The long-awaited announcements for Melbourne’s progression to the next stage out of lockdown have been put on hold, with Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews calling the delay “a cautious pause” in anticipation of further COVID-19 test results from an ongoing outbreak.

“We are not in a position to do that today because we have at least 1,000 test results from that northern metropolitan outbreak that are in the labs,” he told reporters earlier today, Sunday.

“We will get those today, probably the balance of them tomorrow, and there will be additional testing conducted throughout the day.

“This is not anything other than a cautious pause, to wait to get that important information, to get the results of those tests.”

The Premier stated hopeful about making “definitive announcements about opening up metropolitan Melbourne in a couple of days’ time”, saying that Victoria is ‘well and truly’ on track for an extensive reopening before 1 November.

READ MORE: Midweek reopening for Melbourne retailers and restaurants may be possible

Melburnians had their hopes up during last week, after the Premier flagged the reopening of retail and hospitality, amidst other measures relaxed, could be brought forward.

But an emerging outbreak mid-week, sparked by an Easton Preston student testing positive to the virus, put suburbs in Melbourne’s north, including Dallas, Roxburgh Park, Broadmeadows, Preston and West Heidelberg, on alert.

Hundreds of residents have been told to self-isolate while over 3,000 tests have been conducted only in the last 24 hours to Sunday.

About third of them is still being processed, with more expected today.

The results of these will determine whether the expected significant easing of coronavirus restrictions in metropolitan Melbourne is announced sometime next week.

The state has recorded seven new cases today, Sunday, with the 14-day rolling average standing now at 4.6.

READ MORE: Seven new cases, after Andrews cautioned easing of restrictions not to be “banked on”

Victoria’s Chief Health Officer, Brett Sutton, has backed the extra time given before easing restrictions, citing “a critical decision point” for reopening with “confidence” in anticipation of “hundreds of people who have test results to come back who could potentially turn up positive […] and […] have their own contacts and secondary contacts.”

In a statement, Daniel Andrews has said the extra couple of days “might put us weeks ahead” of the virus in order to “stamp out” the outbreak, while he acknowledged peoples’ frustration with the reopening delay.

“I know everyone will be disappointed we’re not making that move today. I get that. I am too,” he said.

But backlash has come from multiple sides, including during the press conference, with a reporter asking the Premier to comment on the statement: ‘You dangled a carrot for Victorians and today it feels like you have hit us with a stick’

Mikakos tweets about ‘paralysis in decision-making’

Among critics of today’s lack of announcements was recently resigned Victorian Health Minister, Jenny Mikakos.

In a tweet, Ms Mikakos said that given the under 5 threshold in the 14-day rolling average has been achieved, the majority of new cases are of known source and set reopening being gradual, “any delay is unnecessary”.

“It’s paralysis in decision-making,” she wrote.

Asked to respond to Ms Mikakos’ comments, Mr Andrews said:

“I have nothing to say about those comments because I have nothing to say about them. That is a choice I make and it does not make any sense to be interrogated on why I do not say anything.”

Head of the state opposition, Michael O’Brien has also been vocal in his criticism of today’s announcements.

What changes in regional VIC?

Meanwhile, a number of changes were announced for regional Victoria in today’s press conference.

Changes to take effect from Wednesday, 28 October, include:

  • Gyms and fitness studios opening with a maximum of 10 people per space
  • Non-contact sports allowed indoors for under 18s, subject to social distancing
  • Indoor pools can accommodate up to 20 swimmers
  • Religious gatherings allowed with 20 people indoors plus a faith leader and with a cap of 50 outdoors plus a faith leader, while up to 50 mourners can attend funerals outdoors.