Asked about the Ashes series, which begins in Brisbane, Queensland, on December 8, he said: “I don’t issue passports or visas … but I think it is highly unlikely that the Commonwealth government will be letting anybody into this country that has not been double-vaxxed, certainly in the medium term. That might change over time.”
The categories of authorised workers covered by Friday’s health order included “professional or high-performance sportsperson, workers that support the safe running of that person’s professional sport” and broadcasters.
Authorised workers must have their first vaccine shot by October 15 and their second by November 26 or face being banned from their workplaces.
“Ultimately, if you want to come to work and you’re on the authorised list, you need to have your first jab by (Oct. 15),” Andrews told reporters as Victoria announced 1,143 new local Covid-19 cases.
The health order was issued as Australia cricket captain Tim Paine said the Ashes would go ahead even if England captain Joe Root refused to travel in protest against the host country’s tough Covid-19 quarantine restrictions.
Root and some of his team-mates have voiced doubts about the tour due to ‘bubble fatigue’ and concerns they would not be allowed to bring their families with them.
“The Ashes are going ahead. The first test is on December 8 – whether Joe is here or not,” Paine told radio station SEN Hobart.
“It’ll be worked out above us and then they’ll have a choice whether to get on that plane or not.
“No-one is forcing any England player to come. That’s the beauty of the world we live in – you have a choice. If you don’t want to come, don’t come.”
Cricket Australia has been negotiating with the country’s authorities over England players’ concerns.
