Victoria records another huge spike in cases, eight deaths
Victoria records 1612 new Covid-19 cases, eight deaths
Vaccine passports trialled
Melbourne Cup gets get green light for crowds
Victoria continues to battle surging case numbers of Covid-19 with another 1612 cases announced on Monday.
The health department advised there are now 19,012 active cases and eight more people have died with Covid. More than 73,000 tests were also undertaken.
Health Department deputy secretary Kate Matson said on Saturday Victoria is no longer pursuing a Covid-zero strategy.
Vaccine passports trialled
Monday signals the first day regional areas will begin trialling a system to check the vaccination status of people wanting to visit a business.
The system will be used in Melbourne once lockdown lifts and businesses can reopen, with 14 regional venues participating in the trial, including gyms, pubs, cafes, churches, real estate agents, move theatres and beauticians.
Patrons will be asked to show they are fully vaccinated by displaying a digital certificate via the Services Victoria app, Medicare app or smartphone wallet.
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A printed version of the certificate or immunisation history statement can also be used as proof, or the patron will need to show evidence of a valid exemption.
The trials will test the vaccine certification technology and train staff and business owners on how to communicate vaccine requirements to patrons.
If successful, the system will be scaled up so double-vaccinated Victorians can attend the Melbourne Cup and live music within weeks.
Melbourne Cup gets get green light for crowds
The state recorded 1890 new cases of coronavirus on Sunday. Representing a doubling of cases since September 29's 950 cases, a worrying rise Premier Daniel Andrews partly attributed to AFL Grand Final parties.
The premier announced on Sunday double-vaccinated Victorians will be able to attend the Melbourne Cup and live music within weeks under a large-scale trial of crowd numbers.
About 10,000 racing fans can go to the Melbourne Cup on November 2, while Oaks Day and Stakes Day will be allowed similar-sized crowds if the state reaches its 80 per cent COVID-19 double-jab threshold.
A live music event will also be held at the Sydney Myer Music Bowl on October 30 with thousands of people attending.
He said the events send an important signal about changes over the coming months.
"We're going to normalise this virus, we are going to move through this difficult gateway, we're going to open up and we're going to be back doing what we do best," he told reporters.
with AAP
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