Coronavirus Australia live news: Cluster spreads to NSW central coast
The COVID-19 outbreak unfolding across Sydney has reached the NSW central coast, with a resident testing positive following a trip to Palm Beach.
- Covid alert for locations across Sydney
- Don’t go to Sydney, you may not get back in’
- Ten new cases bring NSW cluster to 28
- Qld declares parts of Sydney ‘hot spot’
- Christmas chaos over shock cluster
- No sanctions for Victorian aged-care
Welcome to live coverage of Australia’s response to the continuing coronavirus pandemic.
NSW health authorities are warning the northern beaches virus cluster - now 28 cases - is likely to have spread across Sydney, while a central coast resident has tested positive following a trip to Palm Beach.
More states have joined Victoria in declaring Sydney’s northern beaches a virus hotspot and have not ruled out hard border closures.
NSW Premier urges people in northern beaches to stay away from high-risk places ‘so we can get on top of this’.
Sydney’s sudden Covid cluster has prompted Queensland to declare the city’s northern beaches a hotspot, and visitors from there will have to quarantine for 2 weeks after midnight tonight. WA has also imposed travel limits on Sydney visitors.
Stephen Rice 10.44pm: Great Escape before premiers ruin Christmas
Desperation was in the air on Friday at Sydney airport as panicked holiday-makers joined The Great Escape, an unseemly scramble for seats on the last flights out of town before the next state leader decided it was time to shut up shop and spoil everyone’s Christmas.
Many of those frantic to get home to Queensland were particularly mindful of their Premier’s predilection for slamming the border with NSW shut and were determined to get out while the going was good.
There were tears of relief at Brisbane airport for Abby Ballard, 22, who has been living in Double Bay, Sydney, for the past four years, and moved her flight home forward a day to guarantee her family reunion.
Yoni Bashan 10.04pm: States set to slam borders as virus spreads
NSW is fighting to contain the apparent spread of the northern beaches coronavirus outbreak across Sydney as premiers of other states eye tougher travel restrictions that could further disrupt Christmas travel plans.
Thousands of people are facing Christmas in isolation after states reimposed travel restrictions on Sydneysiders — with Western Australia enforcing a mandatory fortnight quarantine — to prevent the cluster spreading further.
NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian warned that the government would reimpose restrictions on parts of Sydney should containment efforts fail.
Infections linked to the cluster on the city’s northern beaches stood at 29 on Friday and were expected to rise on the weekend.
Staff writers 9.24pm: Victorian government ‘mulling total closure of NSW border’
The Victorian government is considering a total closure of the state’s border with NSW, worried about a possible steep increase in cases connected with the northern beaches cluster on Saturday, the Herald Sun is reporting.
Rosie Lewis 9.02pm: Travel agents plead for one hotspot rule for all
Travel agents have warned they will be hit by the states’ ad hoc responses to Sydney’s northern beaches coronavirus cluster, as they unite with the broader tourism sector to demand a national approach to outbreaks.
Just a week after the opening of borders triggered a 20 per cent increase in bookings, Australian Federation of Travel Agents chair Tom Manwaring said he expected a rush of cancellations. AFTA, the Australian Tourism Industry Council and the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry appealed to premiers to adopt a national approach to coronavirus clusters as Western Australia imposed restrictions on anyone from NSW while other states targeted Sydney or the northern beaches local government area.
“Has business been affected by this last outbreak? Undoubtedly, because it undermines the confidence that has returned,” he said. “People don’t know whether to go or not to go, so they’ll hold off or be looking to cancel. I’d suggest some will wait for the weekend to make a call on Christmas.
Kieran Gair 8.08pm: Confirmed case of COVID-19 on NSW Central Coast
The COVID-19 outbreak unfolding across Sydney has spread to the NSW central coast, with a resident testing positive following a trip to Palm Beach.
Central Coast Local Health District (CCLHD) confirmed on Friday night that a woman, who is currently in self-isolation, has been diagnosed with COVID-19.
In a statement, CCLHD said passengers who travelled on the 6.15pm ferry from Palm Beach to Wagstaffe on Wednesday, December 16 are “casual contacts”.
“The case has been linked to the cluster in the northern beaches,” a CCLHD spokeswoman said. “The ferry journey is the only location identified for casual contacts. There are no other exposure sites identified on the Central Coast.”
Health advice for casual contacts is to monitor for COVID-19 symptoms and get tested immediately if symptoms appear, however mild.
“One close contact has been identified, who resides in the same household,” the spokeswoman said. “This contact is also in home isolation and has been tested for COVID-19 as a precaution.”
Kieran Gair 7.33pm: New rules after 13 airline employees ‘breached isolation orders’
NSW Police have issued $13,000 worth of fines to a group of airline employees who allegedly breached isolation orders in Sydney earlier this month.
Thirteen crew members on a LATAM Chile flight from South America were each given a $1000 penalty infringement notice for allegedly leaving their hotel in Mascot, near Sydney Airport, on Saturday, December 5.
In response to the major health breach, Premier Gladys Berejiklian has announced that airline crews arriving into NSW from Tuesday would be required to isolate in one of two hotels managed by police and NSW Health.
Under the current system, air crews were permitted to stay at 25 or 26 different hotels of the airline’s choosing without supervision. Typically, airline staff would depart Sydney within 72 hours of their arrival.
“There was one airline crew a few weekends ago that actually breached their isolation and went out to venues. Fortunately that doesn’t seem to have amounted to anything,” Ms Berejiklian said on Friday.
“From Tuesday, there’ll be no chance of disobedience, given the police and Health will be ensuring that they are located at two places close to the airport.”
Ms Berejiklian said she understood the policy change would “put pressure on air crew and airlines”, but conceded that the state government needed to act following the unfolding COVID-19 outbreak in Sydney.
“The issue isn’t the guidelines, it’s unfortunately when people breach the guidelines or choose not to self-isolate,” she said.
Police were called to the hotel after receiving reports about one crew member leaving the accommodation and subsequently discovered another 12 had also failed to self-isolate and attended venues in Mascot.
“As part of inquiries, officers from South Sydney Police Area Command attended the hotel about 9.30pm that day, before speaking with management and air crew members,” NSW Police said in a statement.
“It will be alleged several crew members left the hotel and attended nearby businesses at Mascot. Officers subsequently issued $1000 PINs to 13 crew members.”
Given the “delicate” nature of the state’s relationship with international airlines, Health Minister Brad Hazzard said he had been negotiating with multiple carriers for a number of weeks.
“This is international politics,” he said. “We have to make sure that we delicately handle the crew as far as possible.”
“It’s difficult, because we actually don’t want them to say, ‘We aren’t flying into NSW.’ We want them to continue flying. Freight and Aussies coming home are crucial. So we’re delicately negotiating.”
