Coronavirus Australia live news: NZ passes Australia in dramatic reopening
Deputy Chief Medical Officer brushes off concerns Australia is now lagging behind NZ as Jacinda Ardern reopens pubs, shops, schools.
- Concerns Australia now lagging behind NZ
- NZ in dramatic restrictions easing
- US Senators support PM’s probe push
- What lockdown lift means for Victoria~
- Andrews unveils ‘first small step’
- AMA slams anti-lockdown protesters
Welcome to live coverage of the continuing coronavirus crisis. Jacinda Ardern has dramatically reopened NZ, and a bipartisan group of US politicans have written to Arthur Sinodinos supporting the PM’s push for an inquiry into the origins of the virus. Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews says five friends or family members will be permitted to visit homes. .
AFP 6.25pm Temperature-tracking bracelets for Beijing students
Temperature-monitoring bracelets that alert an app if a student has a fever were being trialled at Beijing schools on Monday — China’s latest use of hi-tech to track its population’s possible exposure to the novel coronavirus.
China has deployed thermal cameras in public areas and most places require people to show an app with green, yellow and red ratings that determine a person’s infection risk based on travel history.
The bracelets were rolled out in five Beijing districts for the first classes for middle school students in months.The bands provide real-time temperature data that can be monitored by schools and parents via an app, the Beijing Daily reported.
“The bracelet is similar to a normal fitness tracker ... We recommend that students wear them 24 hours a day,” one unnamed teacher told the newspaper.
If a student’s temperature rises above 37.2C, the bracelet will prompt their teacher to alert the police, the state-run Beijing News said.
READ MORE: Why the US is in serious trouble
Courtney Walsh 5.00pm: Crows assistant coach stood down over breach
Adelaide Crows assistant coach Ben Hart has been stood down for six weeks after the AFL completed its investigation into the club’s breach of league training guidelines last week.
A further 16 players received a one match suspension for training together in groups of eight in two separate drills while in quarantine on a golf course in the Barossa Valley.
The suspended suspension for those footballers, who are predominantly younger players on the Crows list, will remain in place for the remainder of the 2020 season.
Hart will not be able to access club facilities or have any contact with Adelaide’s players until June 22.
AFL general counsel Andrew Dillon said the league was finalising protocols in relation to COVID-19 rules for the remainder of the season.
“We all have a very clear responsibility to ensure we do everything we can to stop the spread of the virus,” he said.
“The protocols are clear and the actions in this matter, whilst not pre-planned, are a breach of them.
“We take this matter extremely seriously. We will not compromise the health and well-being of the community and remind everyone in the industry _ players, coaches, officials and staff _ that they have a responsibility to adhere to the rules for the safety of everyone in the community.”
READ MORE: Focus on stopping new wave
Richard Ferguson 4.35pm: Wong lashes PM over virus review push
Opposition foreign affairs spokeswoman Penny Wong has slammed the way Scott Morrison has handled the nation’s relationship with China and the way he has pursued an independent global review into coronavirus.
In Labor’s harshest criticisms of the government’s foreign policy since the pandemic began, Senator Wong accused Foreign Minister Marise Payne of disappearing on the issue of a review and letting backbenchers dictate the nation’s position on China.
Senator Wong said on Monday that the Prime Minister should have locked in other countries before announcing his push for a global review and explained its need better.
“I don’t think the Government handled that announcement particularly well. It was an announcement made without locking in support from other nations,” she told ABC News.
“I don’t think the Government has explained its position very well. I think since the Foreign Minister announced it, she’s only done one interview. That’s not exactly explaining this issue to Australians.
“We need to think about the China relationship in 30-year terms, not in 3-year terms. Unfortunately, there’s been a little too much, from the Morrison Government, of reflex to short-term domestic politics on this relationship.”
READ MORE: US limits visas for Chinese media
Victoria Laurie 4.30pm: In WA no safety plan, no opening
Mandatory online training in COVID-19 safety procedures has been taken by 35,000 West Australian hospitality workers, as the sector approaches the limited re-opening of cafes, pubs, clubs and Perth’s casino next Monday.
From May 18, under the McGowan government’s roadmap to ease COVID-19 restrictions, cafés and restaurants will be able to offer dine-in meals for up to 20 patrons at a time while meeting the four square metre rule on social distancing.
No venue will be allowed to reopen if they have not met the COVID-19 safety training requirements and their permit must be displayed in the shop window. Businesses will also be required to ensure their COVID Safety Plan is available for inspection by authorised officers.
Western Australia continues to have zero new cases overnight, with only a single new case in ten days and the total state figure of infections remaining at 552.
Health minister Roger Cook says there are now only seven active cases, including four patients in hospital and one in intensive care. It means that 97 per cent of infected individuals have recovered.
WA has conducted 56,098 tests, 9,917 in regional areas.
Ruby Girl Café proprietor Sarah Yates, from Como, said most café owners are happy with the incremental nature of reopening with limited seating.
She said it was preferable for customers to purchase food and drink and enjoy it in seated comfort, but not to stay long. “Come, eat, drink and get out!” she said.
Paul Papalia, Hospitality and Tourism minister, says tourism operators in the Kimberley are in the worst situation of all sector operators. He says he’s aware their Dry Season period for peak tourist trade will end before even intrastate borders are lifted.
However, he said there had been a rush of bookings made to caravan parks and accommodation in the state’s southwest towns, occurring within minutes of yesterday’s official announcement that borders between Perth and those towns will be lifted.
“People in other states can’t believe what we’re doing – it’s not what everyone would like but it’s a step along the way.”
READ MORE: Imagine Shorten in charge
Kieran Gair 4.05pm: ‘Viruses don’t travel by mobile networks’
NSW Health has been forced to reassure people that COVID-19 does not spread through mobile networks or wireless technology after groups of anti-lockdown protesters attempted to draw attention to the dangerous conspiracy theory over the weekend.
“COVID-19 does not spread via mobile networks or wireless technology,” the agency tweeted on Monday afternoon. “COVID-19 is spread through contaminated droplets by coughing or sneezing, or by contact with contaminated hands, surfaces, or objects.”
COVID-19 does not spread via mobile networks or wireless technology. COVID-19 is spread through contaminated droplets by coughing or sneezing, or by contact with contaminated hands, surfaces or objects.
— NSW Health (@NSWHealth) May 11, 2020
Find the facts: https://t.co/HbdohSPJs3 pic.twitter.com/WolbwTu46m
In Victoria, ten people were arrested and one police officer was hospitalised on Sunday after demonstrators who had gathered in Melbourne’s CBD to protest against “tracking apps (and) 5G being installed” clashed with police enforcing the state’s lockdown laws.
The protest, which was promoted on various Facebook groups linked to fringe conspiracy groups, followed a smaller protest in Sydney on Saturday in which prominent anti-vaxxer Renee Altakrity, 36, was arrested and fined after refusing to provide her details to police.
Deputy Chief Medical Officer Nick Coatsworth said the debunked theory seeking to link 5G to the coronavirus pandemic was “ridiculous”.
“I can absolutely set the record straight,” Dr Coatsworh told the Seven Network on Monday. “Those claims are on the fringe, they’re ridiculous and have no credibility whatsoever.”
READ MORE: Recovery rapid but jobs must be saved
Rachel Baxendale 3.55pm: Andrews leaving parents, kids ‘in dark’
Victoria’s opposition has accused the Andrews government of leaving students, parents and teachers “in the dark”, after the Premier today refused to provide details of his plan for a return to the classroom.
Coalition education spokeswoman Cindy McLeish said Daniel Andrews had foreshadowed a change to Victoria’s COVID-19 restrictions on Monday May 11 “for weeks”.
