Weekly COVID news at a glance

1  Victoria could reach targets early

Victoria could reach their vaccination milestones early if people continue to rush to their local vaccination sites, pharmacies and doctors.

Victoria has target dates set for additional freedoms once people aged above 16 years are fully vaccinated. The first target is for 70 percent fully vaccinated on October 26 and the second target when 80 per cent are fully vaccination on November 5.

Health Department deputy secretary Kate Matson said progress was running ahead of those targets and it could mean Melbourne’s lockdown would be lifted earlier than expected. Victoria will be monitoring New South Wales’ experiences from Monday as NSW opens up to see how Victoria can exit its lockdown.

2  NSW stays the course

New South Wales’ road map out of lockdown has been amended to include higher capacity limits and greater freedoms, but leading epidemiologists say Victoria should stick to its own exit strategy.

New South Wales surpassed its 70 per cent vaccination target and has announced changes to their reopening plan doubling the number of people who can attend home visits, weddings and funerals. From Monday, home visitors in NSW will be doubled to 10. 

In Victoria, home visits will not be allowed until the state reaches its 80 per cent double dose vaccination and even then only 10 people will be allowed. The Chief epidemiologist at the University of South Australia said homes and workplaces still posed the highest risk of coronavirus transmission, and backed Victoria’s more conservative approach.

3  Mask mandated in schools

The mandatory use of masks indoors will expand to include schools, Victorian health authorities confirmed. The decision comes after recent COVID-19 outbreaks in regional Victoria and after seeing other countries such as the USA slow down transmission in schools by enforcing masks.

All schoolchildren in year 3 and above will be required to wear masks indoors at school. For children in prep to year 2, masks indoors at school will be strongly recommended but not compulsory.

The rule is part of an expansion of current mandates to help curb transmission of COVID-19 as face masks are already mandated for all Victorians over the age of 12 outside their home. A date for the expanded student mask mandate has not yet been set as the new rules are still being drafted.

4  Victoria launches vaccine push for disabilities

The Victorian government has pledged $5 million to boost COVID-19 vaccination coverage among people living with a disability. 

Victorian Minister for Ageing and Disability Luke Donnellan said ten dedicated pop-up vaccine cinics will this month be established in local government areas of concern.

The state’s disability liaison service will also be expanded by 16 officers. From 8 October, all state-run vaccination centres will be accepting residents with a disability without a booking.

5  Mildura entered lockdown

The regional Victorian area of Mildura is being plunged back into lockdown amid rising COVID-19 cases numbers. But there’s better news for two other regional parts of the state, Moorabool Shire and Greater Shepparton, where lockdowns are being lifted.

The state government has announced the Mildura Rural City Council area will enter a seven-day lockdown commencing at midnight Friday. Restrictions will be the same as those in metropolitan Melbourne, excluding the curfew.

Meanwhile, residents of Moorabool Shire and Greater Shepparton will leave lockdown at midnight on Friday, with restrictions there to match those in place in the remainder of regional Victoria.

6  Victoria injects $15m into creative industry

Victoria’s struggling creative industry is to receive a $15 million injection from the state government to support it through the coronavirus lockdown and help plan for reopening.

Creative Industries Minister Danny Pearson says $10 million will be put aside for heavily-affected organisations, including key festivals and performing arts companies.

Creative Industries Minister Danny Pearson

The money will go towards ensuring these businesses can employ workers and plan a pathway to recovery as restrictions in the state ease in coming weeks and months.

Individual workers and micro-businesses are invited to apply for funding to develop new work, undertake professional development and reach new audiences through a $5 million round of grants.

One-off cash amounts of $5000 will be made available for individuals, including sole traders and freelancers, while grants of up to $10,000 will be open to collectives, micro-organisations and businesses.