Coronavirus Australia: Australian cases top 1000 as Sydney’s Bondi Beach closed
Australian coronavirus cases top 1000 as Sydney’s Bondi Beach is shut to prevent people ignoring social distancing guidelines.
- Australian cases balloon past 1000
- NT closes all borders
- More Sydney beaches shut over crowds
- Queensland to shut border with NT
- UK shuts all pubs, restaurants, theatres
Australian coronavirus cases topped 1000 as more affected cruise ships were identified and Waverley Council closed Sydney’s iconic Bondi Beach until further notice.
All Sydney eastern suburbs beaches will be closed on Sunday after the NSW police minister said beachgoers would be moved on if they didn’t observe new public gathering and social distancing rules.
David Elliott spoke out after photos of throngs of beachgoers flocking to Bondi amid the COVID-19 pandemic drew swift condemnation.
“What we saw this morning here in Bondi Beach was the most irresponsible behaviour of individuals that we’ve seen so far,” Mr Elliott told reporters on Saturday.
“We cannot have an active area of community activity where more than 500 people are gathered.”
It came as NSW on Saturday recorded 83 new COVID-19 cases within 24 hours, with the state total reaching 436. NSW Health’s Dr Vicky Sheppeard said cases were rising each day, but the majority were still overseas returnees.
“The other large group of people that are being notified, making up those numbers, are close contacts of confirmed cases,” Dr Sheppeard said.
“These people are already in quarantine, so there are relatively few people being notified that aren’t part of those existing transmission chains.”
Mr Elliott on Saturday said it was with a “significant level of disappointment” that the government had to move people from Bondi Beach.
In line with national regulations introduced to control the spread of the deadly virus, he said lifesavers will be able to close beaches and ask people to move on if a crowd exceeds 500.
Following Mr Elliott’s comments, Waverley Council closed Bondi, Bronte and Tamarama beaches until further notice so it could plan ways to comply with the new restrictions.
“We have only just found out about this announcement, and need time to work through how it translates to the practical day to day,” Waverley Mayor Paula Masselos said in a statement.
Randwick Council later followed suit, announcing it would close Maroubra, Coogee and Clovelly beaches on Sunday in response to the new restrictions.
An additional 83 cases of #COVID19 have been diagnosed, bringing the total number of confirmed cases in NSW to 436.
— NSW Health (@NSWHealth) March 21, 2020
Confirmed cases: 436
Cases tested and excluded: 46,456
Read the full media release: https://t.co/CvvTjClePh … https://t.co/aS1JWx3bKX pic.twitter.com/fYjaIxOAj8
Health Minister Brad Hazzard urged young people to take the COVID-19 threat seriously, saying “the problem is just over the horizon, on the basis of the numbers that we’re now seeing”.
“It’s a serious matter. Save yourself and save your family,” Mr Hazzard told reporters.
Meanwhile, the NSW government identified another four cruise ships affected by COVID-19, in addition to the Ruby Princess, which disembarked on Thursday. As of Friday, three passengers and one crew member on the Ruby Princess had been confirmed to have coronavirus.
Of the four other ships, two infected passengers travelled on separate journeys of the Voyager of the Seas. Another two holidayed on the Ovation of the Seas and the Celebrity Solstice.
NSW Health in a statement said its risk assessments for cruise ships were “far in excess” of those in other jurisdictions.
All travellers from international cruises are required to self-quarantine for 14 days after they disembark, NSW Health said.
The state government has signed a public health order to restrict movement to Lord Howe Island, so non-residents can’t enter unless they’re health and other essential service workers. Residents returning the island will be made to self quarantine for 14 days.
— AAP
Agencies 10.30pm: Global lockdowns multiply as virus strains health systems
Streets, squares and highways were deserted in large parts of the world today as curfews and lockdowns multiplied in the face of a rapidly advancing virus that is severely straining many health systems.
Three American states with a combined population of 70 million are moving to restrict residents to their homes to prevent the spread of the new coronavirus. California started Friday and New York and Illinois were to follow, with Connecticut and Oregon preparing to do the same.
Once-bustling outdoor plazas fell quiet in Bavaria after it became the first German state to tell people to stay home, except to go to work, buy food, visit the doctor or exercise. Police reported fewer people breaching the curfew than in previous nights.
Colombia became the latest South American country to announce a lockdown, and Sri Lanka closed all expressways for a weekend curfew.
The number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 recorded in Africa rose above 1,000 Saturday, according to the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. At least 40 of Africa’s 54 countries now have cases.
More than 275,000 cases have been confirmed globally, including over 11,000 deaths, according to a running tally by Johns Hopkins University. At least 88,000 have recovered.
There's been a heartening outpouring of support for the #COVID19 Solidarity Response Fund since its launch last week: over $66M in commitments from more than 175,000 individual donors & corporations. My thanks to everyone for their generosity & solidarity. https://t.co/mRCMYYtASW
— Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus (@DrTedros) March 20, 2020
For most people, the new virus causes only mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia. The vast majority recover.
But with hospitals already under pressure, officials in many countries are desperate to prevent — or at least limit — a repeat of what has happened in China and southern Europe. The coronavirus outbreak overwhelmed medical services in the central Chinese city of Wuhan earlier this year and now is pushing them to the limit in Italy and Spain.
Germany’s southwestern state of Baden-Wuerttemberg on Saturday offered to take in patients from the neighboring region of eastern France that’s struggling with a surge of infections overwhelming hospitals.
In Britain, which still lags behind Italy, Spain and France in the spread of the virus, the country’s overstretched health system is creaking. The state-funded National Health Service has about 4,000 critical-care beds and some 5,000 ventilators, and officials say that’s far fewer than will be needed as the number of cases spikes in the coming weeks. Britain has already asked 65,000 retired nurses and doctors to return to work.
Lisa Anderson, a consultant cardiologist at St George’s Hospital in London, sad “there is a lack of protection for us which extends to a lack of plan of how to segregate patients clean and dirty, how to protect us and keep us away from the public.”
“Doctors have no faith in what is going on,” she told the BBC. Britain has recorded 3,983 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 177 deaths.
China has been sending aid to several European countries, promoting its expertise and experience gained from fighting the outbreak at home. An Air China flight carrying 18 tons of medical supplies including hundreds of thousands of surgical and protection masks landed in the Greek capital, Athens, on Saturday morning.
— AP
Agencies 9.50pm: Queensland coronavirus cases increase to 221
Cases of coronavirus in Queensland have increased to 221, with an outside-of-school care worker among the additional 37 cases.
Health authorities say the staff member worked at a Helensvale centre for a number of days while symptomatic, and they are contacting those involved who will be required to quarantine for 14 days.
