Coronavirus Australia live news: Anti-lockdown protests turn violent; NSW records 825 new cases; Statewide lockdown in Victoria
Melbourne police were forced to deploy the most powerful nonlethal weapon available as protests turned violent amid bleak news of statewide lockdown; NSW protests quelled as the state recorded 825 new cases.
Victoria Police made 218 arrests and issued 236 fines after an estimated 4000 protesters stormed the Melbourne CBD, with police deploying levels of force not seen before during a “freedom” protest.
Police were forced to deploy the most powerful nonlethal force available to dispel protesters, with officers firing pepper ball rounds into crowds. The pepper balls, described as the “leader in nonlethal solutions”, are filled with a chemical that irritates the eyes much like pepper spray, and can be fired by a munition launcher that looks like a pistol. Police also used OC foam to clear crowds out of the city.
Seven officers sustained injuries including two with suspected broken noses, one with a broken thumb and others with concussions, with six requiring hospitalisation.
Three people out of those arrested were charged with assaulting a police officer.
“While there were some peaceful protestors in attendance, the majority of those who attended came with violence in mind,” a police spokesperson said.
“The behaviour seen by police was so hostile and aggressive that they were left with no choice but to use all tactics available to them.”
Police said investigations will continue into who was responsible for several flares being ignited on city streets.
Each protester issued with an infringement notice will be fined $5452 for breaching health directions.
In Sydney, NSW Police say they stopped about 250 people from protesting in Sydney’s CBD, laying scores of charges and fining more than 260 people.
NSW Police Minister David Elliot said the crackdown on the planned anti-lockdown ‘freedom’ rally had “worked to perfection”.
About 1400 officers set up checkpoints and stopped 38,000 vehicles in the city and surrounds from 9am.
“This is not about stopping freedom of speech, it’s about a temporary stop to the freedom of movement,” Mr Elliot said.
“We saw the community backlash after the last protest and that was a genuine reflection of how they saw the actions of a small minority.
“That small minority has again chosen to blatantly ignore the very clear, repeated warnings of NSW Police, which is disappointing, frustrating and – frankly – disgraceful.
“The actions they have taken are likely to prolong the very lockdown they were protesting about.
Forty-seven people will be charged.
The protests came as NSW recorded 825 new cases and three deaths, and regional Victoria was plunged into lockdown after 16 new cases were added to today’s case numbers, bringing the new case total to 77.
How today unfolded
Greg Bearup 8.15am:Fearing death but living in denial
As this pandemic presses a boot to the throat of Dubbo, some tough conversations are taking place in the city’s overcrowded government houses.
“I was on the fence,” says 28-year-old mother of three Amy Stanley. “And then I thought, ‘Yeah-nah, I gotta jump that fence, I gotta get it done. I gotta get vaccinated’.” She’s now desperately trying to convince her reluctant father Peter to do the same.
Amy is a disability support worker and her employer had been at her for months to get the vaccine. She resisted even as the three other Aboriginal women who work with her got the jab.
Her fears are founded in her family’s long history of poor health. She’s grown up watching uncles, aunts and cousins be buried at an early age – many succumbing to heart-related illnesses.
Read the full story
Anne Barrowclough 7.00am:NRL star probed over public health order breach
The NRL is investigating claims Josh Dugan breached NSW public health orders after he was reportedly pulled over in Lithgow on Friday.
.@NRL star Josh Dugan has been caught breaching NSW public health orders for a second time. @Sacre88 has the details. https://t.co/OF81oZFF1j#7NEWSpic.twitter.com/ze1Lo1g0MM
— 7NEWS Sydney (@7NewsSydney) August 21, 2021
According to 7 News, a police report said a 31-year-old man and his passenger were stopped twice in NSW’s central tablelands after being told to return to Sydney.
Integrity unit officials spent Saturday morning speaking to both NSW Police and the Sharks after being informed of the situation.
Rhiannon Down5.40pm:218 arrests, 236 fines in violent Melbourne protests
Victoria Police have made 218 arrests and issued 236 fines after an estimated 4000 protesters stormed the Melbourne CBD, with police deploying levels of force not seen before during a “freedom” protest.
Police deployed “a range of non-lethal options” including OC foam and pepper ball rounds to clear crowds out of the city.
