1.23pm
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Daniel Andrews has addressed frustrations that regional Victoria has been caught up in the lockdowns when all cases have so far been in Melbourne.
He has told reporters that it may seem counter-intuitive to impose restrictions on places so far away from the capital but that experiences from last year include cases of people leaving Melbourne before restrictions came into effect.
He does not want to see people going where "the rules are easy as they may well be taking the virus with them".
That could happen because establishing roadblocks takes time which authorities feel they do not have given the speed the UK strain of the virus can spread.
1.05pm
At this stage, the five day lockdown should be enough, chief health officer Brett Sutton is telling reporters.
"But we will have a greater number of results back and we will have almost all, if not all of those primary close contacts through but it does depend on whether new cases emerge or any other surprises that might occur," he said.
"I am confident that five days is enough but we will do whatever is necessary to get on top of this."
Dr Sutton also defended the approach taken to hotel quarantine., compared to other states including New South Wales.
He said it is a highly infectious virus and that it is possible even when policy settings are correct and everyone is doing the right thing there can be issues with virus transmission.
1.00pm
SOME people are waiting up to 60 minutes for tests in parts of Victoria, others up to two hours, health officials are reporting.
But authorities are urging anyone who shows even the slightest of symptoms to get tested as they try to cast a net over the outbreak of the UK strain.
12.50pm
PREMIER Daniel Andrews says the balance of testing on close contacts linked to the latest Victorian outbreak are expected to come in from tomorrow.
Fourteen people have now been linked to the Holiday Inn quarantine hotel outbreak, including the case added to the official state tally this morning.
Mr Andrews has told reporters he has asked health officials for a risk assessment on hotel quarantine.
"I don't have the outcomes of that thinking. When I do, I will have more to say," he said.
"A lot of people will be hurting today, this is not the position Victorians wanted to be in but I can't have a situation where in two weeks' time, we look back and wish we had taken these decisions now."
Mr Andrews has also flagged that business support measures are coming, though he said they will be announced at a later time or date.
It comes amid mounting calls to help businesses that are grappling with sudden shutdowns.
More updates about the ongoing press conference will be posted here shortly.
Earlier
VICTORIA has recorded officially recorded one new case of coronavirus as it begins a snap lockdown to head off a widespread COVID-19 outbreak.
There are currently 20 active cases, the Department of Health said in a tweet released this morning.
Yesterday, 20,166 test results were received.
"Got symptoms? Get tested," the department tweeted.
More news:
Earlier, contract tracers added seven new Melbourne locations to a list of potential exposure sites.
The department has urged anyone in the following places to tested and isolate for 14 days:
Saturday 6 February
- Function venue: 426 Sydney Rd, Coburg - 7:14pm - 11:30pm
Monday 8 February
- Coates Hire Werribee: Hoppers Crossing - 6.45am - 7.30am
- Caltex Woolworths: Hoppers Crossing - 6.40am - 7.15am
- Stowe Australia: South Melbourne - 10.30am - 10.45am
Tuesday 9 February
- 901 bus route - (Melb Airport to Broadmeadows Station) - 1:02pm - 1:49pm
- Craigieburn Line train (Broadmeadows Station to Glenroy Station) - 1.25pm - 1.59pm
- 513 bus route - (Glenroy Station towards Eltham) - 1.35pm - 2.17pm
Click here for a full list of exposure sites.
The new lockdown rules:
No Victorians can leave their home unless they are doing it for one of four reasons shopping for necessary goods and services; care and caregiving; exercise; and essential work.
Face masks will need to be worn indoors and outdoors whenever you leave your home.
You must stay within 5km of your home (this limit does not apply to work or when giving or receiving care).
You can leave your home in an emergency or if there is family violence.
More news:
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