Victorian premier Daniel Andrews flags just when roadmap out of lockdown will be laid out

Victorians can expect to soon get a more detailed roadmap out of COVID-19 lockdown, as much-anticipated modelling inches closer to completion.

Premier Daniel Andrews has flagged the state government will receive detailed modelling from the Burnett Institute in coming days, before the “caveated” blueprint is laid out “in about a week’s time”.

The modelling will allow health authorities and ministers to formulate plans about what businesses can open and when, on the path to fully vaccinating 80 per cent of Victoria’s eligible population.

The state government has previously announced a minor easing of restrictions when the state hits 70 per cent first dose coverage, including an extra hour of outdoor activity and the expansion of the five-kilometre travel radius to 10km.

“We’re aiming to deliver on all of the commitments that we had foreshadowed, I don’t have a crystal ball. I can’t guarantee that, but that’s what we’re working towards,” Andrews said.

“If we can go further in any areas, we will. That’ll be based on advice but the first thing to do is get to the 70 per cent first dose.”

A plan to return students to classrooms including upgrading ventilation in schools and staggered entry times will form part of the more comprehensive roadmap.

From Monday, children aged from 12 to 15 years will be able to get a Pfizer vaccination in Victoria.

Vaccination boost
It comes as schools and COVID-hit areas prepare to welcome a series of pop-up vaccination hubs to boost coverage rates.

The 100 pop-up vaccination hubs will be established across 100 “priority postcodes”, with about 70 set up at schools. The program will start over the next two weeks.

Of the new 392 cases reported on Sunday, 255 were from Melbourne’s north and another 89 came from the western suburbs.

The federal government has responded to the surge of cases in those regions by sending an extra 417,000 Pfizer and Moderna doses to Victoria as part of a three-week blitz.

Another five infections were also detected in regional Victoria, including one in Greater Geelong, one in Mildura, two in Gippsland and one in the Macedon Ranges that is linked to a V/Line cluster.

Source: 7news.com.au