Daily flights to return at Vic airport

Avalon Airport has announced twice-daily Jetstar services to and from Sydney from December 18, after NSW’s decision to reopen its border with Victoria on November 23.

Flights at the airport, north of Geelong, ground to halt in March as the COVID-19 pandemic hit Australia.

“It has been a long COVID period for everyone,” Avalon Airport chief executive Justin Giddings said in a statement.

“We can’t wait to see so many people, separated due to state border restrictions, be reunited with loved ones.”

Melbourne Airport has continued to run reduced domestic services throughout the past nine months, although inbound international flights were banned in early July as Victoria grappled with its second wave.

Flights from New Zealand into Melbourne were able to resume on Monday after being ticked off by Premier Daniel Andrews.

It comes as health authorities plan a large-scale asymptomatic testing blitz, despite Victoria notching its 11th consecutive day without a new virus case or death.

The Department of Health and Human Services is preparing to roll out the nation’s first asymptomatic testing push, with the local government areas of Hume and Wyndham reportedly a focus.

Hume and Wyndham, along with Brimbank in Melbourne’s west, have been hit hard by COVID-19, with almost 6000 infections recorded in the regions since the start of the pandemic.

Testing commander Jeroen Weimar said 12,955 Victorians were tested for COVID-19 on Monday, providing authorities with a “really strong and consistent picture”.

Mr Andrews said Victoria’s testing rates during the past fortnight were the best in Australia.