Coronavirus Queensland: Children banned from visiting grandparents, unis go online, water myth busted
More than 36,000 people have applied for the 5000 casual positions Coles needs to fill to keep up with panic buying sparked by the coronavirus crisis. FOLLOW OUR ROLLING UPDATES
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MORE than 36,000 Australians have applied for casual roles at Coles as the coronavirus continues to threaten the job stability of casual employees.
With 5000 jobs listed on Tuesday, Labor MP Jason Clare told Sky News the high application numbers reflected the “economic challenge” the nation faces.
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AUCTION HOUSE GOES VIRTUAL
CAR auctioning company Pickles Auctions has announced they will be ceasing all physical bidding on vehicle or salvage options across the country, though will still allow physical pre-auction inspections.
Taking effect from Thursday, the move will see all auctions take place digitally through their website or phone application, with in-person bidding applications being unavailable indefinitely.
In addition, the auction chain will no longer be accepting physical cash payments from winning bidders, with electronic funds or EFTPOS transfers being required to collect the vehicles.
“There will be no physical bidding permitted at our sites in motor vehicle and salvage auctions until further notice,” the company said in a release.
“Viewing for motor vehicle and salvage vehicle auctions will continue as per normal. Viewing and auction areas will be closed prior to the commencement of the auction.”
CASINOS START DEEP CLEAN
QUEENSLAND’S major casinos will close at a dedicated time each morning to undergo cleaning as coronavirus sweeps the state.
The Star Gold Coast and Treasury Brisbane will close from 4am-8am daily.
In a statement, Star Entertainment Group said the new measure followed the earlier introduction of social distancing.
Those measures included the deactivation of every second gaming machine and electronic table game, reducing the capacity at table games and increasing the distance between players.
“The Star Entertainment Group is actively engaging with governments in NSW and Queensland and working through our specific position given our properties operate in a precinct fashion,” the statement read.
“The Star will adhere to any direct advice we receive from governments.”
CINEMAS CLOSE AS A PRECAUTION
PALACE Cinemas has announced its locations will close from tomorrow as a precaution.
It comes after advice from the Australian Government advice that non-essential services and public gatherings be closed.
“From this review, we’ve made the difficult decision to temporarily close all Palace Cinema locations from Thursday the 19th of March for an indefinite period to protect both our staff and patrons,” an email sent out today stated.
The company said online bookings would be refunded while paid memberships to the theatre chain were being reviewed.
Palace currently has 23 locations across Australia, according to its website, including cinemas at The Barracks along Petrie Tce in Brisbane’s CBD and along James St in Fortitude Valley.
36,000 PEOPLE APPLY FOR 5,000 CASUAL COLES JOBS
“On an average day Coles tells me they have about 800 job applications – yesterday they had 36,000,” he said.
“That gives you a bit of an idea of the economic challenge the country faces at the moment.”
Advertising jobs for stocking shelves, working on check-outs and truck driving, the supermarket chain received 36,000 applications within 48 hours.
‘I wouldn’t be surprised if they are people working in the hospitality sector, people in bars and cafes that are now shut.”
This comes as major supermarket chains Coles and Woolworths impose food restrictions to remove the issue of panic-buying from stores.
CHILDREN BANNED FROM VISITING GRANDPARENTS
CHILDREN will be banned from visiting grandparents in nursing homes as the federal government tries to shield the elderly from killer coronavirus infections.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison today announced a ban on under-16s from visiting aged care facilities, to prevent them spreading the virus that is most deadly for the elderly.
No more than two people can visit a resident at one time, with visitors restricted to family members, close friends and professionals such as doctors or lawyers.
Visitors will be told to stay 1.5m apart, and to keep out of communal areas.
In-person visits must be kept short, and family and friends have been urged to phone or use “social communication apps’’ to keep in touch with elderly residents.
Nursing home staff must stay home if they have any signs of fever, shortness of breath, a sore throat or runny nose.
Visitors and staff will be banned from aged care homes unless they get an influenza vaccination before May 1.
Anyone who has been overseas within 14 days, has been in contact with a confirmed COVID-19 case or have cold-like symptoms are also banned from nursing homes.
“No school groups of any size should be allowed to visit aged care facilities,’’ the Prime Minister’s office said in a statement.
“Children aged 16 years or less must be permitted only by exception, as they are generally unable to comply with hygiene measures.
“Exemptions can be assessed on a case-by-case basis, for example, where the resident is in a palliative care scenario.’’
The government will also relax visa conditions for 20,000 international student nurses to let them work more than 40 hours a fortnight in aged care homes.
Leading Age Services Australia chief executive Sean Rooney welcomed the changes and called on the community to “play it safe’’ around the elderly.
“We welcome the balance between care, compassion and an appropriate measure of caution and protection,’’ he said.
“This is crucial for the care of older Australians and the staff who look after them.