Health Minister Steven Miles also said there were reports of venues that did not follow strict new density requirements on Friday night. Individuals must have at least four square metres to themselves at indoor gatherings of up to 100 people, and for outdoor gatherings of up to 500 people.
“It’s incredibly important pubs and clubs and bars and restaurants take steps to ensure there is a physical distance between parties at their events,” Mr Miles told media on Saturday.
He said he hoped the rules would be followed.
“If we stick together we will be able to keep more people out of hospital.”
A taskforce involving police and liquor and gaming officers was tonight conducting compliance checks in entertainment precincts.
Agencies 9pm: Four Tasmanians on cruise ship diagnosed with virus
Four people on board the Ruby Princess cruise ship that docked in Sydney have been diagnosed with coronavirus, lifting Tasmania’s tally to 16.
A Tasmanian woman was diagnosed in Sydney on Friday after disembarking the ship there on Thursday. She is still in Sydney, being managed by NSW Health.
Another woman and two men who were on the same ship were diagnosed in Tasmania earlier today.
Director of Public Health, Dr Mark Veitch, said SW Health and the Tasmanian Department of Health have contacted the 54 Tasmanian residents who were on the cruise, because of emerging evidence of coronavirus infections among Ruby Princess passengers.
Assessment and testing for coronavirus is being arranged for those with symptoms.
All passengers will be required to remain in quarantine for 14 days after returning to Tasmania.
Other new cases involve a woman who arrived in Tasmania on Wednesday after travelling from the UK, who was diagnosed on Friday, and a woman and man who recently travelled together in Europe.
READ MORE: Coronavirus cruise ship permitted to dock despite 158 sick
Paige Taylor 8.20am: Western Australia cancels all elective surgery
Elective surgery has been cancelled in Western Australia, where the number of COVID-19 cases jumped from 64 to 90 on Saturday.
In 12 of the 26 new cases, the infected person had recently travelled overseas. However WA still considers there are no confirmed community transmissions of COVID-19 in the state because in all 90 cases the source of the infection is known. WA counts a community transmission as “from an unknown source”.
Surgeries with the potential to become emergencies — classified as Category 1 — will go ahead in WA but others such as hip replacements and dental operations in hospitals will be cancelled.
A quick update on COVID-19 for WA from the press conference this morning.
— Roger Cook (@RogerCookMLA) March 21, 2020
26 new cases today - bringing the total to 90
New guidelines announced to restrict hospital visitors
Elective surgery update - category 3 cases cancelled from Tuesday 24 March (further details to come) pic.twitter.com/uqmyFxCmGp
WA health minister Roger Cook made the announcement on Saturday amid reports that doctors and.m nurses were running low on basic protective equipment including face masks.
“The safety of our frontline staff is our utmost priority in the ongoing response to COVID-19,” Mr Cook said.
“This decision, which we have now enacted, to scale back elective surgery is essential to ensure we have access to the right protective equipment to protect our staff who care for patients with COVID-19.
“I understand reducing elective surgery will cause distress for some people, however the COVID-19 pandemic requires us to preserve our PPE (personal protective equipment) and free up capacity.”
READ MORE: Life locked indoors could be make or break
Jamie Walker 6.45pm: Flights that may have exposed passengers to virus
Queensland Health has detailed dozens of international and domestic flights on which passengers were potentially exposed to COVID-19.
Releasing the flight numbers dating back to late February and in some cases the affected seat rows, officials appealed for passengers to come forward. They should contact 13-HEALTH in Queensland.
The move came after Queensland reported another 37 cases of coronavirus overnight, taking the state’s total to 221.
In many cases, affected passengers would already have been approached by government tracing teams. The international flights originated in ports including Dubai, London, Singapore, Los Angeles, San Francisco but some Qantas and Virgin domestic services were also on the list.
READ MORE: Why national lockdown is ‘the best option’
Daniel Sankey 6.30pm: Australian COVID-19 cases balloon past 1000
There are now more than 1000 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Australia after official totals ballooned in the past 24 hours.
Current totals are:
■ NSW: 436 cases, 83 new cases confirmed overnight.
■ VICTORIA: 229 cases, 51 new cases confirmed overnight.
■ QUEENSLAND: 221 cases, 37 new cases confirmed overnight.
■ SOUTH AUSTRALIA: 67 cases as of Saturday, includes 17 new cases.
■ WESTERN AUSTRALIA: 90 cases, 26 new cases overnight.
■ TASMANIA: 10 cases had been confirmed as of Friday.
■ ACT: 9 cases as of Saturday.
■ NORTHERN TERRITORY: 5 confirmed cases as of Saturday.
READ MORE: Chris Kenny — ‘In this crisis, the only answer is democracy’
Amos Aikman 5.02pm NT enacts strict new border controls from Tuesday
The Northern Territory will require anyone arriving by air, sea or road after 4pm on Tuesday to quarantine themselves for 14-days, following Tasmania in imposing strict border requirements to stop the spread of deadly coronavirus.
People who leave the Territory’s 76 remote communities will also be required to self-isolate for 14-days before returning. The new rules will be enforced by law.
Chief Minister Michael Gunner said he had seen what was happening overseas and interstate.
“I am not going to let that happen here,” he said.
“As of Tuesday, I’m saying to the rest of the country, sorry, but if you are not willing to do whatever it takes then sorry, we are shut … right now, the Territory is probably the safest place in Australia and we intend for it to stay that way.”
There will be exemptions to the new rules for healthcare workers, emergency services and freight. Mr Gunner said supermarket shelves would remain well-stocked and urged to Territorians not panic-buy.
“This will not impact essential services. Food and freight will continue,” he said.
“Stockpiling doesn’t help you; it just hurts vulnerable people.”
He urged remote community residents currently in the Territory’s urban centres to return home.
“The fourteen day isolation period will also apply to you. If you leave your home community, you cannot automatically come back,” he said.
“This is for your elders. This is to protect, to protect your stories, your people and your culture.
Police Commissioner Jamie Chalker said anyone breaking the quarantine requirements could face fines of up to $62,000.
“I’m confident … that by 4pm on Tuesday, we will be able to implement these plans,” he said.
“If you have no necessity to be in the Territory, please reconsider your plans … if you are entering the Territory and do not have an exemption, you are mandatorily required to self-isolate.”
Commissioner Chalker said authorities were working toward the new restrictions being in place for at least six months.
READ MORE: Virus ship allowed to dock despite 158 sick
Michael McKenna 4.50pm: Queensland winds back cargo quarantine to free up supplies
Queensland authorities have wound-back a two week offshore quarantine requirement on all cargo vessels just days after it was imposed in the wake of an emerging boycott by international ships bringing supplies to the state.
Maritime Safety Queensland conceded an immediate and “disturbing trend of future scheduled vessel cancellations” to the Port of Brisbane had raised concerns over the short-term supply of imported essential goods.
The restrictions — the toughest state-wide measures anywhere in Australia — were strenuously backed by state transport minister Mark Bailey despite warnings from Australia’s peak shipping body that the forced delays could make international shipping to Queensland unviable.
Read the full story here.
Yoni Bashan 4.30pm: Virus cruise allowed to dock with 158 sick
EXCLUSIVE: A cruise ship that docked in Sydney with four confirmed cases of COVID-19 on Thursday had previously been sailing with 158 sick passengers on board — including 13 with high temperatures — who disembarked at Circular Quay before the vessel left for New Zealand with nearly 4,000 on board.
The Ruby Princess returned to Sydney 11 days later — on Thursday, March 19 — with four confirmed cases of coronavirus; health officials are now urgently trying to track down passengers who were allowed to disperse into the community.
Jamie Walker 4pm Infected activist becoming sicker and more frightened
Prisoner activist Debbie Kilroy, self-isolated with COVID-19, says she is becoming sicker and more frightened.
Eight days into her struggle with coronavirus, an alarmed Ms Kilroy posted that she still can’t shake the illness.
What began with flu-like symptoms on her return to Brisbane from a trip to the US escalated into a draining ordeal as her condition continued to slide.
“My health is deteriorating & I’m starting to get really scared,” she says. “I’ve always been fit, healthy & and strong & I still can’t shake COVID-19.
“After my first symptoms on 10/3 I though this would be over now. What’s happening to me?”
Ms Kilroy appealed to people not to take the disease lightly. “It kills,” she warned.
READ MORE: Bondi Beach closed, beachgoers threatened with police action
Amos Aikman 3.28pm: NT confirms two more cases linked to cruise ship
The Northern Territory has confirmed two more cases of coronavirus, bringing its total to five. The infections were found in a couple who disembarked from the Ruby Princess cruise ship and then flew to the Top End capital, before testing positive for COVID-19 on Saturday. So far, all of the confirmed coronavirus case in the NT have been in people returning from overseas.
READ MORE: Spirited Italians will not succumb
Adeshola Ore 3pm: More Sydney beaches to be closed over crowds
Waverley council has confirmed the council is closing Bondi, Bronte and Tamarama beaches effective immediately.
Surreal scenes at Bondi Beach- punters have a final dip before the beach closes. The flags have been taken down as life savers usher people away. A stark contrast to the photos the crowded shores yesterday. #covid19australia @australian pic.twitter.com/2xcw0V0B9n
— Adeshola Ore (@AdesholaOre) March 21, 2020
The mayor of Waverley Paula Masselos said the council would take down the flags at the beaches on Saturday afternoon in a response to restrictions on public gatherings.
“The beach is now closed. You need to leave the water†- life guards tell beach goers to leave Sydney’s Bondi as council closed beach due to restrictions on public outdoor gatherings over 500 people. #covid19australia @australian pic.twitter.com/HZB6xKrKS1
— Adeshola Ore (@AdesholaOre) March 21, 2020
Jamie Walker 2.45pm: Gold Coast beaches remain open
Gold Coast beaches will stay open despite the decision to close popular Bondi beach in Sydney over the COVID-19 threat.
The sand from Southport to Coolangatta was busy as 32C temperatures and a cloudless blue sky attracted throngs of people.
Gold Coast Council CEO Dale Dickson said authorities were satisfied they were safe - for now.
“The city continues to monitor the situation closely but at this stage the beaches will remain open,” he said.
Agencies 2.30pm: WA cases jump to 90 as young people warned
Health authorities in Western Australia say a spike in new cases has taken the confirmed number of infections to 90 in the state and the national total past 1000.
Meanwhile, young Australians aren’t getting the message on the importance of isolating and experts warn it could result in deaths.
Victoria’s Chief Health Officer Brett Sutton says the message around the importance of isolation and quarantining isn’t penetrating, and young people in particular aren’t understanding what coronavirus means for the entire population.
While younger people don’t get such severe infections there have been cases of people in their 20s dying, and cases of those in their 30s and 40s ending up in intensive care.
Young people also risk passing on the infection to those in vulnerable categories, including older Australians or people with compromised immune systems.
“If you care about the people around you, if you think about protecting your family, your parents, your grandparents ... then you have to think about making that distance between you and other people in all settings at all times,” he said.
There are also concerns about people of all ages not taking quarantine seriously enough.
Dr Sutton said he had heard of people leaving home isolation during their 14 day quarantine, and from newly-confirmed cases that they’d had close contact with people while they’re unwell.
“Everyone who has been told they’re in quarantine, must do so,” he said. “If the trajectory continues regardless of the new travel restrictions, we will have to consider new measures.”
Christine Kellett 2.10pm: Police Minister’s stern warning over Bondi crowds
NSW Police Minister David Elliott has warned police will intervene if there is a repeat of scenes like those at Bondi Beach this week, where hundreds of people “flouted” new public health regulations by not practising social distancing.
He said footage of beachgoers sharing communal shower and change facilities and carrying on life as normal was disappointing and a risk to public health.
“This is not something we are doing because we are the fun police,” Mr Elliott said.
“This is about saving lives. Tomorrow in NSW we will probably crack 500 cases of the coronavirus...but if the community does not comply with the health regulations then this is going to become the new norm.
“We will now be seeing beaches across the state that fail to comply with the public gathering (regulations) closed.
“If people do not comply then the police will have the power to move on individuals.
“The photos we saw this morning ...were quite frankly a breach of public health.”
Surf Lifesaving NSW CEO Steven Pearce said his staff would be given the discretion to withdraw from their patrols if they felt unsafe.
“These are unprecedented times and as you can see this is an evolving situation,” Mr Pearce said.
“Our direction to our lifesavers is that if numbers exceed 500 on the beach, lifesaving patrols will withdraw from the beach. Then surveillance life saving patrols will remain through our support operations. For beaches where the numbers do not exceed 500, that is either for regional or other Sydney beaches, surf lifesavers are given the discretion if they feel their own personal safety is in jeopardy if they do have to come into close contact with anyone, to withdraw from their patrols.
He said, if lifesavers were to withdraw from their physical post, they would maintain patrols through measures such as roving teams and jetski surveillance.
Emily Ritchie 1.40pm: NSW coronavirus cases soar past 400
An additional 83 cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed in NSW in the 24 hours since 8pm on Thursday to 8pm on Friday, taking the state’s total to 436.
NSW Health said the majority of cases diagnosed in NSW were either acquired overseas or are a contact of a known case.
A spokesman said 74 cases had been locally acquired without an identified source of infection and that investigations to establish any links between cases in order to prevent further spread were ongoing.
Seven of the new cases are people who went to a Sydney Church of Christ service on March 8 at Ryde Civic Centre, where more than 300 people were in attendance.
“Close contacts of the cases have been identified and placed in self-isolation,” the spokesman said.
“The church is communicating with the congregation via the church Facebook page and newsletter. Participants who attended this service are being asked to be alert for symptoms of COVID-19 and seek health assessment if this occurs.”
There are also four separate cruise ships that have been found to be affected by COVID-19, in addition to the Ruby Princess which docked in Sydney on Thursday and is understood to have released at least four positive cases into the community.
The four new cruise cases are:
- A 67 year old man who had travelled from Canada before joining a cruise on the Ovation of the Seas ship has been diagnosed with COVID-19. There are no known linked cases, no evidence of an outbreak of respiratory illness on the ship or people who developed symptoms on the last day of the cruise. All passengers are being contacted and advised to self-quarantine and be on the alert for symptoms. The ship left Sydney on 11 March and returned to Sydney on 18 March and did not stop at any overseas locations. The ship is now at sea with only crew on board.
- A case of COVID-19 has been confirmed in a passenger from the Voyager of the Seas, a young woman in her 20s. The ship left Sydney on 25 February, visited the South Pacific and New Zealand, and returned to Sydney on 7 March. The ship is now at sea with only crew on board. There are no known linked cases, and no evidence of an outbreak of respiratory illness on board. It will be 14 days on 21 March at 6.30am since the ship arrived. Although self-isolation of well passengers is no longer required, all passengers are being contacted with advice to seek COVID-19 testing if unwell.
- In the third, the same ship, the Voyager of the Seas, embarked passengers on the evening of 7 March and set sail that night. It arrived back in Sydney after visiting islands in the South Pacific. A passenger on this cruise, a 66 year old man who is a South Australian resident, was confirmed to have COVID yesterday. He is in a Sydney Hospital. There are no known linked cases and no evidence of an outbreak of respiratory illness on board. All passengers are being contacted to ensure self-quarantine, and advised to monitor for symptoms.
- In the fourth, New Zealand has advised that a male passenger on the Celebrity Solstice, which docked in Sydney on 20 March, was reported today to have COVID-19. The case had joined the ship at the beginning of the cruise in Auckland on 10 March and left it in Dunedin on 15 March. There are no known linked cases and no evidence of an outbreak of respiratory illness on board, all passengers are being contacted to ensure self-quarantine and to provide advice to monitor for symptoms.
Jamie Walker 1.25pm: Queensland Health scrambling to trace exposed children
Health authorities in Queensland are scrambling to trace children who came into contact with an infected after-school carer on the Gold Coast, as the state’s COVID-19 count increased by 37 overnight, to 221.
All children and staff who had been at the YMCA-run centre attached to Helensvale State Primary School have been ordered into quarantine for 14 days after the worker employee tested positive to the coronavirus. The worker returned the positive result on Friday, sparking the alert.
State Health Minister Steven Miles on Saturday appealed to bars, clubs and restaurants to adhere to new restrictions limiting venues to a maximum of 100 patrons, each of whom must have at least 4m of distance.
Compliance had been patchy when the measures came into effect on Friday, he warned.
Echoing Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk he urged people to stay home. Venues needed to implement the restrictions on numbers or face heavy penalties. “They need to comply,” Dr Miles said.
Adeshola Ore 1pm: Quarantined woman facing deportation after going for a jog
A Chinese-Australian woman who defied quarantine laws is facing deportation after authorities in Beijing cancelled her visa after she was spotted jogging outside her apartment.
In a video, the 47-year-old woman is seen arguing at authorities at her front door who say she must stay home.
“I need to go running. I need to work out. If I fall sick, who will take care of me? Will you come?,” the woman shouts as she tries to open her apartment door.
A video uploaded to Chinese social media platform, Weibo on Tuesday shows the woman running outside her apartment. The video went viral on social media, before she was fired by her pharmaceutical employer, Bayer.
Beijing’s law requires all arrivals from March 16 to self-isolate amid the pandemic which has killed more than 3,000 people in China.
Emily Ritchie 12.55pm: Bondi beach may be closed
Sydney’s iconic Bondi beach may be closed after Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt today slammed the behaviour of beachgoers failing to follow social distancing advice.
The beach had been closed by the NSW government after crowds exceeded 500 people, according to reports.
It is understood Police Minister David Elliott insisted on the move after thousands of beachgoers defied the social distancing order by gathering in close proximity at the popular tourist spot for a second day.
The closure is temporary, and the measure will extend to other beaches if social distancing advice is being flouted.
Christine Kellett 12.50pm: New Queensland cases push national total past 900
Queensland has confirmed 37 new cases of coronavirus, pushing Australia’s total number of infections past 930.
Queensland health authorities are now urging quarantined residents to strictly adhere to self-isolation and to stay out of the public under all circumstances.
“You must not leave your home. We have support for people, of course we will not abandon anyone,” Queensland’s Chief Medical Officer Jeanette Young said on Saturday.
“Don’t go out there is no excuse. If you need healthcare, ring an ambulance or ring 13HEALTH.”
Emily Ritchie 12.25pm: Australian embassy staff test positive
Three members of staff at three different Australian embassies overseas have returned positive results for the coronavirus.
It is understood one of the infected Australians is Megan Anderson, who is the deputy head of mission at Australia’s embassy in Paris and Australia’s ambassador at UNESCO. Nine newspapers are reporting Ms Anderson contracted COVID-19 last week.
A statement from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade confirmed three members of their staff across the world had returned positive results.
“Three members of staff at three different Australian posts have been confirmed as having COVID-19,” DFAT secretary Frances Adamson said.
“The individuals are being treated and are in isolation, in accordance with Australian standards and the advice of local health authorities. We are closely monitoring the situation and providing guidance and support to staff.”
The department is undertaking measures to protect staff and visitors to the premises’ in question, including contact tracing.
A DFAT spokeswoman said consular services were being provided at the three diplomatic missions.
“Any staff who may have come into contact with the three individuals are following recommended procedures in accordance with Australian standards and the advice of local health authorities,” the spokeswoman said.
“Australia’s diplomatic missions are constantly assessing their operating environment and implementing continuity plans to continue to provide essential services while protecting the health and wellbeing of our staff.”
Emily Ritchie 12.10pm: Extra federal funding to assist with testing and research
Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt has announced $15.6 million in funding for a suite of measures to assist with testing, research and health outcomes as a result of the coronavirus outbreak.
Speaking to reporters in Melbourne, Minister Hunt said the funding would be made available immediately, particularly for the Doherty Institute at Melbourne University which is one of the world’s leading COVID-19 research centres that is working on the development of antiviral treatments.
Mr Hunt confirmed Australia has one of the highest testing rates for COVID-19, with more than 99 per cent of tests undertaken in the county returning a negative result, and that work was underway to develop a new, Australian testing kit to speed up the process.
He said 110,000 Australians had already been tested, with three flights about to arrive in the country carrying more testing kits.
Mr Hunt said a coronavirus stimulus package due to be announced by the government on Sunday was designed to “support Australians get through the next six months”.
“We see this on balance as a six month challenge that we’ve never faced before,” he said.
“But with our health, social and economic measures, although it’s tough, we will get through this.”
READ MORE: Coronavirus: only democracy is the answer
Adeshola Ore 12pm: Jacinda Ardern announces new virus alert system
Jacinda Ardern has broadcasted a message to New Zealanders, advising them of the country’s new alert level for coronavirus.
In a televised national address, New Zealand’s Prime Minister announced a new four-level alert system for the country.
“New Zealand is currently at alert level two. This means the risk of community transmission is growing and so to stay ahead and reduce the chances of a wave growing we need to step things up.”
Check out @jacindaardern nation’s address. This is how it’s done. https://t.co/GazDuDNsol
— Marian Johnson (@MarianInNZ) March 21, 2020
“In February it would have seemed unimaginable to close New Zealand’s borders and now it has become an obvious step as we fight COVID-19. This is because we are experiencing an unprecedented event.”
As part of the measures, Ms Ardern urged people over 70, with a compromised immune system or respiratory condition to stay at home. She encouraged family and friends of people in these categories to assist with delivering food and discouraged citizens and residents from domestic travel.
READ MORE: Federal Science Minister in the eye of virus storm
Christine Kellett 11.47pm: Minister slams Bondi beach scenes as unaceptable
Health Minister Greg Hunt has hit out at people seen flouting social distancing guidelines on Sydney’s Bondi beach this week, calling on local councils to step in.
Hundreds of beachgoers were photographed packed together on the foreshore, carrying on life as normal on Thursday and Friday despite medical experts advising keeping a distance of at least 1.5m apart to reduce the spread of coronavirus.
“What happened in Bondi was unacceptable and the local council must take steps to stop that happening again,” Minister Hunt said on Saturday.
He said the “overwhelming majority” of Australians were doing the right thing and warned those “breaking the rules” that they were putting others at risk.
“To those small few who are doing the wrong thing, think of others,” he said.
“Health is the first priority. It’s our vulnerable Australians, the elderly, those with chronic illness and the immuno-compromised. The message is very clear, we’re all in this together and it’s all of our responsibility. The actions we all take can help to protect and save lives.”
“We need to be our best selves.”
Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews also criticised the behaviour, saying people needed to take the COVID-19 pandemic seriously.
Adeshola Ore 11.30am: 874 cases nationwide as ACT coronavirus infections climb
The number of confirmed coronavirus infections in Australia is edging closer to 1000, with more cases confirmed in the ACT and Victoria overnight.
The current number stands at 874 nationwide, Health Minister Greg Hunt says. Seven people have died.
Health authorities in the ACT announced three more cases overnight, bringing the territory’s total to nine.
All three cases have recently returned from overseas.
The seventh case is a man in his 70s who has recently returned from overseas. He has been admitted to hospital and those in close-contact with him have been urged to self-quarantine.
Health authorities are working to trace travellers on one international and domestic flight the man flew on.
The eight case is a woman in her 60s who recently returned from overseas, She is continuing to self-isolate. Health authorities have identified one international flight where potential exposure may have occurred.
The ninth case is a woman in her 50s who returned from overseas and is now self-isolating. Her close contacts have been urged to self-isolate.
More than 2,000 people in the territory have tested negative to the virus.
Meanwhile in Victoria, 51 new cases of COVID-19 were positively tested overnight, taking the state’s total to 229.
READ MORE: ‘Trump is right, China was too slow to act on virus’
Adeshola Ore 11.25am: Labor says the sick not being tested
Opposition health minister has called for more widespread testing of coronavirus in Australia.
Chris Bowen said members of the public were being turned away from being tested for the virus, despite having symptoms.
“People across the country are exhibiting symptoms, worryingly going for tests and being told they do not meet the criteria,” he said on Saturday.
Mr Bowen added that test results were taking too long to be delivered.
“I’ve heard reports of eight days, six days, we need to do more. Interestingly, other pathology tests are not occuring at the same rate.”
Mr Bowen urged the federal government to equip every pathology lab in the country to deliver test results to the public.
“We do not underestimate laxity, but more needs to be done.”
The shadow home affairs minister called on the federal government to relieve the ‘bottleneck’ of food-delivery issues for people in self-isolation.
“What is happening is that people in self-isolation who cannot access home deliveries are being directed to food banks,” said Kristina Keneally.
She said charity food banks across Australia were running low on stock and volunteer numbers.
“People who can shop at grocery stories should not be directed to food banks. Food banks are there for the most vulnerable in the community. It is a charity and it is a charity that is there to supply people who are most in need with food.”
READ MORE: If just 100,000 Australians die, we will be doing well
Jamie Walker 11.15am: Indigenous communities told to enact disaster response measures
Cape York Peninsula indigenous communities have been told to instigate disaster response measures to keep COVID-19 out.
The advice, from Noel Pearson’s Cape York Partnership group, underlines warnings that up to 70 per cent of Aborigines in Queensland’s far-flung north have underlying health problems, making them especially vulnerable to coronavirus.
In a circular, CYP expresses concern that not all settlements on the cape are locked down. “There are partial restrictions on non- essential travel but significant numbers of FIFO (fly-in, fly-out) services such as health, education, law and order and government services continue to travel in and out,” it says.
On Saturday, Australian National University indigenous health expert Jason Agostino said the disease threat extended to urban populations because of chronically overcrowded housing.
World Health Organisation called for those in quarantine or isolation to have access to their own room.
But 12 per cent of Aboriginal and islander people lived in overcrowded conditions, making this impossible, Dr Agostino told ABC News 24.
“For these people safe housing is the medicine for the coronavirus crisis,” he said.
