Coronavirus Australia live updates: NSW imposes new, on the spot $5000 fine

The economic toll of the coronavirus has claimed another victim, with Scott Cam giving up the remainder of his huge taxpayer-funded salary. 

New South Wales Health Minister Brad Hazzard has announced a new on the spot fine of $5000 for anyone who spits or coughs on a health care worker or police officer.

It seems extraordinary that such a measure even needs to exist, but that is the situation Australia finds itself in.

"In my view, what we are seeking to do this afternoon is to send messages to people that I cannot actually believe do what they do," Mr Hazzard said.

"Unfortunately, we have had a series of incidents now where some of the most incredible frontline workers, keeping us safe, have actually had people spitting on them and people coughing on them.

"These frontline workers are caring for us and the simple fact is, we need to care for them, so this on the spot $5000 fine will send a clear message that we are all as one.

"We are telling you to stop it, or you will cop it with a $5000 fine."

RELATED: Follow more coronavirus news

Elsewhere, the economic toll of the virus has claimed another victim, with Scott Cam volunteering to forgo the rest of his $350,000 taxpayer-funded salary as a careers ambassador for the government. The spread of the virus had severely curtailed his already controversial role.

There are now 6109 confirmed COVID-19 cases in Australia with 2773 in New South Wales, 1228 in Victoria, 953 in Queensland, 421 in South Australia, 495 in Western Australia, 111 in Tasmania, 100 in the Australian Capital Territory and 28 in the Northern Territory .

The death toll has reached 51 after a flurry of fatalities in recent days.

Follow our live, rolling coverage of the pandemic below.

Updates

9:54 pm April 9, 2020 Highlight

Police clear Nat Fyfe

Western Australia Police have released a statement this evening clearing AFL star Nat Fyfe of violating coronavirus rules.

The Fremantle Dockers captain was spotted surfing at Gas Bay, near Margaret River last week. That's about 400km from Lake Grace, where he is currently working for his family's trucking business while the AFL is on hold.

Fyfe had detoured to the beach after picking up a lime delivery in Margaret River.

Police have decided he did not violate any rules.

"It has been confirmed that Mr Fyfe entered the region in order to provide transport services and was waiting for a truck to be loaded when he went surfing," they said.

"As a result, Mr Fyfe had a valid exemption and was compliant with directions regarding regional travel.

"It has further been established that Mr Fyfe did not breach social distancing requirements.

"The intent of the directions is to reduce travel in order to slow the spread of COVID-19 in Western Australia.

"Exemptions for regional travel do apply, but exempt travellers must only travel as required and must only stay in the region for as long as it takes to complete the essential service."

9:16 pm April 9, 2020 Highlight

Helicopters aid virus crackdown

Police in Tasmania will use helicopters to monitor people’s movements as part of an Easter long weekend coronavirus crackdown.

Premier Peter Gutwein has warned residents not to leave their homes unnecessarily and says those who break the rules could face fines of up to $16,800 or six months in jail.

Patrols will be increased in the state’s northwest, where an outbreak of the virus has hit two hospitals.

“To be frank, the gloves (have) come off. We are going to police this. The period of education is over,” Mr Gutwein said.

People have been told not to visit their shacks or holiday hotspots.

The tough restrictions are in place to protect older and more vulnerable regional communities from the virus, Mr Gutwein said.

“If you go to a shack and you don’t have a reasonable excuse to be there, you will be asked to leave,” he said.

“If you don’t, you will be summonsed and charged. Do not be surprised if you face the full front of the law over this weekend.”

It comes as state health authorities investigate a virus outbreak across two hospitals in Burnie.

Three more health staff from the North West Regional Hospital and North West Private Hospital were confirmed as positive cases on Thursday night, taking the total to 15 workers.

Twenty-six cases have been linked to the facilities, with a handful of patients also testing positive.

