Coronavirus Australia live coverage: Tips for commuters on how to help stop virus spread
Commuters are being urged to take some simple steps to stop the spread of the coronavirus, as NSW announces a $2 billion stimulus package.
less than 2 min read
March 17, 2020 - 1:52AM
The coronavirus may impact Australian life for six months, the Prime Minister has warned. Picture: John Grainger
People who catch public transport to work are being urged to travel outside peak times and use contactless payments where possible as the number of coronavirus cases in Australia nears 400.
Commuters should also remember to wash their hands or use hand sanitiser after touching rails, handles, buttons and windows, NSW transport minister Andrew Constance has said.
The advice comes as NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian has announced more than $2 billion will be pumped into the state's economy to counter the financial havoc caused by the global pandemic.
There are now 368 confirmed cases of COVID-19 across Australia.
Of those, 171 are in NSW, 71 in Victoria, 68 in Queensland, 20 in SA, 28 in WA, seven in Tasmania, one in the NT and two in the ACT.
Follow our live, rolling coverage of the coronavirus pandemic below.
Live Updates
Children have died from coronavirus: WHO
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has warned children can be infected with the coronavirus and some have died, but the majority will only have mild symptoms.
A woman and child wearing face masks near the Grand Bazaar in Istanbul. Picture: AFP/Yasin Akgul
“They seem to be infected … at a lower rate than adults,” Dr Maria Van Kerkhove, from the agency's emergencies program, said at a press conference in Geneva overnight.
“We’re not seeing transmission in settings like schools, where we would worry about amplification of transmission. In many countries, schools have closed so that is an important thing to take into consideration.
“We do know that children tend to have more mild infection, but we have seen children die from this infection, so we can’t say universally that it's mild in children. So it's important that we protect children as a vulnerable population."
Australia has so far introduced a ban on non-essential mass gatherings of 500 people, but has not opted to close schools.
F1 hit by second virus case
Formula One has its second confirmed case of coronavirus after a Pirelli member tested positive for the illness in Australia.
The news comes as McLaren confirmed that the British mechanic who was diagnosed with the disease is “recovering well”.
Fourteen other McLaren staff, who came into contact with the infected individual, remain in quarantine at the team’s hotel in Melbourne.
The PA news agency understands that six of those have since been tested and are awaiting their results. They have been directed to stay in self-isolation for 14 days.
“A member of the Pirelli F1 team tested positive for Covid-19 in Melbourne yesterday,” a spokesperson for Italian-based Pirelli, F1’s sole tyre supplier, told the PA news agency.
“The person concerned is now following all the relevant procedures put in place by the Australian health authorities.
“These authorities have confirmed to Pirelli that this person has not had any contact with third parties that requires special preventive measures to be taken for other people.
“Pirelli is closely monitoring the situation in line with public health policies and company guidelines.”
Pirelli is F1’s sole tyre supplier. Picture: AFP/Josep Lago
Last weekend’s opening race of the new season in Australia was cancelled after an individual from McLaren tested positive for the disease.
“I am happy to report that our team member affected with the virus is recovering well,” McLaren boss Zak Brown said on Monday.
“The symptoms have gone and our people in quarantine are in good spirits.
“The support they have been getting from their team-mates, our partners, members of the F1 community and fans from around the world has been fantastic and our thanks go out to all of them.”
McLaren staff returning from Melbourne will not report to the team’s Woking factory for the next fortnight.
The members of Lewis Hamilton’s Mercedes team who travelled to Australia are also staying away from their Brackley headquarters.
The opening four races of the new season in Australia, Bahrain, which had been due to take place this weekend, Vietnam and China have all been called off.
The Dutch and Spanish Grands Prix, pencilled in for the first two weekends in May, are also due to be postponed. Formal confirmation of that is expected this week.
AAP
NSW unveils $2.3b coronavirus package
More than $2 billion will be pumped into the NSW economy to counter the financial havoc caused by the global coronavirus pandemic.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian announced a $2.3 billion stimulus package, consisting of $700 million for healthcare and $1.6 billion for job creation and tax relief, on Tuesday.
Gladys Berejiklian says she wants to look after families and jobs. Picture: AAP/James Gourley
Major features include capital works investments, payroll tax relief and waiving charges and licence fees for small businesses.
There has been $700 million earmarked to ramp up COVID-19 testing, establish dedicated fever clinics and double intensive care capacity.
“Our first priority is always the health of the people of this state and looking after their families and jobs,” Ms Berejiklian said.
Treasurer Dominic Perrotet says the government will do “whatever it takes” to weather the crisis.
“In simple terms, this money will help save the lives of loved ones and protect jobs,” he said.
NSW authorities are meanwhile hoping a series of unprecedented measures will help contain the rapid spread of the potentially-lethal infection.
Residents flouting isolation rules can now be slapped with an $11,000 fine or jailed for as long as six months.
Police have also been given the discretion to avoid stationary drug and alcohol testing if they believe it is unhygienic.
Health Minister Brad Hazzard says the state is on track to experience a “substantial exponential increase” in coronavirus infections.
On Monday, RSL NSW decided to cancel all public Anzac Day services across the state. The Sydney Writers’ Festival has also been cancelled.
AAP
How commuters can help stop virus
NSW transport minister Andrew Constance has released a list of tips for commuters on how they can help stop the spread of the virus.
The tips include:
Avoid travelling during peak times
Stay at home/avoid travel altogether if you feel unwell
Use Opal and contactless payments where possible
Wash your hands or use hand sanitiser after touching handles, rails, buttons and windows
Mr Constance said cleaning squads had been deployed across trains, buses, ferries, light rail and the metro in Sydney – particularly in high-traffic areas including Central, Town Hall and Wynard – but travellers also had a role to play.
“While staff have boosted maintenance and cleaning efforts on the network in response to COVID-19, customers need to take extra precautions too,” he said.
“Sick people in close proximity to others is causing to the global spread of the virus, so travelling outside of crowded peak hours can help reduce the chances of transmission."
