Victoria records 1196 new virus cases

It’s a slight spike in cases after the state posted 827 infections on Tuesday.

There are now 284 infected Victorians in hospital, with 52 in active intensive care units and 29 on a ventilator.

More than 89 per cent of people older than 12 are fully vaccinated.

While Victoria is just days away from hitting the 90 per cent vaccination target, the new rules tied to the number were already relaxed late last week.

Victorians woke to the new round of freedoms on Friday, including the scrapping of density limits for hospitality, concerts and events with double-dosed attendees.

Premier Daniel Andrews revealed the host of changes on Thursday, saying “almost all” restrictions have now ended.

It comes as the Andrews government refused to rule out mandates for children after announcing unvaccinated children aged between 12 and 15 would be banned from entering most public venues, including the state’s hospitality venues and major events.

The move would see kids aged between five and 11 subject to a “no jab, no play” system when the vaccine becomes available to children in that age group.

School activities where a teacher is present are exempt, allowing unvaccinated teenagers to attend their own formals and graduation ceremonies.

The government is giving unvaccinated Victorian high school students an exemption to attend graduations and excursions, but will ban them from uniform shops.

The rule copped backlash on two fronts – from those who argue it doesn’t go far enough, and those who claim it will cause “segregation”.

“What about uniform shops, bookstores, scouts, basketball, karate, dance classes?” Liberal Democrat MP David Limbrick said.

“My 12 year-old daughter was told she would have to try clothes on the footpath out the front of the store … it’s humiliating.” parent Joel Robins said.

Originally published as Victoria records 1196 new local cases of coronavirus