Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews has given his strongest indication yet the state’s major Covid pandemic health order could soon come to an end.
Speaking on Thursday, Mr Andrews said it is his “hope” he will not need to extend the state’s pandemic declaration when it expires in July.
“I certainly hope so,” Mr Andrews said.
“I don’t know what independent expert advice I’m going to get in the days leading up to the 12th of July.
“It’s my hope that we don’t need that (an extension), or we need something less than that, or we need some other arrangement. That would be terrific.”
But Mr Andrews made it clear he cannot definitively say it will end then, since he is acting on independent expert advice.
If an extension is required, it would take the declaration through to the middle of the state government’s election campaign.
The pandemic declaration was extended by a further three months early this month, meaning it will expire on July 12 at 11.59pm.
It gives Health Minister Martin Foley the ability to make pandemic orders he “considers reasonably necessary” to protect public health.
It comes as a number of Victoria’s Covid restrictions are set to end or ease from 11.59pm on Friday.
Close contacts no longer need to isolate for seven days, as long as they wear masks indoors, avoid sensitive settings and take at least five negative rapid tests.
Patrons will also no longer need to show their vaccination status at any venue, including restaurants, bars and gyms.
Worker vaccination requirements remain in place though.
Mr Andrews said questions on when those remaining vaccination mandates will end should be referred to Mr Foley and the public health team.
“The law parliament has given us doesn’xjmtzywt see me making those important decisions,” he said.
