Coronavirus Australia live news: Hospitality seeks HECS-style loans in May budget
Government loans to wean companies off JobKeeper and exempting restaurants meals from the fringe benefit tax are at the top of the catering and hotels sector’s wishlist for the May budget.
- NSW Premier strikes back at Palaszczuk
- Palaszczuk challenges PM on quarantine
- Germany warns against AstraZeneca in over-65s
- Victoria to ease Qld border rules
- Pfizer plan to sidestep EU bans
- Tennis stars to leave quarantine
- Support for Australia’s barley fight
Welcome to live updates on Australia’s response to the continuing coronavirus pandemic.
As NSW and Tasmania further ease border restrictions on Sydney, the NSW Premier says Queensland’s tourism woes are partly its own doing and Josh Frydenberg suggests states dive into their own pockets to revive the industry. Meanwhile the Australian TGA is studying the AstraZeneca vaccine’s usefulness.
Nicholas Jensen 10.00pm: AstraZeneca contract must be published: von der Leyen
Head of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, has demanded that the EU’s vaccine contract with AstraZeneca be published, as tensions over reduced supplies continue to escalate.
The contract signed in August outlined “binding orders”, Ms von der Leyen told German radio, urging AstraZeneca to provide “plausible explanations” for the vaccine shortfall.
The August deal was for 300 million doses to be delivered after regulatory approval, with the potential for 100 million more.
However, EU sources suggest they now expect to receive approximately a quarter of the 100 million vaccines by March.
AstraZeneca said production problems are at its sites in Belgium and the Netherlands and Belgium. Company CEO Pascal Soriot said that the contract stipulated that the firm would do its “best effort” to meet the EU demand. It did not compel the company to adhere to a specific schedule.
READ MORE: EU scrambles to block export of vaccines
Nicholas Jensen 8.15pm: Spain’s economy shrinks by 11 per cent in 2020
Spain’s economy has contracted by 11 per cent due to the financial strains inflicted by COVID-19, the National Statistics Institute has confirmed.
The figure is consistent with the 11.2 percent drop predicted by the Spanish government earlier this year, but the IMF had projected a sharper contraction of 12.8 percent.
France also saw its economy shrink by 8.3 per cent in 2020, Germany by 5.0 percent and the US by 3.5 per cent.
Spanish growth collapsed under the weight of one of the toughest lockdowns in the world, which was exacerbated by a two-week hard lockdown of all non-essential activities.
The economy rebounded strongly during the summer but activity slowed into the winter, particularly in the tourism sector as rising infections triggered a slew of new restrictions to combat the country’s second wave.
Spain ended 2020 with more than half a million people unemployed, many of whom had been working in the tourism and holiday sectors.
The country has been badly hit by the pandemic, suffering one of the highest infection rates in Europe, recording more than 2.6 million cases and over 57,000 deaths.
READ MORE: True-blue all-Aussie adventure
Richard Ferguson 7.50pm: Hospitality seeks HECS-style loans
Government loans to wean companies off JobKeeper and exempting restaurants meals from the fringe benefit tax are at the top of the catering and hotels sector’s wishlist for the May budget, as industries worst hit by COVID-19 realise an extension of wage subsidies is likely off the table.
In their pre-budget submission to Josh Frydenberg, Restaurant and Catering Australia is calling on visa changes, boosts to apprenticeships, and more financial and tax support as fears rise that the COVID restrictions of last year will continue to be a threat until the end of this year.
READ MORE: Hospitality seeks HECS-style loans
Nicholas Jensen 6.55pm: Qld wastewater results concerning: Acting CHO
Fragments of COVID-19 have been detected in Queensland’s Coombabah, Cleveland and Carole Park sewage catchments.
Queensland Acting Chief Health Officer Dr Sonya Bennett said there had been repeat detections in these locations, as well as increasing detections in other South East Queensland catchments, which are “becoming more concerning”.
“In the past two weeks, 16 sewage catchments have detected viral fragments of COVID-19 in various locations across the state,” Dr Bennett said.
“Cleveland and Carole Park are of particular concern as we have no hotel quarantine locations that feed into these sewage systems.”
While urging anyone with symptoms to get tested, Dr Bennett said “there could potentially be an undetected case in the community.”
“This is especially important now more than ever, as we know the new variants emerging overseas are more contagious than previous variants we have seen in Queensland.”
The warning comes as Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk announced yesterday that the border to NSW will re-open on February 1.
READ MORE: AstraZeneca warnings a matter of maths
Elise Shaw 5.55pm: Covid winners and losers: used cars in demand
CommSec chief economist Craig James notes that during the pandemic, Aussies have been reluctant to travel on public transport. As a result, used cars have been in demand and prices are up 35.2 per cent on the year – the biggest rise in 21 years. Rental cars have similarly been in demand, lifting more than 25 per cent in the December quarter to be up over 32 per cent on the year.
“Rental car companies can be counted as a COVID-19 ‘winner’ – that is, those operators that do have cars available for hire.
“It’s a different story for owners of offices and other commercial space. People have been working from home, reducing demand on office space. Office rents fell 2.3 per cent in the December quarter and were down over 5 per cent on the year – the biggest annual decline in a decade,” he says.
Australia’s sharemarket fell for a third day running as US futures dived.
After falling 1.9pc on Thursday as Wall Street plunged amid talk of asset liquidation by hedge funds after the Reddit-driven squeeze on short positions, the S&P/ASX 200 index rose 1.2pc to 6730.2 in early trading following a bounce on Wall Street
Read today’s full market wrap here.
Graeme Paton 5.25pm: Britain now bans UAE travel
All flights from the United Arab Emirates will be banned in a further escalation of Britain’s travel restrictions, it was announced yesterday.
Grant Shapps, the transport secretary, said that travel into the UK from Dubai and Abu Dhabi would be blocked from 1pm GMT today. The ban is intended to stop new strains of coronavirus being brought into the country.
The UAE is a transit hub for passengers travelling to the UK from South Africa, where concerns have mounted over an outbreak of a variant strain of COVID-19.
