One new locally acquired COVID-19 case has been diagnosed in Victoria, as return-to-work plans face scrutiny over the Black Rock cluster.
Victoria recorded three new coronavirus infections on Wednesday, with just one coming from a local source and the other two acquired overseas.
It takes the number of active cases in the state to 41.
Testing lifted for a third straight day, with 37,509 swabs processed on Tuesday.
Victoria’s list of exposure sites has almost hit 100, with two clothes retailers and a Sri Lankan restaurant in Melbourne added late on Tuesday.
A known case shopped at the Nike Company in South Melbourne on 30 December from 12pm to 12:45pm. Anyone in the store at this time must get tested and quarantine for 14 days.
Other health alerts have been issued for anyone at Melbourne’s Culture Kings store on Russell Street and Tamarind 8 in Narre Warren at specific times.
They are asked to monitor for symptoms and get tested if they develop.
It comes as the Victorian government asks for a review of the return-to-work plan for the public service and commercial offices ahead of planned changes on Monday.
The current outbreak linked to a Black Rock restaurant in bayside Melbourne, seeded from outbreaks in NSW, prompted the call for a review on Tuesday night.
The public service was due to move into the next phase of return to work from Monday – increasing office capacity to 25 per cent, ahead of a jump to 50 per cent on 8 February.
Commercial offices are currently expected to be allowed up to 50 per cent capacity from 11 January, but all changes remain subject to health advice.
The latest outbreak in Victoria had 27 local cases as of Tuesday, all linked back to a Thai restaurant in bayside Melbourne.
More than 1300 close contacts of those affected are in quarantine as health officials work to limit the spread.
Genomic testing has linked those cases to a cluster on Sydney’s Northern Beaches, one of several being managed by authorities in NSW.
Those outbreaks prompted a tough new border policy, which has left thousands of Victorians stranded on the wrong side.
There were 2798 exemption applications by Tuesday, with just 57 approved.
Police Minister Lisa Neville insists there will be no change to the exemption policy.
Victoria Police have turned away 1532 motorists trying to cross the border, issuing 1232 warnings and 50 fines to people caught “checkpoint shopping” or using misleading permit applications.
People in Australia must stay at least 1.5 metres away from others. Check your jurisdiction’s restrictions on gathering limits.
If you are experiencing cold or flu symptoms, stay home and arrange a test by calling your doctor or contact the Coronavirus Health Information Hotline on 1800 020 080. News and information is available in 63 languages at sbs.com.au/coronavirus.
Please check the relevant guidelines for your state or territory: NSW, Victoria, Queensland, Western Australia, South Australia, Northern Territory, ACT, Tasmania.
