Weekly COVID news at a glance

1  New Anti-Racism Strategy

The Victorian government wants people to share their experiences of racism and ideas to tackle it, as part of a new anti-racism strategy due to launch mid next year. The state government says the anti-racism strategy will outline steps to create a safer and more inclusive society for First Nations peoples, and multicultural and multifaith groups.

The plans include targeted consultations with each group to determine what issues and solutions are available. Those who wish to have a say on the changes and support they’d like to see can search for the Victorian Anti-racism strategy public consultation survey online. Those who speak a language other than English can call an interpreting service during business hours by calling 03 9007 2990.

2  VIC pandemic laws triggered protest

Thousands have taken to the streets in the Melbourne CBD to rally against a controversial vaccine mandate that comes into effect in Victoria today. This is the third Saturday in a row that protesters have gathered in the CBD, with the crowds steadily growing in size.

While the protests have been largely peaceful, demonstrators were captured on video footage carrying props like a fake gallows with nooses attached to it. Other protesters carried the Australian flag and the Eureka Flag. Victoria Police said they would continue to monitor the protests to ensure they comply with COVID-19 rules.

3  NSW quarantine scrapped

Vaccinated international students entering New South Wales will not have to quarantine, the government has announced, as the state gears up for their return next month. The state government said on Friday it will not require them to quarantine if they are fully vaccinated with a vaccine recognised by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA). 

The first chartered plane will touch down in Sydney on 6 December with about 250 students from countries including Indonesia, Singapore, Vietnam, China and Canada. A second flight bringing students from South Asia is also scheduled. 

4  Melbourne will remain a ghost town

The Property Council is warning Melbourne will remain a ghost town as office tower spaces continue being built while workers are hesitant to return to the city. Over 220-thousand square metres of office space are set to be built in the second half of this year – half of all new office space in Australia. But City of Melbourne data shows Melbourne’s office occupancy is only 4 per cent of what it was before the pandemic.

The city’s foot traffic has also declined by 80 per cent during the pandemic, and one in five Melbourne stores were vacant last month. The Property Council said city shops rely on office workers for business, with one office worker estimated to support five other CBD jobs such as baristas and hospitality. The organisation wants public servants to be required to return to the office three days a week and for three months of free public transport once 90 per cent of Victorians are vaccinated.

5  Pregnant vaccine numbers lagging

COVID vaccination rates among pregnant women are estimated to be lagging up to 40 per cent behind state averages. The new evidence shows pregnant women in hospitals across the country falling behind in vaccination numbers, with doctors urging expectant mothers to get vaccinated to avoid severe illness.

The past president of The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, Dr Vijay Roach, said that anecdotally they are seeing double-dose vaccination rates to be between 30 and 70 per cent depending on the area. Dr Roach has called for state and federal health departments to gather comprehensive data on COVID vaccination for pregnant women to help combat misinformation and target the group. In Australia, it is also recommended pregnant women are vaccinated against whooping cough, between 20 to 32 weeks and influenza at any time during pregnancy.

6  Under 12’s not to access vaccine till 2022

Australians aged under 12 will have to wait until next year to access the COVID vaccine, according to federal health minister Greg Hunt. Mr Hunt confirmed on Sunday that children aged between five and 11 years will not be able to access a vaccine until at least early 2022, saying the government does not want to rush the program.

He said the rollout for that age group would not cut corners and would only be ready when the country’s medical regulators determined it to be safe. Smaller doses of the Pfizer vaccine are being recommended for usage in this younger age group and those new doses aren’t expected to be available to the public until at least January.