Seven officers sustained injuries including two with suspected broken noses, one with a broken thumb and others with concussions, with six requiring hospitalisation.
Three people out of those arrested were charged with assaulting a police officer.
“While there were some peaceful protestors in attendance, the majority of those who attended came with violence in mind,” a police spokesperson said.
“The behaviour seen by police was so hostile and aggressive that they were left with no choice but to use all tactics available to them.”
Police said investigations will continue into who was responsible for several flares being ignited on city streets.
Each protester issued with an infringement notice will be fined $5452 for breaching health directions.
READ MORE: Lockdown’s mental health toll revealed
Rhiannon Down4.52pm:260 people fined, 47 charged over foiled Sydney rally
NSW Police say they stopped about 250 people from protesting in Sydney’s CBD today, laying scores of charges and fining more than 260 people.
NSW Police Minister David Elliot said the crackdown on the planned anti-lockdown ‘freedom’ rally had “worked to perfection”.
About 1400 officers set up checkpoints and stopped 38,000 vehicles in the city and surrounds from 9am.
“This is not about stopping freedom of speech, it’s about a temporary stop to the freedom of movement,” Mr Elliot said.
“We saw the community backlash after the last protest and that was a genuine reflection of how they saw the actions of a small minority.
“That small minority has again chosen to blatantly ignore the very clear, repeated warnings of NSW Police, which is disappointing, frustrating and – frankly – disgraceful.
“The actions they have taken are likely to prolong the very lockdown they were protesting about.
Deputy Commissioner Mal Lanyon said one officer was injured when he was dragged onto the road during a scuffle, resulting in assault charges.
Forty-seven people will be charged.
READ MORE:Fury over super spreader party
Rhiannon Down4.36pm: Shepparton cluster grows to 21 cases as lockdown bites
Health authorities say that the number of cases linked to the Shepparton outbreak has now grown to include 21 cases.
Goulburn Valley Health chief executive Matt Sharp said that several more cases had been detected this morning, bringing the tally higher than the 17 reported this morning.
“Today we’ve had a further small number of people test positive in the early hours of this morning,” he said, addressing local reporters this morning.
“At the moment in the outbreak here in Shepparton we’ve had a total of 21 active cases which are being closely monitored and contacted by our contact tracing team.”
The discovery that the virus had reached Shepparton has plunged the entirety of regional Victoria into lockdown from 1pm today.
Covid-19 Testing Commander Jeroen Weimar confirmed this morning that 16 additional cases had been recorded this morning and would be recorded in tomorrow’s case numbers. It remains unclear if the four cases recorded in Shepparton are part of 16 cases.
READ MORE: Ditching Covid bubbles key to investment
Rhiannon Down4.26pm:CMO spruiks another day of record jab numbers
The nation’s vaccine rollout has surpassed 16.8 million Covid-19 vaccine doses, as the number of fully vaccinated Australians edges past the 6 million mark.
Deputy Chief Medical Officer Michael Kidd said that 51.8 per cent of Australians have now received at least one jab, after 1.7 million shots were administered this week.
“Yesterday was another record day for vaccinations,” Professor Kidd said.
“With over 310,000 vaccinations administered to people across Australia. 310,524, to be precise.
“Thank you to everyone who rolled up their sleeves yesterday.
“You’re protecting yourself, you’re protecting your family, and you’re protecting other people.
“Second, we now have over 80 per cent of people in Australia aged over 60 who have received at least a first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine.
“As we all know, it’s critical that older people receive vaccination against Covid-19 because older people are at greatest risk of serious disease and death, if infected with COVID-19.”
Professor Kidd added that nationally there were 554 people being treated in hospital, 94 in intensive care with 36 on ventilators.
READ MORE: Why Culbert can still see blue skies ahead
Rhiannon Down4pm:Man charged with initmidating NSW Police Minister
A man has been charged with intimidation after he allegedly followed NSW Police Minister David Elliot down a Baulkham Hills street, questioning the legitimacy of the lockdown.
Police allege the 35-year-old man intercepted Mr Elliot on Old Northern Road at about 3pm on Friday, before pursuing him while hurling verbal insults at him and another passer-by who intervened.