READ MORE: Life locked indoors could be make or break
Adeshola Ore 11am: Calls grow for childcare closures as numbers drop
A childcare centre in Sydney’s North Ryde has seen a one-quarter drop in its child numbers, as calls for education centre centres to close grows.
The area has seen a cluster of coronavirus cases, with an 81-year old woman who died on Thursday believed to have close contact with a case at Ryde Hospital.
Kid Planets Academy’s director Alex Guan said the centre has lost ten out of its forty students during the coronavirus crisis.
“The first strong hit was when there were cases at Macquarie University and we lost about three kids. Just recently with the travel bans and lockdown, parents have begun to hesitate and panic and more students have left.”
Are you a parent or guardian? If a child is unwell, do not send them to childcare or school. Promote good hand hygiene and keep then at home until the symptoms resolve. #COVID19 pic.twitter.com/Zj5jK4qUty
— NSW Health (@NSWHealth) March 20, 2020
Ms Guan said he predicts child numbers will continue to drop, as some of the centre’s families have lost work due to the coronavirus pandemic.
“We had some enrollments planning to come this month and that has been delayed as well.”
The centre has imposed strict hygiene measures, including taking the temperature of all visitors who enter the centre for three weeks. It is also encouraging staff to drive to work or wear face masks when travelling on public transport.
NSW Health has continued to urge parents to not send unwell children to childcare centres or school.
Emily Ritchie 10.45am: Premier announces huge relief package for Victorians
The Victorian government has announced a sweeping set of payroll tax relief measures to combat the economic impacts of coronavirus in what is the biggest business support package in the state’s history.
The state’s premier Daniel Andrews said $1.7 billion of “cash and support grants” would be made available to businesses to ensure they and their workers can “get to the other side of this crisis”.
“This is not a tax cut, this is not a loan, it is a refund back in the accounts of businesses in just a few days time, cash that will be critical to them being able to support their workers and in turn those workers being able to support their families,” Mr Andrews said.
The announcement came as 51 new cases of COVID-19 were positively tested overnight in Victoria, taking the state’s total to 229.
Mr Andrews said the tax relief package would include $500 million in payroll tax refunds for 24,000 Victorian businesses that employ around 400,000 people with a payroll of up to $3 million.
“Those 24,000 businesses have diligently paid their payroll tax since the 1 July last year, they will receive every dollar they have paid in payroll tax for the year to date back, and the final quarter, the final three months of this financial year will be waived. Not deferred, waived.”
An additional $500 million will be put into a fund to support sectors of the economy that are struggling, with “hardship payments” or small grants to be given in partnership with the Victorian Chamber of Commerce, the Australian Hotels Association and the Australian Industry Group.
“That will be about instilling confidence and providing cash to those businesses that need it most,” Mr Andrews said.
“You can try and stimulate and create new customers to businesses, I think that is incredibly difficult in such a time of upheaval, in such a time of crisis. The far better thing to do is to provide that cash that will tide them over, that will make it more likely that they can get through this crisis and be there at the other end of it.”
State Treasurer Tim Pallas said plans were in place to have cheques to businesses “in the mail by the end of next week.”
The third component of the package includes more than $600 million for a range of different measures including waiving the liquor licensing fees paid by 12,500 venues across the state.
The Premier said the exemption for Crown Casino from previous social distancing measures had been revoked by the chief medical officer, meaning fewer patrons will be allowed entry and they will now need to stay four metres from one another.
He said health advice remains that schools should remain open, despite concerns of parents and families, one week out from that state’s school holidays.
READ MORE: Virus chews up, spits out eveery tenet of globalisation
Agencies 10.10am: Victorian schools extend holidays to fight virus
Victorian public school holidays will be extended by two days to allow teachers to make plans for online learning.
The days off will bookend holidays, with the final day of term one now Thursday March 26.
Students will come back for term two from Wednesday April 15. “Teachers and schools are working hard to prepare for the possibility that we will need to move at some stage to more flexible learning arrangements, including remote learning,” the education department said on Saturday. The plans come as the number of coronavirus infections across the state continues to grow.
A police officer in suburban Melbourne has tested positive for coronavirus, causing the closure of the station they work at.
Ringwood police station was shut for cleaning on Friday after the officer was confirmed to have contracted the virus from an infected person while on annual leave.
The member returned to work on Tuesday when they were notified they had been in contact with a person who had the virus and immediately went into self isolation.
The station was shut for cleaning on Tuesday and staff the officer had worked closely with have also since been self isolating.
A second Melbourne University staff member was also confirmed to have the virus on Friday, after returning from overseas before the government’s mandatory quarantine period for travellers.
READ MORE: The real China virus killed us long ago: Tony Abbott
Adeshola Ore 9.40am: New York orders business closures across city
New York has joined California in ordering the closure of non-essential work from Sunday as the city cracks down on the spread of coronavirus.
On Friday, the city’s governor Andrew Cumo signed an executive order that will shut down non-essential businesses from Sunday at 8pm.
“Why am I increasing the mandate? Because the numbers are increasing. And I said, from day one, this is science and math,” he said on Friday.
“Watch the number, watch the trajectory. You have the density control valve. The number starts to go up, you tighten the valve. If the number doesn’t slow down, tighten the valve more.
Essential services such as health care operations, food manufacturing and news media are exempt from the order.
On Twitter Mr Cumo said these businesses must practice social distancing measures while remaining open.
Essential services businesses: Make sure to implement and follow social distancing rules. pic.twitter.com/Wr9udL52C9
— Andrew Cuomo (@NYGovCuomo) March 20, 2020
Lachlan Moffett Gray 9.05am: Lord Howe Island follows Tassie by shutting off
EXCLUSIVE: The remote community of Lord Howe Island has joined Tasmania in separating itself from the mainland, banning all non-residents from entering on Saturday.
The heritage-listed island lies 600kms off NSW’s coast and hosts a population of just under 400 people.
It is a popular tourism destination, famous for its unique plant and animal life.
There are no cases of coronavirus on the island but NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard made the order to restrict the entrance of non-residents from being ravaged by a quick spread of the COVID-19, and to protect tourists of an older age from contracting the disease.
Any resident returning from the island will have to self-isolate for 14 days in line with government policy for international arrivals. There are exceptions for essential service providers.
The Lord Howe Island Tourism Association’s Executive Officer, Trina Shepherd, said the island’s residents were concerned but largely in support of the restriction to ensure the protection of the island community.
“We appreciate many visitors booked to visit Lord Howe Island in the coming weeks will be disappointed to have their travel plans changed,” Ms Shepherd said.
“For our small economy, which is based almost entirely on tourism, the operators’ support for this Order shows their commitment to the wellbeing of the community for the long term.”