About 60 staff from the hospitals have been stood down to mitigate the outbreak and close contacts of cases are being traced.

Tasmania had recorded 111 cases of the virus as of Thursday night, with 48 of those people recovering.

Three elderly people, who were all passengers on the Ruby Princess cruise ship, have died from the virus in the state.

Visits to all hospitals and aged care homes are banned, bar some exemptions, including for end-of-life care.

– AAP

8:30 pm April 9, 2020 Highlight

Rogue minister cops $1000 fine

Don Harwin, the New South Wales government minister who slipped away to his Central Coast holiday home in violation of the coronavirus ban on non-essential travel, has reportedly been served a $1000 Penalty Infringement Notice.

That comes courtesy of both The Daily Telegraph and 2GB radio. I've contacted NSW Police for confirmation.

Premier Gladys Berejiklian said she was "deeply disappointed" in Mr Harwin when news of his movements broke yesterday – though it must be said, she actually knew about them before then.

“I was advised a few days ago that he decided to make that his principal place to live some three weeks ago,” Ms Berejiklian said.

“Obviously given what we have asked the rest of the Sydney community to do I think it’s entirely appropriate he come back to Sydney.”

The Arts Minister himself issued something of a non-apology, saying officials had advised him the trip to his holiday home was fine.

“I took advice from my department officials about the Public Health Order to ensure I adhered to the guidelines during this period,” said Mr Harwin.

“While I was assured I was compliant with the guidelines I apologise to the Premier and the people of NSW."

Don Harwin. Picture: AP

Part of the problem here is not only that Mr Harwin went to the Central Coast in the first place, but that he appears to have travelled to Sydney and back since then.

Today we learned a few more details about his movements.

The Australian reported he had been hosting a former Liberal Party candidate, Geoffrey Winters, at the holiday house for the last three weeks. Mr Winters arrived back in Australia from the UK on March 17 – before the government started quarantining people in hotels, but at a point when returning travellers were required to self-isolate for a fortnight.

And The Telegraph revealed Mr Harwin had been spotted shopping for clothes in Sydney's eastern suburbs more than a week after supposedly relocating to the coast.

The Harwin holiday house. Picture: Peter Lorimer

8:06 pm April 9, 2020 Highlight

Four new cases in Tasmania

We finally have some numbers from Tasmania, showing the state has recorded four new cases of the virus today.

That brings Tasmania's total to 111.

7:31 pm April 9, 2020 Highlight

One worker linked to 12 infections

A health care worker at Gosford Hospital who was unaware they had the virus has been linked to a cluster of 11 other infections, according to The Central Coast Express Advocate.

Those infections include five other staff members, two patients and four family members who were close contacts with positive cases.

"All close contacts of these confirmed cases, including health care workers and patients, have been identified and isolated," said the local health district, which says the hospital is still operating as normal and there is no reason for patients or staff to worry.

7:11 pm April 9, 2020 Highlight

Supermax inmates riot over virus

There are reports a riot squad was called to Goulburn Jail this evening after inmates refused to obey directions.

According to Channel 7, about 30 prisoners were involved in the riot and some of them were on the roof.

Tear gas was reportedly used to stamp out the disobedience.

Social distancing rules at all Australian prisons were strengthened late last month. One in particular, barring all visitors, has caused consternation among inmates.

Standing outside of Goulburn prison, we can hear a lot of noise…banging and chanting..police are yet to re-emerge @9NewsSyd pic.twitter.com/ScuVl1hDCm

— Emma Larouche (@EmmaLarouche) April 9, 2020

6:38 pm April 9, 2020 Highlight

Cam gives up $350,000 salary

Sky News reports Scott Cam is going to forgo the rest of that humongous $350,000 taxpayer-funded salary he was getting to be a careers ambassador for the government, because the coronavirus has drastically curtailed the role.

