The Federal government has been blasted for its plan to vaccinate NSW “at the expense of other Australians” as Victoria loses out on Pfizer doses.
Welcome to our live coverage of Victoria’s Covid-19 situation.
Victoria reached another grim record on Monday, confirming 246 new Covid cases.
The state has now passed 60 per cent first dose vaccinations, with Premier Daniel Andrews promising some restrictions will ease when that hits 70 per cent.
Follow along below for today’s top updates. Just make sure you keep refreshing the page for the latest news.
Victoria furious over NSW hoarding Pfizer
The revelation that Victoria is being left with less than it’s fair share of Pfizer doses, with the Health Minister criticising the Federal government for it’s plan to vaccinate NSW “at the expense of all other Australians”.
On Monday night, ABC’s 7.30 reported that the Federal Government distribution of Pfizer has seen “huge shifts in favour” of NSW, with Victoria and Queensland the two state’s most adversely affected by the shift.
Population size would normally mean Victoria should receive about 82 per cent of NSW’s allocation. Instead, it is only set to receive between 66 per cent and 69 per cent, with the lion’s share going to NSW.
In August, NSW administered a massive 904,184 jabs in two weeks in August, more than double Victoria.
Victorian Health Minister Martin Foley expressed his frustration at the revelation, telling 7.30 in a statement that it was “disappointing that the Commonwealth appears to be pursuing a national plan to vaccinate NSW at the expense of all other Australians”.
Mr Foley also hinted at the lack of Pfizer doses during Monday’s press conference.
“We can always look to do more. At the moment, we’re still a little bit constrained by supply,” he said.
The Federal Department of Health horizon allocation document show extra weighting of future Pfizer allocations favour NSW for the rest of the year. It also shows that Victoria, Queensland, and Western Australia continuing to receive much less than their population share of vaccines.
A spokesperson for Operation Covid Shield, the national body responsible for the rollout, said to balance the distribution, extra doses would be provided to other states, with Victoria set to receive more jabs from September 13.
Iconic Aussie attraction closed for good
The iconic attraction, the Melbourne Star, has had its last ride and will now be shut down for good.
Citing Covid-19 lockdown and travel restrictions as the cause, MB Star Properties Pty Ltd said it was with a “heavy heart” the company had to announce the ride’s closure after 15 years in operation.
“The giant observation wheel has been a part of the city’s skyline for more than 15 years, during which time we have welcomed millions of guests from Australia and all over the world,” a statement read.
“Unfortunately, the global Covid-19 pandemic and subsequent travel restrictions and sustained shutdowns, adding to pre-existing challenges of operating amid increased high development and changes in the Docklands area, has made it impossible to sustain the business.
“The directors of the wheel are absolutely committed to doing the right thing by our dedicated team and have made arrangements to ensure all our employees will be paid their full entitlements.”
Lockdown in regional Vic could ease this week
Despite yesterday’s spike in Covid-19 cases, Health Minister Martin Foley said there were still plans to ease lockdown restrictions in the majority of regional Victoria this week.
“As the Premier and the chief health officer have indicated, there are still plans for, not a snap back, but certainly an easing of restrictions for regional Victoria. With the likely exception of the Shepparton, Goulburn Valley area, because of the cluster there,” he said.
“And that would be focusing around support measures, wellbeing measures and a gradual easing.
“It shouldn’t be seen as a snap back to where we were, say in April or May, but certainly a recognition that the chains of transmission in the regions are different, and in most of the regions, very different, to what they are in Metropolitan Melbourne.”
Mr Foley said the main risks to regional Victoria continue to be things like truck drivers and other workers unknowingly spreading the virus.