Coronavirus Australia live updates: Deadliest virus hotspot: four deaths at aged care home in 21 hours
The death toll at an aged care home in Sydney’s west now stands at 11 after Anglicare Newmarch House confirmed four residents had died since 8pm Monday.
- PM’s virus probe a political move: China ambassador
- Figure Hunt says proves we’re winning fight
- China tensions escalate over inquiry push
- NSW announces social distance easing
- Tracing app downloads top 2 million
- Trump switches focus to the economy
Welcome to live coverage of the continuing coronavirus crisis. The death toll at an aged care home in Sydney has reached 11 - with four deaths in just 21 hours. China’s Ambassador to Australia Cheng Jingye has refused to back down from threats to boycott trade amid Scott Morrison’s push for coronavirus inquiry. Health Minister Greg Hunt says a sole new case of community transmission in 24 hours shows we are winning the virus fight.
Associated Press 8.10pm Schools a key issue around the world
France and Spain, two of the worst-hit countries in the coronavirus pandemic, were laying out separate roadmaps on Tuesday for lifting their lockdowns, while signs emerged the virus has been all but vanquished in New Zealand.
But on the other side of the globe, Brazil is emerging as a new hotspot for infections. And new doubts were raised over whether Japan would be able to host the already postponed Summer Olympics next year without the development of a vaccine.
In Europe and elsewhere, the key question of when to reopen schools loomed as nations seek to ease lockdowns and restart their battered economies.
In France, President Emmanuel Macron wants schools to start reopening May 11, but teachers, parents and even some mayors are raising alarms. The government says it will be up to parents to decide whether to send children back to class, with details expected to be released by the Prime Minister on Wednesday (AEST).
In the US, which has the world’s highest death toll at more than 56,000, President Donald Trump said states should “seriously consider” reopening their public schools before the end of the academic year, even though dozens already have said it would be unsafe for students to return until the summer or fall.
In Brazil, President Jair Bolsonaro has insisted that COVID-19 is just a “little flu” and there is no need for the type of restrictions that have slowed the infection’s spread in Europe and the US but upended their economies. Brazil, Latin America’s most populous country with 211 million people, has reported 4600 deaths and 67,000 confirmed infections. But the true numbers are believed to be vastly higher.
New Zealand reported just three new infections on Tuesday. Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said people had done an incredible job of breaking the chain of transmission but cautioned they needed to remain vigilant.
“There may still be some smouldering ashes out there, and they have the potential to become a wildfire again, if we give them the chance,” she said, quoting a microbiologist.
Her government loosened its lockdown, which had shuttered schools and most businesses. Surfers hit the waves at dawn, builders returned to construction sites and baristas fired up espresso machines. Most students will still keep studying at home, employees must work from home if possible and everyone is required to maintain social distancing.
READ MORE: Can Rowling’s cure help you breathe easy in the pandemic?
Reuters 7.35pm Death toll in England and Wales ‘35pc higher’
The death toll involving COVID-19 in England and Wales was 35 per cent higher than the daily figures for deaths in hospitals released by the government as of April 17, according to official data that include deaths in the community. The Office for National Statistics said 21,284 people had died as of April 17 with mentions of COVID-19 on their death certificates. That was about 35 per cent higher than the 13,917 people who died in hospitals, as published on April 18 by the government.
That takes the UK’s death toll beyond those reported by France and Spain as of April 17, according to Reuters calculations, although lower than Italy’s toll. A trebling of deaths in care homes in England and Wales within a few weeks contributed to a far higher toll.
The ONS said 7316 people had died in care homes overall during the 16th week of 2020, almost treble the number reported in week 13.
READ MORE: What restrictions easing means
Craig Johnstone 7.05pm Opposition frontbencher quits over illegal gathering
A frontbencher on the Queensland LNP Opposition’s frontbench has resigned his portfolio after being fined for breaching coronavirus restrictions.
Opposition police spokesman Trevor Watts was caught at an illegal gathering in Toowoomba at the weekend.
Opposition leader Deb Frecklington said she learned about the indiscretion today.
“I expect the highest standards from my team, especially my shadow ministers,” she said.
“I have accepted the Member for Toowoomba North’s resignation as the Shadow Minister for Police and Counter Terrorism and Shadow Minister for Corrective Services.”
She has appointed Sunshine Coast LNP MP Dan Purdie as Mr Watts’ replacement.
Queensland Police later revealed two officers, a sergeant and a senior constable, were also fined for being at the same gathering in an East Toowoomba street.
READ MORE: Can J.K. Rowling’s cure help you breathe easy in pandemic?
Imogen Reid 5.35pm: Four deaths in aged care home in less than 24 hours
Four residents from the Anglicare Newmarch House Aged Care Centre have passed away since 8pm Monday night, bringing the western Sydney facility’s total toll to eleven.
The latest victims take the total number of deaths at the facility to 11, rising from seven after NSW Chief Health Officer Kerry Chant early today confirmed an 89-year-old woman resident died at the home overnight.
The news was broken to families today before the operators Anglicare announced the deaths.
“Anglicare Sydney is deeply saddened to advise that four residents from its Newmarch House residential aged care site, who had tested positive for COVID-19, have passed away since 8pm last night,” the statement released just before 5pm said.
“We extend our deepest sympathies to these families for the losses they are experiencing,” Anglicare said in a statement.
“On the best advice available, we know that it will be some weeks before the home is clear of the virus.”
Anglicare was first informed of a coronavirus outbreak at the high-care facility on 11 April after an aged-care employee entered the home over the course of six days, unaware that her mild respiratory symptoms and “scratchy throat” were signs she had coronavirus.
NSW Health have confirmed it is the second biggest outbreak in the state as more than 50 staff and residents have tested positive for COVID-19.
Anglicare said the state’s health authority has provided the support and guidance of Nepean Blue Mountains Local Area Health Network and an Infectious Diseases Specialist to ensure the residents with a positive COVID-19 diagnosis receive the best medical care available.
“This is a tragic time not only for the families who have lost their loved ones but for other residents and families,” Anglicare said.
“It is also taking a deep toll on our staff who cared and knew these residents and families so well.”
Last week, reports emerged the facility was severely short-staffed causing living-conditions to deteriorate and concerned relatives to demand answers.
Anglicare chief Grant Millard said the house was dealing with a “massive challenge” trying to manage the spread of the disease and find replacement nursing staff after 55 employees were ordered into home isolation.
Announcement of the latest deaths this afternoon came hours after anxious family members gathered for their daily rally at the gates of the home demanding better conunication with, and care for, residents of the home.
