'Not a national picnic plan': Andrews takes jab at NSW’s 'extra support'
Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews has taken aim at the NSW Government over its easing of restrictions and management of Covid-19 vaccines.
Victoria recorded 92 new cases of locally acquired coronavirus on Sunday and extended its lockdown.
It was scheduled to end on Thursday, but Mr Andrews said no new end date is known at this point, adding that he will receive that advice in the coming days.
Mr Andrews aired his frustration to reporters about the state’s struggle to get extra doses of vaccine, claiming NSW “has received significant extra support”.
“We do not begrudge them that but we are now in Victoria with case numbers too high to safely open up and that means that we have many challenges as well, and it is only fair that we distribute vaccines based on the population share and need, of course,” he said.
“But we can't continue to see hundreds and thousands of extra doses pouring into Sydney at the expense of every other part of our nation.”
The premier also took aim at the NSW Government's plan to ease restrictions once people are fully vaccinated.
He said it is coming at the expense of getting Victorians jabbed and does not follow the national plan.
“It is not a national plan for picnics,” he said.
'Slap in the face': Backlash over surprise lockdown rule change
'Under stress': NSW criticised for 'hiding' information from Covid updates
NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian announced last week that from September 13 a group of five fully vaccinated adults will be able to gather for a picnic as long as they are not from an LGA of concern.
On Saturday, Health Minister Brad Hazzard said from 12.01am on Friday people can get married with up to five guests, in addition to people "obviously necessary for the actual service".
The lockdown restriction change came as a surprise to many and has attracted heavy backlash.
Mr Andrews said he’s spoken with Prime Minister Scott Morrison about the allocation of vaccines for September onwards with regards to distributing them by population share, which he has agreed to do.
Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com.
You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter and download the Yahoo News app from the App Store or Google Play.