However, the decision will raise fresh questions over the speed of the government’s border restrictions — 159 direct flights from the UAE have arrived in the UK in the past ten days alone.
The announcement comes just 24 hours after Priti Patel, the home secretary, criticised social media “influencers” for taking holidays in overseas hotspots. Reality-TV stars have posted pictures of themselves on platforms including Instagram in locations such as Dubai over the past month despite the UK being in full national lockdown.
READ MORE: Emirates’ call more bad news for stranded Aussies
Rachel Baxendale 4.50pm: Victoria’s 23 successive days with no local virus cases
Victoria’s Department of Health and Human Services says Victoria’s sole new coronavirus case on Friday is in a woman in her 60s who is a returned traveller in hotel quarantine.
The state has now had 23 consecutive days with no new locally acquired cases.
There are currently 27 active cases of coronavirus in Victoria, all of which are in returned travellers in hotel quarantine – the same number as on Thursday.
Five of these cases are linked to the Australian Open tennis tournament, with 321 people including airline crew who are being held in hotel quarantine as a result of close contact with the five cases.
There are currently 879 people in hotel quarantine linked to the Australian Open, after 87 were released on Thursday.
There have been eight cases of coronavirus linked to the tournament since January 14, including the five which remain active.
There were 832 tests taken from people linked to the Australian Open tennis tournament on Thursday, bringing the total number taken since January 14, when the first of them arrived, to 11,628.
READ MORE: Airports beg for help
Rachel Baxendale 4.45pm: Virus fragments found in Vic sewage
Coronavirus fragments have been detected in sewage samples recently taken in Gisborne, in central Victoria, Hamilton in the state’s west, and Leongatha in the east, the Department of Health and Human Services has confirmed.
Anyone who was in Gisborne from 24 to 26 January, Hamilton from 25 to 27 January or Leongatha from 17 to 19 January, is urged to get tested if they have any symptoms of coronavirus, however mild.
DHHS said initial testing of wastewater at Leongatha had shown a weak result on January 19 which has since been confirmed with independent testing.
“The detection of viral fragments was unexpected given there had been no confirmed cases of coronavirus (COVID-19) in these communities at the time but it can take several weeks for someone to stop shedding the virus,” the department said.
Victoria’s wastewater surveillance program now extends across 95 sites statewide.
The Andrews government confirmed on Friday Victoria’s state of emergency would be extended to February 26 “as there remains a serious risk to public health from the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.”
“The Chief Health Officer has made the recommendation and the Minister for Health, the Minister for Police and Emergency Services and the Commissioner for Emergency Services have all approved the extension based (on) the advice from the Chief Health Officer,” DHHS said.
READ MORE: Foreigner deported after New Year’s rave
Darren Cartwright 4.25pm: Cruise industry wants to return to Aussie waters
Major cruise lines are pinning their hopes on the success of recent COVID-safe voyages in Asia to convince the federal government to allow them to sail again in Australian waters.
For the past few months, Royal Caribbean and Dream Cruises have been cruising within Singaporean waters without a recorded case of COVID-19, says Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) Australasian spokesman Joel Katz.
Dream Cruises have also been conducting intracountry cruises — mainly island hopping — within Taiwan’s territory since July.
The cruise liners are operating at 50 per cent capacity with no casino, buffets or spas open.
Other measures include reserved isolation cabins, social distancing for arrivals and departures, and extensive COVID testing for crew members in the lead-up to, and just before, a cruise.
Passengers must also return a negative test result before boarding.
Mr Katz said the Asian voyages were proof that the industry had world-class health protocols and could be trusted to implement a COVID-safe environment.
“There have been no positive cases on-board ships out of Singapore,” the CLIA Australasia managing director told NCA NewsWire.
READ the full story here.
Nicholas Jensen 3.45pm: Blistered Djokovic’s comeback: I wanted to play
Novak Djokovic has played one of two scheduled sets in his opening game of the season after he initially withdrew because of a blister on his racquet hand.
The seventeen-time grand slam winner did not appear for the first set against Italian Jannik Sinner at an exhibition game in Adelaide, but with a full crowd at Memorial Drive, Djokovic said he couldn’t resist and came on court to play the second set.
“I’m sorry that I didn’t step on the court from the beginning. I had to do some treatment with my physio and I wasn’t feeling my best the last couple of days,” the defending Australian Open champion said after winning his set 6-3.
OUT: Krajinovic 🇷🇸
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 29, 2021
IN: @DjokerNole 🇷🇸
After taking the opening set 6-3, Krajinovic substitutes with the World No.1 at #AdelaideTennis 🙌 pic.twitter.com/0HlNocEuFo
“I didn’t know how I was going to react, but I wanted to play, I wanted to get out here.”
“Thank you so much for making our day and making our year. We didn’t play in front of this big a crowd in 12 months so this is something very special,” he said.
Television pictures showed a large blister on the palm of Djokovic’s right hand. While he said it was painful, it did not appear to hamper his shot-making.
READ MORE: You have to be Djoking: Novak’s shock comeback
Robyn Ironside 3.40pm: Emirates flight halt a fresh blow for stranded Australians
Thousands of Australians hoping to return home from the UK have been dealt a further blow after Britain banned flights from Dubai due to its status as a “COVID hotspot”.
The ban has forced Dubai-based carrier Emirates to cancel flights in and out of London and Ireland, from 11pm on Friday (AEDT).
In a short website update, Emirates noted the suspension of services at the direction of the UK Government, until further notice.
“We regret the inconvenience caused, and affected customers should contact their booking agent or Emirates call centre for re-booking,” said the message.
Of the estimated 40,000 Aussies stranded overseas in the current pandemic, about 4500 are believed to be in London.
Difficulty getting home has been exacerbated by restrictions on hotel quarantine places in Australia which have limited the number of passengers airlines are able to carry.
Emirates has been one of the biggest carriers of returning residents since the COVID crisis erupted, continuing to fly into Australia despite being limited to as few as 30 passengers a flight.
READ the full story here.
Ellie Dudley 2.20pm: Djokovic exits quarantine, cans match, then plays
World mens tennis No. 1 Novak Djokovic has withdrawn from an exhibition match in Adelaide after quarantining in the South Australian capital on the condition that he would appear at the event.
