Victoria introduces new restrictions after hotel worker tests positive to Covid
Victoria has reinstated several coronavirus restrictions after a hotel quarantine worker tested positive to the virus on Wednesday night.
The 26-year-old man, who worked at the Grand Hyatt hotel in Melbourne, has been transferred to a health hotel and his close contacts are isolating.
"This is one case. There's no need for people to panic. There's no need for people to be alarmed," Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews told reporters on Wednesday night.
The new statewide restrictions came into effect at 11.59pm on Wednesday, giving Victorians barely more than an hour to prepare.
Under the new rules, masks will once again be mandatory in public indoor spaces, such as shopping centres, and the state’s health department strongly encourages masks to be worn at home if you have visitors.
The only time a mask isn’t required is when you are eating or drinking.
A change has also been made to the number of visitors allowed per household.
The current number of 30 guest has been slashed in half to 15.
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This number does not include the residents of the home or children under 12 months of age.
The final rule surrounds Monday’s ‘return to work’ cap.
It was due to be increased to 75 per cent on February 8, but will now remain paused at 50 per cent.
Vic Health advised that major testing sites in Melbourne’s South East will be opening early tomorrow.
Kmart, Coles, Bunnings among exposure sites
Following the Grand Hyatt worker’s positive test, a number of locations have been revealed as possible exposure sites.
Anyone who visited the following locations at the times specified must isolate immediately, get a Covid test and remain isolated for 14 days regardless of the result.
Saturday January 30:
Club Noble in Noble Park, 2.36pm - 3.30pm
Aces Sporting Club, 10pm - 11.15pm
Sunday January 31
Northpoint Cafe Brighton, 8.10am - 9.30am
Kmart Keysborough, 4pm - 5pm
Kmart Brandon Park, 4.35pm - 5.10pm
Coles Springvale, 5pm - 6pm
Monday February 1
Bunnings Springvale, 11.28am - 12.15pm
Melbourne Golf Academy, 5.19pm - 6.36pm
All Australian Open players, officials and support staff who were at the hotel at the same time as the worker have been directed to isolate immediately and get tested.
Hotel staff have been ordered to isolate immediately, get tested and stay in isolation for 14 days.
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