READ MORE: Staffing at fatal Newmarch House down by a third
Richard Ferguson 4.50pm: PM’s virus probe political move: China ambassador
China’s Ambassador to Australia Cheng Jingye has accused Australia of trying to “cry up wine and sell vinegar” over its push for an independent global review of coronavirus’s origins, claiming DFAT Secretary Frances Adamson played down the immediate need for an investigation.
Mr Cheng’s spokesman on Tuesday said Scott Morrison’s pursuit of a coronavirus investigation is a “political maneuver” and Ms Adamson told the Ambassador they did not want the review to affect relations with China.
“Secretary Adamson tried her best to defend Australia’s proposal about the independent review, saying the proposal neither has political motive nor targets China,” he said.
“She also admitted it is not the time to commence the review now and Australia has no details of the proposal. She further said that Australia does not want the matter to have any impact on the Australia-China relationship.”
“Ambassador Cheng elaborated clearly China’s relevant position, stressing that no matter what excuses the Australian side has made, the fact can not be buried that the proposal is a political maneuver,” he said.
“Just as a western saying goes: Cry up wine and sell vinegar.
“Ambassador Cheng flatly rejected the concern expressed from the Australian side over his remarks during the recent AFR interview, and called on Australia to put aside ideological bias, stop political games and do more thing to promote the bilateral relations.”
Trade Minister Simon Brimingham earlier said the comments were “disappointing” but the government would not take back calls for an investigation.
READ MORE: China blasts Australia’s call for pandemic inquiry
Ewin Hannan 4.25pm: Mobile virus tests to start on Victorian building sites
Construction workers will be able to be tested for COVID-19 on building sites In Victoria under an initiative backed by employers, unions and the Andrews Government.
Victorian CFMEU leader John Setka said he would be one of the first construction workers tested when mobile health facilities start operating on Wednesday.
Master Builders Victoria chief executive Rebecca Casson said the initiative was part of a broader strategy designed to help keep the industry working and Victorians safe.
“This increase in testing is another step in the fight against COVID-19 and is important progress towards a reopening of our economy,” she said.
CBUS chief executive David Atkin said “as a pivotal workforce in the Australian economy, this testing regime is an important initiative to keep workers informed about their health and safety and enables prompt action if necessary”.
“Workers are persevering despite the challenges of COVID-19 and it is important we look out for one another as our members will be at the frontline of the recovery,” he said.
READ MORE: Testing blitz to stall resurgence
Victoria Laurie 4.15pm: Denying basic right: McGowan lashes aged care homes
Aged care home operators are denying elderly residents and their families a basic human right if they prevent them from meeting each other due to COVID-19 fears.
Premier Mark McGowan says the aged care sector should remember that it receives large amounts of funding from the Commonwealth and the sector is required by law to permit parents and their children or grandchildren to meet, even during the pandemic.
“It’s wrong to keep people away from their loved ones in this way,” he said. “It’s a basic human right to be able to see them.”
Under national coronavirus restrictions, aged care residents are allowed to receive one visit per day, with a maximum of two people visiting. Children aged 16 years or less are permitted by exception.
“We understand people have died in Sydney nursing homes but if you put in place the right rules around it, you should allow for people to go and see their parents or their grandparents,” Mr McGowan said.
“Some people in aged care are basically in their last months of life. They should be able to see their sons and daughters.”
He said he endorsed Prime Minister Scott Morrison’s statement that the sector is required to let people in. “If they want to stop people, they should apply for an exemption to do that.”
“We as premiers and the prime minister are all as outraged as each other, if nursing homes are keeping the kids away from their parents. It should not be happening.”
READ MORE: Homes slam door on PM’s order
Victoria Laurie 3.55pm: WA schools get ‘soft’ reopening; one new case
West Australian school children are likely to return in big numbers when a government-mandated ‘soft reopening’ starts on Wednesday.
More than 60 per cent of parents have indicated to the WA education department that they will send their children back into classrooms, Education Minister Sue Ellery says.
Every state school has undergone deep cleaning and cleaners will sweep through school premises several times a day.
Hundreds of part-time and relief teachers have been brought in to replace around 1300 teachers statewide who are unable or unwilling to resume teaching.
Ms Ellery said she hoped Year 11 and 12 students would return to face-to-face teaching, although the decision remained in the hands of their parents under the ‘soft return’ option, which will be reviewed in three weeks.
She said individual schools would decide whether they opt for online teaching or hard packages of material as teaching tools.
School principal Damien Shuttleworth, from Carine Senior High School, says he expects more than 80 per cent of the 2048 enrolled students to arrive on school premises.
Only four staff have opted to refrain from teaching, as they are considered in a risk category.
Premier Mark McGowan said there was only one new case of COVID-19 overnight in WA, an 80-year-old woman whose husband was a passenger on the cruise ship Costa Victoria.
There are 47 active cases, with only 28 West Australians, two interstate visitors and 17 patients from the cruise ship Artania.
Sixteen people are currently in hospital and four in ICU.
Elective surgery resumed in WA on Tuesday, after around 3000 surgeries were deferred due to the need for coronavirus preparations.
READ MORE: Locals only: Beaches open, for some
Gerard Cockburn 3.50pm: Aldi puts annual snow gear sale on ice
Aldi supermarkets are set to resume normal trading conditions, despite the chilly effects of the coronavirus pandemic placing its annual snow gear sale in the deep freeze.
The German discount supermarket retailer has flagged special buys including ski wear will not go ahead this year, saying it is prioritising the nationwide distribution of groceries.
Aldi usually launches its snow sale in May and is synonymous with in-store fights erupting between customers, who are searching for a bargain.
The supermarket’s presence in the nation’s $400m snow gear market has attracted the likes of French sporting retailer Decathlon, which is also attempting to carve out a significant portion of the snow gear retail sector within Australia.
An Aldi spokeswoman told The Australian the decision was partly to do with an anticipated fall in snow holiday numbers, as COVID-19 shutdown measures were likely to restrict travel to Australia’s ski resorts.
READ the full story here.
Brent Read 3.45pm: NRL players fined for distancing breaches, but can play
NRL stars Latrell Mitchell, Josh Addo-Carr and Nathan Cleary have been heavily fined for breaching rules around self-isolation but will be allowed to play when the NRL resumes on May 28.
Between them, the trio were fined $110,000, although each player had 60 per cent of their fine suspended for the season. They also received one-match bans that were suspended for the remainder of the year.
There had been calls for the trio to be stood down for the entire season but while the NRL found they had each brought the game into disrepute, they will be allowed to play from the season resumption provided they stay out of trouble.
READ the full story here.