And then he turned up to play the second set.
The Serbian tennis player was due to compete against Italian Jannik Sinner but 15 minutes before the match it was announced he would be replaced.
Mr Djokovic’s camp reported he had suffered blisters on his hands and required rest.
But he shocked fans by turning up midway through the match, where the blisters were obvious to the cameras.
It came hours after Djokovic spoke to the media upon leaving quarantine.
Mr Djokovic had told reporters he enjoyed a barefoot walk in the park on his first day out of quarantine, and showed no sign that we would not play in the exhibition event.
“I want to thank again … police and health department officials for making this day possible,” he said.
“Conditions were great for us, considering the circumstances.”
READ MORE: Kyrgios: Djokovic has failed to lead by example
Ellie Dudley 1.35pm: TGA sees ‘no risk’ on AstraZeneca so far: Hunt
Amid reports from German health authorities that the AstraZeneca vaccine will not be effective for people over the age of 65, Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt says the head of the Therapeutic Goods Association has not seen any risks so far.
“Yesterday, Professor John Skerritt, the head of the TGA, spoke to the Senate committee. In particular, he noted that there was no evidence in relation to any risk with regards to effectiveness or other elements, with regards to over 65.”
Mr Hunt added that if the TGA were to find issues with the AstraZeneca vaccine in treating seniors, Australia has enough vaccines to cover all possible options.
“We have a total vaccine supply of approximately 140 million doses for a population of 25.5 million, requiring two doses per person, so we have strong levels of vaccine, but we also have a range of options for roll out, which have already been prepared for all circumstances,” he said.
Vaccines will be administered across the country through general practitioners, and Mr Hunt said the government has had over a thousand GPs put their hand up for the job.
“I can update that we were looking for up to a thousand points of presence around the country,” he said. “Whilst the expression of interest process for general practices is still not closed yet, we now have well over a thousand general practice expressions of interest alone. So, well ahead of schedule. More than anticipated.”
Ellie Dudley 1.25pm: NZ border pause to be reassessed tomorrow: Hunt
Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt said the government will reassess the current travel pause between Australia and New Zealand if the country continues to display “excellent results.”
This announcement comes after NZ reported no new cases of community transmission today, despite the threat of three cases of the more infectious South African variant of COVID-19 being out in the community.
“This provides a basis for us to be reconsidering the current travel pause for the green zone on a 24-hour basis,” Mr Hunt said.
“We hope to be in a position to resume that in the coming days.”
Mr Hunt also said Australia is “on track” for a late February commencement of the vaccine roll out, having reaffirmed time frames with both Pfizer and AstraZeneca this week.
When questioned on whether the onshore production of AstraZeneca would be delivered on time, Mr Hunt said it is ahead of schedule, with the first expected doses to be received in late March.
Addressing clinical trial results released today which proved the Novavax vaccine to have up to 89 per cent efficacy, Mr Hunt said Australia is “fortunate” to have secured Novavax as a third major vaccine supplier.
Ellie Dudley 12.55pm: Frydenberg says economic recovery ‘well under way’
Treasurer Josh Frydenberg has said Australia’s economic recovery from the coronavirus recession is “well under way” as billions of dollars in loans start to be paid back and forecasts strengthen for the country.
Repayments for about $250 billion worth of loans were deferred at the peak of the pandemic, but Mr Frydenberg said payments had begun rolling in again.
“About three quarters of those loans were home loans and about a quarter of them referred to SME [small and medium enterprise] loans,’’ he said.
“As of the most recent data, 80 per cent of those home loans where the repayments were deferred, payments have started again, and about 90 per cent of those small-business loans where the payments were deferred, we are now seeing the payments being made again.”
Mr Frydenberg also referenced the latest report from the International Monetary Fund, which adjusted Australia’s economic outlook from a previous expectation for 0.5 per cent growth in 2021, to 3.5 per cent.
He added that the MYEFA (mid-financial-year economic) forecasts show the economy to contract by just 2.5 per cent in 2020, compared to double digit figures in Spain and the UK.
READ MORE : Adam Creighton: Debt disaster leads world, says IMF
Rachel Baxendale 12.15pm: Victoria changes lights for NSW LGA zones
The Victorian Government will finally move to downgrade Sydney’s Cumberland local government area from a “red zone” from 6pm on Friday evening, following almost a fortnight with no locally acquired coronavirus cases in NSW.
The LGA just south of Parramatta will become an “orange” zone, allowing anyone who has been there in the past 14 days to enter Victoria, as long as they apply for a permit and isolate until they receive a negative coronavirus test result on arrival in the state.
All remaining NSW “orange” zone LGAs will move to “green” allowing travel with a permit but no requirement to isolate or get tested.
These include Blacktown City, Burwood, Canada Bay City, Canterbury-Bankstown, Fairfield City, Inner West, Parramatta City and Strathfield Municipality and Liverpool in greater Sydney, as well as Wollongong and the Blue Mountains further afield.
Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews said he was “extremely happy” to see Cumberland downgraded as a red zone.
“We’re reminding people to get tested if they’re returning from an orange zone, so we can continue to enjoy an open and COVIDSafe summer,” Mr Andrews said.
Victorian Chief Health Officer Brett Sutton said the move was “another fantastic step towards a COVIDSafe 2021”.
“We’ll continue to monitor the remaining orange zone and will downgrade it as soon as it’s safe to do so,” Professor Sutton said.
READ MORE: Victoria set to ease Qld border restrictions
Angelica Snowden 12.12pm: Homeless man arrested trying to enter quarantine hotel
A homeless man has attempted to enter a hotel being used for returned overseas arrivals to complete their two-week COVID-19 quarantine on Collins Street in Melbourne’s CBD, police say.
Assistant Commissioner Luke Cornelius said the 29-year-old man attempted to enter the hotel through a roller door being used by cleaners to take the bins out on Friday morning, but he did not “breach” the hotel.
“He is now having the benefit of some 14 days of accommodation himself,” he said.
“At no point was any red zone penetrated … I understand he was a homeless person looking for an opportunity to improve himself.”
The man was quickly identified and arrested, according to police.
Matthew Denholm 12.10pm: Tasmania to open to all Sydney from Sunday
Tasmania will reopen its borders for quarantine-free arrivals from all parts of Greater Sydney from Sunday.
State public health director Mark Veitch said the medium risk COVID-19 designation applying to 10 local government areas in Greater Sydney would end from Sunday morning.
“This decision has been made based on the absence of community cases in the past fortnight along with extensive contact tracing and testing undertaken by NSW Health authorities,” Dr Veitch said.
“Anyone who has spent time in these local government areas in the 14 days before their arrival in Tasmania will no longer be required to quarantine on arrival in Tasmania.
“Anyone remaining in quarantine in Tasmania who had been in these areas will be free to leave quarantine from 12.01am Sunday. Anyone in government-designated quarantine will be able to arrange a time for departure with the government liaison officer at their accommodation.”
The areas were Blacktown, Burwood, Canada Bay, Canterbury-Bankstown, Cumberland, Fairfield, Inner West, Liverpool, Parramatta and Strathfield.
Natasha Robinson 12.01pm: TGA says it is studying AstraZeneca usefulness
The Therapeutic Goods Administration says it is “carefully considering” data concerning the AstraZeneca vaccine’s efficacy in the elderly amid the German vaccine committee’s recommendation that the jab not be given to people aged over 65.
In a statement, the TGA said it had access to more data than was considered by the German committee in making its decision whether to approve the vaccine.
“The AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine candidate remains under evaluation by the TGA,” a statement said.
“All matters are being carefully considered as part of that process, including the evidence supporting immunisation in various age groups. The TGA’s decision will also be informed by the Advisory Committee on Vaccines (ACV), an independent group of clinical and technical experts.
“The TGA is on track for a decision in regard to the AZ vaccine in February. The TGA has strong working relationships with a wide range of international agencies and is part of a network of international regulators, including the European Medicines Agency, that meet frequently to discuss the development of COVID-19 vaccines.
“Through these relationships, we are actively monitoring the COVID-19 vaccine development occurring both in Australia and around the world.”
READ MORE: Comment: AstraZeneca warnings a matter of maths
Ellie Dudley 11.55am : Berejiklian says Palaszczuk needs more policy balance
Gladys Berejiklian said Annastacia Palaszczuk was a “victim of a policy she put in place herself” when addressing the Queensland’s Premier’s plea for the federal government to extend JobKeeper for tourism businesses.
“When you unnecessarily close state borders, you lose jobs, you create hardship, you impact people’s mental health and wellbeing,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“There is nowhere in the state that is a hot spot and even if there was, why should people from other parts of the state be prevented from moving freely?” the NSW Premier said.
Ms Berejiklian added she supported strong borders for Australia, but thought there should be more flexibility between the states.
“Think about the jobs in tourism, the airline industry, hospitality, on compassionate grounds. Some families were not even able to reunite over Christmas and New Year,” she said.
“The [NSW] deputy premier and I always think hard before we make a decision because it weighs heavy on us. A decision you take can impact someone’s livelihood, it can impact their health, and that is why in NSW we like to find a balance between keeping the virus at bay but also keeping the economy going and keeping our citizens moving freely.
“I wish other states would consider that approach as well.”
Ms Berejiklian took aim at people who have questioned, or will outright not take, a vaccine, asking them to “look at the facts”.
“It is just horrendous the number of people who have died from COVID around the world, the number of people whose lives have changed forever,” she said.
“It particularly has a detrimental impact on older Australians but people of any age group would feel an adverse impact and we have seen many people succumb and develop lifelong conditions. So I would say to everybody who has an alternative view, please look at the facts,’’ the NSW Premier said.
“It is serious and please accept the health advice provided because that will save lives.”
READ MORE: NSW now 12 days clear of new cases
Ellie Dudley 11.45am: Queensland Premier pushes back on tourism revival
Annastacia Palaszczuk has pushed back on federal Treasurer Josh Frydenberg’s request for states to “put their hands in their own pockets” to help businesses, saying state support doesn’t go far enough for the tourism industry.
“Let me say this very clearly. I have been up there listening to the operators personally. Nearly every single operator raised this issue with me. Perhaps rather than Josh Frydenberg name-calling, perhaps he could go up there and listen first-hand as well,” the Queensland Premier said.
“I am merely communicating what people are saying to me. They are concerned that they will fall off a cliff.’’
Ms Palaszczuk repeated her call for the federal government to extend JobKeeper for these businesses.
“What I asked the federal government to do is to consider the plight of these tourism operators, their livelihoods, their futures and perhaps they could look at extending JobKeeper for a few more months until they can get back on their feet,” she said.
READ MORE: Palaszczuk pressures PM on international quarantine
Ellie Dudley 11.25am: Tests after NZ outbreak show only two positive
New Zealand health authorities have confirmed at a press conference that 314 people who were at the Pullman Hotel, a quarantine hotel in Auckland, between January 9 and January 24 have returned a negative result.
NZ’s Director-General of Health Dr Ashley Bloomfield said nearly 2 per cent of the country’s Northland’s population have been tested since Sunday.
“Just under 4000 tests, nearly half of those being done on a single day,” he said.
“The two positive Auckland cases are both in the quarantine facility, they have 10 close contacts who have all been tested and are in isolation and all those tests have returned a negative result,’’ Dr Bloomfield said.
“We have updated the Ministry of Health website with further exposure events and locations and I trust there may be others as we continue inquiries and we will publicise those.”
He said 262 people linked to those locations of interest were in self-isolation.
About 2940 community-based tests were conducted in Auckland, with that figure likely to exceed 4000 “once all are logged and processed”.
“On to the Pullman Hotel — of the 353 guests at the facility between the 9th and 24th of January, we have negative results for 314 people as confirmed and those two positive cases.
“I should say that the number of 353 does not include the 12 people who travelled on to Australia soon after their departure from the facility.”
Authorities said there was no evidence of community transmission.
READ MORE: Bubble trouble for NZ Prime Minister
Ellie Dudley 11.05am: NSW now 12 days clear with zero local cases again
NSW has recorded no new cases of locally acquired COVID-19 in the past 24 hours to 8pm last night for the 12th day in a row.
Three cases were detected that have been acquired overseas and are now in hotel quarantine.
NSW health is now treating 59 active cases.
A total of 11,897 tests were conducted in the past 24 hours, up from the previous day’s total of 7809.
NSW Health’s Dr Jeremy McAnulty said it is “crucial that people maintain their vigilance.”
He reminded NSW residents that fragments of the coronavirus have been found in the sewage network at Minto and Liverpool, reminding anyone who lives or works in the area to get tested if symptoms arise.
Ellie Dudley 10.45am: Zero new local transmission cases in Queensland
Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has announced the state has recorded no new cases of community transmission, and only one in hotel quarantine.
The positive case, a woman in her 40s who travelled to Queensland from Pakistan via Doha acquired her case overseas.
Over 6950 tests were conducted in the past 24 hours. The state now has a total of 12 active cases.
Queensland health authorities took the time to reflect on the past year at a press conference today, marking 12 months since Annastacia Palaszczuk declared a health emergency for the state.
Over the past year, Queensland has recorded over 1309 cases from more than 1.7 million COVID-19 tests.
Around 28,000 people joined the Queensland “care army” over the past year, according to the Premier.
Approximately 1.2 million vehicles were processed at the Queensland border, and 878,392 passengers have been let through airports.
Ms Palaszczuk thanked the Queensland community and the frontline emergency response staff for the part they have played in controlling the pandemic.
“This has been a mighty Queensland effort so thank you very much, everyone,” she said.
READ MORE: US demands ‘robust’ virus origin probe
Ellie Dudley 10.40am: ACT lifts final hot spot restrictions on Sydney
The ACT Government has lifted all travel restrictions between Canberra and Sydney.
From 3.00pm today, the Cumberland Local Government Area will no longer be considered a COVID-19 hotspot.
Anyone who has visited the Cumberland LGA and is currently in quarantine in the ACT will be able to leave quarantine from 3.00pm.
ACT Chief Health Officer Dr Kerryn Coleman thanked the “strong and vigilant community that has come together”.
“I would like to thank Canberrans for their efforts in keeping our community safe during this time,” Dr Coleman said.
“We know that these restrictions have been challenging, with many travel plans changed or cancelled, and many people have been required to quarantine at different periods of time.”
READ MORE: Payback time: home, business loans stress fades
Ellie Dudley 10.30am: ‘Do the right thing’ for stranded Aussies: Wong
Penny Wong has said the Morrison government’s “refusal to step up” to ensure an effective national quarantine system is the reason Australian citizens are struggling to come home.
“We have nearly 40,000 Australians stranded overseas. We have a Prime Minister who told people that he would get them home by Christmas last year. He did not do so,” she said to the ABC this morning.
Senator Wong is Labor’s foreign affairs frontbencher.
“Mr Morrison should do the right thing. He should step up and take responsibility, instead of doing what he so often does, which is when the going gets tough, he goes missing.”
Earlier this month, National Cabinet halved the number of Australians allowed home from overseas due to concerns about new mutant strains of the coronavirus.
NSW is now taking 1500 people per week, Queensland has 500 people per week and Western Australia about 512 people.
The current travel caps are expected to remain in place until February 15.
Ellie Dudley 9.50am: UK trials show Novavax vaccine almost 90 per cent effective
The Novavax vaccine has been proven to be 89.3 per cent effective against COVID-19 in large-scale UK trials.
It is also the first vaccine to prove effective against the UK variant of the virus.
“Efficacy by strain was calculated to be 95.6 per cent against the original COVID-19 strain and 85.6 per cent against the UK variant strain,” Novavax wrote in a statement.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson welcomed the “good news” and said the UK’s medicines regulator would now assess the vaccine.
Britain has secured 60 million doses of the jab, which will be manufactured in Stockton-on-Tees.
The doses are expected to be delivered in the second half of 2021, pending approval from the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA.
The jab was shown to be 89.3 per cent effective at preventing COVID-19 in participants in its Phase 3 clinical trial in the UK, which enrolled more than 15,000 people between 18-84, of which 27 per cent were older than 65, Novavax said.
The trial was conducted alongside the UK government’s Vaccine Taskforce. Chairman of the task force Clive Dix said the trial produced “spectacular results”.
UK Health Secretary Matt Hancock said the National Health Service “stands ready” to roll out the vaccine when it is approved.
Ellie Dudley 9.50am: Dutton calls for calm on AstraZeneca vaccine
Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton has asked people not to panic about new information regarding the efficacy of the AstraZeneca vaccine for people aged over 65, and to wait for the Therapeutic Goods Association to make their judgment.
“People need to look at advice coming out of the TGA. The medical advice, the scientific advice in this country, is what we should heed,” Mr Dutton told Nine on Friday.
“We have the best scientists in the world.
“They have not rushed this process, they’ve looked at the efficacy of the vaccines, and we will make decisions to roll it out on that basis.”
Ellie Dudley 9.45am: Palaszczuk pressures PM on international quarantine
Annastacia Palaszczuk has called on the federal government to “take greater responsibility for international quarantine.”
The Queensland Premier took to Twitter this morning to say federal funding is necessary to ensure more infectious strains of the virus do not escape into the community.
“Just as we weren’t willing to take chances when we declared a public health emergency 12 months ago, we are not willing to take chances when it comes to keeping new and more infectious strains out of Queensland,” she wrote.
“That’s why I am publicly calling on the prime minister to take greater responsibility for international quarantine.
“As we contend with the new unknowns of COVID-19, a proper national quarantine plan would mean proper Commonwealth funding as well as adequate defence force and border force resourcing.”
Ms Palaszczuk suggested returned travellers be quarantined in centralised hubs to reduce the risk of transmission of the new variants.
“With potentially another unpredictable year ahead of us, now is the time for the prime minister to step up to his responsibilities and put in place a well-funded, adequately resourced nationally-consistent international quarantine plan,” she wrote.
One year ago today Queensland declared a public health emergency in response to COVID-19. #covid19 pic.twitter.com/qzNYIYAJwp
— Annastacia Palaszczuk (@AnnastaciaMP) January 28, 2021
Erin Lyons 9.40am: What you can do in NSW from today as restrictions ease
NSW residents will have woken to more freedom today as a wave of restrictions are relaxed across the Greater Sydney region – including the Blue Mountains, Wollongong and the Central Coast.
Up to 30 guests can be welcomed into someone’s home, and there will be no cap on the number of people allowed in hospitality venues, after major changes were unveiled on Wednesday.
The decision was reached after a crisis cabinet meeting, with NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian revealing other changes including an ease on gathering caps.
From Friday, 50 people will be allowed to gather in groups outdoors and weddings can have up to 300 guests – but the one person per 4 sqm rule will still apply and only 20 guests will be allowed on the dance floor.
Masks are no longer compulsory while shopping but they are still mandatory on public transport, in gaming rooms, beauty salons, hairdressers and places of worship.
The news will come as a welcome relief for hospitality venues, who can host as many patrons so long as they adhere to the one person per 4 sqm rule.
The changes include:
– Visitors to households increased to 30 guests – including children
– Outdoor gatherings limited to 50 people
– Weddings and funerals will be capped at 300 people – fully seated and subject to the one person per 4 sqm rule with no singing or dancing (20 people are allowed on the dance floor)
– There will be no cap at hospitality venues, places of worship and corporate event venues but they will be subject to the one person per 4 sqm rule-
Smaller hospitality venues are allowed at least 25 people
– Singing indoors including choirs or places of worship is limited to five people
– Masks are recommended but no longer compulsory at retail shopping venues
– Masks will remain mandatory for front-of-house hospitality staff, on public transport, in places of worship, hairdressers, beauticians and gaming rooms
– Aged care facilities and other health settings such as hospitals will receive tailored advice from NSW Health specific to their locations in relation to requirements around mask wearing
Ms Berejiklian also hinted at changing the 4 sqm rule to 2 sqm in two weeks, if case numbers remain low.
READ MORE: Mission isn’t over until economy delivers for all
Ellie Dudley 9.25am: Emirates suspends flights again in UK
Australians trying to come home from the UK face another hurdle with the Australian High Commission in Britain has been told all outbound Emirates flights are to be suspended from the UK, after the British government closed its border to the UAE.
Emirates suspended all flights to Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane on January 15 while restrictions in Australia continued to shift.
On January 21, the airline announced that flights would resume after issues were fixed.
Now, all flights are suspended again.
The last flights Emirates flights out of England will be:
EK 08 to Dubai from London Heathrow
EK 02 to Dubai from London Heathrow
EK 40 to Dubai from Birmingham
EK 28 to Dubai from Glasgow
READ MORE: Qantas passengers stay green despite Covid
Ellie Dudley 9.10am: WA to expand mandatory QR code system
Western Australia is expanding its mandatory contact tracing register to bolster the state’s rapid contact tracing ability.
From February 12, Western Australia will introduce mandatory QR codes through the SafeWA app for retail venues, commercial buses, visitors at public and private hospitals, takeaway food and beverage services and events of more than 500 people with a COVID-Safe plan.
Businesses which currently use their own QR code to create a register will have to display a SafeWA QR code.
In a statement, WA premier Mark McGowan said the scheme was being expanded in response to concerns about more infectious variants of the coronavirus.
“While WA remains free of community transmission, we continue to learn from what’s occurring over east and overseas,” he said. “With variant strains becoming more prevalent, we need to bolster our processes in case contact tracing is required by our WA health and response teams.”
“Failing to comply with the mandatory contact register requirements could bring a fine of $50,000 for an individual and $250,000 for a corporation, or 12 months’ jail.”
WA has not had a COVID-19 case in the community for 293 days.
READ MORE: Smartphone generation the loneliest in Covid age
Ellie Dudley 8.45am: States could put hands in own pockets: Frydenberg
Treasurer Josh Frydenberg says the Federal government “would welcome the states putting their hands in their pockets and start spending a little bit more in their own states.”
He says “substantial” measures are already in place to help struggling tourism businesses in Queensland, and has not confirmed whether the federal government will provide additional financial support.
“We will continue to monitor the situation. We do recognise the tourism sector has been hit particularly hard,” he told Sky News this morning.
“The Morrison government has been doing the bulk of the heavy lifting and will continue to support Queenslanders.”
His comments come after Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk requested the Morrison government extend JobKeeper for tourism businesses in the north of the state.
The Treasurer went on to say JobKeeper has “only been one of many” economic measures that the government has rolled out to support struggling businesses.
He cited other measures the federal government put in place for the struggling businesses earlier this year, such as $350 million for regional tourism, $100 million for travel agents and the JobMaker hiring credit.
“We know the border restrictions have made it pretty tough for the tourism industry, so that’s why we welcome the borders being lifted,” he added.
Addressing new analysis from German health authorities that the AstraZeneca vaccine may not be effective in people over the age of 65, Mr Frydenberg reminded Australians the Oxford-based vaccine has not yet received TGA approval.
“[The TGA] will take into account German regulatory authorities’ thinking and data, as well as the British regulatory authorities’ thinking and data,” he said.
“The TGA here is an independent process, it is very well regarded, and we will fully follow its recommendations in regards to the AstraZeneca vaccine.”
READ MORE: Coalition MPs’ aid plea
Ellie Dudley 8.35am: US economy shrinks by 3.5 per cent
The United States has seen its sharpest contraction in growth since 1946 over the past year, as the coronavirus pandemic continues to slam the economic health of the country.
The world’s largest economy shrunk by 3.5 per cent in 2020, the Commerce Department reported on Thursday, as COVID-19 forced many businesses to shut down or change their operations while laying off workers.
Nearly 1.3 million new claims for unemployment benefits were filed last week, according to new data from the Labor Department.
President Joe Biden, upon his first weeks in office, has promised to get the country back on track by launching a $1.9 trillion spending proposal to rebuild both the economic and physical health of the nation.