“We must ensure we are doing everything we possibly can to reduce the risk of infection.’’
ANZAC DAY DAWN SERVICE CANCELLED
THE committee behind Brisbane’s Anzac Day Dawn Service in ANZAC Square has confirmed it will not go ahead as a “public gathering”.
It follows the cancellation of the Anzac Day Parade in Brisbane’s CBD. Services across the state conducted by Queensland’s 240 RSL subbranches have also been cancelled.
“It is clear that the Dawn Service as a public gathering will not occur,” Anzaac Day Commemoration Committee president retired Colonel David Smith said.
“We are considering all other options to enable the public to commemorate the day.”
NEW DRIVE-THROUGH FEVER CLINIC
ANOTHER drive-through fever clinic has been set up at Pine Rivers, north of Brisbane, to help handle increasing numbers of people turning up to be tested for coronavirus.
Queensland Health announced two drive-through clinics on the weekend, saying they would be trialled in Caloundra and Toowoomba.
But with cases across Queensland anticipated to surge in the coming weeks, more are expected to be established throughout the state to take pressure off already stretched general practitioners and hospital emergency departments.
The drive-through clinics are in addition to hospital fever clinics, designed to keep potential COVID-19 cases away from other patients.
People will be asked to remain in their vehicles and health workers in personal protective gear will test temperature, pulse, oxygen saturation and respiration through the car window.
If people meet the criteria, swabs will then be taken and sent for COVID-19 testing.
Drive-through clinics have operated successfully in South Korea during the coronavirus pandemic.
The Pine Rivers clinic at the local community health centre on Gympie Road will be open between 8am and 4pm on week days.
Under the latest protocols set by Queensland’s Chief Health Officer Jeannette Young, people can only be tested for COVID-19 if they develop symptoms within 14 days of travelling overseas, if they fall ill after having close contact with a confirmed case or if they develop severe pneumonia requiring hospital admission with no other identifiable cause.
Health care workers can also be tested for the novel coronavirus if they have a fever over 37.5 degrees Celsius and have respiratory symptoms.
The number of COVID-19 cases in Queensland stands at 94. Nine people have recovered. A 77-year-old Sunshine Coast woman remains the only death.
HOURS TO INCREASE FOR KEY SUPERMARKET ROLES
LOADING dock and supermarket distribution centres will have their operating hours extended as the Palaszczuk Government introduces “urgent reforms” amid unprecedented grocery demands.
As panic-shoppers continue to stream through supermarkets, the Palaszczuk Government has been forced to implement new laws which will widen the operating hours of behind-the-scene grocery stocking crews.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said it’s only days until the new laws come into effect, allowing loading dock and distribution centres to work “24 hours a day when necessary”.
“We’ve seen unprecedented demand for groceries like non-perishable food, toilet paper and other essentials,” the Premier said.
“We are not running out of products, but we need to make these changes to get products on the shelves as quickly as possible”.
Planning Minister Cameron Dick said the reforms still had to through the Queensland Parliament.
“My Department has worked round the clock to ensure these amendments can be brought forward without delay, and to keep our shelves restocked,” Mr Dick said.
Queensland Woolworths Supermarkets General Manager Chris Peters said the demand for food was extraordinary.
“Our teams and many of our suppliers have been working round the clock to replenish our stores with essential items,” Mr Peters said.
“The short-term exemption from delivery curfews will allow our teams more flexibility and additional delivery windows to respond to customer demand”.
NO EVIDENCE CORONAVIRUS TRANSMITTED IN DRINKING WATER
THERE is no evidence that coronavirus is transmitted by drinking water, Natural Resources Minister Anthony Lynham says.
“Existing water treatment and disinfection processes, including the use of chlorine, are effective in protecting water supplies,” he said this morning in parliament.
State-owned water businesses Seqwater and Sunwater have stood up their emergency management teams to respond to any water supply issues.
Seqwater is operating its water treatment plants as normal and providing bulk drinking water to Urban Utilities, Unitywater and the Logan, Gold Coast and Redland councils.
Dr Lynham said to protect the health and safety of Seqwater’s employees, all staff were now working from home, other than critical staff.
“To protect these critical staff, access to operational sites is being limited,” he said.
“Access is also being limited to essential suppliers, such as maintenance or construction crews and people delivering important goods such as chemicals.”
PROTECTION FOR INDIGENOUS COMMUNITIES TO BE DISCUSSED
THE protection of indigenous communities will be considered at a national meeting on Friday, with the Queensland Premier warning of “dire” consequences if coronavirus spreads through them.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said the next important issue to be discussed among the national cabinet would be “the devastating impact coronavirus will have on our indigenous communities”.
“We need to do everything we possibly can to protect these communities,” she told parliament.
“If coronavirus gets a foothold in any of our indigenous communities, the situation will be dire.”
She said non-essential travel into such communities would be considered, as well as other travel issues.
