Coronavirus NSW live updates: Pay rises suspended for senior figures
The Federal Government will suspend pay rises for politicians, judges and senior public servants as thousands of Australians face unemployment as a result of the COVID-19 crisis. It comes as police announce tough new measures to crack down on people flouting public safety measures to prevent the spread of virus. LIVE UPDATES
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Politicians, judges and senior public office holders will not get a pay rise this year as the government looks for ways to weather the economic devastation of the coronavirus outbreak.
"The Government has written to the Remuneration Tribunal to request a pay freeze on all positions... with the clear expectation of there being no annual salary increase for these positions until after the Coronavirus crisis has been resolved," Finance Minister Mathias Cormann told The Daily Telegraph.
This includes parliamentarians, judges and other senior office holders such as the CEOs of government businesses and agencies.
The minister said the government does not consider it "appropriate" to consider giving members of parliament a pay rise either until the crisis has passed.
The government has also asked the Australian Public Service Commissioner to freeze pay for senior public servants, but this will not apply to front line government staff.
The rapidly escalating pandemic, this week, forced the closure of many businesses including pubs, clubs and restaurants instantly condemning thousands of Australians to unemployment.
At the same time, police announced tough new measures to crack down on people flouting public safety measures to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.
Anyone caught breaking social distancing or self isolation measures in NSW will cop a $1000 on the spot fine from midnight tonight.
The measures announced by the Police Minister would also see anyone who organised a gathering in breach of the rules fined $5000.
NSW Police Minister David Elliot said people can expect police patrols to ramp up to catch people in breach of new restrictions.
“Not only will you be liable for an on the spot fine… you could also find yourself in jail for up to 6 months. We are going to be increasing the police presence in the community,” he said.
It comes after the Prime Minister announced further restrictions on which businesses could operate to combat the spread of COVID-19.
Outdoor boot camps are among the activities still permitted, but personal trainers and gym junkies face new restrictions on how many people can attend.
“If you’re at centennial park and there’s an individual who has organised a training session with over ten people, the individual who organised it will get a $5000 fine and the individuals training will get a $1000 fine,” Police Commissioner Mick Fuller said.
Mick Fuller said police would use an element of "common sense" but will "be taking strong action".
The new penalties are in addition to those already announced for coronavirus rule breakers - a maximum fine of $11,000 or six months jail time
Stay across the latest coronavirus news with our live blog below
Updates
St George Hospital midwife tests positive
Jo Seymour
It has been confirmed a Sydney midwife has tested positive to COVID-19.
A South Eastern Sydney Local Health District spokeswoman said all patients that were in close contact with the woman have been notified.
"The midwife is now in isolation and there is no ongoing risk to patients at St George Hospital," the spokeswoman said.
NSW Health would not confirm the woman's age in order to protect her identity.
In NSW, there have been 1029 reports of coronavirus and 2423 cases Australia-wide at 8pm tonight.
Georgia Clark
There are reports a St George Private Hospital midwife has tested positive to COVID-19.
NSW Health are contacting the people she came in contact with over the past two weeks.
The maternity ward is busy with five babies on average born at the Kogarah hospital every day, according to the website.
– Carla Hildebrandt
Fears Sydney midwife has contracted virus
There are reports a St George Private Hospital midwife has tested positive to COVID-19.
NSW Health are contacting the people she came in contact with over the past two weeks.
The maternity ward is busy with five babies on average born at the Kogarah hospital every day, according to the website.
