Daniel Andrews is back to being the COVID-19 tough guy after his state recorded more than 100 new cases over the past seven days. Speaking to media on Tuesday, Andrews refused to rule out reimposing strict restrictions if Victoria’s case tally continued to rise.
Andrews stressed the importance of following the social distancing and self-isolation guidelines. “We have seen, as we said on Saturday, many families, large families, who have gathered in numbers beyond the rules,” he said. “That is just not on. It is not acceptable.
“Particularly if anybody in those family groupings has even mild symptoms – let alone if anybody in those family groupings has been told to quarantine as a close contact, or even a positive case.”
Andrews said everyone in Victoria would suffer the consequences if this sort of behaviour continued. “It doesn’t matter how many people are doing the wrong thing,” he said. “Everybody – everybody – will pay the price if we get to a point where restrictions, either localised or across the state, need to be reintroduced.”
Meanwhile, the perennial tussle between Melbourne and Sydney took an unforeseen turn, with Gladys Berejiklian advising NSW residents and businesses to steer clear of anyone from Melbourne. The NSW Premier warned NSW locals to stay away from Melbourne’s coronavirus hotpots, which include the local government areas of Hume, Brimbank, Moreland, Darebin, Cardinia and Casey.
“If you are someone who lives in NSW, you should not be going to any of those hotspots, full stop,” she said. “You should not be travelling to Melbourne at this time, because of the rate of community transmission.”
Berejiklian’s message was even sterner when addressing NSW accommodation and tourism businesses. “I call on all organisations not to interact with citizens from Melbourne at this stage,” she said. “And as for resorts and other locations in NSW, they are at liberty to accept or reject any traveller.”
Andrews foreshadowed Berejiklian’s comments earlier in the week, telling residents in coronavirus hotspots to stay put. But Berejiklian wants NSW residents to scratch Melbourne off the travel itinerary for the time being.
“Please reconsider your plans if you were intending to go to Melbourne in the next little while,” she said. “You should definitely not go anywhere near those hotspots. Just do not do it. And reconsider your plans if you’re going to Melbourne, even if it’s not one of those hotspots.”
Check out NSW-VIC border to remain open via Sky News:
