Coles supermarkets will offer delivery, click and collect to all customers from tomorrow
Australians will have to wait longer for their mail as delivery services are relaxed for Australia Post to help it handle “unprecedented” demand during the coronavirus crisis. While Coles has reopened its delivery and click and collect options to all customers.
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Postal deliveries in metropolitan areas will occur every second day instead of daily, as part of a range of changes to mail services
The federal government has granted Australia Post approval to change parcels and letters processes because of the coronavirus restrictions.
The required time to deliver letters within a state will also be extended to five days after the day of posting.
To reflect the shift in volume from letters to parcels, Australia Post will retrain 2000 motorbike posties.
The posties will help deliver and process the increasing number of parcels being sent because of the boom in online shopping from people stuck at home
Finance Minister Mathias Cormann said the measures were necessary because of the COVD-19 disruption. The changes will apply until June 30 next year, subject to review.
“Like many industries, postal operators around the world are being significantly impacted by COVID-19 – with acute downturns in letter volumes and international business,” Mr Cormann said.
The relaxation of regulatory requirements also aims to keep as many post offices open.
CALLS FOR COURT TRIALS TO BE STREAMED ONLINE
Court trials should be streamed online to allow public access to the justice system during the coronavirus crisis, the state opposition says.
Opposition Upper House leader David Davis has called for streaming of all trials to ensure the principles of open justice are maintained throughout the pandemic.
A significant amount of court work is now being done remotely and online to comply with social distancing measures aimed at containing the spread of COVID-19.
An omnibus Bill to go before parliament on Thursday has proposed a raft of emergency measures in response to the coronavirus crisis.
Mr Davis flagged the opposition would not oppose the Bill, but said there were significant concerns about some of the measures.
“The lack of open court processes makes us very wary,” Mr Davis said.
“There should be a default position where courts, including VCAT, are streamed. We say there should be a clear default position, that’s not the case.
“If the court case is being held online, there’s no reason it can’t be streamed out publicly. Of course there’s exceptional circumstances,” he said.
Mr Davis said the omnibus Bill made it clear judges could do that, but said it was not the default position.
“Whilst the Bill requires focus on open courts, it doesn’t guarantee that the default position in trials will be streaming of that information out more broadly,” he said.
“We think a long standing principle of open courts is an important one. People should not only have justice done, but justice should be seen to be done as well.”
The opposition is also calling for more parliament sitting days, and an oversight committee to scrutinise the use of powers being sought through the omnibus Bill.
As part of those powers the government would be able to make changes to the operation of the justice system by regulation, without introducing new legislation to parliament.
Justice sources say the courts have the capability to stream trials.
“Provided safeguards are adopted regarding closed court orders, suppression orders and protection of complainants, why shouldn’t the public be able to follow a trial from home,” one source said.
SEVEN NEW CASES OF COVID-19 IN VIC
Seven new cases of COVID-19 have been identified across the state overnight.
The new cases bring the Victorian total to 1336. It follows yesterday’s increase of just one.
There are currently 119 active cases.
Health minister Jenny Mikakos said 138 cases may indicate community transmission.
There are 28 people in hospital, including 12 in intensive care, one more than yesterday.
Victoria has increased its level of testing after expanding the testing criteria, with 88,000 people now tested.
COLES DELIVERY OPTION RETURNS
Supermarket giant Coles has announced the re-starting of its home delivery service for all customers from tomorrow.
In a message to customers, Coles said home delivery was re-opening.
“We are pleased to announce the re-opening of our home delivery service. This means that both our Click&Collect & home delivery services are available to all customers from tomorrow,” it reads.
Customers would be able to place an order using existing Coles Online login details and choose between home delivery, Click&Collect service desk and Click&Collect concierge.
“Vulnerable customers accessing the Coles Online Priority Service (COPS) remain our priority to ensure the elderly and those who cannot easily visit our stores have access to everyday grocery essentials,” the message said.
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DRUNK COMMUTER AMONG THOSE FINED FOR FLOUTING RULES
A drunk train passenger is among the latest to be hit with hefty coronavirus fines.
