Coronavirus 3 - Al Pacino's turn to mumble

[think positive]

The CHO of Victoria says wearing a mask outdoors is unnecessary so I’ll do what Dan claims to do and follow the health advice.

But **** they’d better come off indoors again damn soon, getting sick of places getting my order wrong!!!

awww poor you, try being deaf for a while, getting things wrong is a ten times daily occurrence mainly because other people don’t give a shit or make an effort. The masks drive everyone crazy, but indoors especially they stop germs spreading, watch the video!

Yes I drop mine to talk outdoors but where I walk is very isolated, if I see people or cop cars I fix it!

[think positive]

If people start getting infected whilst walking through the car park or when outside walking by themselves which never even happened in Victoria’s second wave, then we’ve got much bigger problems than mask wearing!!!

the new strain is that infectious ask England

[think positive]

Another question is whether an end to the five-day lockdown means going straight back to how things were beforehand (i.e. masks indoors + restrictions on gatherings) or whether it'll be more of a gradual ease.

i reckon a gradual ease. Stage 3 maybe, hopefully a big looser

[Pies4shaw]

We might know reasonably soon - this from the ABC blog this morning:

An outbreak of the UK strain of COVID-19 at a quarantine hotel saw Victorians enter their third lockdown on Friday night.

Schools and businesses were closed, restaurants were reduced to take away service and movement was limited to within five kilometers of the home. An announcement is expected today about whether the snap shutdown will end.

Authorities say the lockdown is working, but they'll be looking at the latest COVID-19 data before a decision is made.

Two new infections reported yesterday are the close contacts of previously infected cases and were already in isolation when they contracted the virus.

The ABC understands authorities will meet at 8:00am to discuss the situation.

[Pies4shaw]

Good figures (from the ABC blog):

One more time. There were 39,258 test results received in the past 24 hours

Victoria hasn't recorded any new coronavirus cases overnight, locally or among returned travellers.

There were almost 40,000 tests overnight.

It's the fifth day of a snap lockdown after the UK variant of coronavirus leaked out of hotel quarantine.

The premier Daniel Andrews and his most senior ministers are meeting for a final discussion on whether the five day lockdown can be lifted tonight.

[Pies4shaw]

The ABC blog is reporting that "senior figures" have said (following that 8 am meeting) that lockdown will end tonight and that the Glorious Leader will announce that before midday.

[David]

Great news. Thanks P4S!

[Pies4shaw]

Update from the Glorious Leader coming at 10.15 am.

[Pies4shaw]

He's up, now.

[Pies4shaw]

Announced that this is a 5-day lockdown. Restrictions (almost all) come off at midnight tonight.

[Pies4shaw]

Not over - still 9 days to go for the 14-day period (so, Friday week).

So, some exceptions:

4 reasons fall away
No 5 km limit
Masks still required indoors and outdoors when you can't socially-distance 1.5 m.

[Pies4shaw]

5 visitors to your home (not 15) until Friday week.

[Pies4shaw]

Up to 20 people at public gatherings.

Up to 50% capacity at workplaces (public and private).

[Pies4shaw]

Schools reopen tomorrow. Retail and hospitality reopen with last week's density limits.

Funerals no limit on numbers - but dictated by space.

Sport, entertainment resume. Caps vary (those are not stated). Further announcements on major events during the day.

[watt price tully]

Congratulations to everyone including all the people tested, the testers, the hospitals, the health and mental health staff.

Congratulations to the people of Victoria and to the twice elected Premier of Victoria the right honourable Daniel Andrews and his family.

Congratulations to the team of tracers, the CMO and all those involved.