Agencies 9am: Research grants to fight and treat virus
The federal government is offering two medical research grants to find treatment options for coronavirus.
Up to 10 antiviral therapies that could fight the virus would be tested as part of a $8 million grant announced by Health Minister Greg Hunt on Saturday. Another $5 million grant will be offered for clinical trials to treat and manage patients in severe acute respiratory distress because of the COVID-19 strain. Applications for the antiviral grant will open next Wednesday, while respiratory grant applications will be accepted from Monday.
Research funds have already been provided to Australian researchers developing a potential vaccine to prevent infection, though that could be more than a year away.
Agencies 8.30am: Victorian virus cases climb as borders shut
A police officer in suburban Melbourne has tested positive for coronavirus, causing the closure of the station they work at.
Ringwood police station was shut for cleaning on Friday after the officer was confirmed to have contracted the virus from an infected person while on annual leave.
The member returned to work on Tuesday when they were notified they had been in contact with a person who had the virus and immediately went into self isolation.
The station was shut for cleaning on Tuesday and staff the officer had worked closely with have also since been self isolating.
A second Melbourne University staff member was also confirmed to have the virus on Friday, after returning from overseas before the government’s mandatory quarantine period for travellers was put in place.
The total number of confirmed Victorians with coronavirus is now 178, with Victorian hospitals bracing for a fast rise in cases.
Australia’s borders closed on Friday night, meaning non-Australian residents, citizens or immediate family members travelling from overseas were no longer permitted entry.
The last three international flights due to arrive at Melbourne’s Tullamarine airport were from Bangkok and two from New Zealand.
Agencies 8am: Australian expats left jobless by virus pandemic
Five days ago Rebecca Taylor was living her dream - she worked in London and travelled around Europe in her spare time.
Now, she’s among the scores of Australian expats who have had their lives uprooted in an instant and been left jobless by the coronavirus pandemic. On Tuesday morning, the 23-year-old woke to the news that the federal government was calling for all Australians abroad to come home.
She immediately resigned from her job, packed up her life, and 24 hours later was en route home.
“Most of my possessions are still in London. I could only bring back one suitcase,” she said.
“Because everyone was kind of in isolation before I left I didn’t even get to say goodbye to people.” On the journey home passengers around her were wearing hazmat-like suits and goggles when she couldn’t even find a mask.
Unexpected temperature checks during her stop-over in Dubai had MsTaylor worried she’d be detained there.
But after a “full-on” three days, Ms Taylor landed in Sydney on Thursday night. She’s daunted by the uncertainty ahead of her, and in isolation in the Blue Mountains.
“I don’t know when I’m going to be able to work again, there’s no way of knowing when I’ll be able to go back to London, no way of knowing when I’ll get my stuff back.” Vancouver-based Australian Jonathan Bernardini is in a similar position. He was visiting Melbourne when Canada announced it would shut its borders. Mr Bernardini is now unable to return to his medical research job at the University of British Colombia.
He’s applying to the Canadian government for an exemption but isn’t optimistic. “Everything that I’ve got established in Canada - like paying bills, renting my apartment - all of those commitments are still ongoing but I can’t work,” Mr Bernardini said.
“I’m pretty anxious about it. I’m holding out hope but it’s kind of scary to have your career and your livelihood in the hands of a foreign government.” Given his specialised line of work, the 27-year-old fears he’ll find himself unemployed in Australia and will have to move back in with his parents - along with another sibling in the same position.
“The worst-case scenario would be if the virus outbreak is not contained and I find myself in limbo.”
Sarah Elks 7.35am: Queensland to shut border with Northern Territory
The Queensland government has indefinitely postponed its budget, will effectively cut off remote indigenous communities from unnecessary visitors and will shut down the state’s border with the Northern Territory in response to the coronavirus outbreak.
The number of confirmed cases in the state rose by 40 on Friday, taking the total number of people diagnosed with the virus in Queensland to 184. Chief Health Officer Jeannette Young warned the rate of infection in Queensland was escalating, and reiterated advice for Queenslanders to cancel non-essential social plans, particularly for those aged over 60 with one or more chronic illnesses.
Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk confirmed the budget, planned for April 28, would be postponed and could not say whether it would be held before the scheduled state election on October 31.
“I don’t have an exact date yet, but I think everybody would understand that it absolutely impossible to do any forecasts when you don’t know the final implications,” Ms Palaszczuk said.
The Weekend Australian understands the government has supply for the rest of the calendar year.
Anyone planning a big weekend out should rethink their plans. Now is not the time. Social distancing is critical in stopping the spread of coronavirus. #covid_19 https://t.co/y8OTWVj1P6
— Annastacia Palaszczuk (@AnnastaciaMP) March 20, 2020
Treasurer Jackie Trad is working on an economic stimulus package to be delivered within weeks, with a focus on household assistance to Premier.
Deputy Opposition leader Tim Mander said given the uncertainty around the budget, it was vital Ms Trad delivered an immediate economic stimulus package, with Queensland’s response paling in comparison to the $2.3bn offered by NSW.
We’re ensuring all Queensland Government employees have adequate leave and support.
— Jackie Trad (@jackietrad) March 17, 2020
Full time or casual, sick or self isolating –
If you get sick you will be supported, and you will get paid.#qldpol #coronavirusaus
The Queensland government has so far promised a $27.5m package for the tourism, agricultural and education sectors, as well as a $500m no-interest loan facility for businesses and a deferral in payroll tax.
READ MORE: ‘Money won’t get us out of this one’
Agencies 7.20am: Another fall ends Wall St’s worst week since 2008
Wall Street stocks finished a volatile session much lower, spending part of the day in positive territory before plunging to bring the market’s worst week since 2008 to a grim conclusion.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average ended down 4.6 per cent at 19,174.04, below the level when President Donald Trump was inaugurated, as the spreading coronavirus hammers the economy.
The broad-based S&P 500 dove 4.4 per cent to 2,304.70, while the tech-rich Nasdaq Composite Index tumbled 3.8 per cent to 6,875.5. — AFP
READ MORE: Alan Kohler — More debt not the answer to coronavirus panic
Agenices 7am: Cruise ship passengers urged to self-isolate in Sydney
Health authorities are urging almost 3800 passengers and crew from a cruise that returned to Sydney to self-isolate, after four people on board were confirmed to have coronavirus.
As NSW’s total cases rose to 382 on Friday, at least four people on the Princess Cruises-operated Ruby Princess cruise ship that arrived Sydney the previous day were confirmed to be infected.