“Today’s data suggests a significant slowing of our economic recovery,” director of the White House’s National Economic Council Brian Deese said.
“Without swift action, we risk a continued economic crisis that will make it harder for Americans to return to work and get on their feet. The cost of inaction is too high.”
Experts understand that it will be a long while before the country returns to economic normality and the virus is done away with.
“Additional fiscal stimulus and broader vaccine diffusion should support an improved labour market in the spring, but claims are expected to remain high in the near term as the pandemic continues to restrict activity, with new strains of the virus a concern,” Nancy Vanden Houten of Oxford Economics said.
READ MORE: Debt disaster leads world: IMF
Ellie Dudley 8.30am: Another zero day for Victoria
Victoria has recorded another day of no new locally acquired cases of the coronavirus, marking a 23-day run for the state.
One case was discovered in hotel quarantine and was overseas acquired.
A total of 15,546 test results were received over the past 24 hours. The state now has 27 active cases.
Ellie Dudley 8.05am: Germany warns against AstraZeneca jab for over-65s
Germany’s vaccine committee has warned against giving the AstraZeneca vaccine to people aged over 65, suggesting it might be ineffective in older people.
As the UK gave the vaccine the green light, the health ministry’s committee (STIKO) said there wasn’t enough evidence available to ascertain its efficacy in people of this age group, although there was no evidence to show it was unsafe.
“There are currently insufficient data available to assess the vaccine efficacy from 65 years of age,” STIKO said in a draft recommendation, a day before the European regulators decide whether to authorise the rollout of the vaccine
Of the 341 people vaccinated in the group aged 65 and over, only one became infected with the deadly virus, meaning STIKO was not able to derive a statistically significant statement, the German health ministry said.
The warning comes amid a row between the EU and AstraZeneca over the speed of delivery, amid concerns it could impact on deliveries to Australia.
The EU, which is currently scrambling for vaccine supplies, has warned AstraZeneca to deliver the vaccines as promised despite a shortfall in its initial vaccine production numbers caused by issues with its European supply chain.
On Monday, AstraZeneca Chief Executive Pascal Soriot said the company had less data than other drug makers on the elderly because it started vaccinating older people later.
“But we have strong data showing very strong antibody production against the virus in the elderly, similar to what we see in younger people,” he told Die Welt newspaper.
UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson said he was not concerned by Germany’s recommendation.
The Prime Minister said the country’s watchdog, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), had “made it very clear” that the AstraZeneca vaccine is “very good and efficacious”.
Pushing back against Germany’s recommendation at a conference in Scotland, Mr Johnson added: “The evidence that they’ve supplied is that they think it is effective across all age groups and provides a good immune response across all age groups, so I don’t agree with that.”
Australia is yet to approve the rollout of the AstraZeneca vaccine.
Acting Chief Medical Officer Michael Kidd said on Thursday the rollout of the AstraZeneca vaccine is on track for early March, subject to approval from the Therapeutic Goods Administration and the approval of final shipping information.
“The latest guidance from the company is for supply of approximately 1.2 million AstraZeneca doses from offshore during March, and the company remains committed to the full supply of the 3.8 million offshore doses, and will confirm additional shipping dates once global supplies are confirmed,” he said.
Ellie Dudley 7.20am: Eased restrictions now in effect in Sydney
COVID-19 restrictions in the greater Sydney area were eased as of 12.01am this morning, introducing a number of new freedoms for the region.
The new regulations are:
■ Visitors to households will be increased to 30 guests – including children;
■ Outdoor gatherings will be increased to 50 people in total;
■ Weddings and funerals will be capped at 300 people (fully seated) subject to the one person per 4 sqm rule with no singing or dancing (except 20 nominated people in the wedding party can dance);
■ All other venues including hospitality venues, places of worship and corporate event venues (fully seated with no singing or dancing) will be subject to the one person per 4 sqm rule;
■ Smaller hospitality venues will be allowed at least 25 people;
■ Singing indoors including choirs or places of worship will be limited to five people;
■ Masks will be recommended but no longer compulsory at retail shopping venues;
■ Masks will remain compulsory for front-of-house hospitality staff, on public transport, in places of worship, hairdressers, beauticians and gaming rooms; and
■ Aged care facilities and other health settings such as hospitals will receive tailored advice from NSW Health specific to their locations in relation to requirements around mask wearing.
READ MORE: Full list — what you can do in NSW from today as restrictions ease
Ellie Dudley 7.10am: Sandgren vents quarantine frustrations on Instagram
The first batch of Australian Open tennis stars were released from hotel quarantine yesterday, but not all were satisfied with their 12-day stay.
Two-time Australian Open quarter-finalist Tennys Sandgren took to Instagram to vent his frustrations.
The US player was alarmed when he realised the period of lockdown was 24 hours longer than he anticipated.
“That is also another day when we can’t practise. So that is (train) Saturday, Sunday, Monday, play a match on Tuesday. A match. A competitive tennis match, ” he said in a video post while on an exercise bike in his hotel room.
“That is 15 days off hitting, 16 days, three days hitting. Tennis match. My name is Tennis Australia and I am soooo cool.”
Mr Sandgren initially sparked controversy when he was allowed to board a flight to Melbourne despite testing positive for COVID-19 before departing. It was later discovered the test was related to a case he contracted in November.
While some players have been critical of the country’s strict border controls, others have voiced their support.
Serena Williams, who is completing her quarantine in an Adelaide hotel, praised Australia’s hotel quarantine program, saying the country is “doing it right.”
“We come here in Australia and everyone quarantines in a room for 14 days and it is insane and super intense but it is good because after that you can have a new normal,” she told The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.
“It is definitely hard with a 3-year-old to be in the hotel all day but it is worth it because you want everyone to be safe.”
Tonight, we’re joined by a LEGEND. Don’t miss @serenawilliams! #LSSC pic.twitter.com/bMVxwE1SOL
— A Late Show (@colbertlateshow) January 26, 2021
READ MORE: Will Swanton — Why Rafael Nadal is the most admirable athlete in the world
Ellie Dudley 6.55am: Indonesia converts swamp into mass gravesite
The Indonesian government has been forced to convert vacant and swamp land in Jakarta into cemeteries, in order to handle the weight of the country’s escalating coronavirus situation.
