New Victorian rules to allow vaccinated travel from Sydney to Melbourne will begin next week, paving the way for the major air route to be progressively reopened for all vaccinated travellers and the permanent dismantling of state border closures.
The first sign of vaccinated domestic travel emerged as Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk also said she would propose to national cabinet that fully vaccinated Queenslanders be able to sail on small cruise liners along the state’s coast.
The reopening of travel for vaccinated people comes as Victoria’s daily cases hit a record high of 766. There is no sign of a peak, with the seven-day growth rate again climbing after some signs cases were beginning to taper earlier in the week.
Days of protests by construction workers and militant anti-vaxxers petered out on Thursday, amid another day of heavy police presence. A major vaccination centre for homeless and vulnerable groups at the city’s town hall remained closed after staff were spat at on Wednesday by protesters.
Premier Daniel Andrews said there would be no concession on mandatory vaccination for construction workers, with regional tradies needing at least a first dose by Friday.
“That decision has been made. I would just note, the same decision was made in NSW. This is happening in many different parts of the country for the same reason.”
But attempts by police to stop live helicopter footage of protests were put on hold. Media companies (including Nine Entertainment) successfully argued in court against attempts to delay footage of protests. Police claim showing the footage enabled protesters to evade police cordons.
Under the new travel rules, Victorians in Sydney and Canberra will be allowed to return home, provided they are double vaccinated and have had a negative test 72 hours before departure.
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