“But he has once again left Victorian students, teachers and parents in the dark,” Ms McLeish said.
“This morning’s announcement of the first step of restrictions easing has neglected a return to school plan.
“Despite the Chief Health Officer saying in this morning’s press conference “I don’t have an issue with schools reopening”, Daniel Andrews said this morning that he won’t be making any announcements about Victoria’s return to school today.
“It’s simply not fair, and it’s not right for Daniel Andrews to refuse to be upfront with Victorians about when schools will reopen for all Victorian students.”
Ms McLeish said the Coalition had called for students to be allowed to return to the classroom with appropriate safeguards more than a fortnight ago.
“This call relied on the advice of Australia’s Chief Medical Officer and the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee (AHPPC) which supported children learning at school in Term Two – advice that has remained consistent,” she said.
“It’s time now, today, for Daniel Andrews to give the certainty to the community that Victorians deserve.”
READ MORE: State on edge over Dan bans
Richard Ferguson 3.40pm: Concerns Australia now lagging behind NZ
Deputy Chief Medical Officer Michael Kidd has brushed off concerns Australia is now lagging behind New Zealand when it comes to reopening the economy.
New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced on Monday that schools, pubs and shops will be reopened over the next 10 days.
Dr Kidd said in Canberra that Australia - and particularly individual states - had to determine its own pace in re-opening and noted some states are moving faster than others.
“The epidemic is different in every country, every country needs to determine its own pace as to what restrictions will be lifted and at what stage,”he said.
“In Australia, with a stepped approach, we are seeing each state and territory make determinations based on the local epidemiology of the virus and doing what’s appropriate in their particular setting.
READ MORE: Night of clubbing brings back lockdown
Rachel Baxendale 3.05pm: Andrews refuses to release school return plan
Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews has refused to release details of his plans for Victorian students to return to the classroom, despite Victorian Chief Health Officer Brett Sutton saying there is no medical impediment.
Mr Andrews said on Monday his government had been doing “a power of work” and was “very close to finalising a plan to see face-to-face learning returned before the end of Term Two” on June 25.
“As you know, we had for the purposes of certainty, said to parents right across the state, they should plan that learning from home would continue for the entirety of Term Two,” Mr Andrews said.
“We now believe that a gradual, staged return to face-to-fact learning is safe, cautious and appropriate given the testing we’ve done and the circumstances we’re facing.”
Amid reports the Andrews government has not disputed that Year 11 and 12 students and Preps and Grade Ones will return to the classroom from May 25, Mr Andrews said he would not discuss the details of his schools plan on Monday.
“Today is not the day to announce the details of that,” he said.
“I don’t want to make announcements and then not be able to answer all the questions that you’d rightly put to me.
“That’ll be done soon, and we’ll give parents lots of notice. That’s exactly what they have asked for.
“We’ve been working very closely with teachers and staff, principals in our community right across the board, and we are getting very close to being able to make some significant announcements on schools.
“Overall, you only get one chance to take this first step, and to do it properly. This is safe, this is cautious, this is appropriate. We’re not other states. We face our own unique challenges, and we need to be appropriate to those. We need to be cautious.”
Pressed on why he was not making a schools announcement on Monday, Mr Andrews said he had been clear “all the way along” that he would give parents “substantial notice” before changing the current arrangements.
“We’ll give people plenty of notice, but there’s still some further work to be done,” he said.
“It’s not finished yet, basically, and when it is, we’ll make announcements, and that’ll be soon.
Asked whether he would be making the announcement on Tuesday, Mr Andrews said: “Well I’ll make the schools announcement when we’re ready to do that.”
Professor Sutton said he did not have a problem with schools reopening.
“As the Premier said, he’ll make announcements about that at the appropriate time, but clearly my advice has been that prior to the end of Term Two there be a reopening, but it’s really for the department (of education) to announce, and they can speak to the staged operational elements,” Professor Sutton said.
“From a public health point of view, I don’t have a problem with schools reopening.
“I would say the general messaging that we have for the entire community about keeping your distance, minimising non-essential travel outside of your home, are the same things that would apply for parents and schools.
“So, if they can keep their distance, if they can not congregate with other parents, to the extent that it’s feasible, then that’s useful advice.”
READ MORE: Victoria gives green light to AFL return
Graham Lloyd 2.40pm: NZ to reopen schools, pubs, shops
New Zealand schools, pubs and shops will be reopened over the next 10 days as the country moves from level three to level two restrictions.
NZ Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern says restrictions will be lifted in three stages.
“Thursday this week, retail, malls, cafes, cinemas, restaurants and other other public spaces including playgrounds and gyms can reopen”, Ms Ardern said.
“All will be required to have physical distancing and strict hygiene measure in place”, she said.
On Monday, schools and early childhood centres will reopen.
Bars will be open from Thursday May 21, subject to physical distancing measures.
Ms Ardern said New Zealand’s policy had been been to go hard early and quickly return to business.
Her government has faced criticism from being too heavy handed with level four restrictions which went much further than Australia’s response.
“In 10 days time we would have reopened most businesses in New Zealand sooner than many other countries around the world”, Ms Ardern said.
“That fits with our plan and our plan was go hard, go early so we can get our economy going again sooner”, she said.
READ MORE: Mixed messages leave business confused
Lachlan Moffet Gray 2.05pm: US Senators support Aussie probe push
A bipartisan group of US members of Congress have sent a letter to Australian ambassador Arthur Sinodinos pledging to support Scott Morrison’s push for an independent inquiry into the origins of coronavirus in China.
MOBILE USERS: Read the letter here
“We write to reaffirm our strong support for the US-Australia alliance,” the letter reads.
“For more than a century, our nations have stood side by side during moments of great
peril. The current crisis is no different.
“Given the tremendous toll COVID-19 has taken on the world, it is only natural that Australia –like all nations concerned with upholding best practices for global public health – would want an objective, scientific, evidence-based, and rigorous investigation into the origins of the virus.
“Unfortunately, and not for the first time, Chinese government officials responded to these calls with deeply disturbing and thinly-disguised threats of retaliation.”
The legislators slammed comments made by Chinese ambassador to Australia Cheng Jingye that implied Chinese consumers may boycott Australian products in response to the inquiry push, and said they would “always stand with our Australian mates.”
“No matter the external pressure or coercion, we will always have Australia’s back, just as Australia has always had ours.”
READ MORE: China threatens tariffs over probe push
Richard Ferguson 2.00pm: Planning tool to help business reopen
Businesses preparing to re-open in coming months now have an online planning tool to help them set up a coronavirus-safe workplace.
The National COVID-19 Coordination Commission launched its 30-minute planning tutorial on Monday which will guide business owners through new social distancing and hygiene regulations.
NCCC chairman Nev Power said the tool and the COVIDSafe tracing app would both help businesses to get back to work after weeks of lockdown.
“The tool brings together information from across government on the range of help and assistance available to support businesses. This tool complements the Safe Work Australia online hub, which remains the definitive source of information for businesses to understand their work health and safety obligations,” Mr Power said.
“We need businesses everywhere to get behind the safety protocols and have their COVIDSafe plans in place.
“One of the key things will be to maintain our discipline around physical distancing and hygiene. Our success depends on everyone – business owners, workers, customers – keeping up our practices of handwashing, social distancing, covering our sneezes and coughs, staying home if you are unwell, getting tested if you have symptoms and downloading the COVIDSafe app.”
The tool can be downloaded from the NCCC website.
READ MORE: Virus free towns just want it to end
Lachlan Moffet Gray 1.55pm: SA restaurants may get more easing
South Australian Premier Steven Marshall has said indoor dining for up to 20 patrons may be allowed before the currently planned date of June 8.
Outdoor dining for up to ten patrons is permitted in South Australia as of Monday.
Enjoying my first sit-down coffee with local business owner Vasil who has opened up outdoor dining for customers today. pic.twitter.com/beUOtkC49C
— Steven Marshall, MP (@marshall_steven) May 11, 2020
“We already said we’re moving towards 20 on June 8,” Mr Marshall told reporters in Adelaide on Monday.
“If there is (a chance to move the date forward), we’ll announce it.
“We’re not announcing it today. We’re sitting down with all of the industries in South Australia and working through their COVID-safe plan.”
Mr Marshall also said the South Australian government will not financially assist the Adelaide Crows AFL team if they are hit with a large fine after eight players violated quarantine orders while kicking a ball around together while in mandatory isolation.
However, he said he believed the breach of orders was “an innocent mistake”.
“We made it clear we’re not going to take further action against the Crows.
“We think it was an honest mistake. We’re going to cut them some slack. We’ve given them very clear instructions about what’s to happen in the future. If the AFL take action, that’s the AFL’s decision to take.”
READ MORE: Andrews must shed nanny state skin
Lachlan Moffet Gray 1.43pm: Virus toll breakthrough for NSW
NSW’s coronavirus case toll will remain the same for two consecutive days for only the second time since February with a false positive cancelling out the one additional case that was diagnosed in the last 24 hours.
It means the number of confirmed cases in the state remains at 3053. The last time this happened was on April 30 and before that, February 23.
The state’s coronavirus case count has decreased on a few occasions due to coronavirus cases attributed to NSW being moved to the tally of other states.
NSW Health on Monday said that seven coronavirus cases were in ICU, with all seven individuals requiring a ventilator.
The department urged residents in the areas of Canada Bay, Canterbury-Bankstown and Cumberland to present for testing as the state closes in achieving a 24 hour period where no new cases are recorded.
READ MORE: Can confidence return in a land divided?
Lachlan Moffet Gray 1.36pm: ACT records another virus-free day
The ACT remains coronavirus-free two days after the last remaining case in the Territory – a young woman in her 20s – made a full recovery.
The woman contracted the virus overseas and self-isolated upon her return, limiting the risk of community transmission.
The ACT’s total coronavirus case total remains at 107 while three people have died. Almost 12,000 people have been tested.
ACT Chief Health Officer Dr Kerryn Coleman has urged the community to maintain physical distancing as the Territory eases restriction on outdoor activities.
“It was a shame to hear that some people visiting reopened shops or while getting takeaway coffee over the weekend were not complying to the requirements,” Dr Coleman said.
“It is vitally important that we continue to maintain the 1.5 metre physical distancing from other people at all times while we are out in public.
“Groups of more than 10 people are not permitted, and this includes the queues that gather as they wait to be let into shops.
“The pandemic is not over and it only takes one mistake or lapse in concentration to put our community’s most vulnerable at risk.”
READ MORE: Mixed messages leave businesses confused
Lachlan Moffet Gray 1.26pm: Iconic dining, retail group slams Andrews’ plan
The retailers, restaurateurs and cafe owners of Melbourne’s iconic Chapel Street Precinct have slammed Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews for refusing to lift restrictions preventing people from dining in hospitality venues until at least the end of May, saying industry was not adequately consulted on the decision.
On Monday Mr Andrews said his decision to not follow other states in allowing up to ten patrons to dine in at a venue was in part due to the fact that it would not be viable for many businesses, and said a larger limit may be permitted from next month.
Chapel Street Precinct Association chair Justin O’Donnell said Mr Andrews should not be deciding what is best for businesses.
“We are very pleased we are now finally entering a phase of easing restrictions,” Mr O’Donnell said.
“We are disappointed however that our Premier has decided he knows what works best for our cafes and restaurants with no consultation with traders (stating it was not economically viable for businesses to open with only 10 patrons).
“Whilst this is certainly the case for larger venues it would have been appreciated to give smaller businesses the choice whether they can afford to reopen on restricted numbers.”
Cafes and restaurants reopened with the 10 person limit on Monday with NSW to follow on Friday and Queensland on Saturday.
READ MORE: Eat street opens by borders stay shut
Rachel Baxendale 1.16pm: What lockdown lift means for Victoria
Victoria’s relaxation of restrictions from 11:59pm on May 12 will also permit the following:
– Up to 10 guests can attend a wedding (previously it was five);
– Up to 20 guests can attend indoor funerals, and 30 can attend outdoor funerals (previously it was no more than 10, regardless of the venue);
– Walking, fishing, hiking and golf in groups of 10 or fewer;
– Small religious ceremonies of up to 10 people plus those conducting the ceremony Contact details of those attending must be retained to assist with contact tracing if required;
– Hairdressers and barbers will need to keep records of the names and contact details of customers to assist with contact tracing if required;
– Auction houses will be allowed to have ten people present, in addition to those reasonably required to facilitate the auction. Contact details must be retained for contact tracing. Same deal for real estate auctions and open house inspections;
– Community groups such as Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous, family violence, youth and parenting support groups will be permitted to meet in groups of no more than 10 plus facilitators at venues such as community centres or halls, youth centres, PCYCs, community clubs and RSLs;
– National and State Parks will be open for hiking, fishing, hunting, prospecting, diving, boating and other recreational activities on public land, with maximum gatherings of 10; Camping is not permitted;
– Sport and exercise are permitted in groups of up to 10 people, outside, where there is a “reasonable effort to maintain 1.5m between participants at all times”;
– Indoor sport is still banned other than for professional sporting organisations which will be permitted exclusive use of facilities such as pools, gyms, arenas and stadiums;
– Caravan parks and camping grounds remain closed to all except permanent residents and essential workers;
READ MORE: Andrews unveils ‘first small step’
Lachlan Moffet Gray 1.00pm: NSW Premier hints at changes to restrictions
NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian has already flagged changes to new coronavirus restrictions set to come into force on Friday, saying restrictions on the number of patrons a restaurant or cafe can serve may be modified, as well as restrictions banning holidays in regional NSW.
On Friday NSW will ease coronavirus restrictions to allow restaurants and cafes to seat up to ten patrons, so long as social distancing is maintained. The hospitality industry has said the limit is too punitive and larger venues should be allowed to seat more customers if they can maintain social distancing, something Ms Berejiklian says she is looking at.
“Well definitely in NSW we’re working with industry … to see what plans they can bring forward,” Ms Berejiklian told 2GB on Monday.
“(The regulations) are constantly being reviewed, and that’s what we are saying to industry,” she said, adding that she would also consult with NSW Chief Health Officer Dr Kerry Chant on the issue going forward.
Most current restrictions will be modified on Friday – except for a ban on travel for holidaymaking purposes in the state, something Ms Berejiklian said was done because a lot of communities are proud of being virus-free.
“A lot of the communities don’t want tourists because they regard the fact they are virus free as something they want to maintain,” she said.
“We can’t apply too much pressure on the health system of those communities.”
However, Ms Berejiklian said she realised some areas were hard-hit economically by the lack of tourist dollars and said NSW will “open it up to some extent” in the coming weeks.
READ MORE: NSW to ease restrictions from Friday
Rachel Baxendale 12.58pm: Andrews won’t visit mum despite eased restrictions
Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews says he still won’t be visiting his mother in rural Victoria, despite being allowed to from Wednesday under his own rules.
Mr Andrews said that while people will be allowed to welcome up to five guests into their homes from 11:59pm on Tuesday, “just because you can, doesn’t mean you should”.
“For our family, that means I won’t see my mum for a little while,” he said.
“She’s in her 70s – and she has a number of conditions that would put her at risk.
“So, for now, we’re going to have to stay connected in different ways, with FaceTime calls, gifts in the mail or an old-fashioned letter.
“As hard as that is, no visit is worth putting her safety at risk.
“I’m asking all Victorians to think about these things when you’re making your own plans with the people you love.”
READ MORE: John Ferguson on Victoria’s road back
John Ferguson 12.50pm: Andrews must shed his nanny state skin
COMMENT
The Andrews government’s response to the health crisis has been dynamic. The message from Monday is the response to the economic crisis will be cautious, piecemeal and possibly even lethargic.
Nothing concrete on schools, nothing to give short-term hope to the multi-billion dollar hospitality sector.
Dan Andrews was fundamentally clear on what his strategic policy strategy is, adopting a three word slogan. Safe. Cautious. Appropriate.
READ MORE: Andrews must shed his nanny state skin
Timothy Martin 12.40pm: South Korea’s early wins dim with new cluster
South Korea, which largely succeeded in quelling the initial spread of the coronavirus, is back on the defensive, with Seoul’s bars and clubs ordered closed, as the country reported its biggest one-day increase in new infections in a month.
More than 50 cases have been linked to a 29-year-old man who, in a single night last weekend, visited five clubs and bars in a popular Seoul neighbourhood, health officials said. He tested positive on Wednesday — the same day the South Korean government rolled out relaxed social-distancing measures.
READ MORE: Seoul man’s clubbing night brings new cluster
Lachlan Moffet Gray 12.30pm: Newmarch resident dies despite virus recovery
A resident of Anglicare’s Newmarch House aged care centre has died after apparently recovering from coronavirus, bringing the number of residents who have died while coronavirus has swept through the home to 18 — 16 who have died of the disease, and two who died after recovering from it.
Sixty-nine cases of the coronavirus have been linked to Newmarch House – 37 in residents and 32 in staff. Staff members are being subjected to coronavirus tests every second day.
In a statement, Anglicare Sydney said the latest resident had returned two negative coronavirus tests before passing away.
“Sadly, another resident of Newmarch House passed away overnight,” Anglicare Sydney said on Monday.
“While the resident had previously tested positive for COVID-19, they had returned two negative tests before passing.
“The family and all relevant authorities have been contacted.
“We are devastated at the passing of this loved resident and extend our sympathies to the family as they grieve their loss.”
The federal regulator for aged care facilities – the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission – last week threatened to revoke Newmarch House’s license to operate unless an independent advisor was appointed and a plan is constructed to address resident and family member concerns.
The centre cannot accept new residents until the Commission is satisfied the issues have been resolved.
READ MORE: Police probe aged-care neglect claims
Lachlan Moffet Gray 12.13pm: US Senator quarantines after staffer tests positive
COVID-19’s incursion into the upper echelon of the US’s leadership has continued, with Republican Senator Lamar Alexander on Monday confirming he will self-quarantine in his home state of Tennessee after a member of his staff tested positive for coronavirus.
Senator Lamar will join several other high-profile government officials in working from home like Infectious Disease Expert Dr Anthony Fauci, CDC chief Dr Robert Redfield and FDA commissioner Dr Stephen Hahn, who have all self-quarantined over the past few days after interacting with infected White House staffers.
US President Donald Trump and Vice President Michael Pence have been tested for coronavirus, returning negative results. The White House has said they will now be tested daily, with Mr Pence to voluntarily limit his contact with other people after his press secretary Katie Miller tested positive to the virus on Friday.
“Vice President Pence will continue to follow the advice of the White House Medical Unit and is not in quarantine,” said spokesperson Devin O’Malley.
“Additionally, Vice President Pence has tested negative every single day and plans to be at the White House tomorrow.”
The US Senate resumed sitting last week, with the offer of daily rapid coronavirus tests turned down by Republican leader Mitch O’Connell and Democrat head Nancy Pelosi on the basis that resources should be reserved for essential workers.
US members of Congress have previously entered isolation after being exposed to the coronavirus, including Utah Senator Mitt Romney and Kentucky Senator Rand Paul.
READ MORE: Contrast with Australia couldn’t be more stark
Rachel Baxendale 12.11pm: Seven new cases in Victoria since Sunday
Victoria has confirmed seven new coronavirus cases since Sunday, including one linked to a cluster at Melbourne abattoir Cedar Meats and four linked to returned overseas travellers in hotel quarantine.
The origins of the remaining two cases are still being investigated.
The new Cedar Meats case brings the total number of cases linked to the facility to 77.
Victoria’s total number of cases is now 1,494.
Premier Daniel Andrews said 161,000 Victorians had been tested for COVID-19 since his government began a testing blitz on April 27.
Of those, 141,000 tests have been processed, and 30 cases of community transmission, not linked to other known cases or overseas travel, have been identified.
Mr Andrews said the detection of the 30 cases showed the virus was present in the Victorian community, and testing “will be a feature of the rest of 2020” in the state.
Victorian Chief Health Officer Brett Sutton said every case discovered was an “opportunity to end a chain of transmission”.
“Those cases would have been there regardless of our testing. What we’ve done is found them,” Professor Sutton said of the 30 cases.
READ MORE: Anti-vaccination protester claims police mishandled her and son
Richard Ferguson 12.02pm: PM opens door to JobKeeper changes
Scott Morrison has opened the door into changes to the JobKeeper wage subsidy program, but he expects the historic economy-saving scheme to survive for its whole six-month shelf-life.
Sky News and news.com.au have reported that Treasury is considering tapering back the $1500 a fortnight JobKeeper payment or tightening eligibility in the June review of the scheme.
The Prime Minister on Monday said that the program was only six weeks into its six-month time frame, but the government would make adjustments if necessary.
“As we need to adjust, based on advice and the strength of the economy and how many people we are getting back to jobs – these are the things we will watch carefully,” he said.
“We are six weeks into a six-month program. The impact of the virus, how it will impact on Australia in the months ahead, with a reopening economy, is very much a work in progress.
“That’s why we put this six-month lifeline in place. What we need to ensure that we do is that whatever supports we have, they are targeted.
“I said in early March we have to have programs that are targeted. We have to have programs that use existing distribution mechanisms, within the government. We have been doing all of these things. All of our programs will continue to be delivered in accordance with those principles.”
READ MORE: Albanese gears up for JobKeeper fight
Lachlan Moffet Gray 11.59am: Highest daily jump in China cases since April
China has seen its highest daily increase in new cases since April 28, with five of the 17 new cases reported for Monday from Wuhan, the epicentre of the global coronavirus pandemic.
The number of new cases in Wuhan, according to official data, has been steadily decreasing since March. The city went several weeks without reporting a new case until last Saturday, with Monday’s figure of five new cases the highest daily increase since March 11.
Seven of the 17 new cases were “imported” from overseas and the remaining five cases manifested elsewhere on the Chinese mainland.
China’s total number of cases is now 82,918 and the death toll remains unchanged at 4633.
READ MORE: Kim reaches out to Xi
Richard Ferguson 11.56am: PM quells concerns over China’s tariffs motivation
Scott Morrison has moved to quell concerns China’s threats to slap tariffs on Australian barley are politically motivated, saying the Chinese leadership have not raised concerns over coronavirus investigations or other matters when it comes to their 18-month-long anti-dumping review.
Trade Minister Simon Birmingham on Sunday said he was prepared to take China to the World Trade Organisation if the communist regime introduced barley tariffs from May 17.
On Monday, the Prime Minister said he would be “extremely disappointed” if political motivations had coloured the Chinese Ministry of Commerce’s review into anti-dumping.
He also mentioned that China had been displeased by Australia’s own anti-dumping measures when its review began.
“This review has been a subject raised at various meetings with the Chinese leadership, including Premier last year. It’s been an ongoing issue between our two countries,” he said in Canberra.
“They certainly haven’t raised it as connected to other issues. I would be extremely disappointed if it was.
“There’s no reason for me to think based on the way that they’re approaching it that I could draw that conclusion. It’s important we just deal with this on its merits, as we have been for some time now.
“We have anti-dumping regimes here. We have had anti-dumping inquiries in relights to Chinese products to Australia. Not all those decisions were well received. They’ve been made on the merits and I would hope and expect China to do the same thing.”
READ MORE: China threat to put tariffs on Australian barley ‘concerning’
Courtney Walsh 11.50am: AFL clubs given green light to return to training
Victorian Premier Dan Andrews has given the AFL a green light to progress with its plans for a return to training and playing.
From midnight on Tuesday night, professional athletes in Victoria will be able to resume training as an entirety given an exemption granted to professional workplaces, which is seen as a key step forward for the AFL to make a decision on a start date for an abridged 2020 season.
But whether a return to training occurs later this week is still contingent on governments in Western Australia and South Australia issuing exemptions to professional sports codes.
Players who have returned to WA and SA from interstate are currently in the midst of a 14-day isolation stint and would need special permission to be able to train.
The AFL has been strong in stating every club must be given an equal opportunity when it comes to being able to prepare properly.
“A clear block to the season not being able to start was not being able to train. Today we have removed that,” Andrews said.
READ MORE: Victoria gives green light to AFL’s return to training, playing
Rachel Baxendale 11.20am: Andrews unveils ‘first small step’ in easing restrictions
Victorians will be allowed to leave their home from 11:59pm on Tuesday night, with up to five guests allowed to visit private homes.
The cautious relaxation of restrictions comes as Victoria becomes the last state to ease its rules after national cabinet set out a three-stage plan on Friday.
The new rules, which will be in place until 11:59pm on May 31, also include groups of up to 10 being able to participate in outdoor activities, such as hiking, fishing, playing golf, going for a walk or kicking a football, as well as measured relaxations of rules governing funerals, weddings and religious observance and some community services such as counselling services.
Victorians have previously been banned from leaving their homes unless they were shopping for essentials, exercising, providing or seeking medical care, or attending work or education, and have not been allowed to gather in groups of more than two.
Premier Daniel Andrews said the rules that had been in place remained.
“You should still stay at home unless you are going out for one of those five reasons,” Mr Andrews said.
“If you can work from home, you must work from home for the rest of May
“It is not an invitation to be having a dinner party at every house, every night.”
Mr Andrews said his government was finalising a plan to see classroom learning return prior to the end of term two, with further announcements to be made regarding a staggered return to school in coming days.
Update on restrictions in Victoria: pic.twitter.com/j5nKjR0oT8
— Dan Andrews (@DanielAndrewsMP) May 11, 2020
“We now believe that a gradual, staged return to face-to-face learning is safe,” Mr Andrews said.”
“Today’s not the day to be making that announcement, but that will be done soon.
“This is safe, this is cautious, this is appropriate.”
AFL training and training for other professional sports will resume from 11:59pm tomorrow, paving the way for games to resume in June.
READ MORE: What lockdown lift means for Victoria
Rachel Baxendale 11am: More than 40 fined in Victoria on Sunday
Six people visiting the Twelve Apostles on Victoria’s Great Ocean Road were among 44 people fined by Victoria Police for distancing rules on Sunday.
At least 10 participants in an anti-lockdown protest outside state parliament were also fined.
Victoria Police conducted 719 spot checks at homes, businesses and non-essential services in the 24 hours to 11pm on Sunday as part of Operation Sentinel.
Since 21 March, police have conducted a total of 42,370 spot checks.
Other examples of breaches that resulted in fines on Sunday include a man who has been fined twice already for loitering in public places in Frankston, in Melbourne’s southeast, and multiple people committing criminal and driving offences, including drug related offending.
READ MORE: Liberties, vaccinations mix at street rally
Lachlan Moffet Gray 10.38am: JobKeeper not being rorted: Porter
The vast majority of Australians are complying with the government’s JobKeeper wage subsidy scheme, with just 212 industrial disputes concerning the program lodged with the Fair Work Commission since it began, says Minister for Industrial Relations Christian Porter.
Mr Porter said reports that employees were “rorting” the system by refusing to come to work while collecting the $1500 per fortnight subsidy were largely anecdotal as only 212 disputes relating to the scheme have been lodged with the Fair Work Commission, with many being “jurisdictional matters”.
“Overwhelmingly people are engaging with the system as it was meant to be engaged with,” Mr Porter told 2GB on Monday.
Mr Porter did warn that “nothing about JobKeeper disturbs an employer or an employee’s requirement in their existing instruments of employment” and said that if employees don’t show up to work “they can still suffer the consequences they would have in January”.
“Generally speaking there are consequences in any employment relationship that flow from someone simply refusing to attend work,” he said.
“Very often those consequences are serious … and can result in dismissal.”
Mr Porter also said that the government’s early super access scheme is safe following an instance where the super details of 150 individuals were stolen from a tax advisor’s accounts by a hacker last week.
“It appears to be that the ATO detected that fraud at an early stage,” Mr Porter said.
“The numbers involved at the time at which it was detected was relatively small, which can give people confidence that the ATO is monitoring these matters.”
READ MORE: Albanese gears up fight to extend JobKeeper pay
Lachlan Moffet Gray 10.20am: SA lockdown easing kicks in, border to stay shut
Outdoor dining, regional travel and non-contact sports training and university classes are just some of the activities permitted in South Australia from Monday, but health minister Stephen Wade has said a relaxation of the hard border with the rest of the country is still “some time away.”
The first stage of restrictions are being eased in SA today.
— Steven Marshall, MP (@marshall_steven) May 10, 2020
They include:
âš½ï¸ Outdoor sports training
🲠Outdoor dining for cafes and restaurants
📚 Local government libraries
â›ºï¸ Regional travel, campgrounds & caravan parks
ðŸ Auctions and open inspections pic.twitter.com/NvoEDzB2dY
“In relation to what I would call the western zone — WA, NT and SA, we are in a different position to the eastern states,” Mr Wade told ABC News on Monday.
“We are going to continue to act cautiously. Our top priority is to maintain the health and safety of our people.”
South Australia closed its borders all but essential travel from the rest of Australia and the world on March 24.
The move helped reduce the number of new coronavirus cases in the state, with South Australia recording just one new case in almost three weeks.
There have been 439 confirmed cases of the virus in South Australia and four deaths.
READ MORE: George Williams — Co-operation key to the united states of Australia
Lachlan Moffet Gray 10.10am: NSW courts set to resume jury trials
The NSW District Court will begin lifting a suspension on jury trials in some courts from next month, according to a statement released today.
In March the Supreme and District Courts of NSW halted jury trials and the empanelment of new juries as skyrocketing coronavirus cases presented health concerns for often packed courtrooms. But as the curve in NSW continues to flatten, the District Court said it would be taking measures to ensure that some jury trials could resume safely from June 15 including temperature checking, additional cleaning, social distancing and individual jury meals.
Chief Judge of the District Court Justice Derek Price said the measures would change the way courts operate. “All jurors will not be required to sit in the jury box but will be able to spread out across the courtroom,” he said. “The empanelment of jurors will be conducted by audio visual link to avoid large numbers of persons in courtrooms at any one time.
“The maximum number of persons who can be in each courtroom in accordance with social distancing requirements has been carefully identified.”
The restrictions means that only a limited number of courtrooms in the Sydney, Newcastle and Parramatta District Courts will open in June.
Lachlan Moffet Gray 9.55am: ‘Cool heads must prevail’: Littleproud on barley barney
Federal Agriculture Minister David Littleproud is asking for cool heads to prevail in a diplomatic stoush between Australia and China, with China threatening to impose stiff tariffs on Australian barley that could effectively destroy a lucrative export market.
Mr Littleproud said he hoped the decision was not linked to Australia’s support of an independent inquiry into the origins of coronavirus in China and said all Australia wanted was “fairness.”
“We’re not asking for special treatment, just to be treated like everyone else in the world,” he told Nine on Monday, adding that Australia may appeal to the World Trade Organisation if a deal is not made. “If we don’t believe we are, then we will have to make that determination to go to the umpire and say, ‘Hey we’ve been dealt some pretty stiff cards here. We need you to look at this’.”
Chinese ambassador to Australia Ching Jingye has previously said China may boycott Australian products to retaliate against Prime Minister Scott Morrison’s push for the independent investigation into coronavirus. On the topic of coronavirus restrictions, Mr Littleproud said that rural communities with no coronavirus cases should be able to reopen ahead of the cities. “I represent most of outback Queensland. My communities are some 700km away from the nearest case — no-one out there but the locals,” he said.
“I have publicans I’m good mates with telling me ‘why can’t we open up and use social distancing?’”
“Why can’t we use common sense?”
Queensland is permitting pubs in regional and rural areas to serve up to 20 people at a time from Saturday, as compared to a limit of 10 in metropolitan areas.
Mr Littleproud said it was a “good step” but said that he has not “seen anything from the chief medical officer or anybody else to say some of the outback communities shouldn’t be opened up back to normal.”
READ MORE: Simon Birmingham ready to fight in China barley dispute
Benita Kolovos 9.45am: Daniel Andrews to unveil relaxation of restrictions
Victoria’s state of emergency has come to an end, with the state government expected to outline a plan to slowly lift coronavirus restrictions this week. Victoria is the only state yet to relax restrictions after Prime Minister Scott Morrison unveiled a three-step plan to move to a “COVID-safe economy” on Friday.
Premier Daniel Andrews said he would wait to reveal new rules on Monday following the expiration of Victoria’s state of emergency. He is due to hold a press conference at 11am.
Stage one of Mr Morrison’s plan allows for five people to gather at homes and 10 to gather at businesses and public places while people will be allowed to travel locally and regionally.
It also allows shops, small restaurants and cafes to reopen while still abiding by social distancing measures, as well as libraries, community centres and playgrounds.
Mr Andrews described the national cabinet-approved framework as a “menu”. “We will choose elements of that and the respective timing for the rollout of each of those elements that best suit Victoria,” he said on Friday.
Health Minister Jenny Mikakos said more than 150,000 Victorians have been tested for COVID-19 as part of a two-week testing blitz, with data gathered to be used to decide how and when to ease restrictions. Ms Mikakos said about 20 cases were detected as part of the testing blitz that weren’t linked to other known cases.
It comes as the state recorded an additional 10 coronavirus cases on Sunday, bringing Victoria’s total to 1487.
One of the new cases is related to an outbreak at Cedar Meats in Melbourne’s west, taking the total number of cases related to the abattoir to 76. Another positive test came from a returned traveller in mandatory hotel quarantine while eight new cases are still being investigated. — AAP
READ MORE: Liberties and vaccinations prove a heady mix at Melbourne rally
Lachlan Moffet Gray 9.30am: ACT allocates indigenous virus funding
The ACT government has allocated $580,000 in additional funding to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations to support them during the coronavirus pandemic.
Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs Rachel Stephen-Smith said funding will boost the capacity of community-controlled organisations and culturally specific programs to provide services and support during COVID-19.
“Many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people experience a range of vulnerabilities which place them disproportionately at risk during this pandemic, including a greater likelihood of having underlying health conditions,” she said.
“This funding will support local organisations and programs to continue their vital work, and to respond flexibly to emerging needs within the community.”
Some of the organisations to receive the additional funding include the Gugan Gulwan Youth Aboriginal Corporation, who will receive $200,000 to provide youth support services, and the Canberra Rape Crisis Centre Nguru Program, who will receive $75,000 to help provide culturally appropriate counselling for people who have experienced sexual assault.
Lachlan Moffet Gray 9.20am: No new cases in Qld as kids return to school
Queensland has recorded no new cases of coronavirus in the last 24 hours and only has 18 active cases across the entire state.
The total number of confirmed cases in Queensland remains at 1045. Six Queenslanders have died of the virus.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk tweeted the figures on Monday morning as public school students in years one, 11, 12 and in kindergarten and prep return to face-to-face classes.
The gradual return to full time classes will be reviewed on May 15 with years 2 to 10 slated to return on May 25.
Other coronavirus restrictions in Queensland will ease from Saturday, with up to five people allowed to visit a household and groups of ten allowed to gather outside.
Monday, 11 May – coronavirus cases in Queensland:
— Annastacia Palaszczuk (@AnnastaciaMP) May 10, 2020
• 0 new confirmed cases
• 18 active cases
• 1,045 total confirmed cases
• 137,009 tests conducted
Sadly, six Queenslanders have died from coronavirus. 1,021 patients have recovered.#COVID19Aus pic.twitter.com/k1xgL9u0lx
Restaurants, libraries, pools and beauty salons can reopen, provided they adhere to restricted numbers and social distancing.
Open house inspections and auctions will also be allowed.
READ MORE: Faction forced Queensland Treasurer Jackie Trad’s resignation
AAP 9am: Inquiry into the Ruby Princess debacle to continue
The inquiry into the Ruby Princess debacle will continue with the focus on the cruise company’s communications with the NSW Port Authority.
The Special Commission of Inquiry will resume on Monday morning and continue to examine why 2700 passengers were allowed to disembark the ship on March 19 without proper checks.
The Ruby Princess has been linked to more than 20 coronavirus deaths and 600 infections across Australia, including a cluster in Tasmania. Last week, the inquiry heard the NSW Port Authority reversed its decision to cancel the pilot boarding the Ruby Princess in Sydney after the cruise line said it had a low coronavirus risk. — AAP
READ MORE: Harbourmaster ‘didn’t understand’ critical email
Agencies 8.45am: Pence self-isolates after aide tests positive
US Vice President Mike Pence is self-isolating after an aide tested positive for the coronavirus, joining three of the nation’s top scientists in taking protective steps after possible exposure, in another stark reminder that not even one of the world’s most secure buildings is immune from the virus.
An administration official said Pence is voluntarily limiting his exposure to other people. He has repeatedly tested negative for COVID-19 since his exposure but is following the advice of medical officials. “Vice President Pence will continue to follow the advice of the White House Medical Unit and is not in quarantine,” said spokesman Devin O’Malley. “Additionally, Vice President Pence has tested negative every single day and plans to be at the White House tomorrow.”
Dr Anthony Fauci, the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and a leading member of the White House coronavirus task force, placed himself in quarantine over the weekend, along with Dr Robert Redfield, director of the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, and the commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration, Dr Stephen Hahn. Pence’s press secretary tested positive for the coronavirus on Friday, making her the second person who works at the White House complex known to test positive for the virus. Pence has led the White House coronavirus task force for more than two months.
President Donald Trump, who publicly identified the affected Pence aide as spokeswoman Katie Miller, said he was “not worried” about the virus spreading in the White House. Nonetheless, officials said they were stepping up safety protocols for the complex. — AP
READ MORE: US limits visas for Chinese journalists
Lachlan Moffet Gray 8.35am: Northern Territorians will be able to cast their vote
Northern Territory Chief Minister Michael Gunner has said he is “confident” residents of the top end will be able to physically participate in August’s territorial election and plans are in place to deal with any second wave in the Territory.
“From this weekend, you can go and have breakfast at a cafe,” Mr Gunner told ABC News.