Police issued a total of 89 fines over the past 24 hours.
One was given to a drunk person who lived in Geelong but was on the train in Frankston.
Police also fined the owner of a Frankston massage parlour that was operating non-essential services.
Two employees inside the parlour were also fined.
Police also busted five people driving in the same car in Williamstown.
ELECTIVE SURGERIES WILL RESUME
Elective surgery will begin again after the ANZAC Day long weekend.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison has announced plans for a gradual restart, after procedures were suspended to free up beds for a potential influx of coronavirus patients.
The National Cabinet’s decision is expected to enable about a quarter of elective surgery activity to recommence.
All category two procedures in private hospitals and selected category three procedures - including IVF treatments and screening procedures - will be restarted next week.
Eye procedures, dental care and procedures for children will also be prioritised.
Other types of elective surgery will be considered on May 11.
About 50,000 Victorians had already been on the waiting list, and despite a state government blitz to fast-track 7000 operations, the suspension inevitably caused further blowouts and delays for patients in need.
As many as 3000 Victorians have had cataract procedures deferred.
About 58 million protective face masks were secured over the weekend, bolstering staff equipment supplies needed to ensure surgeries could go ahead safely in hospitals.
Deputy Chief Medical Officer Dr Nick Coatsworth said it would be a “very cautious and safe but ultimately consumer and patient-focused reintroduction”.
“We recognise there are Australians out there who are in pain, have disability, can’t be in the workforce, need to take very potent pain medications, that need their elective surgery done,” he said.
“This is not something we are going to sit on for many weeks.”
Victorian Health Minister Jenny Mikakos has welcomed an announcement by Mr Morrison that elective surgery would slowly resume.
Ms Mikakos said she would work with Victorian health services to implement the return to elective surgery in a safe way.
HUGE DEMAND FOR DOLE PAYMENTS
More than half a million Australians have claimed unemployment benefits in the last month.
Mr Morrison said the government had processed 517,000 JobSeeker claims since March 16.
That is the equivalent of the number of claims which would usually be processed in a year.
KEEPING VULNERABLE FAMILIES SAFE DURING LOCKDOWN
Victoria Police has launched a new operation to keep at-risk people safe from family violence during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Operation Ribbon will see the state’s 31 family violence units lead a targeted approach to keep vulnerable families safe from harm while lockdown laws are in place.
The move was announced today by Police Minister Lisa Neville and Deputy Commissioner Shane Patton, who said they would be reaching out to known victims and checking on high-risk perpetrators.
“We know that family violence remains a heightened risk during this period of self isolation, and that’s why this operation will be so critical,” Ms Neville said.
“We have seen declines in other crimes during this period but family violence is not going to reduce during this period.
“This is a crime that is more likely to increase.
“For those women and children particularly out there who are concerned... don’t hesitate (to contact police).
“Ring triple-0, reach out to a friend. But also know through this operation Victoria Police will be reaching out to you.”
An additional $40m has also been allocated to help victims of domestic and family violence through crisis accommodation and other supports.
“This operation is absolutely all about how Victoria Police can better support women and children and victims of family violence during a really high risk period,” Ms Neville said.
“They’re there to help those victims and they’re there to hold perpetrators to account.”
NSW STUDENTS HEAD BACK TO SCHOOL
Students across NSW will return to school in a matter of weeks as the number of COVID-19 infections across the state continues to plateau.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian confirmed face-to-face schooling would gradually resume from May 11 - week three of term two.
Schools will also have the capacity to conduct temperature checks on children and additional cleaning will be undertaken at school grounds.
“This is really to ensure not only our school community safe but everybody feels safe within them whether you’re a parent, student or teacher,” she said.
VIRGIN GOES INTO VOLUNTARY ADMINISTRATION
Virgin has officially entered voluntary administration in a bid to resuscitate the troubled airline.
Virgin Australia informed the share market this morning that Deloitte had been appointed as administrators after a board meeting late yesterday.
Administrator Vaughan Strawbridge said: “Our intention is to undertake a process to restructure and refinance the business and bring it out of administration as soon as possible.”