Three of the confirmed cases were passengers who disembarked the ship after it docked in Circular Quay, while the fourth was a crew member who remains in isolation on the ship.
NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard said it was possible other people on board had COVID-19 and everyone needed to self-isolate for 14 days. Sixty-three per cent of the ship’s 2647 passengers were Australian, 20 per cent were United States residents and the rest were from a variety of other countries.
Ninety-eight of the 1148 crew also disembarked the ship and have left for their home countries, while the rest remain in isolation on the ship off the NSW coast.
NSW chief health officer Dr Kerry Chant said all passengers had been contacted by text and email with authorities next making follow-up phone calls. — AAP
READ MORE: Katrina Grace Kelly — lack of trust threatens social contract
Daniel Sankey 6.30am: Coronavirus death toll in Italy surpasses 4000
Another 627 Italians died due to the coronavirus overnight (AEDT) — bringing the nation’s death toll to 4,032.
Just 24 hours after Italy surpassed China as the nation with the most COVID-19-related deaths, the nation’s Civial Protection Chief Angelo Borrelli said there was also a staggering increase of 5,986 in cases overnight, bringing the official total to 47,021.
Authorities said most of the people who died had existing health problems such as heart disease and diabetes before they were infected with the virus.
The soaring numbers come despite a national lockdown that drastically limits when residents are allowed to leave their homes. Police have issued citations to thousands of people for being out and about without valid reasons, such as going to work or shopping for food.
Mayors and governors throughout the country have been demanding even stricter measures. Italy’s national government is widely expected to respond soon. For days now, Italian authorities have said at daily briefings that the virus outbreak that emerged in northern Italy four weeks ago could reach its peak in a matter of days and the number of new infections might start going down.
READ MORE: Life in Lombardy — a humbling reminder that despite modernity, we’re vulnerable
“We’ll never know when the peaks will be,” Mr Borrelli said, noting that some experts believed cases would peak “next week or the week after” that. — with AP
THREAD: We compare data on ICU bed capacity in countries hit by #COVID19. 30% of Italy’s COVID cases are severe or critical, in China it was 20%. With continued exponential growth in cases, it’s estimated that Italy’s intensive care units will be at maximum capacity this week. pic.twitter.com/gnHHoNmYhI
— Scott Gottlieb, MD (@ScottGottliebMD) March 20, 2020
READ MORE: Gerard Henderson — Confusion breeds chaos, listen to the medics
Agencies 5.55am: Boris Johnson effectively shuts down UK
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has effectively closed down the UK, ordering pubs, restaurants, theatres, cinemas and gyms to shut their doors as his government vowed to cover workers’ wages.
As the coronavirus outbreak sweeps across the world, governments, companies and investors are grappling with the biggest public health crisis since the 1918 influenza pandemic.
Johnson said he understood just how wrenching it was to take away the ancient rights of the British people to go to the pub, but it was absolutely essential to slow the spread of the coronavirus.
“I do accept that what we’re doing is extraordinary: we’re taking away the ancient, inalienable right of free-born people of the United Kingdom to go to the pub, and I can understand how people feel about that,” Mr Johnson said overnight (AEDT).
“It’s a huge wrench to do that, everybody understands that. It’s heartbreaking to think of the businesses that will face difficulties as a result of the measures this country has had to take.”
We are telling cafes, pubs, bars and restaurants to close tonight as soon as they reasonably can, and not to open tomorrow.
— Boris Johnson (@BorisJohnson) March 20, 2020
As far as possible we want you to stay at home.
That’s how we can protect our NHS and save lives.
âž¡ https://t.co/kdHUGOW5he pic.twitter.com/8Hko4bfBnh
The UK so far has 3983 confirmed cases of coronavirus, after 66,976 people were tested, though the government’s scientists say it is raging across London, partly as some people are not obeying government advice to isolate. At total of 177 people with the virus have died so far.
UK Finance Minister Rishi Sunak launched a gigantic stimulus package to stabilise Britain’s virus-hit economy, including the government paying the wages of workers up and down the country. — REUTERS
1/ Getting through this will require a collective national effort, with a role for everyone to play. It’s on all of us.
— Rishi Sunak (@RishiSunak) March 20, 2020
Our Plan for People’s Jobs and Incomes is a combination of measures unprecedented for a government of this nation. The first part is to protect people’s jobs. pic.twitter.com/FOV427gv6f
READ MORE: Greg Sheridan — Globalisation, open borders virus victims
Richard Ferguson 5.45am: PM says interstate travel may be restricted
Scott Morrison has warned that neighbourhood lockdowns and new clamps on interstate travel may be necessary to combat COVID-19, as the national cabinet tightened social-distancing measures on indoor gatherings, sparking predictions of mass closures in the hospitality industry.
Under the strict conditions that came into force on Friday night, all indoor gatherings will need to provide four square metres for every person to ensure social distancing is effective and limit the spread of the disease.
An important update explaining how all Australians can work together to respond to the coronavirus. pic.twitter.com/voOc8BMxn8
— Greg Hunt (@GregHuntMP) March 20, 2020
The national cabinet — made up of Mr Morrison, premiers and chief ministers — will reconvene next week to consider tougher rules on how Australians move around their towns and the country, including the prospect of neighbourhood lockdowns.
As cities across the US and the whole of California were shut down, Mr Morrison said the nation’s medical officers would advise him and premiers on how they could close down parts of cities suffering outbreaks without shutting an entire state down.
Read the full story here.
READ MORE: Tony Abbott — The real ‘China virus’ killed us years ago
5.30am: Donald Trump closes US border with Mexico
US President Donald Trump has invoked the Defense Production Act to get needed medical supplies on the front lines of the coronavirus outbreak and the private sector mobilized against it.
Mr Trump had said earlier in the week he would tap the act as needed. He said overnight (AEDT) he had put that “in gear.”
Mr Trump also announced an effective closure of the US border with Mexico, prohibiting most travel except for trade. That brings it in line with the restriction on the Canadian border earlier this week.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 20, 2020
The US is also suspending interest on student loans to help young people cope with job losses and the financial crunch.
More than 200 people have died from COVID-19 in the US and sickness from the disease is on the rise, with hospitals at risk of being overrun.
READ MORE: Bernard Salt — How digital analysis will defeat virus
How retail umpire mediated a row while on Ukraine mercy mission
Food Code’s Chris Leptos spends his days arbitrating disputes between suppliers and supermarkets, but after hours he’s part of an international group helping to ease the plight of Ukrainians.
100,000 overshoot in ALP migration target
With arrivals outstripping expectations and departures less than anticipated, economists and immigrations experts say Labor will oversee a net migration intake as high as 495,000.