She said many indigenous communities travelled into Cairns, for instance, for health appointments.
Authorities worried they could pick up the disease in the tourist town and take it back to their communities, she said.
“There needs to be some very serious discussions on how we protect our most vulnerable,” Ms Palaszczuk said.
“I want people to understand the gravity of the situation.”
UNIVERSITY CANCELS CLASSES OVER VIRUS CONCERNS
CLASSES have been cancelled next week at The Australian Catholic University while the university moves courses online.
In a statement this morning ACU Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Greg Craven said the Autumn mid-semester break would be brought forward to start 23 March and classes would resume on 30 March in order to complete Semester 1.
“We will pause all face-to-face and online teaching from close of business this Friday 20 March, with teaching to resume on Monday 30 March.
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“During this time our academics and professional services staff will work to adapt
campus-based delivery of our units to modes of online delivery, wherever feasible.
“For units that continue to involve a physical presence on campus, the university will
distribute protocols to ensure social distancing.”
He said while all classes were suspended campuses were still open.
“It is important to emphasise that during this week of paused classes, and from when
classes resume from 30 March, all ACU campuses will remain open,” he said.
“Students and staff will still be able to access libraries, sporting facilities, study spaces and food outlets.
“After resumption of classes, units involving physical presence will continue to be
delivered on campus, while also being offered online, as feasible.”
Southern Cross University is also set to deliver all of its programs online from Monday while all campuses are still open for students.
Xin response to the continued impacts of the COVID-19 crisis.
“We have made this move in the best interests of our students and our teaching staff,”
Southern Cross University will deliver all of its programs online from Monday while all campuses are still open for students.
Vice Chancellor Professor Adam Shoemaker announced today in response to the continued impacts of the COVID-19 crisis.
“We have made this move in the best interests of our students and our teaching staff,” Vice Chancellor Professor Adam Shoemaker said today
“Some activity which cannot be undertaken online — such as clinical placements in Health and Teaching practicums — will continue unless otherwise advised.
It comes as Bond University has brought forward the end of classes by a week, with formal teaching finishing on March 27.
The University’s semester will also end early, with final week of semester ending on April 9.
From next Monday, students will study remotely by joining multi-modal classes using technology, a spokeswoman said.
“Final examinations will be undertaken through a mix of alternative assessments which will include online exams,” she said.
“This will enable students to complete their studies without impinging on academic standards, while minimising the risk to students and staff.”
The libraries will remain open for student self-study.
Bond University Vice Chancellor and President Professor Tim Brailsford thanked staff who would be working hard under limited time to adjust their teaching and assessment plans.
“These are uncertain and unprecedented times. I understand the anxiety that everyone is feeling,” he said.
“I trust that this plan provides certainty and a clear passage for students to complete their studies this semester, and for several students who are in their final semester to finish their degree.”
While the ban on mass gatherings of 100 people indoors does not apply to universities, Griffith University has taken the precaution of halting all classes with over 100 people from Thursday.
“The University is transitioning these classes to remote/online learning, wherever possible. Where this is not possible, we will communicate with these students directly,” a spokesperson said.
“For the time being, library, food outlets and childcare services remain open on our campuses.”
It comes as Bond University has brought forward the end of classes by a week, with formal teaching finishing on March 27.
From next Monday, students will study remotely by joining multi-modal classes using technology, a spokeswoman said.
“Final examinations will be undertaken through a mix of alternative assessments which will include online exams,” she said.
“This will enable students to complete their studies without impinging on academic standards, while minimising the risk to students and staff.”
The libraries will remain open for student self-study.
Bond University Vice Chancellor and President Professor Tim Brailsford thanked staff who would be working hard under limited time to adjust their teaching and assessment plans.
“These are uncertain and unprecedented times. I understand the anxiety that everyone is feeling,” he said.
“I trust that this plan provides certainty and a clear passage for students to complete their studies this semester, and for several students who are in their final semester to finish their degree.”
The University’s semester will also end early, with final week of semester ending on April 9.
USQ TAKES CLASSES ONLINE
The University of Southern Queensland has announced plans to move all on-campus offerings to help contain the spread of COVID-19 in all campuses.
The University will now move all classes to their online equivalent from Monday March 23
Vice-Chancellor Professor Geraldine Mackenzie said the decision would keep students and their networks of family and friends as safe as possible.
“This does not mean our campuses are closing, rather that anyone wanting to use facilities such as the library will need to adhere to strict hygiene practices and social distancing protocols,” Professor Mackenzie said.
From March 23 all on-course campuses will be held online according to the existing timetable, any practical elements have been replaced or rescheduled, and the university is working to replace paper based exams with alternative assessments.
It’s the first university to reveal its plans for exams and assessments for the remainder of the semester one.
At the weekend, the University of Queensland announced it would suspended classes for a week.
Universities around Australia have cancelled events of more than 500 people have been cancelled or postponed, including graduations.
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