Soaring COVID-19 infections and hospitalisations in Indonesia have forced health officials to prepare up to 17,900 new graves on the outskirts of the nation’s capital.
Around 3500 new burial plots would be ready in South and North Jakarta areas by February, in addition to the 800 plots already in use at the coronavirus cemetery of Bambu Wulung in East Jakarta, spokesman for Jakarta’s parks and cemetery agency Ivan Nurcahyo said.
The plans for the rest of the thousands of new plots are still being finalised, he added.
The number of daily COVID-related burials in Jakarta increased from 78 to 113 in the space of four days in January.
The country has reported around 10,000 cases per day through January, up from around 6,000 daily cases in December.
Current restrictions in the city have been extended until February 8, including shorter opening hours for shopping centres and restaurants to restrict the movement of people.
The government has blamed the dire situation of the country on the Christmas and New Year holiday period.
Medical workers are among the groups most affected, with 647 people having lost their lives on the frontline.
The Chinese Sinovac vaccine has been authorised for emergency use in the country, to assist in wrangling the growing case numbers. Vaccine priority is being given to health workers and public officers.
President Joko Widodo has received the vaccine, along with several top military, police, health officials and a social media influencer.
READ MORE: Jakarta hospitals at point of collapse
Ellie Dudley 6.45am: NSW reveals vaccination hub locations
The NSW Government has announced its first coronavirus vaccination hubs will be located at 11 of the state’s largest hospitals.
They will be rolled out at Royal Prince Alfred, Westmead and Liverpool hospitals, as well as Hornsby, St George, Nepean, Newcastle, Wollongong, Coffs Harbour, Dubbo and Wagga Wagga hospitals.
NSW Health on Thursday said it expected limited doses of the Pfizer vaccination in the first few months of the rollout, with ambulance and patient transport staff, emergency department staff and critical care ward staff among the first eligible for the jab.
“Once more vaccine doses become available from Phase 1b, it is expected that one or more COVID-19 vaccines will be available for the wider population through usual immunisation providers, including GP practices, GP respiratory clinics and Aboriginal health services,” NSW Health said.
The vaccinations will be offered in phases, with some frontline health facility workers and quarantine facility workers having access to the vaccine in the first phase of the vaccination program.
The NSW Ministry of Health is working with Local Health Districts and Networks in NSW to identify the staff who will be considered for vaccination in the first phase of the roll out.
READ MORE: Federal Government launches COVID-19 vaccination campaign
Ellie Dudley 6.15am: Victoria set to ease Qld border restrictions
Victoria is set to follow Queensland’s lead and open its border to greater Sydney today, after Premier Daniel Andrews flagged yesterday the “vast majority” of orange zones in the area would change to green.
The premier also hinted the final red zone in the state — the Cumberland LGA in Sydney’s west — would be reclassified as an orange zone.
“We’ve had discussions with the chief health officer during the week and are confident tomorrow there will be changes to settings,” Mr Andrews said at a press conference yesterday.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk announced yesterday the Queensland border would reopen to New South Wales from February 1.
Similarly, South Australia eased its border restrictions to the greater Sydney area, removing its 14 day quarantine requirement and replacing it with mandatory testing of day one, five and 12 of arrival in the state.
Travellers to South Australia from greater Sydney will be required to quarantine until their first test comes back negative.
READ MORE: Berejiklian blindsided by Queensland’s border reopening
Natasha Robinson 5.15am: Pfizer plan to save Australia’s vaccine supply
Pfizer may switch manufacturing of its coronavirus vaccine to the US in order to fulfil supply agreements, as the pharmaceutical giant warned EU export restrictions could disrupt global supply, including 10 million doses earmarked for Australia.
In a separate statement, the manufacturer on Thursday night said it had tested the treatment against the British and South African strain of COVID-19 and said the differences were “unlikely to lead to a significant reduction in the effectiveness of the vaccine”.
“Pfizer and BioNTech believe that the flexibility of BioNTech’s proprietary mRNA vaccine platform is well suited to develop new vaccine variants if required,” the statement read.
Fresh uncertainty surrounds the pace and scale of delivery of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine into Australia, which had been due to start within weeks with an initial supply of 80,000 doses.
Read the full story, by Natasha Robinson and Jacquelin Magnay, here.
Courtney Walsh 5am: Tennis stars set to be freed from quarantine
The staged exodus of global tennis stars from quarantine began on Thursday night ahead of an unprecedented calendar of tournaments in Melbourne next week leading into the Australian Open.
More than 1200 players and other Australian Open affiliated personnel will complete quarantine in either Melbourne or Adelaide by Sunday and be free to enter the community before playing.
Serena Williams, Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal are among those in Adelaide who are now free to compete in an exhibition in Adelaide on Friday also featuring Ash Barty.
Those exiting quarantine will have undergone a final COVID-19 test and had their symptoms monitored.
Read the full story here.
Geoff Chambers 4.45am: Canada, Russia want in on Australia’s barley row
Canada and Russia have moved to join Australia’s World Trade Organisation dispute with China as third parties, raising concerns over the legal and global trade impacts of Beijing’s tariffs on Australian barley exports.
Despite major barley-producing nations benefiting from Australian farmers being frozen out of the Chinese market, they have formally requested to join WTO talks after Canberra launched action last month.
Canada, a key Five Eyes security partner that has experienced heightened tensions with China, told the WTO it had a “substantial trade interest” in the barley dispute. “Given the significant amount of trade in barley between Australia and China, China’s trade remedies measures could have effects on global trade in barley more generally, including impacts on Canadian barley,” its government submission said.
Read the full story here.
NSW nurses identified after boast about killing Israeli patients
Two nurses from Sydney’s Bankstown Hospital have been named after they appeared in an online video allegedly declaring they would refuse to treat and ‘kill’ Israeli people, bragging they’d already done so | WATCH
Lattouf’s direct manager ‘did not see anything wrong’ with post
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