Published: 05.07.2022
Updated: 05.07.2022
3 min read

Victoria’s pandemic declaration extended as COVID-19 cases surge across the country

As Australia passes the grim milestone of 10,000 COVID-19 deaths, discussion in some jurisdictions is turning back to the reintroduction of a much hated rule.

Health expert calls for mask mandate to return

Victoria’s pandemic declaration extended as COVID-19 cases surge across the country

As Australia passes the grim milestone of 10,000 COVID-19 deaths, discussion in some jurisdictions is turning back to the reintroduction of a much hated rule.

Lockdowns and mask mandates are still on the table after the Victorian government extended the pandemic declaration by another three months.

It was due to expire before midnight on July 12 but has now been extended until at least October 12.

This declaration has previously allowed orders such as lockdowns, mask-wearing, vaccination mandates, quarantine and density limits to be enforced.

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Andrews said he was “satisfied on reasonable grounds” that COVID-19 remained a risk to public health, and that he had requested the health minister and chief health officer provide advice by the end of winter as to whether the virus continued to present a serious risk.

It comes as some jurisdictions are weighing up whether to reintroduce mask mandates, as COVID-19 cases continue to surge across the country.

Australia has now officially passed the grim milestone of 10,000 COVID-19 deaths, more than 7700 of those recorded just this year.

Last Friday, prior to the health ministers’ meeting in Canberra, Federal Health Minister Mark Butler said a further wave of COVID was expected to hit over the coming months, particularly as the BA.4 and the BA.5 subvariants take hold.

“We’ve seen overseas that there is a greater risk of reinfection so if you have had COVID earlier this year, in the first wave over summer there is a risk that you are open to reinfection,” he said.

Discussions are now underway in some parts of the country as to whether masks should return in some settings.

Almost 30,000 new COVID cases were recorded on Monday, along with 25 deaths. File image.
Almost 30,000 new COVID cases were recorded on Monday, along with 25 deaths. File image. Credit: AAP

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said talks were ongoing on whether mask rules would return in some settings in the Sunshine State.

“We are not doing a mask mandate, but there are discussions happening about urging people in certain situations to wear masks,” she said.

“If anything changes, we will let the public know.”

Meanwhile, ACT Health Minister Rachel Stephen-Smith said a mask mandate was not being ruled out as a suggestion.

However, she indicated that other options were being considered.

“There is a view that mandatory mask requirements might not be as effective as they have been in the past, partly because those people who are willing to wear masks are already doing so,” she said.

“Some of those settings where we’re seeing transmission, you wouldn’t be required to wear a mask anyway, so all of those things need to be balanced as we move through this winter period.”

Head of the Melbourne School of Population and Global Health Professor Nancy Baxter told Sunrise on Tuesday morning that as things get worse, mask mandates may need to make a return.

“I think they definitely need to start thinking about it,” she said.

“Although a few people are wearing masks, what we see ... is most people will not wear masks ... it’s really hard if you’re the only person in an event wearing a mask to keep wearing it.”

Head of the Melbourne School of Population and Global Health Professor Nancy Baxter said governments will have to start thinking about reintroducing mask mandates as cases continue to rise across the country. File image.
Head of the Melbourne School of Population and Global Health Professor Nancy Baxter said governments will have to start thinking about reintroducing mask mandates as cases continue to rise across the country. File image. Credit: AAP

Despite the rise in cases, Australia’s COVID border restrictions are set to be scrapped on Wednesday, however travellers must still comply with any remaining COVID-19 requirements of airlines such as wearing masks on flights.

Home Affairs Minister Clare O’Neil said the changes will make it easier for travelling Australians to return home as well as allow more international tourists and workers to come.

“Removing these requirements will not only reduce delays in our airports but will encourage more visitors and skilled workers to choose Australia as a destination,” she said in a statement.

Nationally, almost 30,000 new COVID cases were recorded on Monday, along with 25 deaths.

- With AAP

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