Six of Victoria’s seven new cases were returned overseas travellers
An Amcor packaging facility in Port Melbourne was forced to close earlier this week after a staff member tested positive to coronavirus. It comes as six of the state’s seven new cases yesterday were overseas travellers already in quarantine.
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Victoria has recorded seven new cases of coronavirus overnight, with most infections coming from overseas travellers.
Health Minister Jenny Mikakos said six of the new cases were in hotel quarantine and another was under investigation.
She also revealed an Amcor packaging facility in Port Melbourne had been closed earlier in the week after a worker tested positive.
The site has been cleaned and is expected to open later today.
Other staff at the facility are being isolated and tested.
PROTEST COULD BE VIRUS ‘TIPPING POINT’
Police have warned thousands of protesters planning to gather in the CBD this weekend that their actions could be a “real tipping point” in potential community transmission of coronavirus.
More than 31,000 people have registered their interest in attending the Melbourne based “Stop Black Deaths in Custody, Justice for George Floyd” protest this Saturday at midday outside Parliament house.
Victoria Police fear the “significant” number of protesters will make it the largest mass gathering since coronavirus restrictions came into force in March and may undo months of hard work in flattening the curve.
UNIS FACING HUGE FINANCIAL HIT
The loss of international students could rip $16 billion from Australian universities over the next three years, according to modelling by the sector’s peak body.
Universities Australia also predicted revenue losses for 2020 are likely to surpass previous estimates and could reach $4.8 billion.
The massive revenue loss was almost entirely because of the number of international students who had not made it to Australia to start the university year or who would not make it for second semester, according to Universities Australia’s Catriona Jackson.
She said the flow-on effect from missing a cohort of students now would be felt for years to come.
“It’s taken a while to understand that students will not get here this year,” Ms Jackson said.
“That’s why the figures are so bad, its because a lot of students won’t be able to get here for second semester. They won’t be second years next year, they won’t be third years the year after.
“You’ve got a whole cohort of students that aren't there.”
The revenue loss would have a massive impact on already struggling universities, who have been forced to rely more heavily on international students following Federal Government funding cuts.
Ms Jackson argued a substantial portion of the life-changing research undertaken at universities was in jeopardy, with up to $3.5 billion in research funding at risk.
“The danger is that if universities are unable to continue funding this activity, Australia’s ability to innovate its way out of the COVID-19 recession will be severely hampered,” Ms Jackson said.
“You can’t have an economic recovery without investing in research and development.”
Universities Australia has been lobbying the Morrison Government for increased funding to get them through the worst of the coming financial crisis.
Many Victorian universities have already slashed jobs and made deep budget cuts in a bid to keep afloat amid the pandemic.
Last week, Deakin University announced it expected to cut 300 staff from its campuses in response to the economic crisis.
Meanwhile, a recent report has exposed the university sector’s over-reliance on international students.
The Australian Population Research Institute study found overseas student revenue had doubled to $8.9 billion in six years to 2018.
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KINDERGARTEN CLASS QUARANTINED
A class of kindergarten students have been quarantined after their teacher was diagnosed with coronavirus, with more infections linked to an outbreak at a Melbourne hotel.
A worker at Embracia Aged Care in Reservoir and a teacher at a Macleod Preschool were among those who tested positive on Monday.
About 12 children in the kindergarten class and eight staff have been asked isolate for two weeks and the preschool was closed for cleaning on Monday.
Victoria’s Deputy Chief Health Officer Annaliese van Diemen said the teacher had immediately gone for testing once she noticed symptoms.
“We consider people to be infectious for two days prior to their symptom onset so that is why the kindergarten has been included as an exposure site,” she said.
“They attended (school) prior to being symptomatic.”
Quarantined travellers at Rydges on Swanston have been relocated as authorities probe the source of the outbreak.
The Department of Health of Human Services will also test all staff and residents at the aged care home while cleaning at the facility is underway.
DRIVE-IN CINEMAS WELCOME BACK FILM LOVERS
Drive-in cinemas could be set for a retro revival.
The outdoor big screens have been able to reopen in Victoria this week, while indoor cinemas remain shut until at least June 22, depending on the rate of community transmission.
Village Cinemas Coburg drive-in will welcome back its first customers today.
It is screening recent releases including Sonic the Hedgehog, Bloodshot and The Invisible Man as well as movie classics Pulp Fiction, Reservoir Dogs, E.T, Ferris Bueller’s Day Off and Batman Forever.
Village Entertainment chief executive Kirk Edwards said extra social distancing measures were in place ahead of the return.
That included being able to get popcorn and choc tops delivered straight to your car.
“During this time of physical distancing, it is more important than ever to share in the unique community experience that cinema is able to provide,” Mr Edwards said.