Greens want Daniel Andrews to take action against people who don’t wear masks on public transportation.

✔ Fact Checked by TDPel News Desk

By Samantha Allen

Published: May 29, 2022 | 9:06 AM

The Green Party has accused Daniel Andrews of ignoring Covid and is calling for a crackdown on mask use on public transportation.

Tim Reed, a Victorian MP, wants the Andrews Government to launch a fresh winter campaign that promotes wearing masks indoors, free flu vaccines, and a renewed push for Covid booster doses.

They also want workplaces and hospitality venues to be forced to use HEPA filters in their air conditioning and to do ventilation analysis on their premises.

‘If we’re serious about helping our ambulance and hospital system, we can’t keep watching these numbers increase without doing something,’ Dr Read told The Herald Sun.

‘In mid-March, we had 175 Covid cases in hospital and that’s gone up to 571 which is like closing a very large hospital just when we need it most.’

Premier Daniel Andrews fired back that the Greens were just trying to create a point of division ahead of the state election in November.

‘That’s just pure rank politics… I won’t be following the advice of the Green political party, I will instead consult with medical experts and I don’t think Victorians would want it any other way,’ he said.

Data shows that of the 11,362 Covid-linked fines issued in Victoria in 2021 only about six per cent had been paid, raising questions as to how effective the fines were.

The Victorian Government figures show 2,321 fines were withdrawn by authorities and, as of March, 8,200 were outstanding.

Of those about 1,450 were fines for not wearing a mask in a required setting.

The Victorian Government said it was running radio, television and print ads promoting masks, social distancing, and vaccination.

‘We are investing $12bn to increase staffing, perform more surgery, build new hospitals, provide important upgrades at regional hospitals and boost local public health units,’ it said.

Australian Medical Association Victoria president Roderick McRae said he would welcome any further measures to support a healthcare sector strained by demand and staff shortages ahead of winter.

In Victoria, masks are no longer required in schools, retail, hospitality, and almost all other indoor areas.

But the measure is still mandatory on public transport including at airports, and in aged care facilities, hospitals, and other medical facilities.

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About Samantha Allen

Samantha Allen is a seasoned journalist and senior correspondent at TDPel Media, specializing in the intersection of maternal health, clinical wellness, and public policy. With a background in investigative reporting and a passion for data-driven storytelling, Samantha has become a trusted voice for expectant mothers and healthcare advocates worldwide. Her work focuses on translating complex medical research into actionable insights, covering everything from prenatal fitness and neonatal care to the socioeconomic impacts of healthcare legislation. At TDPel Media, Samantha leads the agency's health analytics desk, ensuring that every report is grounded in accuracy, empathy, and scientific integrity. When she isn't in the newsroom, she is an advocate for community-led wellness initiatives and an avid explorer of California’s coastal trails.