Coronavirus Australia: Australia close to magic virus number

Only one state recorded new coronavirus cases this weekend, bringing Australia to the brink of an impressive and important milestone.

less than 2 min read

May 31, 2020 - 12:50AM

Victoria eases coronavirus restrictions; what you can do from June 1

Victoria is the only state to record new cases of coronavirus this weekend, bringing closer the day when Australia records zero additional cases.

The 11 new cases reported in Victoria on Saturday took the national total to 7185. Just 22 of the 475 active cases nationwide are being treated in hospital.

It's been announced that from tomorrow, Queenslanders can enjoy unlimited travel, including overnight stays throughout the state. Cafes, restaurants, pubs and clubs can host 20 people.

The number of patrons allowed at cafes and restaurants in NSW will increase to 50. Victorians will be able to have up to 20 people at their home, and hospitality venues can serve 20 customers. In South Australia, up to 80 people will be allowed at cafes, pubs, cinemas and gyms, as long as people attend in groups of 20 or less.

MORE: Follow the latest coronavirus news

Australia has recorded a total 7192 cases of COVID-19, with 3093 in New South Wales, 1649 in Victoria, 1058 in Queensland, 440 in South Australia, 586 in Western Australia, 228 in Tasmania, 107 in the Australian Capital Territory and 29 in the Northern Territory. The death toll stands at 103.

Updates

Australia's 29-year run coming to an end

Shadow treasurer Jim Chalmers says even if this week’s economic growth numbers prove to be positive, there is little doubt Australia is in a recession that has ended 29 consecutive years of expansion.

The national accounts for the March quarter are released on Wednesday, which will take into account the early stages of the coronavirus pandemic.

Economists’ forecasts centre on a 0.3 per cent economic contraction in the quarter, which will drag annual growth down to just 1.4 per cent.

The annual growth rate at 2.2 per cent as of the December quarter was already well below its long-running average of 2.8 per cent.

Forecasts range for a decline of a much as 0.7 per cent in the quarter. “Even if the March quarter was not negative, the idea that we’re not in a recession right now is fanciful,” Dr Chalmers told Sky News’ Sunday Agenda program.

“Most economists, the government, the Reserve Bank, and certainly Labor expect that the June quarter will be much worse than the March quarter.”

Treasury has forecast a contraction of 10 per cent in the June quarter to be reported in September.

A technical recession is commonly measured by two consecutive months of economic contraction.

AAP

$810m Sydney stadium plan abandoned

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian has abandoned the promised $810 million rebuild of Sydney’s Olympic stadium at Homebush due to the COVID-19 financial disaster.

She said that money will be spent on creating jobs.

"It's not an easy decision," she said. "We need to focus on what is going to create jobs and what is going to keep us safe. So health and jobs will be our priorities for a long time."

The money will be put towards a $3 billion Infrastructure and Job Acceleration Fund which will be used for smaller projects around the state.

State of Emergency extended for three weeks

The State of Emergency in Victoria will be extended for another three weeks to slow the spread of coronavirus and keep people safe as restrictions are cautiously eased across the state from tomorrow.

Minister for Health Jenny Mikakos today announced the State of Emergency will be extended until June 21.

"This extension will allow the Victorian Government to continue to enforce strict physical distancing and isolation requirements, as well as other directions from the Chief Health Officer relating to businesses, working from home, mass gatherings and recreational activities," she said.

Three new cases in NSW

There have been three new coronavirus cases detected in NSW over the past 24 hours, bringing the state's total number of cases to 3095.

All three new cases are travellers in hotel quarantine.

Six new cases in Victoria

The total number of coronavirus cases in Victoria is 1,649 – a net increase of four since yesterday.

There were six new cases yesterday, however two cases were removed from the overall total due to reclassification.

The number of cases linked to a family outbreak of coronavirus in Keilor Downs has increased to 13, with two new cases related to the outbreak.

Both of the new cases are from the household and both of these new cases had remained home during the two weeks prior to their positive result.

