The Melbourne Cup has been given the go-ahead by fans as Victoria reopens, and Flemington Racecourse will welcome 10,000 punters on the first Tuesday of November.As Victoria approaches an 80 percent double vaccination rate, the Cup will take place just days after a concert at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl on Saturday, October 30.Premier Daniel Andrews’ announcement comes as Victoria recorded 1890 new locally acquired Covid-19 cases and five more deaths on Sunday.
The health department confirmed the new figures around 8.30 a.m., after the state set a national record for the most new daily cases for the second day in a row the day before.Sunday’s total is a slight decrease from Saturday’s total of 1965 new cases, but it remains the state’s second highest day ever.The new deaths bring the total number of lives lost during the outbreak to 85, and the total number of deaths in Victoria during the pandemic to 905.
At least 609 positive Covid patients are being treated in Victoria hospitals, with 126 of them in intensive care, including 88 on a ventilator.Despite the record number of new cases, authorities say the state’s reopening timeline is “on track,” with the lockdown set to end around October 26 when 70% of Victorians aged 16 and older are fully vaccinated.
Mr Andrews stated that, in addition to the Melbourne Cup, Oaks Day and Stakes Day will be able to welcome up to 10,000 patrons if the 80% mark is reached in the first few days of November, as expected.At Flemington, there will be five zones, with punters required to remain in their assigned seats.Anyone wishing to attend must be fully vaccinated or have a valid exemption, as well as wear a mask.
“This is about us as a state, economy, and community being open, and us doing everything we can now to fight this virus, sticking together, looking out for each other, and getting vaccinated is the most important part,” Mr Andrews said on Sunday.”These are just a few announcements today, and there will be many more in terms of (vaccinated economy) trials in metropolitan Melbourne.”
“Whether you’re a racegoer or not, whether you’re a fan of that sport or not, that’ll be a really important date for every single Victorian and will send a message to the rest of the country, and the world, about the fact that we’re open.”Last month, Trade Minister Martin Pakula received a call from a minister in another state who told him, “for God’s sake, get the Cup happening.” We require it.”
“This entire nation has been through something incredibly profound and unsettling, and whether it’s the Melbourne Cup, the Australian Open, great live music events, or Formula One next year, all of those things are a very powerful signal that we’re bouncing back,” he said.”Of course, there will be people who do not like racing, and that is fine,” he says, “but I believe it is an important signal to send to the nation and the world that Melbourne is opening up.”As of Saturday, 85.6 percent of Victorians aged 16 and up had received at least one dose of the Covid-19 vaccine, with 57% fully vaccinated.Mr Andrews promised to end the lockdown when the state’s vaccination rate reached 70%.”We are on track to meet our objectives.” “We’re ahead of schedule, but I don’t want complacency to set in,” he said last week.”At this point, I have no advice that we need to change anything on the road map.
“The lockdown in New South Wales will be lifted on Monday, after the state met the 70% double dose target last week.In Victoria, there are currently 18,342 active coronavirus cases. Kate Matson, deputy secretary of the Department of Health, has warned that Victoria could reach 3000 daily cases by the end of this month.”At this time,” she said, “we are on track in terms of hospitalizations and new cases.” “However, keep in mind that there is a middle line, as well as an upper and lower band, and we are still within that band.”In just the last week, Victoria has recorded 11,794 incidents.
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