Eli Greenblat 3pm: Halle-loo-jah: Supermarkets ease toilet paper buying limits
Coles and Woolworths have announced they will lift buying restrictions on some consumer staples including toilet paper and paper towel introduced in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.
The restrictions were put in place mid-March after worried consumers stripped toilet paper and other consumer staples from supermarket shelves in a wave of panic buying that became emblematic of community uncertainty about the evolving coronavirus pandemic.
Stories of toilet paper hoarding were common and some would-be profiteers attracted the attention of police.
But as some states announced they would to ease restrictions on gatherings and visits on Tuesday, Coles and Woolworths announced that some items in stores were being freed from buying limits.
READ the full story here.
Angelica Snowden 1.48pm: ‘Cautious welcome’ for eased restrictions, queries on school
NSW Labor leader Jodi McKay has “cautiously welcomed” the Berejiklian government’s easing of COVID-19 restrictions, but says Sydneysiders need more transparency about why and when measures are lifted.
“We still believe the premier should be very clear for what the criteria are for actually lifting restrictions,” Ms McKay said.
“We do have confusion in regards to what is allowed and what isn’t, what restrictions will be lifted and what won’t,” she said.
The Labor leader also said that while school holidays have ended “the confusion has not”.
“We have called for the Premier to give a clear direction to schools as to what her expectations are,” she said.
“We have 2200 schools and we will have 2200 plans and that is not appropriate.”
Ms McKay said that many school principals and teachers she had spoken to had not yet developed a plan to reintroduce face-to-face learning after only returning on Monday.
“It would be far easier and far simpler if the Premier just gave a direction on what she expects and schools implement that,” she said.
She also said that neighbourhood playgrounds should open as children will now be able to access them in the schoolyard.
READ MORE: What easing of restrictions means to you
Lachlan Moffet Gray 1.45pm: This isn’t a game: AFP to investigate fake app text
Australian Federal Police will investigate who was behind sending a fake text to hundreds of Australians falsely claiming that the government’s COVIDSafe app was tracking their location, with health minister Greg Hunt warning that “this isn’t a game.”
“Any misuse of telecommunications for a hoax is illegal,” Mr Hunt said.
This case has already been referred to the Federal Police for investigation, and that investigation has begun, and anybody who is found responsible will be charged with a significant criminal offence.”
“This isn’t a game. This is about life and death. This is about saving lives and protecting lives. And so, whoever it is, they should be afraid of the law.”
Disability service workers are also set to benefit from an additional 75 million masks that have arrived in Australia while 308 private and public clinics are offering coronavirus testing services.
Mr Hunt said the increase in masks and testing capacity will bolster the nation’s effort to fight coronavirus, with 500,000 masks to go straight to disability workers, with the rest to go to healthcare workers.
“They are saving lives and protecting lives and showing deep compassion every day,” Mr Hunt said.
The number of coronavirus patients in hospitals have also dropped with Mr Hunt saying 111 people were being treated for the disease in hospitals, with 43 in ICU and 27 on ventilators.
“There were some predictions about six weeks ago that by the end of April we would have run out of ventilator capacity, and I am very pleased that not only was that incorrect but they were incorrect by a factor of 300-fold almost,” Mr Hunt said.
READ MORE: Times suiting this online business
Lachlan Moffet Gray 1.32pm: We are winning but we haven’t won yet: Hunt
Almost two-and-a-half-million Australians have downloaded and registered the government’s COVIDsafe coronavirus tracking app as the country approaches 530,000 coronavirus tests.
Speaking outside of the newly-opened Rosebud Respiratory Clinic in Melbourne Federal Health Minister said that enhanced testing and community participation in the app will be key to defeating coronavirus.
“Australians are doing an extraordinary job. We are winning, but we have not won yet,” he said.
As of 12.30pm on Tuesday 2.44 million Australians have downloaded the COVIDsafe app, Mr Hunt said, while the number of coronavirus cases in the last 24 hours across the country increased by 12, with one instance of community transmission and one additional death, brining the nation’s toll to 85.
“There had been 12 cases identified in the 24 hours to 6.30am this morning,: Mr Hunt said, noting that the national case figure is now 6727.
“That includes the fact that most significantly there was only one case from an unknown source. Only one case of community transmission across Australia. That is perhaps the most important figure I have had the privilege of raising since coming into this role.”
“It means that as a country we are not just flattening the curve but we are consolidating it, extending it and securing it.”
Since April 22 there have been 20 cases of community transmission across Australia.
READ MORE: Downloads run hot
ANGELICA SNOWDEN 1.20pm: Clive Palmer antimalarial drug offer criticised
Clive Palmer is facing growing criticism over claims he is helping Australia fight coronavirus after he purchased 33 million doses of the antimalarial drug, hydroxychloroquine.
Royal Australian College of GPs president Harry Nespolon said Australians should listen to medical experts rather than Mr Palmer for advice on how to “handle this pandemic”.
“We simply don’t know if Hydroxychloroquine can cure COVID-19, trials are ongoing and my understanding is that they are not looking promising,” Mr Nespolon said in a statement.
“We need to rely on definitive scientific evidence to determine whether this drug can be used to combat this virus,” he said.
“Please listen to the medical experts, including your local GP, on how best to handle this pandemic not Clive Palmer.”
We have made Hydroxychloroquine available free to Australians and have secured the purchase and delivery of the tablets and raw materials and donated them to the national stockpile.
— Clive Palmer (@CliveFPalmer) April 23, 2020
See our full statement below#COVID19 #coronavirusaustralia https://t.co/Ln7xjcb0ct
Australian National University infectious diseases expert Peter Collignon also said more clinical research was needed. “You will only know if this drug works if you test it in proper clinical trials,” Mr Collignon said on 2GB. “The problem in Australia is that we have been so good at not only flattening the curve but turning it – we may not have enough patients to actually study this properly,” he said.
Mr Palmer, whose political party is likely to run in the Queensland state election later this year, took out a three page ad in the Herald Sun newspaper promoting the 32,900,000 doses of the controversial drug. The ad says The Palmer Foundation has donated the controversial drug to the government to be added to the National Medical Stockpile.
Fresh concerns about the safety of the drug to treat COVID-19 surfaced after an international clinical trial was cut short over concerns at high death rates in study participants.
The drug will be tested in a major clinical trial in Australia, New Zealand and Singapore called the ASCOT study. The drug has previously been touted as a miracle drug by US President Donald Trump.
READ MORE: Hydroxychloroquine trial for COVID-19 test aborted after deaths
Brent Read 1.15pm: NRL star Nathan Cleary in social distancing probe
Penrith and NSW halfback Nathan Cleary is under investigation for allegedly flouting social distancing rules on Anzac Day. The NRL confirmed they were looking into the matter after being alerted to the incident by the Panthers this morning.