The LATAM airline crew had reportedly been on a flight repatriating stranded Australians from South America.
Mr Hazzard said the new restrictions are expected to impact between 2000 and 3000 air crew members who travel into NSW every week.
Currently, international airline crews are permitted to self-isolate in a home or other accommodation upon their arrival in NSW.
NSW Chief Health Officer Kerry Chant said the entire air crew were tested after the breach and that all of them returned a negative result for COVID-19.
READ MORE: Crunch time for anti-vaxxers as Covid anxiety looms
James Hall 6.38pm: How to complete a Victorian border pass
Victoria has introduced a strict new border entry permit system for NSW residents to begin from 12.01am on Saturday.
Premier Daniel Andrews also declared Sydney’s northern beaches a coronavirus hotpot on Friday meaning anyone who has visited the area on or since December 11 will not be welcomed into the state and forced into quarantine.
Everyone else in NSW wanting to enter Victoria from 12.01am Saturday will be required to fill out a border entry permit.
Many people have expressed confusion at the new process on social media but Victorian health officials said the application would be identical to the recent form used to process travellers from Adelaide during its recent outbreak.
The form is available on the Department of Health and Human Services site here, but the form won’t go live until 12.01am on Saturday.
According to health authorities, the form will take five minutes to complete and is essentially a declaration the traveller hasn’t been compromised by the northern beaches outbreak.
“Regardless of your place of residence, from midnight tonight, anyone travelling from NSW into Victoria will need a permit,” the DHHS said.
The form breaks down travellers into three categories — red zone, orange zone and green zone.
The red zone applies to areas who have visited the northern beaches as well as other sites in Sydney that have been declared a close contact to a known case.
Orange zone is anyone who has been in greater Sydney. They are being told to isolate when they enter Victoria and remain isolated until a negative coronavirus test is returned.
The green zone applies to the rest of NSW, with those told to get a test only if they have coronavirus symptoms.
READ MORE: Covid outbreak in Sydney spooks investors
Staff writers 6.04pm: Alert issued for list of Queensland locations
Queensland health authorities have put out a list of locations where the coronavirus may have spread after a Sydneysider travelled to Brisbane on Wednesday.
December 16:
Brisbane Domestic Airport from 9am to 9.54am
Hertz Car Rental, Boondall from 10am to 10.30am
The Glen Hotel, Eight Mile Plains from 11am to 2.30pm
Hungry Jacks, Kawana Waters from 8pm to 10pm
Kawana Waters Nightcap Hotel, Buddina from 9pm to 7am the following day
Sunshine Coast University Hospital, Birtinya from 5pm to 8.30pm
December 17:
Hertz Car Rental, Boondall from 8.30am to 9am
TPCH Fever Clinic, Chermside from 10.19am to 10.26pm
Coles Express, Mooloolaba from 7am to 7.30am
READ MORE: Christmas chaos over shock cluster in Sydney
Kieran Gair 5.30pm: Northern beaches residents told to wear masks
NSW Health has issued a “strong advisory” for people living in Sydney’s northern beaches to wear a mask “at all times”, particularly when visiting indoor areas.
NSW PUBLIC HEALTH ADVISORY – NORTHERN BEACHES LGA
— NSW Health (@NSWHealth) December 18, 2020
Due to increasing COVID-19 case numbers associated with the Avalon cluster, NSW Health is issuing a strong advisory for all people in the Northern Beaches LGA to wear a mask at all times when in indoor areas. pic.twitter.com/Zfy0CeseXH
The updated advice is effectively immediately and will remain in place for 72 hours.
Earlier, residents in the area were told to stay home as much as possible and to avoid high-risk venues such as cafes, pubs, restaurants, gyms and places of worship.
Staff writers 5.21pm: NSW health authorities issue alerts for more locations
NSW health authorities are warning the COVID-19 cluster in the city’s northern beaches is likely to have spread further afield — as far as Woolloomooloo, Cronulla, Bondi Junction and Lane Cove.
In a statement, NSW Health confirmed the source of the infection was ultimately the United States.
There are new alerts this evening for anyone who has visited the following venues:
Sienna Marina, Woolloomoolo: Anyone who has spent one hour or longer at the restaurant on December 11 between 12pm and 2pm must get tested and isolate until December 25. Other patrons should isolate and get tested immediately if symptoms appear.
Due to increasing COVID-19 case numbers associated with the Avalon cluster and concerns over wider transmission, NSW Health is issuing an urgent call to all residents of NSW – not only those in the Northern Beaches – to monitor for COVID-19 symptoms.
— NSW Health (@NSWHealth) December 18, 2020
Pilgrims Vegetarian Cafe, Cronulla: Anyone who was at the cafe on December 16 for one hour or more between 11.30am to 2.30pm must be tested immediately and isolate until December 30. Other patrons should monitor for symptoms, and get tested immediately if they appear.
Cronulla RSL Club, Cronulla: Anyone who was there on December 16 from 5pm to close must get tested and isolate until further notice. Close contacts will need to isolate until December 30
NSW Health is also asking anyone who attended the following locations to get tested and isolate for 14 days regardless of the result:
Hair by Erika, Lane Cove: December 11, 3.30pm to 5pm
Rusti Fig Cafe, Newport: December 12, 9am to 10am
Salon of Hair, Turramurra, December 15, 10am to 3pm
Salon of Hair, Turramurra, December 16, 9.30am to 3.30pm
NSW Health is also asking people who have visited the following locations around Sydney to get tested immediately and isolate until they receive a negative result:
Coles, Newport: December 11, 5pm to 7pm
Coles, Newport: December 12, 3.15pm to 3.30pm
Hills Florist, Terrey Hills: December 12, 8am to 8.45am
Restaurant Lovat, Newport: December 12, 2.15pm to 2.25pm and 4.10pm to 4.15pm
Nourished Wholefood Café, Avalon: December 12, 7.30am to 7.40am
Navy Bear Cafe, Darling Point: December 13, 10am to 4pm
Sabiang Thai Restaurant, Avalon Beach: December 13, 6pm to 8pm
Seven West Media Building, Eveleigh: December 14, 8am to 11.30am
Mentmore and Morley Cafe and public toilets, Roseberry: December 14, 10am to 3pm
Harris Farm, Mona Vale: December 14, 11am to 11.10am
Paris Seafood Cafe, Cronulla, December 15, 8.30pm to 9pm
Cronulla Mall: December 15, 8pm to 9pm
Cronulla Mall: December 16, 11am to 12pm
Blend @ Grantham Cafe, Riverstone: December 16, 11am to 11.45am
Westfield Bondi Junction: December 15, 1pm to 2.30pm
Forest Way Fruit Market, Terrey Hills: December 16, 4pm to 4.10pm
Max Maddison 5.16pm: No need to make masks mandatory at the moment: acting CMO
Despite health authorities struggling to contain a growing cluster of cases, acting chief medical officer Paul Kelly says making face masks mandatory isn’t necessary at the moment, and is confident the outbreak can be controlled.