"The spread of COVID-19 has changed the way Australians work, train and study. The nature of the role of National Careers Ambassador has also changed, with face-to-face events being cancelled," Employment and Skills Minister Michaelia Cash told reporter Annelise Nielsen in a statement.

"Mr Cam will continue to work with the Australian government and the National Careers Institute to amplify online training opportunities and engage with Australians through digital mediums.

"As his role has fundamentally changed, Mr Cam has also volunteered to forgo his remaining salary payments over the coming months."

You might recall Nielsen pressed Cam about his salary in a brutal interview last month, and he told her it was none of her business.

At the time, he had already received about $150,000 of the $350,000 total.

RELATED: Scott Cam says taxpayer salary none of our business

"There had better not be another dollar going to that bloke. He's done diddly squat for the money he's already got," quipped host Peta Credlin after Nielsen revealed the news.

"This is an elegant dismount, and good on the minister, Michaelia Cash, for handling it the way she has."

6:00 pm April 9, 2020 Highlight

School decision coming next Thursday

You may have noticed there was nothing about schools in the Prime Minister's statement after National Cabinet earlier. Western Australia's Premier Mark McGowan briefly addressed that issue at a press conference a short time ago.

"Decisions will occur on Thursday," Mr McGowan said, referring to the next scheduled National Cabinet meeting a week from now.

"This state of emergency continues to change and evolve and it makes sense any decision on term two is made with the best and most up to date information and advice.

"Officially, school holidays begin today and I look forward to providing a clearer picture about term two over the school holiday period, as we see the trend in the number of infections in Western Australia."

He also gave us the same sort of rhetoric around the Easter break that Scott Morrison and other state premiers have been hammering home in recent days.

"This Easter long weekend will be very different. For most of us it will be an Easter like never before," Mr McGowan said.

"For one last time, I want to ask all West Australians to listen to the advice and stay home. We can't be going travelling during this pandemic. We are asking everyone to do the right thing and stay home instead.

"We can still take the chance to relax and unwind, to catch up with friends and family in different ways. Video call your friends and loved ones, get some takeaway from your local restaurant, catch up on that Netflix show with your family.

"Use some common sense. It's as simple as that."

5:27 pm April 9, 2020 Highlight

Virgin suspends all domestic flights

Some breaking news – Virgin Australia is suspending all its domestic flights until at least June 15, with the exception of one return service per day between Sydney and Melbourne.

That service will run every day except Saturday.

"As a result of government restrictions, less people are travelling and we have made changes to our schedules to reflect this," Virgin Australia says.

"We continue to operate a daily service between Melbourne and Sydney, provide cargo transport locally and overseas, and operate charter flights including assisting the government in bringing Australians home."

Here's our standalone story on this.

RELATED: Virgin Australia grounds international flights

RELATED: Virgin wants $1.4 billion bailout to keep flying

5:06 pm April 9, 2020 Highlight

PM's Easter message to Australians

While we are talking about Scott Morrison, this is his Easter message. I think you will all agree it is suitably bland and inoffensive.

"Easter in Australia will be different this year, as it will be all around the world," said Mr Morrison.

"It's still true that we'll be able to gather together in our immediate family, but there won't be the opportunity for that extended family gathering, special times I know, as well as going off to church and our religious services where we can remember the death and the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

"The coronavirus means this Easter will be different and we will be staying at home. 

"And it's important because we cannot undo the tremendous progress we have made together in recent times. 

"So this Easter we are staying at home. Don't travel. Don't go away. 

"For Christians, not being able to gather does not diminish the hope that we have through this important Easter period. This year, we will live out our faith by doing the right thing. 

"That means staying at home, making sure we're checking on our neighbours and supporting our communities and families, our friends. That's what living our faith is all about. 

"So as we go into this Easter long weekend, whatever your religious views might be, I do wish you a Happy Easter, Australia. I hope it is a time as you come together in your homes, together with your immediate family, that it will be a strong reminder about what's most important.

"Happy Easter, Australia."