Revelations that Cleary is under investigation comes as the NRL prepares to hand down sanctions to South Sydney star Latrell Mitchell and Melbourne winger Josh Addo-Carr for breaking laws around self-isolation.
Both are expected to be fined and potentially suspended for games once the competition resumes on May 28.
Cleary is likely to face similar action should he be found to have breached the rules. The Nine Network obtained images which showed Cleary sitting on a couch while surrounded by as many as five women, some with their arms draped over the Blues State of Origin star.
It is understood the girls were friends of Cleary’s sister and had dropped in to see him on Anzac Day before leaving after a short time.
READ MORE: Nathan Cleary investigated for flouting social distancing
LACHLAN MOFFET GRAY 1.10pm: Health Minister Greg Hunt to update nation at 1.15pm
Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt will address the nation on the government’s coronavirus response at 1.15pm AEST. The press conference can be viewed live on The Australian’s coronavirus blog.
LACHLAN MOFFET GRAY 1pm: No recall request for China ambassador
The Australian government has expressed its displeasure with remarks made by Chinese ambassador Cheng Jingye — but won’t push for Mr Jingye to be recalled, Minister for Trade Tourism and Investment Simon Birmingham has said.
Mr Jingye made comments in an interview with the Australian Financial Review that insinuated Scott Morrison’s push for an independent global inquiry into the outbreak of coronavirus in China could be met with a boycott of Australian services and products by the Chinese public.
The statement has alarmed the government, who must balance its desire for clarity around the origin of the pandemic with its need to maintain a good relationship with the Chinese government to assist in the post-COVID economic recovery.
Speaking to reporters in Adelaide on Tuesday, Senator Birmingham said that the government will not stop pushing for an inquiry into the disease’s origins. “The government has made our displeasure with those (Mr Jingye’s) remarks known,” Senator Birmingham said.
“Our policy positions are clear. They’re based on public health principles.”
Senator Birmingham refused to be drawn on whether Mr Jingye would be subject to a recall request or a meeting with the foreign minister Marise Payne, saying the government’s position on his statements are evident.
“The government has made our views known, and made them clear. And we will continue to advocate for there to be a transparent global inquiry into the cause and management of COVID-19 so that we can minimise the risk of a repeat in the future,” he said.
“And we would hope that China — like any other country around the world —
would see the merits in understanding how the world can be better prepared in the future to prevent and manage any such outbreak were one to occur again.”
READ MORE: Greg Sheridan says Marise Payne is right to reject threats from Beijing envoy
RACHEL BAXENDALE 12.50pm: Health Department forced to correct Andrews
Of Victoria’s 1351 COVID-19 cases — up two since Monday — 1279 people have recovered.
The Victorian Health Department has corrected Premier Daniel Andrews’s comment this morning that a total of 12 Victorians were in hospital. In fact the number is 23, 11 of whom are in intensive care.
No new deaths have been reported in the past 24 hours and the state’s death toll remains 17. The total number of cases is made up of 700 men and 651 women, with people aged from babies to their early nineties.
There are 139 confirmed cases of coronavirus in Victoria that may have been acquired through community transmission. More than 109,000 tests have been completed, with the Andrews government aiming to have completed an additional 100,000 between Monday April 27, and Monday May 11.
Victorians with respiratory symptoms who wish to be tested are encouraged to call the Department of Health and Human Services 24 hour hotline on 1800 675 398.
READ MORE: Steady Andrews takes advantage of crisis
PATRICK COMMINS 12.35pm: Treasury head slams Industry Super Australia
The Senate select committee into the government’s response to the health crisis rolls on and is now into its final hour. Treasury’s head of retirement income policy, Robert Jeremenko, has slammed Industry Super Australia for making what he said are effectively misleading claims around how much less you will have for retirement as a result of pulling out your money now.
We heard earlier that there have been around 757,000 Australians who have taken advantage of emergency rules allowing early access to their superannuation, to the tune of $6.3bn.
Senator James Paterson noted an ISA media release which claimed a 30 year old who withdraws $20,000 (the maximum allowed) would have $97,214 fewer dollars in retirement savings by age 67. That is way above what ASIC’s MoneySmart calculator estimates using the same assumptions: $43,200 less.
Mr Jeremenko said the reason was that the ISA was using “nominal figures, rather than real”. That is, the industry super estimates do not take into account inflation — a strict no-no.
This was “inconsistent with what ASIC has told super funds, or anyone who is making public statements about balances on withdrawal of super balances,” Mr Jeremenko said. It’s standard advice from the Actuaries Institute as well on estimating future balances, he noted.
“Generally the well respected methodology to predict the time value of money is to take into account an inflation adjustment,” he said.
In this instance, using a “nominal figure gives a larger hit to retirement balances”, Mr Jeremenko said. And why use an inflated nominal forecast? “Those who are using it are the only ones who can answer that.”
We’ll say it: ISA used a non-standard measure to put members off withdrawing their money.
READ MORE: Super funds see opportunities in crisis
Richard Ferguson 12.30pm: Tudge says pandemic racism is despicable
Acting Immigration Minister Alan Tudge has called on all Australians to support people of Asian heritage who have been the victims of racism throughout the coronavirus pandemic.
With Asian Australians targeted publicly for weeks, Mr Tudge has put out his strongest statement yet defending the minority community and promising to pursue racists.
“Australians are proud to welcome people from all backgrounds and we give everyone a fair
go, regardless of where they are from. The despicable actions of a few should never be allowed to overshadow this fundamental truth,” he said. “Let me also be clear that this Government has no tolerance for discrimination of any kind. We will not stand for violence, threats or intimidation against anyone, regardless of their background.
“Violence and assault is violence and assault. These are criminal offences and there are
federal and state laws in place with significant penalties, including fines and jail time.
I hope the cowards involved in all these incidents are brought to justice.”
READ MORE: The man who stopped Sweden going into lockdown
MATTHEW DENHOLM 12.20pm: Tasmanian Premier tells Canberra to butt out
Tasmania has told Canberra to butt out of school closures, confirming home learning as the default for term two. Premier Peter Gutwein on Tuesday responded with hostility to federal Education Minister Dan Tehan’s call for children to be back in schools by the end of May.
“We run the schools in Tasmania and I’ll make decisions that are in the best interests of our teachers, our parents and our students,” Mr Gutwein said. “And we believe that the settings we have in place at the moment are the right ones for Tasmania. We will keep them under review but how we operate in Tasmania is a matter for us.”