With NSW Health resisting calls to make face masks mandatory, instead “strongly advising” their usage, Professor Kelly said he concurred with the current advice.
“If people can’t physically distance, particularly if they are indoors at this time in that area, absolutely, if it was me I would be wearing a mask,” Professor Kelly told ABC News on Friday afternoon.
“But to make it mandatory I don’t think is necessary at the moment. I would say from everything that has happened in the Northern Beaches in the last couple of days people are incredibly engaged with the information and making the right choice.”
In addition, Professor Kelly said he remained confident that health authorities would manage to get on top of the cluster, citing the small geographical proximity of cases so far.
“... is all of the cases so far, virtually all of the cases have been in that Northern Beaches area, a very small cluster of suburbs in that northern part of Sydney,” he said.
“The third thing is the tremendous response from the community in terms going out and getting tested.”
READ MORE: Macron tests positive
Max Maddison 5.06pm: Fresh bout of panic buying kicks off in Sydney
Supermarket shelves have begun to be stripped of toilet paper, as a fresh bout of panic buying kicks off.
In a bad case of groundhog day, with northern beaches residents asked to stay home until Monday, shoppers have turned to their favourite lockdown activity: buying up bulk quantities of loo roll.
In Narrabeen Woolworths on Friday afternoon, shelves appeared to only have a dozen packets of toilet paper left, with sanitation products also few and far between.
Matthew Denholm 4.20pm: Sydney to Hobart go-ahead ‘rests on where sailors are from’
The future of the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race rests on how many sailors are caught up in the unfolding northern beaches coronavirus hotspot.
Race organisers are in discussions with Tasmanian health officials, who have effectively banned anyone from Sydney’s northern beaches from the state, due to the area’s COVID-19 outbreak.
Tasmanian Premier Peter Gutwein said the decision on the race proceeding would come down to how many yacht crew had been in the hotspots at the relevant times.
“It’s up to the race organisers to determine whether or not the race can take place, bearing in mind that it will depend largely on where the sailors come from in NSW,” Mr Gutwein said.
“They need to determine whether or not they have a fleet of suitable size. But those matters will be worked through with them and we will update as soon as we have a clearer picture.”
He indicated there would no special treatment for race participants. “Whether you come on a yacht or a plane … you’re coming into Tasmania under the rules that apply at that time,” he said.
Those who have already arrived in Tasmania from the northern beaches and three other NSW “high risk” hotspots must quarantine and undertake a coronavirus test.
Public Health estimates “hundreds” of people will have already recently arrived from these hotspot locations and is urging these people to contact them and to isolate.
Travel to Tasmania for those who have been at declared hotspots is banned, unless an exemption is granted by the state controller.
Officials said a ban on all arrivals from NSW was not seen as justified at this point, as all known cases as of Friday afternoon were from the northern beaches local government area.
Max Maddison 3.54pm: ‘We will not risk people’s health in Tasmania’: Gutwein
Tasmanian Premier Peter Gutwein has stipulated that anyone who has been in Sydney’s northern beaches since December 11 should self isolate-immediately.
After the cluster grew to 28 cases, Mr Gutwein declared that the Northern Beaches Council area to be a hotspot, and flagged Cronulla and Penrith may also be included.
“I understand that for many people this may put plans for the upcoming festive and Christmas season in doubt but we will not compromise or risk people’s health in Tasmania,” Mr Gutwein told a press conference on Friday afternoon.
“Anyone currently in Tasmania who has been in that area or in one of those premises any time on or after the 11 December should immediately self isolate.”
Mr Gutwein said any travellers the edict affected should contact the public health hotline and seek a test.
For Tasmanians returning home from high risk areas, Mr Gutwein said they would be required to self isolate at home or at an approved residence for 14 days.
“I know that Tasmanians understand these, by limiting people movement we will limit the virus’s movement and diminish the risk of wider spread,” he said.
READ MORE: NSW virus outbreak: full list of travel restrictions
Max Maddison 3.20pm: Beaches closed, flags lowered from Manly to Palm Beach
Beaches from Manly to Palm Beach have been closed and will only be sparsely monitored, as the chief executive of Surf Life Saving NSW implores locals to avoid the beach.
As the area grapples with a cluster of coronavirus cases around Avalon, the red and yellow-clad volunteers would be stood down for the weekend to mitigate the risk of contagion.
“Northern Beaches Council and Surf Life Saving NSW have lowered the red and yellow flags at the 21 beaches from North Palm Beach through to Manly today and are maintaining a surveillance capability only in case of emergencies until Monday,” SLS said in a statement.
SLS NSW chief executive Steven Pearce asked residents to stay at home over the course of the weekend.
“Please don’t go to the beach, both to limit the risk of spreading the virus, along with staying safe because beaches will not be patrolled, however, lifeguards are maintaining surveillance capability,” Mr Pearce said.
READ MORE: Airlines beg for calm amid chaos at Sydney airport
2.54pm: VIDEO: What restrictions are in place state by state
With the NSW COVID-19 cluster growing, each state has brought in specific restrictions for travellers.
Here are the rules currently in place.
Max Maddison 2.50pm: Sydney to Hobart under threat amid virus spike
The Sydney to Hobart yacht race is under threat, with organisers holding crisis talks amid a spike of cases in Sydney’s northern beaches.
While the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia said it was planning for the event to go ahead, the boxing day event has come under a cloud after Tasmania closed its borders to anyone who lives or has visited the hotspot.
A number of sailors are from the northern beaches and will consequently be unable to travel to Tasmania as a result of the current restrictions.
“The CYCA is closely monitoring the recent NSW Health COVID-19 advisory warnings for Sydney’s Northern Beaches and the current Tasmanian Government exclusions,” the Club said in a statement on Friday afternoon
“The CYCA continues to work with NSW Health and the Tasmania Department of Health and we will put any additional measures in place to ensure that the Race remains COVIDSafe.”
With further discussions with the Tasmanian Department of Health scheduled for this afternoon, the CYCA said they will provide another update around 6pm on Friday.
READ MORE: A2Milk takes massive $2.3bn hit
Paige Taylor 2.47pm: WA Premier may bring back hard border to NSW
West Australian premier Mark McGowan says he may again ban all travellers from New South Wales from entering WA except people who meet strict criteria for an exemption, effectively re-establishing a hard border less than a month since it came down.
Thousands of people from NSW have arrived in WA since the border came down on December 7. The McGowan government is concerned about 4901 people who arrived from NSW on or after December 11. Those people were on Thursday ordered to self quarantine at a suitable premises immediately, go to a COVID clinic for a test and return to self quarantine until the test result is texted to them.
