Epidemiologists split over easing of Covid restrictions in NSW and Victoria

The easing of Covid restrictions in Victoria and New South Wales has been welcomed by industry groups, despite concerns from some epidemiologists that it sends the wrong message at a time daily infections remain high.

From Friday, people in both states who live with Covid-19 cases or are deemed close contacts will no longer have to quarantine for seven days, provided they have no symptoms.

Instead, they will be required to undertake rapid antigen tests, wear masks while indoors, work from home where possible and avoid high-risk settings such as aged care and hospitals.

In Victoria, patrons will no longer need to show proof of their vaccination status to enter hospitality or entertainment venues, and check-in QR codes will no longer be required anywhere.

The state also dropped mask requirements in primary schools, early childhood centres, hospitality, retail and events, bringing it largely in line with NSW and Queensland.

However, Victoria is keeping vaccination mandates for key workers at this stage, while in NSW it has been lifted for all but aged care and disability workers.

Industry groups also praised the Victoria and NSW governments, describing the scrapping of the seven-day isolation for household contacts as an enormous relief for businesses severely affected by staff shortages.

The views among epidemiologists, however, were mixed.

Prof Mike Toole from the Burnet Institute said he was disappointed by the announcements, saying daily Covid cases were far too high to justify the changes.

Victoria recorded 14 deaths and 10,628 new infections on Wednesday, while NSW recorded 15 deaths and 15,414 cases. Authorities in both jurisdictions are confident they have passed the peak of the latest Omicron wave.

University of Melbourne epidemiologist Prof Nancy Baxter said the further easing of restrictions would mean the country would not be able to reduce its daily case tally before heading into winter.

Australian National University infectious disease expert Prof Peter Collignon, however, did not expect there to be a huge spike in cases because of the changes, citing high vaccination rates and a large proportion of the population having already had the virus.

Collignon said Australia has reached a new phase in the pandemic, thanks to vaccination uptake, the milder Omicron variant and the availability of new treatments.

Trauer also urged governments to think about how they will manage the virus in the long-term.

The secretary of the Victorian Trades Hall Council, Luke Hilakari, urged workplaces to maintain Covid-safe plans to protect their workforce and encouraged any workers with symptoms to stay at home.