Schools in northwest Tasmania, where there has been a major COVID-19 outbreak, are closed until next week, while elsewhere parents are encouraged to keep children home unless this is not possible, in which case they can attend school.
Mr Gutwein acknowledged that learning from home was not ideal and may hamper efforts to lift literacy and numeracy.
However, he said this had to be balanced against the health and safety of teachers, students and the community. “If the best way of educating kids was to use distance learning, we would have been using that form of learning well before the pandemic,” he said.
The state recorded two further coronavirus cases, both in the northwest, overnight on Monday, while an inconclusive test result in the south revealed on Tuesday is being treated as COVID-19 until further testing clarifies the diagnosis.
In all, the state has recorded 214 cases, about two-thirds of which have occurred in the northwest, related largely to the outbreak focused on two Burnie hospitals.
A police investigation has found no evidence a dinner party involving health workers in the northwest was held in violation of lockdown requirements.
READ MORE: Gutwein shines with skills no one knew he had
Finbar O’Mallon 12.10pm: New research on mental health impact
Australians are suffering worse mental health as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, new research shows. A Swinburne University survey released on Tuesday says people reported being depressed, stressed or anxious up to five times more than they were before the outbreak.
Young people, women or people who already had a mental health condition were more likely to be experiencing negative emotions as a result of the virus. The survey found Australians were reporting three times more negative emotions in the first days of social isolation compared to what they reported to a 2019 survey.
People with existing mental health conditions were reporting up to five and half times more negative emotions. Professor Susan Rossell, who is heading the study, said Australians were more concerned about their friends and family than themselves. Another concerned demographic was middle aged Australians with kids at home. Professor Rossell said the country’s mental health system was already at capacity.
“We’re going to have all these extra people who wouldn’t have normally had any kind of mental health problems seeking psychological support,” she said. The study will go for five years, with Professor Rossell pointing to the long term mental health impacts of events like September 11 or other pandemics. “Those long term impacts need to be considered in terms of policy development for mental health services,” she said.
The study involves 5500 Australians, but researchers are still looking for more participants, especially people from outside Victoria and NSW, as each state handled coronavirus differently. — AAP
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LACHLAN MOFFET GRAY 11.50am: 400,000 New Zealanders go back to work
More than 400,000 New Zealanders have returned to work, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said, as the country leaves the economic shackles of strict “level four” restrictions behind.
On March 25 the country entered one of the strictest lockdowns in the southern hemisphere, shuttering businesses and most stores except for supermarkets and pharmacies, while all schools were closed and people ordered to stay at home.
On Monday, amid much fanfare, the country moved to “level three” restrictions with Ms Ardern declaring the elimination of the virus was in sight.
Schools from years one to ten have reopened — although children are being encouraged to learn from home — businesses can reopen and gatherings of up to ten people are permitted for weddings and funerals.
“What level three does represent is a move towards getting the economy moving again, getting more New Zealanders back to work and opening more of our businesses,” Ms Ardern told reporters on Tuesday. “Level three will see 400,000 more New Zealanders back at work, taking the total to one million kiwis working. At level three 75 per cent of the economy is working with building and construction, forestry, manufacturing and contactless retail starting up.”
The move will ease pressure on government coffers, with the NZ government already paying out NS$10.46 billion (AU$9.73 billion) to more than one million out of work New Zealanders in a wage subsidy scheme similar to the Australian government’s JobKeeper scheme.
Despite welcoming the lifting of restrictions, Ms Ardern said that New Zealanders had keep practising social distancing to prevent a second wave of the virus. “With more people going back to work today, we need to be even more vigilant at level three to prevent any inadvertent spreading of the virus,” Ms Ardern said. “We must continue to stay home where possible, including for work and education. Please stay regional and limit non-essential travel.”
New Zealand has 1472 confirmed cases of the virus and 19 deaths.
READ MORE: Maccas mayhem as NZ ends lockdown
PATRICK COMMINS 11.15am: Treasury boss faces grilling at estimates
Treasury boss Steven Kennedy is up this morning for a three-hour grilling by the Senate Select Committee on the government’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. He started by outlining the unprecedented economic blow of “speed, magnitude and shape” which provided a twin “supply and demand shock”.
He repeated the Treasury estimates that unemployment will rise to 10 per cent in this quarter, despite the government acting “decisively and early” with a “balanced approach to restrictions”.
Dr Kennedy said $10bn has gone out the door to support Australian workers and businesses over the past three weeks. When challenged why money hasn’t got out to people more quickly, he said from his point of view the dollars “are running out remarkably quickly”, while adding he appreciated that this was of little comfort to those businesses in sore need of support now.
“Making billions of dollar of payments within four weeks of an announcement I would regard as a rapid payment of money, and I don’t see what the alternative would be.”
Australians justifiably are feeling the pain of strict social distancing measures, but Dr Kennedy noted that, thanks to an early response, we have it better than other countries. We have “continued a wider range” of activities, with construction, mining and manufacturing operating through the crisis. “Some countries have not had a choice” in the matter, he said.
Looking ahead, Dr Kennedy said “over time the uncertainty around the progression of the virus will diminish”, but he warned that “some jobs and businesses will have been lost permanently”.
Senator Perin Davy asked whether some of the entrepreneurship displayed by small manufacturers during the COVID crisis — such as switching to making ventilators — will get the opportunity to continue with these activities post-crisis.
“I do see those opportunities,” Dr Kennedy said. Firms have been forced to find alternative inputs as global supply chains have been disrupted during the crisis, and he was hopeful “the entrepreneurship you encourage in responding to the crisis will stick”.
“Out of crisis comes some benefits,” he said, even as he acknowledged that some firms haven’t been able to change their activities and are “sitting there with their doors closed”.
He said that typically there was a “diversification of supply chains that naturally happens during these shocks”, pointing to the Asian financial crisis of the late 1990s as a case in point. “I suspect we will see some of that.”
Nonetheless, he emphasised “it’s valuable to Australia to be complementary to Chinese growth”.
“There’s a great economic return to Australia in continuing to support Chinese development and growth through trade relations,” Dr Kennedy said.
Senator Kristina Kenneally has asked about early release of super, and Treasury’s deputy secretary of fiscal group, Jenny Wilkinson, said there have been 762,000 applications for early release of super, and that 757,000 have been approved, worth $6.3bn.
And that’s it for Steven Kennedy, who has to be off and leaves at 11am. The committee enquiry is set to go for another two hours.
