Lockdown Dan sees no need to apologise
VICTORIAN Premier Daniel Andrews says he “won’t apologise” for the state’s staggered pathway to freedom after comparisons were made with NSW’s reopening strategy.
As the two states continue to battle the Delta variant and hundreds of cases each day, both Mr Andrews and NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian have been criticised for their “glacial” plans for emerging from lockdown.
Victoria is taking a much more cautious approach than NSW when it reaches the 70 per cent double dose vaccination target, lagging on home visits, hairdressing, hospitality and gyms.
“I’m not here to apologise for doing this cautiously and following the science,” Mr Andrews told ABC News Breakfast on Tuesday.
“We’re taking an approach that’s based on public health advice. That’s what has got us to this point, that’s what we’ll continue to see.”
For the first time during this outbreak, Victoria has overtaken NSW in terms of daily case numbers, with the state recording 867 cases and four deaths on Tuesday.
Mr Andrews announced on Sunday that Victoria was set to reach its 80 per cent first dose vaccination target, but authorities remained committed to a slower reopening so the state’s hospital services wouldn’t be overwhelmed.
Data has revealed that 77.9 per cent of Victorians have had their first dose, with 47.7 per cent fully vaccinated.
Both states have recently released their road maps to reopening, outlining what will happen once their populations reach the 70 per cent fully vaccinated threshold.
Sydney hospitality, gyms and hairdressers will be allowed to reopen, and up to five people will be allowed to visit a person’s home, with 20 people allowed in outdoor settings.
In comparison, Melbourne’s plan will open pubs to 50 fully vaccinated people outdoors, with hairdressing and personal care only open for fully vaccinated people.
There will also be no home visits allowed in the state.
When asked why Victoria was doing things differently to NSW, Mr Andrews said his state was already at a disadvantage.
“New South Wales are out in front of us because they were given additional vaccine supply. We don’t begrudge them that,” he said. “It means we’ll be able to watch on and see exactly how this unfolds.”