The criteria is stricter for anyone who arrived in WA from NSW after midnight on Friday. They must self quarantine for 14 days at a suitable premises and submit to a COVID test on the eleventh day.
Mr McGowan told reporters in Perth on Friday that, as a result of the state’s system of registering new arrivals in a system called G2G, health authorities had been able to contact each of the 4901 arrivals directly and give them instructions.
“In addition, our contact tracers have followed up directly with 87 arrivals who have come from Sydney’s northern beaches,” Mr McGowan said.
“This has been the benefit of the controlled border - it provides our health team and WA Police with the information they need to track down the people who are of greater risk.”
The state’s COVID clinics have been inundated since Thursday with the recent arrivals from NSW who had been told to get a test. There have been long queues and delays.
“I know many people have been caught in long lines and have had to wait for long periods. Thank you for your patience and for doing your bit, to keep our community safe,” Mr McGowan said.
“WA Health have ramped up resources at our COVID clinics. Open hours have been extended across the Perth metro area and across our State. WA Health have also spoken to private pathology providers to ensure that if anyone presents for a test and has been in NSW since December 11 – they are able to be tested.”
Mr McGowan said there was no doubt that NSW was on the verge of a serious outbreak.
“Our best defence to keep COVID-19 out of our community is through our border controls. WA’s controlled interstate border is in place for that very reason,” he said.
“Based on the current health advice, we are not making further changes at this point to what we implemented at midnight last night.
“But we are continuing to monitor the situation closely, and will not hesitate to do whatever is needed to keep WA safe.
“This may well mean that the hard border with NSW needs to return in the near future.
“So can I ask all Western Australians to avoid travelling to NSW.
“If you can avoid your travel to NSW – please do. The situation is extremely fluid right now.
“I know this a difficult period for many, and it must be very upsetting for many families looking to reunite and spend Christmas together.”
“Both Victoria and South Australia showed how it was done,” Mr McGowan said of hard lockdowns in thoses states.
“I mean, the outbreak in New South Wales and we’re very sympathetic and supportive of our New South Wales brothers and sisters, but it’s debilitating for the country. It’s debilitating for everyone else.”
“Keeping the model of kicking the virus out, and not having it and killing it where you can, is better than having the virus, and constantly chasing your tail.”
READ MORE: 2020’s property hotspots
Debbie Schipp 2.10pm: 13 airline crew fined for breaching quarantine
Penalty Infringement Notices (PINs) were issued to 13 airline crew after they allegedly failed to comply with self-isolation ministerial directions, NSW police say.
In a media release, police said they received information a crew member who arrived in Sydney on a flight from South America on December 5 left his accommodation at Mascot in breach of the Public Health (COVID-19 Air Transportation Quarantine) Order 2020.
Police went to the hotel about 9.30pm on December 5, and spoke with management and air crew members.
It will be alleged several crew members left the hotel and attended nearby businesses at Mascot.
Officers subsequently issued $1000 PINs to 13 crew members.
READ MORE: Brett Lee forced to fly home as Covid strikes Sydney
Joe Kelly 1.10pm: PM’s reshuffle sees new roles for Tehan, Tudge
Scott Morrison has announced a minor reshuffle of his frontbench, with new roles for Dan Tehan who takes Trade, Tourism and Investment and Alan Tudge who will take the Education portfolio as well as responsibility for youth.
Mr Morrison has also elevated the aged care portfolio into cabinet to be piloted by Health Minister Greg Hunt, although Richard Colbeck will retain responsibility for aged care services.
Queensland Senator Amanda Stoker has been promoted to the frontbench as an Assistant Minister to Attorney-General, Christian Porter, with Mr Morrison saying she would do a “sensational job.”
READ the full details of the reshuffle here.
Joe Kelly 1pm: PM has ‘full confidence’ NSW can deal with spike
Scott Morrison says he has “full confidence” in the ability of NSW to respond to the 28 cases in the new northern beaches COVID-19 cluster.
The Prime Minister said that NSW had demonstrated “an extraordinary capacity to deal with these challenges” and advised people to take heed of information being provided by health authorities.
“We are still in the midst of a global pandemic. The virus has not gone away,” he said. ‘We have dealt with this before. We will deal with this again. It is important that people remain calm.”
Mr Morrison said he was very grateful for the way the Australian people had responded to the virus.
Mr Morrison has acknowledged that travel plans could face disruption ahead of Christmas, saying “there will be some constraints because of the events of the last 24 hours” given the cluster on Sydney’s northern beaches.
He also said that his government could not impose a national “hotspot” definition on the states, declaring “that is not a power the Commonwealth government has.”
“That would have to be done by agreement with states and territories.
“That is not something states and territories have agreed to put in place.
“They have their own rules.
“My message to the public more broadly is to remain calm.”
Mr Morrison said he did not have any concerns the recent outbreak would disrupt the nation’s economic recovery, but maintained they would bear responsibility for their health responses.
“State govts are responsible for public health within their jurisdictions,” Mr Morrison said.
“They have the authority to make decisions to protect the public ... within their jurisdictions.”
“Together we will continue to ensure Australia has one of the best records in the world.”
Angelica Snowden 12.50pm: Vics advised not to go to Sydney: you may not get back
Victorians are being “strongly advised” not to travel to Sydney amid a COVID-19 outbreak which grew to 28 cases overnight.
Health Minister Martin Foley said they expect conditions to deteriorate.
“As conditions are expected to deteriorate, and you may not be able to re-enter Victoria without undertaking quarantining for 14 days,” Mr Foley said.
“Don’t come from Sydney if you’re planning to come to Melbourne,” he said.
“Don’t go to Sydney … it won’t be a holiday.”
He said the situation in New South Wales and Sydney is “rapidly evolving”.
“We are working on a very close basis of relationship with the New South Wales government, as their list of exposure sites continues to expand … we will introduce, as of midnight tonight, a permit system based on that risk profile,” he said.
“That will be a requirement for anyone returning from New South Wales and Sydney to have in place should they wish to enter Victoria.
“Essentially if you’re in the Northern Beaches LGA, or have been directly exposed to any number of the other high risk sites identified by the New South Wales government, you will not be issued a permit.”
Mr Foley said anyone in the greater Sydney area will be issued with a permit through the traffic light system.
Anyone from the rest of New South Wales will be issued a permit.
It came after Victoria reported a 49th day of no locally acquired COVID-19 cases.
Angelica Snowden 12.20pm: Could this be fresh NSW outbreak’s patient zero?
NSW chief health officer Kerry Chant has clarified NSW Health was investigating a returned female traveller in hotel quarantine as a possible source of the outbreak — because genome sequencing from the northern beaches outbreak was similar to that of the US traveller.
The traveller arrived on December 1 and entered hotel quarantine. She remains in a health hotel.
All but two of the cases in the cluster have either been linked with the Avalon RSL, the Avalon Bowlo or both.
Two are under urgent investigation and the other is a traveller who went to Queensland.
Ms Berejiklian said she was prepared to enforce harsher rules to curb the outbreak if necessary.
“If the number of cases is going up to an extent we’re not comfortable with we will take greater measures in and around the Northern Beaches community and perhaps even through Greater Sydney if we feel that risk is there.”
Ms Berejiklian said air crews have different rules because they are in transit and are supposed to stay in isolation until they get on their next flight.
“At the moment it is obviously up to the airlines and the crew themselves to maintain their self isolation,” she said.
After repeating the “guidelines” were not the problem but rather a lack of compliance with them was, Ms Berejiklian said: “Without outing the particular airline there was one airline crew, a few weekends ago that actually breached their isolation and went out to venues,” she said.
“So fortunately that doesn’t seem to have amounted to anything.
“Clearly there was a breach there and since that time we’ve been working with authorities and how we can manage it we’ve been working with airlines in relation to how we can manage it.” It is understood the crew members were not Australians.
READ MORE: For anti-vaxxers, it’s Covid crunch time
Charlie Peel 12.05pm: Qld CHO urges people to reconsider travel to and from Sydney
Queensland chief health officer Jeannette Young has encouraged people to reconsider travel to and from Sydney.
Anyone entering into Queensland after being in the Sydney northern beaches area since December 11 will be required to self-isolate for 14 days.
From 1am Saturday, anyone entering Queensland after visiting the northern beaches will be required to go into hotel quarantine.
Police will be conducting compliance checking on the state’s borders and at the airports.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk urged anyone with symptoms to get tested and encouraged anyone from Sydney’s northern beaches to stay at home.
“If people are from the northern beaches of New South Wales it would be well advised for them to stay in the northern beaches and not to travel to Queensland,” Ms Palaszczuk said.
READ MORE: NSW outbreak: full list of travel restrictions
Charlie Peel 11.57am: NSW case travelled to Qld’s Brisbane and Sunshine Coast
A NSW woman who tested positive for COVID-19 while visiting Queensland spent time in Brisbane’s southern suburbs and on the Sunshine Coast before returning home.
The woman, in her 50s, who travelled up from Sydney’s northern beaches on December 16.
She hired a car and drove to the Glen Hotel in the suburb of Eight Mile Plains where she had lunch at about 11.30am.
The woman then travelled to the Sunshine Coast where she interacted with a receptionist. A friend in Sydney told the woman she had developed symptoms and encouraged her to get tested for the virus.
She was tested at the Prince Charles Hospital in Brisbane before she flew back to Sydney and the result came back positive on Thursday night.
Queensland chief health officer Jeannette Young said health officials were carrying out contact tracing and urged anyone who visited the Glen Hotel since 11.30am on Wednesday to get tested if they showed symptoms.
Health officials are trying to contact passengers seated near the woman on Virgin flight VA925.
Angelica Snowden 11.40am: Police to supervise air crew quarantine after breaches
NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian has revealed police will supervise international air crew who complete their quarantine in Sydney, after they “breached guidelines” and “chose not to self isolate”.
Previously air crew were able to manage their own quarantine — without strict police enforcement — at 25 different venues.
She said one airline had breached its own guidelines a few weeks ago when crews were allowed to attend venues around Sydney.
None of the venues were on the northern breaches.
She said it was hard to punish the crews — many aren’t Australian and are “in transit”.
“In any given time there are … several hundred travelling in and out on any given day,” she said.
From Tuesday, there will be two designated hotels where crew must isolate.
“The issue isn’t the guidelines we have in place, it is unfortunately a few occasions where people breached the guidelines or actually chose not to self-isolate when they should have,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“I want to make very clear the systems themselves haven’t been the challenge but it has been people disobeying,” she said.
READ MORE: Genomic sequencing: Virus came from US
Angelica Snowden 11.18am: NSW cluster case travelled to Queensland
NSW chief health officer Kerry Chant said genome sequencing had revealed the latest outbreak was linked with an international strain of the virus, likely from the US.
She said there are some similarities of the strain with a returned overseas traveller.
“But at the moment our investigations are still preliminary and we are looking at any source,” Dr Chant said.
She said one of the cases in connection with the outbreak was diagnosed in Queensland.
“The individual was identified through our contact tracing efforts … and (they) had already departed and was in Queensland at the time,” she said.
“We advised them to isolate … then they contacted Queensland officials prior to the test result coming through and we were advised about safe transport coming back to NSW.
“They drove their own car and made their way back here … and during that journey they received the positive test result.”
Dr Chant said they flew to Queensland — before they knew about the COVID positive result — and health authorities in that state would contact trace other passengers on the plane.
Angelica Snowden 11.05am: NSW cluster grows to 28 with ten new cases
NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian says 10 additional cases of COVID-19 have been linked with the northern beaches outbreak, bringing the cluster to 28.
She said all but one case has been linked with the cluster, and that one of the cases travelled to Queensland.
The premier is urging people in the northern beaches to stay away from high-risk places so we can “get on top of this”.
Ms Berejiklian said her state has the potential to get on top of the outbreak in the next few days, but warned she would impose harsher restrictions if the outbreak grew much worse.
“On the northern beaches people should only be undertaking absolutely necessary activity and if we get on top of this in the next two or three days all of us will be able to have a much better Christmas but if we don’t get on top,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“But if we don’t … it could mean further restrictions down the track,” she said.
READ MORE: NSW outbreak: full list of travel restrictions
Angelica Snowden 10.40am: Nervous customers looking to cancel, change flights
Virgin Australia has confirmed it will provide fee-free changes to all bookings up until January 31, as hordes of frustrated would-be travellers change their plans amid a COVID-19 outbreak in NSW.
It is understood a large number of customers want to cancel or make changes to their New South Wales bookings due to the northern beaches cluster, and the number of cancellations is unknown.
“Due to the evolving situation in New South Wales, some States and Territories are implementing revised border restrictions,” a Virgin Australia spokesman said.
“While New South Wales services are currently operating as normal, changes to customer demand and booking trends may require us to adjust our forward schedule,” he said.
“Any impacted customers will be provided with options to rebook on alternative services or be able obtain a travel credit for use at a later stage.”
Change fees can also be waived for COVID-19 reasons — including government border restrictions or mandatory quarantine or self-isolation requirements – up until 31 March 2021.
READ MORE: Emergency rules for Tasmania travel
Angelica Snowden 10.05am: Birmingham urges ‘restraint’ on border closures
Trade minister Simon Birmingham has urged states and territories to “exercise some restraint” over fears border closures are imminent due to an outbreak of COVID-19 in NSW.
Senator Birmingham said NSW had shown an “exemplary” capacity to get on top of previous clusters.
“Their systems, their processes, that lead to the tracing, the contact tracing, the isolating, really are quite exceptional and so we should have confidence they can do it again,” Senator Birmingham told ABC news.
“I’m standing here in my home state of South Australia, and it’s not that long since we similarly saw one case that turned to 16 and 17, ultimately it was a cluster of 30,” he said.
“But a really strong process of isolating, contact tracing, all of the work that’s necessary there, that enabled everyone to get on top of it.”
READ MORE: Lockdown ‘an abuse of rights’
Angelica Snowden 9.35am: Airline passengers battle travel chaos
Travel plans of many Australians have been thrown into chaos ahead of Christmas after an outbreak of COVID-19 in NSW, with some attempting to cancel flights at the last minute.
Hey @Qantas was on hold for 2.5 hours waiting for advisor to cancel flight to Sydney today (18th) Hoping this can be actioned as call cut out. Have sent DM too.
— Gem Ridley (@GemsRidley) December 17, 2020
They have taken to social media to complain about lengthy wait times as they attempt to cancel their domestic flights after new COVID-19 border restrictions were announced in response to an outbreak in Sydney’s northern beaches.
@Qantas I booked two flights two nights ago from.
— Asad Abbas (@asadabbas92) December 17, 2020
1- MEL to PER on 3 Jan
2- PER to SYD on 17 Jan
Now that I have to isolate myself in WA, I don't see the point of coming. How can I get the refund and cancel the booking?
Sydney’s new coronavirus cluster has grown to 17, after a couple from the northern beaches failed to self-isolate while they waited on results of a COVID-19 test.
Angelica Snowden 8.40am: US deaths approach 310,000, Moderna vaccine rollout close
US experts were expected to recommend approval of Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine on Thursday, paving the way for six million doses to start shipping this weekend.
The meeting comes as the number of deaths from the coronavirus quickly approaches 310,000 in the worst-hit country in the world, which this week began vaccinating health care workers and long-term care residents with the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine.
Both of these frontrunners are based on cutting edge mRNA (messenger ribonucleic acid) technology, which had never been approved prior to the pandemic, and both are two-dose regimens.
US politicians have also inched closer to a new stimulus package to help the pandemic-battered economy, as new applications for US jobless benefits increase for the fourth week out of five.
A government relief package to support struggling businesses and jobless workers would help the world’s largest economy back on its feet amid a resurgence of COVID-19 infections, even as new vaccines offer hope that life can return to normal.
Without an agreement, millions of unemployed workers will lose their special pandemic benefits before the end of the year.
Republican Senate leader Mitch McConnell on Thursday was optimistic and repeated his pledge to keep politicians in Washington until there is an agreement.
“I am heartened by our discussions and our progress. I believe all sides are working in good faith toward our shared goal of getting an outcome,” he said in a statement, noting that the package would include direct payments to Americans.
“We are going to stay right here until we are finished, even if that means working into or through the weekend,” he said.
Nearly 16.5 million people have become infected with COVID-19 in the US since the start of the pandemic.
According to Johns Hopkins University nearly 310,000 Americans have died due to the virus. — with AFP
READ MORE: Europe vows to vaccinate as infections surge
Angelica Snowden 8.40am: Grim milestone as deaths in Europe soar past 500,000
Deaths caused by COVID-19 in Europe have surpassed 500,000, the first region in the world to reach the grim milestone.
The 52 countries and territories of the European region have reported 506,592 deaths according to the World Health Organisation’s tally.
The region is ahead of Latin America and the Caribbean on 477,404, the United States and Canada (321,287), Asia (208,149), the Middle East (85,895) and Africa (57,423).
Europe has once again become the epicentre of the pandemic since October – alongside the United States – after having already been the focus of global attention in March-April.
Sweden
Sweden, which has controversially relied on mostly non-coercive measures, struggled to contain an unexpectedly strong second coronavirus wave as the country’s monarch on Thursday criticised the nation’s failure to save lives.
“I believe we have failed,” Sweden’s King Carl XVI Gustaf told broadcaster SVT.
On Thursday, Sweden’s National Board of Health and Welfare said the number of people receiving hospital care for COVID-19 was now over 2,500, topping the previous peak in late April.
However, the number of people in intensive care is still only about half the level seen in April.
The total number of deaths associated with COVID-19 in the country of some 10.3 million reached 7,802 on Wednesday, with more than 500 people in the last week and over 1,800 since the beginning of November.
Netherlands
The Netherlands will not begin coronavirus vaccinations until January 8, nearly two weeks after the co-ordinated start of inoculations across the EU, the health minister said on Thursday.
Health Minister Hugo de Jonge said it was the “fastest feasible planning”, and was conditional on the European Medicines Agency authorising use of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine when it meets on Monday.
European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen said earlier Monday that the EU would start Covid-19 jabs on December 27, dubbing it “Europe’s moment” in the battle against the virus.
It came after the Netherlands on Tuesday began its toughest lockdown yet since the pandemic began, with schools and all non-essential shops closing and people advised to stay at home.
Dutch authorities announced a new daily record of 13,000 new infections on Thursday. More than 10,000 people have died of Covid-19 in the Netherlands so far.
Germany
A politician from Germany’s far-right AFD party, who sparked furore for wearing a mask with holes to a Bundestag sitting, has been hospitalised because of the coronavirus, German media reported Thursday.
Thomas Seitz, 53, is “according to his doctors expected to make a swift recovery,” national news agency DPA reported, quoting a statement.
Mr Seitz was in November threatened with a fine by deputy speaker of parliament Claudia Roth, when he took to the stand in the Bundestag wearing a mask with holes.
Roth offered him an FFP2 mask instead of his net-like mask, but Seitz had complained about the “muzzle”.
Germany went into a partial lockdown from Wednesday, with non-essential shops and schools shut in the hopes of halting a surge in coronavirus infections.
On Thursday, Europe’s biggest economy reported another record in daily new infections, surpassing the 30,000 mark for the first time.
Germany has recorded a total of 24,125 deaths, up by about 700 in one day. — with AFP
READ MORE: Macron tests positive
Debbie Schipp 8.30am: Frydenberg urges faith, not fear, as tracers do their work
Federal Treasurer Josh Frydenberg has urged people, and state and territory authorities exercise caution, but not be frightened by the growing cluster in Sydney.
“As the health authorities go about their contact tracing and their world-class testing regime we do note that there will be more cases,” Mr Frydenberg said on Seven.
“The question has never been whether we had eliminated (the virus). It was always ‘how will we respond to the new cases?’ NSW has been the gold standard.
“We should have confidence in the New South Wales system, obviously this is a developing situation and the state premiers and chief ministers will take their actions based on medical advice, but I would just ask everyone to monitor the situation closely, to follow the medical advice, but also to have faith and confidence in the ability of the NSW Health system.”