“I am confident you will be able to cast a ballot towards the end of August. We can guarantee there will be an election and Territorians will get to have their say on who the new Government should be because we are the safest place in Australia.”
Mr Gunner said that the key to ensuring a second wave does not hit the Territory is the hard border with the rest of the nation, a restriction will be the last to be lifted. Secondary measures include the capacity to continue testing and to trace any new result.
“We are confident we used the time available to us over the last couple of months to get the resources in place to be able to do localised lock downs that contain coronavirus if it ever gets here,” Mr Gunner said.
One Northern Territory tradition that sadly had to be cancelled — cracker night — will return next year, Mr Gunner said. “I can promise it will be back next year. It will be a banger,” he said. “If you’re around the country and thinking about what you are going to do, middle of the dry season next year, July 1, come up to Darwin and let off firecrackers and go to Alice Springs. Next year it will be back and it will be big.”
READ MORE: China threatens tariffs in barley dispute
Lachlan Moffet Gray 8.15am: Berejiklian’s plan for social distancing on public transport
NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian has said she will not recommend residents of the state stop working from home like the West Australian government has done, saying social distancing cannot be maintained on public transport under typical numbers.
“We don’t want to see large crowds using public transport in peak hour … It requires about 30 per cent to 40 per cent capacity to enforce social distancing,” Ms Berejiklian told reporters on Monday.
Ms Berejiklian said she would make an announcement later this week outlining guidelines for those hoping to return to work, with recommendations to include the staggering of shifts in workplaces.
READ MORE: How I became part of Sweden’s herd immunity plan
Lachlan Moffet Gray 8.10am: NSW confirms just one new virus case
NSW has confirmed only one new case of coronavirus out of 5200 tests conducted on Sunday as schools across the state today begin to phase in face-to-face classes.
The one case identified was in a traveller who recently returned from the United Kingdom, a situation that NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian called “pleasing”.
However, Ms Berejiklian urged residents of the state to come forward and get tested in greater numbers as the flu season approaches and restrictions ease on Friday.
“Please come forward and get tested,” she said. “We want to see the numbers get up between 8000 and 10,000 again and we want to make sure enough people come forward to get tested to give us confidence that the amount of community to community transmission is at a minimum.”
Ms Berejiklian said that if the return to classes “goes well”, full time face-to-face learning could return full time by the end of May in most schools, but said there would be a degree of flexibility in when some schools returned. Schools will return with most students attending class physically one day a week, with students in year 12 to attend as much as is practically possible. “I am pleased to say, as far as Year 12 is concerned, on average in our public schools, Year 12 will be going back between three and four days this week,” Ms Berejiklian said.
READ MORE: Elite private schools face means-testing
Agencies 8.05am: Who takes over if Trump, Pence test positive?
The Trump administration has no plans to keep President Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence apart as concerns rise about the spread of the coronavirus within the White House. The New York Times first reported the lack of plans to keep Trump and Pence separated despite concern they both could be incapacitated by the disease, citing two senior administration officials. The White House did not respond to a request for comment.
Two coronavirus cases in the White House last week spurred fears of contagion for the president and vice president, who have both resumed travel and business schedules even as the US death toll from the virus nears 80,000.
Pence’s press secretary, Katie Miller, the wife of Trump’s senior adviser, Stephen Miller, tested positive for the coronavirus a day after confirmation that Trump’s personal valet had been diagnosed with the disease.
The White House has also instituted daily coronavirus tests for Trump and Pence. Anthony Fauci, a high-profile member of the White House coronavirus response team, Robert Redfield, director of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and US Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Stephen Hahn, were in self-quarantine on Saturday after coming into contact with someone who had tested positive for the disease.
If Republicans Trump and Pence were both to become incapacitated, Democratic House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi would assume presidential duties under US law.
READ MORE: Alan Kohler — Why the US is in serious trouble
Lachlan Moffet Gray 7.50am: NSW Premier provides update at 8am | WATCH LIVE
NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian will provide an update on the state’s coronavirus response at 8am AEST. The press conference can be viewed live and in full on The Australian’s coronavirus live blog above.
Lachlan Moffet Gray 7.40am: Nurses and Midwives attack wage freeze plan
The NSW Nurses and Midwives’ Association has attacked plans by the NSW government to legislate a wage freeze for all public sector workers in a bid to lessen the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on the state’s budget. With NSW Parliament resuming on Tuesday, General Secretary Brett Holmes says public sector workers, especially those on the frontline in the fight against coronavirus, should not be denied a modest wage increase.
“The government cannot deny the sacrifices of frontline workers, especially when more than half of the 144 NSW Health workers who have contracted COVID-19, acquired it while at work,” said Mr Holmes. “Thousands of nurses, midwives, other health sector workers and public servants are risking their lives daily to keep fellow citizens safe. These workers deserve recognition, not attempts by government to send wages backwards and our economy into further turmoil.
Mr Holmes said that a “second wave” of coronavirus is imminent, despite a steep dive in the number of cases in recent weeks. “We are all preparing for a second wave of COVID-19, yet the government is asking nurses and midwives to do more for less, putting the budget bottom line before people in need. The Treasurer wants to ignore the efforts of frontline workers and unions operating in good faith, by planning a wage freeze for all public sector workers. It’s a disgrace.”
READ MORE: Cameron Stewart — US contrast with the Australia could not be more stark
Lachlan Moffet Gray 7.30am: Melbourne protesters’ actions ‘incredibly disappointing’
Australian Medical Association President Dr Tony Bartone has slammed individuals who gathered in Melbourne’s CBD on Sunday to protest against lockdown restrictions, compulsory vaccinations and 5G mobile technology, calling the actions of the roughly 200 people “incredibly disappointing” and “really bizarre.”
“What they’re putting at risk is the progressive unwinding of those restrictions,” Dr Bartone told Channel 9’s Today on Monday.
“That grouping of those protests over the weekend, we just need one person to be positive and spread the virus and then we’re on the backward step already.
“If we have to isolate again, it’s actually going to be even harder and much more prolonged the second time round.”
Despite warning against large gatherings, Dr Bartone reiterated that parents should not be concerned about sending their children back to school in NSW and Queensland, who are phasing back in classes from Monday.
“The message from the chief medical officer right through is that schools have been a safe place for kiddies,” he said.
Dr Bartone said parents shouldn’t be concerned by reports of three children in New York dying from a coronavirus-related inflammatory illness.
“Those reports are about the Kawasaki syndrome, you need to remember Kawasaki syndrome is a rare condition, it occurs anyway,” Dr Bartone said.
“It is a very rare condition. At this stage we still need to get some further evidence, but three out of the over one million cases in the USA is still a very, very small amount to actually look at.”
READ MORE: Police officer hospitalised as Melbourne protest flares
Lachlan Moffet Gray 7.10am: WHO denies it was asked to withhold virus info
The World Health Organisation has dismissed as false a German magazine story that alleges it withheld information about the coronavirus after pressure from Chinese president Xi Jinping.
German magazine Der Spiegel quoted sources within Germany’s foreign intelligence agency, BND, that President Xi spoke with WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus by telephone on January 20, urging him to withhold information about the infectiousness of the virus and to delay declaring a pandemic.
“Der Spiegel reports of a 21 January, 2020, telephone conversation between WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus and President Xi Jinping of China are unfounded and untrue,” a WHO statement said.
“Dr Tedros and President Xi did not speak on 21 January and they have never spoken by telephone. Such inaccurate reports distract and detract from WHO’s and the world’s efforts to end the COVID-19 pandemic.
“To note: China confirmed human-to-human transmission of the novel coronavirus on 20 January.”