READ MORE: Ditch policy complacency for fresh economic agenda
RACHEL BAXENDALE 11am: Victoria police fine another 56 offenders
Seven people gathering in public to drink alcohol, three men watching movies in a vehicle and multiple people travelling to visit friends’ houses were among 56 people issued with physical distancing fines in Victoria in the 24 hours to Monday evening. Victoria Police said they had conducted 903 spot checks at homes, businesses and non-essential services in the 27 hours to 11pm on Monday. Since March 21, 31,663 spot checks have been conducted.
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Angelica Snowden 10.50am: China’s threat won’t force inquiry backdown
The federal government has spoken with China’s ambassador over his “threats of economic coercion” if Australia continues to call for an investigation into the coronavirus pandemic, Trade Minister Simon Birmingham says.
“(The ambassador) had a discussion with the secretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade,” Senator Birmingham said on ABC Radio National.
The outcome of that discussion would be up to China’s Ambassador Jingye Cheng to reveal, Mr Birmingham said.
Mr Cheng suggested that Beijing would boycott agricultural products and could stop sending tourists and students to Australia if the Morrison government continued calling for an investigation into the outbreak of the pandemic.
Senator Birmingham said the comments were “disappointing” but the government would not take back calls for an investigation.
“This pandemic is causing enormous economic cost here in Australia and around the world as well as a tragic loss of life,” Senator Birmingham said.
“Australia is not going to change our policy position on a major public health issue because of economic coercion or threats of economic coercion,” he said.
Senator Birmingham reaffirmed the government’s calls for an inquiry to ensure a similar pandemic would not happen again.
“Our government is very clear that we have seen enormous loss of life around the world of hundreds of thousands of people and huge economic disruption to billions of lives across the planet,” he said.
Despite the public displays of tension between the two countries, Senator Birmingham said Australia and China should continue to maintain a positive trading relationship.
“Let me also be clear – any policy differences we have with the government of China, (should not) get in the way of continuing to have positive people to people relations and dialogue and positive business to business relations and engagement,” he said.
“Our economy is a crucial supplier to China’s economy, just as China’s economy indeed supplies valuable resources and services to Australia’s economy and we want to maintain a positive relationship.”
READ MORE: How sunlight can help fight coronavirus
Lachlan Moffet Gray 10.30am: Spike in child illness alarms doctors
Doctors in Britain have warned of a rise in children being admitted to intensive care wards with a coronavirus-related condition. Read more here
Staff Reporters 10.05am: Chinese scientists studied bats in Australia
Two Chinese scientists, who Western intelligence agencies are focusing on as part of an investigation into coronavirus origins, studied bats in Australia. Read more here
Rachel Baxendale 10am: Victoria’s new cases fall to two
Victoria has confirmed two more cases of COVID-19 overnight, bringing the state’s total to 1351.
Premier Daniel Andrews said there were 12 people in Victoria’s hospitals with the virus, including 11 in intensive care.
Cameron Stewart 9.45am: President Trump unveils new testing regime
Donald Trump has released new national guidelines to boost coronavirus testing to answer growing criticism that not enough testing has been done to give confidence to Americans to return to work.
But the President has still left the responsibility of testing to state governments, describing the federal government’s role as “a supplier of last resort”. Read more here
READ MORE: Trump is losing the politics of the pandemic
Angelica Snowden 9.30am: Aged care sector generally ‘managed well’
Aged care minister Richard Colbeck says aside from two outbreaks in facilities western Sydney and the north west of Tasmania, the sector has managed the COVID-19 pandemic well.
Mr Colbeck told ABC Radio National he would continue to encourage aged care homes to allow families to visit their loved ones based on advice from the Chief Medical Officer Brendan Murphy and the Australia Health Principal Protection Committee.
“This is a very delicate balance and I completely understand that the aged care sector has acted with the best of intent with respect to keeping COVID-19 out of their facilities and I have to say they have done a really good job,” he said.
Mr Colbeck said the number of coronavirus infections and deaths due to the illness in aged care homes have been minimal due to actions of the sector and the government.
He said the decision to ask all aged care facilities to open up their homes and allow visitors was for the “broader wellbeing of residents”.
He also said from May 1 anyone visiting an aged care facility should have had a flu vaccination and anyone returning from overseas should not go.
READ MORE: Ditch complacency for fresh agenda
Craig Johnstone 9.15am: No new virus cases in Queensland
Queensland has recorded no new cases of COVID-19 overnight as the state government urges people to get vaccinated against the flu and download the federal government’s coronavirus tracing app.
Health Minister Steven Miles said just 14 people remained in hospital with the virus, with six of them in intensive care.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk brushed aside questions about the latest Newspoll results showing voters had rated her leadership performance lower of all other state premiers.
“The only numbers I’m interested in are these numbers of new cases in Qld and the number of lives that we are saving,” she said.
Chief health officer Jeannette Young said flu cases in the state were at record lows due to social distancing restrictions but she insisted people should still get their flu shot as a precaution.
Ms Palaszczuk said the number of new virus cases would dictate when schools returned to normal.
“If we keep seeing those low cases more class contact between students and teachers. These next 2 weeks is really critical,” she said.
She said only a handful of countries around the world had their schools fully open.
READ MORE: Teething issues but downloads run hot
Lachlan Moffet Gray 9am: Financial update to be handed down
Treasurer Josh Frydenberg and Finance Minister Mathias Cormann will provide an update on the economic impacts of coronavirus to the house and senate on May 12.
The joint speeches will provide an outline of the $320 billion spent so far to tackle the coronavirus crisis as well, as the nation’s finances. Read more here
Angelica Snowden 8.45am: Nursing home death details revealed
NSW Chief Health Officer Kerry Chant has confirmed another resident at the Newmarch House aged care facility Sydney’s west died overnight.
An 89-year-old woman resident died, bringing the total number of deaths in the facility to seven.
Dr Chant also said another staff member has contracted COVID-19. There are now 20 staff and 34 residents who have contracted the illness.
The NSW death toll is now 37.
Angelica Snowden 8.35am: Premier Berejiklian warns: ‘no risks’
NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian said everyone must take up the easing of social distancing restrictions “responsibly”.
“Don’t take risks,” she said. “We don’t want to see the numbers suddenly spike up because people are being irresponsible.
“I anticipate during May, we will see more cases and that’s because when you increase activity, when you see people move around more frequently.”
She said there would be an increase in COVID-19 cases but the health system would be able to cope with any spikes because extra personal protective equipment was stockpiled in April.
“We’re ready, whether it’s in schools, whether it’s people going shopping or whether it’s people now visiting houses two adults at a time.”
She says more retail outlets have opened ahead of schools going back to face-to-face learning.
“We’ve already said in NSW, I suspect because of the low number of cases and also because of the advent of schools going back, some retail outlets have chosen to reopen their doors,” she said.
