Some Melbourne office workers could be back in place before Christmas as Victoria’s COVID-19 numbers remain low.
The state on Oct 31 reported one new case of coronavirus in a hospital patient, but health authorities think it could be a “false positive”.
It means the state has 71 active cases of the virus and attention is focusing on business returning to normal.
“If we can see that these chains of transmission are in check, then there is a reasonable chance - a slow and steady - gradual return to the workplace,” Chief Health Officer Brett Sutton said on Saturday.
Workers would not be able to be “packed into offices” and there were some concerning elements, including public transport and elevator use, that needed to be considered, he added.
“If the numbers remain low then those risks become much less in the office space as well,” Sutton said.
“Some (workers) can and should return, but always depending on the numbers. Clearly there’s an economic activity by virtue of return-to-work, especially here in the CBD, and that should be a consideration.”
For some Victorians, “it will be a changed workforce forever”, the expert noted, adding that many employers had already started making long-term arrangements.
“For people who are comfortable and happy and can be supported to work from home, that’s not an unreasonable thing to embed ongoing.”
Saturday’s health department figures included the single “low positive” case.
“They are in a specialist ward. It’s fair to say they weren’t admitted for suspected COVID but they’ve had testing because of those compatible symptoms,” Sutton said.
Melbourne has reported a daily case average of 2.4 for the fortnight up to Friday.
Authorities continue to investigate two mystery cases, for which there is no known source.
The weekend delivered eased social restrictions for Melburnians, including that families can visit each other at home, but only one household can visit another household per day.
The 25km travel limit remains in place and outdoor gatherings are still capped at 10 people, though there is no limit on the number of households involved.
At Treasury Gardens in central Melbourne scores of police formed a ring in response to a small gathering of protesters believed to be objecting to mandatory mask-wearing.
Footage from the scene shows at least one man being arrested.
Health Minister Martin Foley issued a brief response.
“At the moment protests that spread the risk of the virus are not safe.”
