vaccination rollout-out plan. The idea has been floated by experts who say using mass centres will help ramp up vaccination numbers, and the federal government is considering it.

Australia’s vaccination delivery is currently slower than other countries where mass vaccination centres are allowing a faster process. Most people currently eligible for vaccinations in Australia are reporting long booking delays, while local doctors are reporting vaccine supply problems.

Victoria has one mass vaccination hub at the Melbourne Exhibition Centre, but it is only available for frontline workers. Prime Minister Scott Morrison says huge centres are not currently part of the plan, but they could make up future vaccination stages.

4  2021 Victorian Refugee Awards

Nominations are now open for the 2021 Victorian Refugee Awards which will take place during Refugee Week in mid-June.

Each year, the awards recognise the achievements of Victorians from refugee and asylum seeker backgrounds. People, businesses and organisations receive awards for achievements in areas such as study, work and volunteering.

Refugee Week runs from 20 to 26 June, with this year’s theme focusing on ‘Unity’ following post-pandemic isolations. The week raises awareness around issues impacting refugees, while celebrating their contribution to the Australian community. Nominations for the awards must be submitted online before April 25 through the Multicultural Commission’s ‘Victorian Refugee Awards’ webpage.

5  Travel bubble of NZ and AUS

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has announced a two-way travel bubble with Australia. Ms Ardern announced that the trans-Tasman travel will commence from midnight New Zealand time on April 19.

The trans-Tasman bubble will allow people to travel between New Zealand and Australia without having to quarantine at either end. The plan has been proposed since early in the pandemic but has been put on pause on multiple occasions due to COVID-19 outbreaks in both New Zealand and Australia.

Tourism Australia has already scheduled a $3million advertising campaign due to begin in New Zealand on 8th April Thursday.

6  The welcome boost

Victorian farmers have received a welcome boost to their seasonal workforce with more than 200 Pacific workers starting on farms across the state. The workers are part of an agreement with the Tasmanian and Victorian state governments.

Up to 1500 workers will quarantine in Tasmania and arrive in Victoria between now and June. In return for the workers quarantining in Tasmania, over three hundred Tasmanians will stay in Victorian hotel quarantine as they return from overseas.

Employers will pay for airfares and approximately two thousand dollars towards each worker’s quarantine and the Victorian government will spend 7.8 million dollars to cover the rest.