Pandemic declaration extended

The Covid-19 pandemic declaration has been extended for three more months. Picture: ON FILE

Premier Daniel Andrews has made the decision to extend the pandemic declaration as part of the continued response to the coronavirus pandemic.

The pandemic declaration will continue to apply to Victoria from 11.59pm Tuesday 12 July for three months.

The pandemic declaration gives the Minister for Health the authority to make pandemic orders she considers reasonably necessary to protect public health after considering the Chief Health Officer’s advice and other relevant factors, including social and economic factors.

“In making the declaration, I am satisfied on reasonable grounds that there continues to be a serious risk to public health throughout Victoria due to the coronavirus disease which requires continued public health and other protective measures to reduce the risk of transmission and hospitalisation,” Mr Andrews statement reads.

“Recently, a number of modest and sensible changes to pandemic orders were made to allow Victorians to live safely with COVID-19 while reducing transmission and hospitalisations. This extended declaration will enable those key settings to remain in place over winter, protecting Victorians and our health system.”

There are 94.6 per cent of Victorians over 12 years who have received two vaccine doses against coronavirus and over 68.4 per cent of Victorians over 16 years who have received a third dose.