He said there had already been several expressions of interest from parties wanting to take over the businesses.
Virgin chief executive Paul Scurrah said the decision was “about securing the future of the Virgin Australia Group and emerging on the other side of the COVID-19 crisis”.
NO LIGHT AT END OF TUNNEL
Knowing her hip replacement surgery would soon be going ahead was the “light at the end of the tunnel” for Vikki Poulter.
The 33-year-old has been on a public waiting list for a double hip replacement for more than two years and things were finally looking up after she underwent the first operation — to replace her left hip — in February.
But the second one, on her right side, now hangs in the balance as the government decides when non-urgent elective surgeries can resume.
“Not having a date — I’m used to that,” she said.
“It’s just knowing that the surgery was going to be happening was the light at the end of the tunnel.
“I’m in this situation now where, do I tell my work I can work from home? But then who knows when I will be having surgery again.”
Ms Poulter, who uses crutches to walk after being diagnosed with hip dysplasia in 2017, said she felt “forgotten” now that elective procedures were on hold.
“It’s a waiting game with no indication of when the waiting game is even going to end,” she said. “That’s what’s been the hardest.”
Ann Wilkinson, 60, has been struggling to see for months due to a cataract in her left eye.
She was scheduled to have surgery two weeks from today to correct her vision but has been told it is unlikely to go ahead.
“It’s not life-threatening (but) I know my eye is deteriorating every day,” she said. “It’s like trying to look through a dirty window.”
Ms Wilkinson is in constant pain from headaches and eye strain.
“I was quite disappointed and to me — it may not be an emergency for everybody — to me (being able to see) it’s an essential service.”
SOCIAL GATHERING RESTRICTIONS COULD LIFT IN WEEKS
Daniel Andrews has said restrictions on recreational activities and limitations on social gatherings could be scaled back on May 11.
The Premier said that if Victoria’s rate of new coronavirus cases remains stable over the coming weeks, the government will look to easing off restrictions in “low risk” activities.
Speaking to Rafael Epstein on ABC’s Drive on Monday, Mr Andrews said he couldn’t confirm that restrictions will be loosened yet because he doesn’t want to make “promises he can’t keep”.
Mr Andrews added that restrictions on restaurants and bars will remain in place.
“What I will say is if we continue to see a high degree of compliance, people doing the right thing, the numbers remaining stable and low then I think some of the social restrictions [could be eased],” Mr Andrews said.
“The recreational sporting activities we said can’t happen, some of the reasons for leaving your home and some of the limitations around the number of people there’s allowed to be at any one time.
He added: “They’re probably the lowest risk and that’s what you’ve got to be guided by. The last thing we want to do is give back all the progress we’ve made.”
– Sharon McGowan
READ MORE OF THE LATEST CORONAVIRUS COVERAGE, HERE
NEW NUMBERS SHOW WHY WE’RE BEATING CORONAVIRUS
Australians have embraced social distancing with almost all — 98 per cent — saying they have changed the way they interact with others, an Australian Bureau of Statistics household survey says.
The survey found nine in 10 were avoiding public spaces and gatherings, while one in seven of the 1000 households surveyed reported self-isolating and taking further steps, including wearing a face mask as a precaution.
The survey was carried out by the ABS in the first week of this month.
It is the first survey in a new series designed to provide an overview of how households are responding to the changing social and economic environment caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
While it highlighted people’s commitment to flattening the infection curve, the survey also revealed the economic hit the crisis was having.
Just under a quarter of people said they were working fewer hours a week — a further breakdown of that cohort showed 60 per cent were working less because of a reduction of hours offered and 15 per cent said they had been stood down by their employer.
“The survey found that around 3 per cent of people who had a job in early March no longer had one by early April,” Michelle Marquardt, ABS program manager for household surveys, said.
Sixty-three per cent of surveyed households had a job — but the ABS said the survey was not comparable to the official workforce measure.
In a sign the crisis was affecting businesses in different ways, 12 per cent of people said they were actually working longer hours than they had a month earlier.
Read the full version of this story, here