Whistleblower reveals ‘concerning’ quarantine breach before Holiday Inn outbreak07/03/2021|3min
A whistleblower has unveiled a breach in Victoria s hotel quarantine program which has cast further doubt on the efficacy of Victoria’s hotel quarantine processes.
The Melbourne nurse says he and fellow staff were asked to work across nine separate quarantine hotels prior to the Holiday Inn outbreak.
Emails sent to workers allegedly cited resourcing shortages and The Age has reportedly acquired rosters and leaked documents supporting the claim.
Victorian Roads and Public Transport Minister Ben Carroll labelled the reports “concerning” given staff were barred from working across multiple quarantine hotels after the state’s second coronavirus wave.
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Gathering limits have eased and mask-wearing rules have loosened under new restrictions in Victoria that public health experts and business leaders expect will mark the first of a series of uninterrupted steps back towards regular life.
Encouraged by the start of the COVID-19 vaccination rollout and the effectiveness of Victoria’s contact tracing system against the test of another hotel quarantine breach, Deakin University chair of epidemiology Catherine Bennett said any retightening of restrictions should not be necessary –let alone another lockdown.
Premier Daniel Andrews struck a cautiously optimistic tone on Friday, two weeks after announcing a five-day lockdown.
Coronavirus Victoria: Mask easing marks start of path to a normal life, experts say smh.com.au - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from smh.com.au Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Labor contest heats up for Hennessyâs cabinet seat
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State Labor MP Mary-Anne Thomas has emerged as the frontrunner to fill the spot in the Andrews governmentâs cabinet left vacant by Wednesdayâs surprise resignation of attorney-general Jill Hennessy.
Ms Thomas will contest a ballot of the partyâs Socialist Left caucus in the coming days against Eltham MP Vicki Ward. However, Ms Thomasâ experience as a cabinet secretary and the probable backing of Premier Daniel Andrews are expected to give her the edge.