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Coronavirus live updates: New Zealand announce border restriction exceptions to allow overseas travel

The country recently celebrated having no active cases, now it's lifting some travel and border restrictions that will finally allow thousands to come to New Zealand.

Natalie WolfeNatalie Wolfe
@natwolfe94
less than 2 min read
June 13, 2020 - 1:31AM
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New Zealand has announced new exceptions to its border restrictions as it allows more people into the country after eradicating active cases of COVID-19.

 

The country's immigration minister Iain Lees-Galloway announced New Zealand would make exceptions for more prospective travelers yesterday.
It comes after the government's decision to allow the crew producing the next Avatar movie to travel into the country attracted criticism from people who weren't get the same favourable treatment.

More than 13,000 applications for exceptions have already been made, but more than 10,000 of those have been rejected.

There are specific rules about who can travel to New Zealand and for what reason, with most relating to essential work that can't proceed without the person seeking an exemption.

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern was the subject of worldwide headlines recently as the country announced no active COVID-19 cases. Picture: Hagen Hopkins/Getty Images
New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern was the subject of worldwide headlines recently as the country announced no active COVID-19 cases. Picture: Hagen Hopkins/Getty Images

MORE: Follow the latest virus news here

Globally, there have been more than 7.2 million known coronavirus infections, with a global death toll of 409,617.

In Australia there have been more than 7280 cases, with 3119 in NSW, 1065 in Queensland, 1711 in Victoria, 440 in South Australia, 601 in Western Australia, 228 in Tasmania, 108 in the ACT and 29 in the NT.

Here's how the day unfolded.

Updates

Another Sydney school hit by virus

Another Sydney school employee has been confirmed to have COVID-19, with all students considered close contacts and directed to self-isolate.

A statement from the NSW education department on Saturday night revealed Laguna Street Public School in southern Sydney will stop on-site learning until June 24 following the positive test result.

“The school has commenced contact tracing and upon advice from NSW Health all students at the school have been deemed as a close contact and should commence self-isolating,” the department’s statement said.

“The staff member has had contact with most students at the school during the period they may have been infectious.”

It comes after a staff member at Rose Bay Public School in Sydney’s eastern suburbs was confirmed to have tested positive for the coronavirus on Friday.

– AAP

Eight new cases of coronavirus in Victoria

Victoria has confirmed eight new coronavirus cases.

Among those infected is a Victorian GP, who is asymptomatic and caught the virus from a close contact, who also showed no symptoms.

He worked at three clinics in the state including Croyden, Lilydale and Coburg, according to the state health department.

Another recently diagnosed case was a close contact of a Rydges worker.

"Five people are in hospital, including one person in intensive care," the department said.

Beijing market "urgently closed" over outbreak fears

The largest food market in China's capital Beijing has been closed over fears of a fresh outbreak.

Seven cases have been discovered in Beijing over the past two days.

The Xinfadi market has 4000 tenants, according to Xinhua News Agency.

Workers and visitors to the market were among those new cases, which were the first locally transmitted cases in Beijing in more than 50 days.

It will be disinfected after coronavirus was detected in the environment.

Testing of food and environmental samples from the city's other wholesale food markets is underway.

A posted at the market tells visitors "this building is urgently closed".

China has reported a total of 83,075 coronavirus infections and 4,634 people have died.

New Zealand announces travel exceptions

New Zealand has announced it will start lifting some coronavirus border controls after several complaints about double standards.

The country made an exception for the crew producing the sequel to 2009 blockbuster Avatar during the lockdown restrictions, prompting the ire of some who wanted to come to New Zealand but didn't have the economic clout to receive special treatment.

New Zealand recently celebrated having no active coronavirus cases.

On Friday, the country's immigration minister Iain Lees-Galloway announced New Zealand would make exceptions for more prospective travelers too.

People seeking to move to New Zealand for less than six months would need to demonstrate a "unique" level of experience or a specialist skillset, or travelling for urgent work on a project or event that wouldn't be able to go ahead without them.

The work would need to be in relation to an intergovernmental agreement, a major infrastructure project, an event, a Government-approved programme, or any other work of "significant benefit" to the economy.

Those who wanted to stay longer than six months would have to meet one of those earlier criteria, as well as two out of three further criteria.

They need to earn more than $NZ106,000 ($A99,722) a year, be essential to a Government-approved event or programme of significance, or be essential to a research programme. 

Applying for an exception also incurs fees.

For businesses it can be several hundred dollars but individuals won't pay more than $NZ50 ($A47) per application.

New entrants will still have to undergo a fortnight of isolation.

Team American Magic have been granted an exception for 102 workers and 104 family members and INEOS Team UK for 86 workers and 128 family members as they challenge Team New Zealand in the America's Cup.

There are more than 10,000 New Zealand Visa holders who are not part of the exceptions, according to New Zealand news outlets.