“We encourage people to buy what they need and want, but please make sure that when you’re in those shops, when you are shopping, that there’s good social distancing.”
She said her government encouraged the slow reopening of retail outlets because it would be a boost for jobs.
The Premier also said she hoped students would return to full time, face-to-face schooling before the end of term two.
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Angelica Snowden 8.10am: NSW ‘doing well’ as it eases restrictions
NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian has announced a relaxation of restrictions on the state’s social distancing measures.
The Premier also announced May will see people allowed to visit each other and increased retail activity.
“From May 1, on Friday, two adults will be able to go and visit anybody else in their home on the basis of care, on the basis of reducing social isolation and (improving) everybody’s mental health,” she said.
“I raised yesterday the prospect of increased retail activity. Please take May as a sign of us doing well, as a sign of NSW moving towards easing restrictions.”
The Premier clarified that two adults can visit friends or family with their young children.
She also said urged people to continue practising social distancing when visiting anyone over the age of 70.
The Premier recommended that people over the age of 70 only leave home for essential reasons and keep their visits with other adults to a minimum.
The Premier also said out of over 4000 tests, five new cases were recorded overnight.
READ MORE: Surveillance key to easing lockdown
Lachlan Moffet Gray 8am: National COVID-19 death toll rises
A seventh resident of the Anglicare Newmarch House aged care facility in the western Sydney suburb of Caddens has passed away of coronavirus, Anglicare says.
No personal details of the individual have yet been released.
A cluster outbreak at the facility has infected at least 48 residents and staff. There have been 37 coronavirus deaths in NSW and 84 across Australia.
READ MORE: Teachers, pupils ‘must feel safe’
Angelica Snowden 7.55am: NSW Premier to deliver COVID-19 update
NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian will give an update on the COVID-19 pandemic in her state at 8am AEST.
The Premier will be joined by the NSW Chief Health Officer Kerry Chant, Police Deputy Commissioner Gary Worboys and Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Rob Stokes.
Watch a live stream of the update here, on The Australian’s live blog.
Lachlan Moffet Gray 7.40am: China boycott threat ‘irresponsible’
Trade minister Simon Birmingham says a potential Chinese boycott of Australian tourism or other services in response to Scott Morrison’s push for an independent investigation into the origins of coronavirus “inappropriate” and said it would be “irresponsible” not to apply scrutiny to the pandemic.
“Australia’s position is very clear that we believe it is entirely reasonable to have, for there to be a genuine inquiry and investigation into the cause of the loss of life of hundreds of thousands of people around the world,” Mr Birmingham told ABC News 24 on Tuesday.
“In fact, it would be irresponsible for there not to be some global co-operation around such an investigation and inquiry.
“And we won’t be changing our public policy position on the face of such a serious public health matter in the face of any threats of coercion from any other nation.”
Mr Birmingham said that Australia’s economic relationship with China would continue, but attempts would be made to diversify trade markets.
“We’ll also continue to help Australian businesses to find other markets, as we were doing before this pandemic, as part of our India economic strategy, as part of our free trade negotiations with the European Union,” he said.
“We want to give Australian businesses as many choices as possible. It’s for them as to how they then engage in those choices.”
READ MORE: Tourism faces a dark winter
Lachlan Moffet Gray 7.30am: Tracing app downloads top 2 million
More than two million Australians have download the COVIDsafe coronavirus tracking app in just over 24 hours since it launched on Sunday night, Prime Minister Scott Morrison said on Twitter.
Well done Australia. We’ve just passed 2m downloads for COVIDSafe.
— Scott Morrison (@ScottMorrisonMP) April 27, 2020
But we’ve still got more to do keep you & your family safe, protect our doctors & nurses & help us get back to the way of life we love.
Join us in stopping the spread, download it now.https://t.co/Cg7e1mK3eU
Health Minister Greg Hunt previously said that he hoped the app – which keeps a register of app users when they come into close contact with one another – would be downloaded one million times within the first five days of the app’s Sunday night launch, a target that has well and truly been beat.
However, some Australians have avoided downloading the app, citing security concerns and a desire to avoid voluntarily giving information to the government. Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton on Tuesday said Australians had nothing to worry about.
“We have gone through every element of it with the security experts here to make sure that every protection is put in place. If you have Google Maps on your iPhone and you have location services and other apps on your iPhone, it is real-time knowing where you are,” Mr Dutton told Sunrise on Tuesday.
“This does not do any of that. It has a Bluetooth handshake with someone you have been in contact with, say a 1.5m distance within 15 minutes, it holds the information on your phone. It is only accessed by public health officials if you turn up to a hospital or clinic and you’re diagnosed as positive a COVID-19.”
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Lachlan Moffet Gray 7.20am: Sydney beaches open — for locals only
Sydney’s eastern suburbs beaches of Bronte, Tamarama and Bondi will reopen for local swimmers only at 7am on Tuesday.
Our Lifeguard Coordinator, Bruce Hopkins talks about our Surf & Go and Swim & Go measures available at our beaches tomorrow morning. Stay safe everyone! For more info, read our FAQs here: https://t.co/hpH6iBjUwi pic.twitter.com/ob5J63b8af
— Waverley Council (@WaverleyCouncil) April 27, 2020
Waverley council said the beaches would remain open for locals on weekdays between 7am and 5pm for locals, with designated entry and exit points along the shore to control the crowds.
With the aim of discouraging loitering, the council is promoting a “swim & go” and “surf & go” campaign.
Bondi Beach has been closed since March 21 when photos of crowds flocking to sunbake and socialise despite the escalating coronavirus pandemic went around the world.
Angelica Snowden 7.10am: Wuhan reports no more virus cases
Wuhan, the city at the centre of China’s coronavirus outbreak, has reported its last 12 COVID-19 patients have been sent home and there are no more hospitalised cases, the Hubei province health commission says.
Hubei’s remaining patients were all in Wuhan, the provincial capital where the outbreak took the heaviest toll in China.
The 3869 people confirmed to have died in the city account for more than 80 per cent of the country’s reported deaths.
India
India’s main medical research organisation has cancelled orders to procure rapid antibody test kits from two Chinese companies after quality issues and controversies over its price.
The order was cancelled on Monday after a New Delhi court revealed that the Indian government was paying more than twice what it cost to import them.
States in India had wanted rapid testing kits to identify the true spread of the virus within communities.
Experts have pointed out that while the lockdown has slowed the rate of transmission, effectively scaling up testing is the key that will allow India to get ahead of the virus.
India’s health ministry says the recovery rate of COVID-19 patients in the country stands at 22 per cent after reporting more than 27,000 cases of the new coronavirus, including 872 deaths.