One additional case of COVID-19 has been linked to the outbreak at Rydges on Swanston hotel, in Melbourne, bringing the total for this outbreak to seven.

This case is not a new case – further investigation has now seen it linked to the outbreak.

Of yesterday’s other cases, three were detected in returned travelers in hotel quarantine and one was from community testing.

There were no new cases linked to any other known outbreaks, including aged care facilities.

Restrictions ease in Queensland

From tomorrow, Queenslanders can enjoy unlimited travel, including overnight stays throughout the state.

Also from midday tomorrow, cafes, restaurants, pubs and clubs can host 20 people.

From noon on Friday, June 5, venues with more space will be allowed up to 20 people in each defined area if they follow an approved COVID Safe Industry Plan.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said this has been brought forward.

BREAKING: Start planning your holiday! We’re opening Queensland for Queenslanders from noon tomorrow.

Queenslanders will be able to undertake unlimited travel, including overnight stays throughout the entire state, in a major easing of COVID-19 restrictions.#covid19 #qldjobs pic.twitter.com/tQknt4ttxW
— Annastacia Palaszczuk (@AnnastaciaMP) May 31, 2020

"Our state’s outstanding response to the COVID-19 pandemic has allowed restrictions to be lifted ahead of a planned move to Stage Two originally scheduled for June 12," she said.

No new cases in Queensland

There are only five active coronavirus cases in Queensland with no new cases confirmed in the past 24 hours.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk is due to speak soon. She is expected to announce new rules today allowing restaurants and cafes to host more people.

Thousands used lockdown to give up smoking

There are signs that thousands of Australians used the coronavirus shutdown to give up smoking.

Federal health Minister Greg Hunt says between January and May this year, the My Quitbuddy app was downloaded more than 24,000 times, a staggering 310 per cent increase over the same time last year.

“These figures are very encouraging and I congratulate those who have taken the first step,” Mr Hunt said in a statement on Sunday, coinciding with World No Tobacco Day.

“Quitting is not always easy, but assistance is available and the benefits are significant.”

He said there was growing evidence that smokers were more likely to develop a severe case of COVID-19 if they contracted the virus.

“However, there is currently insufficient evidence to conclude whether smoking – either cigarettes or e-cigarettes – increases a person’s susceptibility to contracting the coronavirus,” he said.

“Irrespective of the relationship between smoking and COVID-19, quitting smoking at any age is beneficial to a person’s health. There is no safe level of tobacco consumption.”

The Australian government aims to reduce smoking to less than 10 per cent by 2025 through its 10-year National Preventive Health Strategy and has committed $31.6 million over four years from 2019/20 to reduce smoking prevalence.

This includes $20 million over three years to develop a new National Tobacco Campaign to encourage smokers to quit.

AAP

Virus fears over US riots

The massive protests sweeping across U.S. cities have sent shudders through the health community and elevated fears that the huge crowds will lead to a new surge in cases of the coronavirus.

Some leaders appealing for calm in places where crowds smashed storefronts and destroyed police cars in recent nights have been handing out masks and warning demonstrators they were putting themselves at risk.

Minnesota’s governor said Saturday that too many protesters weren’t socially distancing or wearing masks after heeding the call earlier in the week. But many seemed undeterred.

“It’s not OK that in the middle of a pandemic we have to be out here risking our lives,” Spence Ingram said Friday after marching with other protesters to the state Capitol in Atlanta. “But I have to protest for my life and fight for my life all the time.”

Read more on the riots here

AP. Picture by Noah Berger

Queensland rule changes tipped

Queensland is expected to announce new rules today allowing restaurants and cafes to host more people.

As it stands, venues may welcome a maximum of 10 patrons at a time no matter how much floor space they have.

Earlier this week, Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk suggested rules would change to align with restrictions allowing one person per four square metres.

"They have done a lot of work and if the COVID-safe plans are in place they will be allowed to have more in," she said. "It depends on the area, the square metreage."

Today also marks the state government's first monthly review on border closures, which continues to be a contentious issue.