The opposition National party is also calling on the government to expand exceptions to allow international students to return.

More than 13,000 exceptions have been requested, but the vast majority (more than 10,000) have so far been declined.

Cemetery workers exhume bodies in Brazil

Cemetery workers in Brazil are exhuming bodies across the country as its virus death toll skyrockets as authorities frantically clear land for more grave sites.

Photos taken at the Vila Formosa cemetery, in the Brazilian city of Sao Paulo, showed workers exhuming bodies buried three years ago.

The cemetery does not charge families for gravesites and the bodies are exhumed after three years however workers have been forced to up the pace due to the coronavirus crisis.

Other photos from Manuas in Brazil showed workers in bulldozers clearing forests and digging dozens of graves to make space for the rising body count.

Pictures from Andre Penner and Michael Dantas

One new case of coronavirus in Queensland

Queensland has recorded one new case of coronavirus, taking its total to 1065.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk announced the new case earlier today.

The single case comes as Queensland prepares to reopen its borders.

Ms Palaszczuk announced yesterday the state would reopen to the rest of the country on July 10.

Four new cases of coronavirus in NSW

NSW has recorded four new cases of coronavirus, bringing its total to 3119.

The state has performed a record number of tests this week with 14,127 tested until 8pm last night and 15,220 in the 24-hour period before.

Of the four new cases today, two cases are returned travellers in hotel quarantine.

Another is a locally acquired case under investigation, a man in his 20s.

NSW Health confirmed the man has not attended any mass gatherings or protests and all of his close contacts have been contacted.

The final case is the now-confirmed after school worker at Rose Bay Public School.

"The date of infection is still to be determined and this case may be an older infection," NSW Health said.

"The source of infection is also being investigated. As a precaution, all close contacts of this case are being identified and advised of the need to isolate and monitor for symptoms."

Brazil's death toll skyrockets

Brazil's death toll has skyrocketed in the past week, putting the country ahead of the UK in terms of lives lost to the coronavirus crisis.

Brazil’s Health Ministry reported more than 1200 deaths a day since Tuesday, a mounting toll as the country moves to ease quarantine restrictions and reopen businesses, a move called for by President Jair Bolsonaro.

The right-wing leader has minimised the gravity of the novel coronavirus, dismissing it “a little flu,” and has accused state governments of exaggerating the number of infections and deaths to undermine him.

On Thursday night, Mr Bolsonaro encouraged his supporters to “find a way to get inside” hospitals to film whether the ICU beds are occupied or not, to provide images that the police and Brazil’s intelligence agency could investigate.

Brazilian shoppers lined up for hours and crowded into malls that reopened on Thursday in the country’s two largest cities.

Shoppers continued to crowd malls on Friday, Brazil’s equivalent to Valentine’s Day.

Inside stores in Sao Paulo and Rio, distancing rules were followed and shoppers were required to wear protective masks. Temperatures were taken before people entered some malls.

Homeless Victorians to stay in hotels for longer

Homeless people living in Victorian hotels amid the coronavirus pandemic can stay there longer as the government spends almost $10 million to keep them off the streets.

The $9.8 million in extra funding will keep homeless Victorians in their current accomodation and help plan their “pathway” into long-term housing, Housing Minister Richard Wynne says.

“This additional funding will ensure Victorians experiencing homelessness continue to receive the support and housing they need to stay safe during and long after coronavirus,” he said today.

Nine extra planning workers will be temporarily deployed to work in areas of high demand.

These workers would help co-ordinate with local services to ensure each homeless person in a hotel has the support they need to achieve stable housing, the government said.

– AAP

Uluru, Kakadu to reopen next week

Australia's national parks are slowly repopening – with two of the most sacred and iconic coming first.

National Parks director Dr James Findlay said some areas of the parks would stay shut to visitors.

“Kakadu National Park will be open for day use only, between 8 am and 5 pm. Most boat ramps will be open, meaning visitors will once again be able to enjoy some of the Top End’s best fishing," Dr Findlay said.

“Mamukala Wetlands, Mangarre Rainforest, Bardedjilidji, Gungural, the Yurmikmik area and the Burrungkuy (Nourlangie) region will also be open, allowing for some stunning walks and access to Kakadu’s wildlife and world-class rock art,” Dr Findlay said.

“Overnight camping will not be permitted in Kakadu during the first stage of re-opening, however there are many accommodation options for visitors at Jabiru, Cooinda and Mary River.

“In order to keep flattening the COVID-19 curve, all tour operators will be required to carry their COVID-19 plan when with visitors."

Dr Findlay said all walking tracks in Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park would reopen, including sunrise and sunset viewing areas.

The Cultural Centre will stay closed during the initial reopening and tours and group activities will not resume yet.

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Original URL: https://www.news.com.au/world/coronavirus/australia/coronavirus-australia-live-updates/live-coverage/8f3c33980594218d28ecc1038434b507