Singapore
Singapore reported 799 new infections Monday to take its total to 14,423, including 12 deaths.
The health ministry said the vast majority of the new cases were again foreign workers living in cramped dormitories.
READ MORE: Boris faces full in-tray upon return
Lachlan Moffet Gray 6.50am: Brazil could become virus epicentre
Fears are rising that Brazil could become another centre for the coronavirus as infections grow and President Jair Bolsonaro’s government maintains that the disease is just “a little flu,” not necessitating widespread shutdowns.
The South American nation is officially reporting 63,328 cases of the virus and 4298 associated deaths, but medical officials in the country believe the infection number could be one million or more, warning that hospitals in Rio de Janeiro and other major cities are overwhelmed, leaving many poorer Brazilians to potentially die at home of the illness.
In Sao Paulo, the paramedic service reported that it issued 236 death certificates for people who died at home in the last fortnight, double the number before the outbreak.
Last week, Brazil’s funeral industry warned that the Amazonian city of Manaus was running out of coffins, with 142 deaths on Sunday alone necessitating the digging of mass graves.
Most of these deaths are not being reported in official coronavirus statistics, NPR reports.
The virus is threatening Mr Bolsanaro’s leadership, with his government destabilised by the sacking of the health minister, the resignation of his justice minister, and battles with state governments over his apparent lack of action over the virus.
READ MORE: The man who stopped Sweden lockdown
Angelica Snowden 6.40am: New York State eyed ‘unpause’ date
New York Governor Andrew Cuomo has outlined how stay-at-home restrictions could be eased for parts of the state where the coronavirus outbreak is less severe.
In order to ease restrictions, Mr Cuomo said regional officials must ensure testing is up to speed and there are enough hospital beds available to handle a combined load of coronavirus and flu patients.
“In some parts of the state, some regions, you could make the case that we should unpause on May 15,” Mr Cuomo said at his daily news briefing.
He said a gradual reopening was like “turning a valve a bit at a time”.
Mr Cuomo outlined reopening guidelines as statewide hospitalisation rates and deaths continue to decline from peaks this month.
The 337 deaths recorded statewide Sunday was the lowest daily tally this month and down from a high of 799 on April 8.
More than 17,000 people have died in New York since the start of the outbreak.
In other developments New York has cancelled its Democratic presidential primary scheduled for June 23 but will still hold its congressional and state-level primaries on that day.
Over 53,000 people have died in the US due to COVID-19. The number of cases in the country is 980,008.
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Lachlan Moffet Gray 6.20am: Global coronavirus cases top 3 million
Johns Hopkins University reports that coronavirus cases globally have reached 3,020,117 and deaths are at 209,799.
More than 885,000 of the confirmed cases have recovered.
In Italy and France, who have announced the rollback of strict coronavirus shutdowns next month, the daily death toll increased slightly.
Italy’s toll for Monday was 333, compared to 260 the day before, while France’s number jumped two per cent to 437.
26,977 people have died in Italy – the most out of any country outside the US. The death toll in France is 23,293.
However, Italy’s infection curve is flattening, with its Civil Protection Agency saying that the tally of new confirmed cases on Monday declined to 1739 from 2324 on Sunday – the lowest increase since March 10. The number of active confirmed cases fell from 106,103 to 105,813.
Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte has announced that Italy will gradually lift lockdown restrictions from May 4, culminating in schools reopening in September.
French Prime Minister Edouard Phillipe is set to present a lockdown exit strategy on Tuesday – despite the small increase in deaths, the number of people in France’s hospitals and ICU units have fallen for 10 straight days.
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Mike Stobbe 5.15am: Trump switches focus to kickstarting US economy
US President Donald Trump is trying to put the coronavirus behind him and the nation, pivoting his focus to plans to reopen the country just days after his public musing on the injection of disinfectants to cure the virus.
As part of the effort, the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention will later today (AEST) release new priorities for virus testing, including testing people who show no symptoms but are in high-risk settings. And the White House is to unveil what it describes as a comprehensive overview of its efforts to make testing for COVID-19 more widely available, with the goal of having enough supplies available for states to test at least 2.6% of their people per month.
Draft guidelines sent by the CDC to Washington include a long list of recommendations for organisations as they begin to reopen after the lifting of coronavirus restrictions, including businesses closing break rooms, schools spacing desks six feet apart, and restaurants considering disposable plates and menus.
The draft includes guidelines for schools, camps, childcare centres, religious facilities, mass transit systems, workplaces, and restaurants and bars.
Once Phase Three is reached, senior care facilities and hospitals can reopen for visits.
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) April 27, 2020
Large venues can operate with limited physical distancing protocols.
Gyms can operate with sanitation protocols. pic.twitter.com/KISrpugO6Q
Some states have started to ease closure orders, and Trump is expected to spend the coming days highlighting his administration’s efforts to help businesses and employees. — AP
READ MORE: Cameron Stewart — How Trump is losing politics of pandemic
Mark Whittaker 5am: Review shows how sunlight may help fight virus
A study of 78,000 participants has found that those with low levels of vitamin D — the “sunshine vitamin” — were almost twice as likely as those with high vitamin D levels to get the type of extreme lung infections that now are killing COVID-19 sufferers.
How does this translate to the pandemic? “Now, more than ever, is not the time to be vitamin D deficient,” says Rachel Neale from Brisbane’s QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute. “It would make sense that being vitamin D deficient would increase the risk of having symptomatic COVID-19 and potentially having worse symptoms. And that’s because vitamin D seems to have important effects on the immune system.”
Nitric oxide, this molecule we produce naturally with sunshine, has been used by doctors in Italy with success to help COVID-19 patients, but not in a study format. A trial of 240 COVID-19 patients is up and running in Sweden, the US and Austria.
Read the full story here.
Simon Benson 4.45am: Palaszczuk lags in state premier popularity stakes
State premiers are riding a wave of unprecedented popularity, earning approval ratings ranking alongside Scott Morrison for their handling of the coronavirus crisis, with the exception of Queensland’s Annastacia Palaszczuk.
An exclusive Newspoll conducted for The Australian shows West Australian Labor Premier Mark McGowan, who faces an election in March next year, enjoyed the highest support for his handling of COVID-19, with 94 per cent saying he had managed it well.
This was reflected in a broader approval rating of 89 per cent in a state that regards itself as apart from the rest of the country.
Victorian Labor Premier Daniel Andrews and NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian both recorded a surge in support for their handling of the coronavirus crisis, but Ms Palaszczuk has been ranked the worst-performing of the state leaders during the crisis as she heads toward a state election in six months.
Read the full story here.
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