READ MORE: Breaking down China’s great wall of silence
Lachlan Moffet Gray 7am: NSW infringement notices continue to decline
NSW Police Commissioner Mick Fuller has praised residents of the state for complying with coronavirus regulations as the number of infringement notices issued by police steadily falls.
“When Premier Berejiklian outlined the upcoming changes to COVID-19 restrictions in NSW, she included a very important message – our way forward depends on you,” Commissioner Fuller said.
“The NSW Police Force was given special powers for the pandemic in the interest of public health and safety – powers that I delegated carefully and am overseeing personally.
“I’ve been overwhelmingly pleased with community compliance. With 187 charges laid and 1212 PINs issued out of eight million residents, I feel that the community understands the risks of this virus and the role we all must play in protecting each other.”
A PIN, or Personal Infringement Notice is a $1000 fine for individuals and a $5000 fine for businesses caught disobeying orders made under the state’s public health act.
NSW Police said the average number of PINs issued per day throughout April was 39, peaking over the Easter long weekend. In May, that average has decreased to nine.
In the last three days, police have issued a total of 14 PINs – three on Friday, seven on Saturday, and four on Sunday.
READ MORE: Liberties, vaccinations prove a heady mix at Melbourne rally
Lachlan Moffet Gray 6.45am: New York introduces new nursing home measures
Nursing homes in New York state will be made to test staff members for coronavirus twice a week and will no longer be sent discharged coronavirus patients from hospitals, Governor Andrew Cuomo said on Sunday.
The change in regulation came as data compiled by AP showed that 26,000 Americans had died of coronavirus in nursing homes, with 5200 of that number in New York state, the highest of any jurisdiction in the country.
NEW: All nursing home staff must now be tested for COVID twice a week.
— Andrew Cuomo (@NYGovCuomo) May 10, 2020
â°This rule is not optional — it’s mandatory.
It also overruled a previous government directive that said nursing homes could not refuse new or returning residents because they tested positive for the coronavirus, a policy designed to free up hospital beds.
“We’re just not going to send a person who is positive to a nursing home after hospital visit,” Mr Cuomo said Sunday, adding that these patients will be accommodated in temporary hospital facilities.
Any nursing home that fails to follow health procedures will lose their license.
— Andrew Cuomo (@NYGovCuomo) May 10, 2020
Remember: If a nursing home cannot provide adequate care, they MUST call the State Department of Health to transfer the resident.
The governor also set an example for the residents of New York by allowing the press to sit in on a video meeting between himself, his mother, and three daughters on Mother’s Day.
“I wish I could be with you,” Mr Cuomo told his mother.
“I can’t be with you because I love you.”
Happy #MothersDay to my mother Matilda.
— Andrew Cuomo (@NYGovCuomo) May 10, 2020
While I can’t be with you, it is great to see you. You have always been pure love.
And to all moms: Whether separated by distance or staying home together, we love and appreciate you. pic.twitter.com/ofWAst3YQO
Lachlan Moffet Gray 6.30am: France set to begin easing virus restrictions
On the eve of coronavirus restrictions easing, France reported 70 coronavirus deaths on Sunday, its lowest daily toll since March 17.
The European nation is still one of the worst-hit countries in the world with 176,782 confirmed cases and 26,313 deaths.
On Monday, restrictions will begin to ease in the south of the country with the hard-hit capital of Paris and the north east region subject to longer time frames on most coronavirus regulations.
Primary schools and most businesses will open on Monday all over the country with secondary schools, restaurants and other facilities opening in June in parts of the country where the virus is less prevalent.
But the most significant change is that for the first time since lockdown began 56 days ago people can leave work without a permit and go to work, so long as a mask is worn on public transport and no one travels further than 100km from their home without a compelling reason.
In another significant move, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and French President Emmanuel Macron have agreed that travellers arriving in Britain from France shall not be subject to a new 14-day quarantine period modelled on Australia’s similar scheme.
READ MORE: Simon Benson — ‘Rapid recovery but jobs must be saved’
Jacquelin Magnay 5.15am: Johnson refuses to end UK’s coronavirus lockdown
The British public will remain in the grip of a coronavirus lockdown for months, but prime minister Boris Johnson has gently prodded some parts of the economy to restart.
In a prime time address to the nation on Sunday evening, more than seven weeks after imposing the tightest restrictions on civil liberties since WWII, Mr Johnson said construction workers and manufacturing workers would be “actively encouraged” to go back to work if they can’t do so at home, but they shouldn’t take public transport and instead walk or cycle to work.
Everyone has a role to play in helping to control the virus by staying alert and following the rules.
— Boris Johnson (@BorisJohnson) May 10, 2020
This is how we can continue to save lives as we start to recover from coronavirus.#StayAlert pic.twitter.com/2z9yl1Fxs4
Under the guidance of Australian election guru Isaac Levido, the key government messaging has also been changed to “stay alert”, rather than “stay at home”; and to “control the virus” rather than “protect the NHS”.
But in a blunt message to the public he stressed that while there had been some progress in satisfying at least some of the conditions, the lockdown would be maintained.
“And so no, this is not the time simply to end the lockdown this week,” he said.
“Instead we are taking the first careful steps to modify our measures.”
Mr Johnson’s strategy appears now to try to dampen the number of infections — which are still running at more than 4000 new cases a day — and to ramp up track and trace testing. On Sunday, the UK death toll rose by 346 to a total of 31,587.
He claimed the reproduction rate of the virus was between 0.5 and 0.9 across the country.
The prime minister announced a complicated series of five phases, in which primary school years might be allowed to resume after June 1, with cafes and other hospitality venues potentially allowed to operate after July 1.
If we as a nation begin to fulfil the conditions I have set out, then in the next few weeks and months we may be able to go further.
— Boris Johnson #StayAlert (@BorisJohnson) May 10, 2020
We are driven by the science, the data and public health.
It depends on all of us – the entire country – to #StayAlert to keep the R down. pic.twitter.com/KuiPs7mQL8
Read the full story here.
Richard Ferguson 5am: China threatens to slap tariffs on Australian barley
Trade Minister Simon Birmingham is prepared to take China to the World Trade Organisation after Beijing threatened to slap tariffs on Australian barley, heightening tensions between the countries over calls for an independent global review into the origins of COVID-19.
China’s commerce ministry is reportedly considering imposing tariffs on all barley imported from Australia, with Beijing due to conclude its 18-month anti-dumping investigation into Australian barley by May 19.
The standoff comes amid a month-long war of words between China and Australia over an investigation into the coronavirus outbreak, with Australia vowing to support an EU push for an inquiry at a World Health Assembly meeting this month.
Read the full story by Richard Ferguson and Geoff Chambers here.
Kieran Gair 4.45am: Police asked to investigate Newmarch House ‘neglect’
Senior NSW detectives are being asked to investigate allegations of neglect by staff at Newmarch House in western Sydney after it emerged an elderly woman who was recovering from coronavirus was forced to lie on the floor for two hours after falling from bed early on Saturday morning.
The allegation comes after the aged-care regulator last week threatened to revoke operator Anglicare’s licence if it didn’t see a “significant improvement” in the centre’s handling of the COVID-19 outbreak that has left 16 residents dead.
Anthony Bowe, whose 76-year-old mother, Patrica Shea, tested positive for COVID-19 three weeks ago, said he had written to Detective Sergeant Steven Peroni from Nepean Police to request an “urgent investigation” into the embattled aged-care centre.
Read the full story here.
Pro-Gazan pianist and MSO open to mediation
Jayson Gillham is suing the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra in the Federal Court, with a trial likely to be scheduled in March next year if mediation fails.
RBA leaves all options on the table in inflation fight
Despite keeping interest rates on hold at its September meeting, the RBA left the door open for additional tightening in its efforts to tame inflation, minutes show.