– Carla Hildebrandt
Georgia Clark
Confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Australia are 2423 as of 3pm, up from 1091 on Saturday
* NSW is the worst hit, with 1029 cases including two children
* Victoria added 55 cases overnight to 466
* Australian deaths stand at eight (seven in NSW, one in WA)
* Unemployment rate forecast to jump to 11 per cent in next few months
* Borders closed in Tasmania, SA, NT and WA. Queensland from midnight on Wednesday. Freight and essential travel excepted
* Non-essential travel should cease
* Australians, excluding aid workers and compassionate travel cases, will be banned from travelling overseas
* Non-essential services urged to close
* Still open: supermarkets, pharmacies, public transport, some schools, hairdressers restricted to 30 minute appointments, petrol stations, postal and freight services, bottle shops, newsagents, retail shops, restaurants restricted to take-away/delivery in most states
* Closed: schools in Victoria and the ACT, gyms, indoor sports venues, pubs, cinemas, nightclubs, casinos, places of worship, theme parks, auction houses, food courts in shopping centres, beauty therapy, tanning, waxing, nail salons, spas and tattoo parlours, galleries, museums, libraries, youth centres, community halls, clubs, RSL clubs, swimming pools, amusement parks, arcades, indoor and outdoor play centres, social sports that involve large groups, outdoor and indoor markets
* Parents urged to keep children home from school in NSW, Queensland
* Funerals are limited to no more than 10 people; weddings to the couple, celebrant and two witnesses
* Large social gatherings in homes banned
– AAP
Pictured: Central Station Sydney at lunch time. Credit: John Grainger
COVID-19 cases in Australia hit 2423
Confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Australia are 2423 as of 3pm, up from 1091 on Saturday
* NSW is the worst hit, with 1029 cases including two children
* Victoria added 55 cases overnight to 466
* Australian deaths stand at eight (seven in NSW, one in WA)
* Unemployment rate forecast to jump to 11 per cent in next few months
* Borders closed in Tasmania, SA, NT and WA. Queensland from midnight on Wednesday. Freight and essential travel excepted
* Non-essential travel should cease
* Australians, excluding aid workers and compassionate travel cases, will be banned from travelling overseas
* Non-essential services urged to close
* Still open: supermarkets, pharmacies, public transport, some schools, hairdressers restricted to 30 minute appointments, petrol stations, postal and freight services, bottle shops, newsagents, retail shops, restaurants restricted to take-away/delivery in most states
* Closed: schools in Victoria and the ACT, gyms, indoor sports venues, pubs, cinemas, nightclubs, casinos, places of worship, theme parks, auction houses, food courts in shopping centres, beauty therapy, tanning, waxing, nail salons, spas and tattoo parlours, galleries, museums, libraries, youth centres, community halls, clubs, RSL clubs, swimming pools, amusement parks, arcades, indoor and outdoor play centres, social sports that involve large groups, outdoor and indoor markets
* Parents urged to keep children home from school in NSW, Queensland
* Funerals are limited to no more than 10 people; weddings to the couple, celebrant and two witnesses
* Large social gatherings in homes banned
– AAP
Pictured: Central Station Sydney at lunch time. Credit: John Grainger
$130B JobKeeper subsidy makes law
Georgia Clark
Confirmed cases of the coronavirus on the Central Coast have doubled over the past two days.
Central Coast Local Health District (CCLHD) has confirmed that an additional 19 cases have been confirmed across the region since Monday, bringing the total number of cases to 38.
The cases include 31 people who acquired the virus overseas, six who are close contacts of confirmed cases and one unknown source.
“Of these cases, five have recovered and are no longer in isolation,” a spokeswoman from CCLHD said.
“All other cases are at home in isolation (no current hospital cases).”
Confirmed cases of the coronavirus on the Central Coast have doubled over the past two days.
Central Coast Local Health District (CCLHD) has confirmed that an additional 19 cases have been confirmed across the region since Monday, bringing the total number of cases to 38.
The cases include 31 people who acquired the virus overseas, six who are close contacts of confirmed cases and one unknown source.
“Of these cases, five have recovered and are no longer in isolation,” a spokeswoman from CCLHD said.
“All other cases are at home in isolation (no current hospital cases).”
The number of confirmed COVID-19 cases at a Sydney church service has risen from 4 to 13 among the 300 attendees in just four days.
NSW Health first released a statement on Friday (March 20) — 12 days after the Sydney Church of Christ service held at Ryde Civic Centre on March 8 — saying four attendees tested positive.
Identified close contacts of the confirmed cases are in self-isolation, according to a NSW Health released this afternoon.
The latest test results from NSW Health are as of 8pm Tuesday (March 24).
Sydney Church of Christ previously took to Facebook to inform the congregation to “stay safe and healthy”, refer to NSW Health and to reach out to Bible Talk Group Leaders for any concerns.
The number of confirmed COVID-19 cases at a Sydney church service has risen from 4 to 13 among the 300 attendees in just four days.
NSW Health first released a statement on Friday (March 20) — 12 days after the Sydney Church of Christ service held at Ryde Civic Centre on March 8 — saying four attendees tested positive.
Identified close contacts of the confirmed cases are in self-isolation, according to a NSW Health released this afternoon.
The latest test results from NSW Health are as of 8pm Tuesday (March 24).
Sydney Church of Christ previously took to Facebook to inform the congregation to “stay safe and healthy”, refer to NSW Health and to reach out to Bible Talk Group Leaders for any concerns.
Two primary schools in the eastern suburbs have shut their doors after three staff tested positive to COVID-19
Billy Freeman
A mammoth 84 per cent of NSW public school children stayed home from school today.
The state government confirmed the figure, two days after Premier Gladys Berejiklian recommended parents keep their children at home, although stressed going to school was still safe.
The students at home continued their learning via distance education.
