Daniel Andrews has extended his controversial pandemic declaration, giving him sweeping Covid powers for another three months.
The Victorian premier blamed the BA.2 sub-variant of Omicron for holding on to the unprecedented powers until more of his state gets their booster shot.
There were huge protests since the laws were announced in late 2021 as much of the public feels it gives too much power to the premier and his cabinet.
Mr Andrews said the extension was essential for protecting public health as cases rise from the new BA.2 Omicron sub-variant.
‘This extension enables us to keep modest and sensible settings in place to reduce transmission and hospitalisation – that means more support for health workers and limiting its impact on our community,’ he said.
‘We don’t want rules on any longer than they need to be. We’ll continue to follow the advice to protect what we’ve built while protecting our community.’
Responses
With Andrews, there is always someone, or something to blame for everything – convenient isn’t it?
of course he does
So the mandates and jabs are clearly “working”. He’s triple jabbed and got covid. Pathetic!