He said he did not want to “pre-empt” actions like hard lockdowns, or their impact, but “what we did see yesterday was an improvement in the economic numbers, which were very encouraging going into Christmas.
“That was a result of the Australian economy opening up, restrictions being eased, the virus being successfully suppressed, Australians going back to work and then spending more freely.”
READ MORE: NSW COVID outbreak: travel restrictions
Angelica Snowden 8.10am: Sydney residents urged to get tested
While the northern beaches is the epicentre of the outbreak, NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian urged every Sydney resident to monitor for symptoms.
“The rest of Sydney (needs) to be on high alert, you may have been in contact with someone from the Northern Beaches,” she said.
“Or someone from the northern beaches with the disease may have been socialising at events or mingling with people and for that reason we’re asking everybody in Greater Sydney to be on high alert.”
After states and territories imposed new travel restrictions amid the outbreak, Ms Berejiklian said she would not “begrudge” any leader for declaring the northern beaches a hotspot.
“But I would ask them to have a proportionate response to what’s happening in NSW,” she said.
“There are vast, vast parts of the state that are completely unaffected. Clearly the Northern Beaches is a concentration of cases and so I would be taking precautions if I was another state leader and there was a similar outbreak in another state.”
Angelica Snowden 7.55am: Sydney affected by ‘international’ strain
NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian says she expects a “similar” amount of new COVID-19 infections to be reported today, after an outbreak in her state grew exponentially on Thursday.
Ms Berejiklian would not confirm how many new cases authorities had identified, but warned residents should prepare for numbers to increase.
“I’m asking everybody to brace themselves for more cases today,” Ms Berejiklian told Sky News.
“We had six pop up clinics on the Northern Beaches yesterday and thousands of people came forward to get tested so we are expecting to see those case numbers go up,” she said.
Ms Berejiklian also said the source of the outbreak was an “international strain” of the virus and authorities were investigating how it escaped into the community.
READ MORE: Pope pays for messing with the nativity
Staff Reporters 7.40am: NSW Premier warns more cases are coming
NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian has warned there will be more positive Covid cases to emerge from Sydney’s northern beaches.
Ms Berejiklian told the Seven Network this morning: “I am asking people to brace themselves today, we are going to see more cases overnight … we are absolutely concerned.”
“We are going to have a considerable amount of cases come during the day and that’s because people have come forward for testing.”
Angelica Snowden 7.20am: What the latest border restrictions look like
Borders are shuttering across Australia once again, amid a growing COVID-19 outbreak in the Northern Beaches region of NSW.
Travel plans for the Christmas holiday period have been thrown into chaos after the coronavirus cluster jumped from four to 17 yesterday.
Western Australia, Queensland, Victoria, Tasmania, South Australia and the Northern Territory have all imposed border restrictions due to the outbreak.
Western Australia
In Western Australia, anyone arriving from NSW into WA from midnight tonight will be required to self-quarantine for two weeks. They will also need to be tested for COVID on day 11.
Following consultation with NSW Health, WA’s Chief Health Officer has provided updated advice to the WA Government on our controlled interstate border.
— Mark McGowan (@MarkMcGowanMP) December 17, 2020
Due to the evolving situation in NSW, the State Government is taking immediate steps to further protect WA. pic.twitter.com/b140OghVUV
Anyone who has arrived in WA from NSW on December 11 before 12.01am tonight will be required to follow updated arrangements, which include:
self-quarantine in a suitable premise as soon as possible
present for a COVID-19 test as soon as possible
return to self-quarantine until a negative test result is confirmed
Undertake a further test on Day 11 after arrival in WA.
Queensland
Queensland’s chief Health Officer Jeanette Young confirmed they will reintroduce hotel quarantine for anyone who was in the Northern Beaches region on or since last Friday and who arrives in the state after 1am on Saturday.
The COVID-19 cluster in the Northern Beaches of NSW has now increased to 17 positive cases resulting in new advice for anyone in or coming to Queensland from the area. See full statement here: https://t.co/4G3NZ3DwL8
— Queensland Health (@qldhealthnews) December 17, 2020
The health directive also said:
Anyone who was in the Northern Beaches region on or since Friday 11 December 2020 and is already in Queensland should get tested and quarantine in their home or accommodation for 14 days from the date they left the Northern Beaches.
Anyone who was in the Northern Beaches region on or since Friday 11 December 2020 and arrives in Queensland on a flight from Sydney after midnight tonight (Thursday 17 December 2020), must get tested and quarantine in their home or accommodation for 14 days from the date they left the Northern Beaches.
Victoria
Victoria’s Department of Health and Human Services also announced new restrictions on travellers from the Northern Beaches.
Anyone who has been in the Northern Beaches area of Sydney since 11 Dec should stay at home and get tested tomorrow. pic.twitter.com/AtzQmUrlHh
— VicGovDHHS (@VicGovDHHS) December 17, 2020
Anyone who was in the Northern Beaches region on or since last Friday and is already in Victoria should get tested and quarantine in their home or accommodation for 14 days from the date they left the Northern Beaches
Anyone who was in the Northern Beaches region or other NSW exposure sites on or since Friday 11 December 2020 and arrives in Victoria after midnight Thursday December 17 must get tested and quarantine in their home or accommodation for 14 days from the date they left the Northern Beaches
Further announcements will be made for travellers arriving into Victoria from the Northern beaches or other NSW exposure sites after midnight Saturday 19 December 2020 later today
Tasmania
Tasmania has declared anyone who travelled to the Northern Beaches local government area on or after last Friday will not be permitted to enter the state.
Anyone who is already in Tasmania and travelled to the Northern Beaches area must self-isolate immediately.
South Australia
Anyone who travels to South Australia from the locations listed on the NSW Health website at the specified times must immediately self-quarantine for 14 days.
They will be required to have a COVID-19 test on day 12 of quarantine.
Northern Territory
The Northern Beaches region was declared a hotspot by the Northern Territory government.
Anyone seeking to travel to the state from a hotspot must quarantine for two weeks.
READ MORE: Lockdowns ‘breached human rights’
Sarah Elks 6.45am: Qld imposes limits on some Sydney residents
Queensland will close its borders from Saturday at 1am to people who have been to Sydney’s Northern Beaches, declaring the coronavirus-stricken region a hotspot.
Late on Thursday night, Chief Health Officer Jeannette Young issued updated health advice after the Northern Beaches cluster increased to 17 positive COVID-19 cases.
Dr Young issued the following orders, which apply to Queenslanders returning home and other people:
• Anyone who was in the Northern Beaches region on or since Friday 11 December 2020 and is already in Queensland should get tested and quarantine in their home or accommodation for 14 days from the date they left the Northern Beaches.
