So where do we stand?
The Chief Health Officer (CHO) is the beacon of judgement when it comes to making calls about coronavirus. Yesterday, Victoria’s CHO Brett Sutton overrode the Premier Daniel Andrews’ initial message that partners could not visit each other if they didn’t live in the same home.
Speaking about the restriction, Andrews originally said in a press conference, “That’s not work, that’s not caregiving, that’s not medical care, that’s not shopping for the things that you need when you need them. And you know, it does not comply with the rules. So people should not do that.”
The State Police Minister Lisa Neville even reiterated those points on Twitter. “You cannot visit your partner for social reasons. There are select reasons you can go to the home of your partner.”
You cannot visit your partner for social reasons. There are select reasons you can go to the home of your partner. They are outlined clearly in the directives of the CHO which you can find and read at: https://t.co/lZt5A46ROh
— Lisa Neville (@LisanevilleMP) March 31, 2020
But Sutton took to Twitter yesterday afternoon and contradicted all the messages that had come before. “Regarding ‘Stay at Home’ rules: We have no desire to penalise individuals who are staying with or meeting their partners if they don’t usually reside together.”
Regarding ‘Stay at Home’ rules: We have no desire to penalise individuals who are staying with or meeting their partners if they don’t usually reside together. We’ll be making an exemption. Hope that helps.
— Chief Health Officer, Victoria (@VictorianCHO) April 1, 2020
So where does that leave us? Technically, as long as it is a gathering of no more than two people, it should be fine, but there seems to be exceptions and anomalies flying all over the place.
If you’re after some clarity, the State Government has been strictly adhering to the instructions outlined by the state CHO throughout all this adversity so it seems likely that Andrews will change his tact.
Keep your eyes peeled for what Andrews has next up his sleeve.
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