• Anyone who was in the Northern Beaches region on or since Friday 11 December 2020 and arrives in Queensland on a flight from Sydney after midnight tonight (Thursday 17 December 2020), must get tested and quarantine in their home or accommodation for 14 days from the date they left the Northern Beaches.
• Anyone who was in the Northern Beaches region on or since Friday 11 December 2020 and arrives in Queensland on a flight from Sydney after 1am Saturday 19 December 2020 must go into hotel quarantine at their own expense for 14 days from the date they left the Northern Beaches, and get tested.
Dr Young is expected to give an update on the situation on Friday morning.
READ MORE: China, Trump and the wait for a vaccine
Staff Reporters 6.20am: Authorities issue list of at-risk Sydney venues
NSW Health has listed a number of at-risk northern Sydney beaches locations. People who visited them are urged to get tested immediately and isolate until they receive a negative result. The venues include:
Woolworths Mona Vale, 25/29 Park St, Mona Vale, 13 December, 12-12.30pm
Aldi Mona Vale, 13 Bungan St, Mona Vale, 13 December, 12.45-1.30pm
Avalon Beach SLSC, 13, 14 and 15 December, 9-9.30am
Palm Beach Rockpool, LOT 1 Rock Bath Rd, Palm Beach, 14 December, 9:30-10:30am
Woolworths Avalon, 74 Old Barrenjoey Rd, Avalon Beach, 14 December 5-5.30pm
Chemist Warehouse, 4/74 Old Barrenjoey Rd, Avalon Beach, 14 December 5.20‑5.25pm
Commonwealth Bank, 47 Avalon Parade, Avalon Beach, 15 December, 12-12.15pm
Mitre 10, 49 Avalon Parade, Avalon Beach, 15 December, 12-12.20pm
Roof Racks World, 13/87 Reserve Rd, Artarmon, 15 December, 2-2:30pm
HongFa BBQ Restaurant, Dee Why, 15 December 4.30-4.45pm
Dee Why Fruit Market, 33 Oaks Avenue, Dee Why, 15 December, 4.45-4.55pm
North Avalon Cellars, 4/3 N Avalon Rd, Avalon Beach, 15 December, 6-6.05pm
Careel Bay Dog Park and Hitchcock Park, Barrenjoey Rd, Avalon, 16 December 7‑7:30am
Palm Beach Pool, LOT 1 Rock Bath Rd, Palm Beach, 16 December, 8am-9am
Boot and Wurst, 1442 Pittwater Rd, North Narrabeen, 16 December, 2pm-2:05pm
Avalon Beach Post Shop, 45 Avalon Parade, Avalon Beach, 16 December 3.30-3.50pm
NSW Health has also advised people who have visited the following venues to get tested and isolate:
Avalon RSL club December 11 all day till closed
Penrith RSL club December 13, 1-6 pm
Kirribilli club December 14, 12-3 pm
READ MORE: Wall Street hits new high
Peter van Onselen 6am: Crunch time for NSW’s Covid contact tracers
The Prime Minister has enjoyed labelling NSW contact tracing the gold standard. It’s about to be tested as the north shore cluster grows. This is Melbourne all over again, unless NSW really does operate under a gold standard. Read more here
Jacquelin Magnay 5.15am: French president tests positive for coronavirus
French President Emmanuel Macron has tested positive for COVID-19 just days after holding a string of meetings with European leaders.
The Elysee Palace said Mr Macron had tested positive on Thursday after the “onset of the first symptoms”.
In accordance with national regulations, he will now “self-isolate for seven days. He will continue to work and carry out his activities remotely”.
Spain said its Prime Minister, Pedro Sanchez, was self-isolating after attending an OECD conference with Mr Macron in Paris on Monday, as was the president of the European Council, Charles Michel.
The French Prime Minister, Jean Castex, and the parliamentary Speaker, Richard Ferrand, were also in isolation, along with Portuguese Prime Minister Antonio Costa, who met Mr Macron for talks in Paris on Wednesday.
The French President is one of several national leaders to have contracted COVID-19, including British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and US President Donald Trump.
Read the full story here.
Rosie Lewis 5.10am: Christmas chaos looms with shock Sydney cluster
Holiday plans are in chaos as Western Australia and Queensland consider restricting travel from Sydney, as health authorities scramble to contain a growing coronavirus cluster on the city’s northern beaches.
More than 270,000 Sydneysiders have been asked to stay at home for three days and avoid travelling outside the area after the northern beaches cluster grew to 17 cases on Thursday.
Warnings have also been issued as far afield as the Kirribilli Club on Sydney’s lower north shore and the Penrith RSL club in the city’s far west after a musician at the centre of the cluster performed at both venues.
West Australian Premier Mark McGowan on Thursday announced recent arrivals from NSW would have to get a COVID-19 test and self-isolate until they received a negative result. From Friday, anyone arriving from NSW will have to self-isolate in “suitable premises” for 14 days and be tested on day 11.
Queensland’s Chief Health Officer Jeannette Young warned the state’s residents to reconsider their travel plans in case the northern beaches was designated a hotspot. From Friday, anyone who has been in the region will not be able to visit Queensland aged-care homes and hospitals.
Read the full story here.
Yoni Bashan 4.45am: ‘Worst run of infections since Ruby Princess’
For months, Sydney’s northern beaches have managed to preserve themselves as an isle of pristine shorelines, secluded celebrity boltholes and — quite enviably — a glittering region that has gone without the slightest trace of the loathsome coronavirus.
This idyll ended abruptly on Wednesday when, according to health officials, a superspreader contracted the virus and created a flourishing cluster of cases within the Avalon RSL, one of the region’s most lively centres of community hobnobbing.
Working backwards ever since, teams of contact tracers have fanned minute by minute through the histories of attendees at the venue, identifying a cluster now amounting to 17 infections. And the number is growing.
According to one government official, the last time the area saw infections run anywhere close to that figure was during March, after the Ruby Princess docked in Sydney. In other words, a lifetime ago.
Read the full story here.
Olivia Caisley 4.30am: No aged-care sanctions in Victoria’s second wave
The federal aged-care watchdog failed to issue a single sanction in Victoria during the height of the state’s deadly second wave as coronavirus infections spiralled out of control, tearing through the state’s nursing homes and killing more than 600 residents.
The Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission did not impose its harshest disciplinary action on any Victorian nursing home in the three months to the end of September, despite forcing 18 facilities to address immediate and severe risks, according to a newly published summary of the regulator’s activities.
The document shows 74.4 per cent of Victorian aged-care homes assessed during that period failed to meet one or more quality and safety standards, compared with 23 per cent in NSW and 30 per cent in Queensland.
The commission, previously accused of being a “toothless tiger”, can issue nursing homes with sanctions such as having their funding or approval withdrawn if they fail to heed warnings, but ACQSC did not do this.
Read the full story here.
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