“The man questioned the MP, recording the interaction on his mobile phone and allegedly continued to verbally abuse and intimate him as he followed him to a nearby shopping centre,” a NSW Police spokesperson said.
David Elliot getting grilled by a informed citizen 1 of 2 pic.twitter.com/1emRHoMZ6B
— ItsRedRum (@RedRum2198) August 20, 2021
The video, which has been circulated on social media, shows Mr Elliot at first beginning to engage with the man before walking away saying he wasn’t being listened to.
“I’m feeling intimidated by you,” Mr Elliot said, before crossing the street and walking into a shopping centre with the man in hot pursuit.
Read the full story here.
Megan Goldin3.30pm: Fun police close playgrounds without evidence
A police car pulls up at a Melbourne park and, like a chase scene in a RoboCop movie, teenagers kicking a footy take fright and flee.
The dystopian nightmare has returned in a grim rerun of the darkest days of last year’s lockdown when barriers surrounded playgrounds and sports areas were cordoned off under public health orders.
Victorians are told these are necessary sacrifices to beat the virus. Yet the virus pops up again and again like an unwinnable game of whack-a-mole. Premier Daniel Andrews provides no evidence to support his latest tough restrictions. The health advice remains unpublished. There’s no science, no studies and no empirical data to back up the decision to impose a curfew and shut playgrounds.
“It is not for me to prove the efficacy of any one measure,” Andrews said when asked for evidence to support a curfew. “It is not for me to provide hard data.”
Chief health officer Brett Sutton echoed that sentiment.
As opposed to last year’s lockdown, there is now plenty of robust research based on millions of cases abroad to guide decision-making. It simply doesn’t cut it to say that we’re replicating last year’s stab-in-the-dark strategy when experts were still learning about the newly emerged virus.
It may come as a shock to Victorians that global experts who’ve been at the coalface of the pandemic say a preponderance of evidence shows that closing playgrounds and even wearing masks outdoors have no impact on the virus’s spread.
Read the full analysis here.
Helena Burke2.52pm:Covid zero now an impossible task: Berejiklian
NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian has warned zero cases in the community is an “impossible task”, as the state records its worst ever day of the pandemic, with 825 new cases today.
Just 149 of the new cases were linked to known clusters, with the origin of 676 infections under investigation.
There are currently 516 people in hospital with the virus, including 85 in intensive care and 29 on ventilators.
The three deaths announced on Saturday include a man in his 80s, a woman in her 90s, and a man in his 90s, who was fully vaccinated but had a number of pre-existing health conditions.
Ms Berejiklian said she had noticed a “change of attitude” in her conversations with other state premiers and in the community at large.
“We accept that Delta is here. We accept that heading to zero across the nation — especially once you open up and live freely — will be an impossible task,” she said.
“No matter how hard we work, no matter if 99 per cent of people are doing the right thing, there is an element of Delta that nobody can control.”
Ms Berejiklian urged NSW residents to get vaccinated, applauding the 124,000 people that came forward to get the jab in the past 24 hours.
“The best way we can look forward to freedom is by making sure that we get vaccinated,” she said.
NSW is now at 55 per cent with a first dose and nearly 30 per cent fully vaccinated.
“At this stage, if current rates of vaccination continue, NSW will get to 70 per cent double doses by the end of October and 80 per cent double doses by mid-November,” Ms Berejiklian said.
READ MORE:PM urges states to stick to the deal on lockdowns
Rhiannon Down2.03pm:Police in stand-off with protesters near Flinders St Station
Police have used capsicum spray and traded blows in an attempt to disperse protesters who have swarmed the Melbourne CBD.
Demonstrators — many of them unmasked — have come to a stand-off with police outside the Young and Jackson pub at the tram stop opposite Flinders Street Station.
Riot police carrying shields have used capsiucm spray on a group of activists who have been yelling obscenities at officers, according to a video shared on encrypted messaging apps viewed by The Australian.
anti lockdown protests in Melbourne just now …. In my view a bunch of ignorant idiots 😳ðŸ¤â€¦. Small business needs everyone to get vaccinated so we can reopen WE DO NOT NEED VIGILANTES waving… Scottish Flag?? 🤔🤔ðŸ¤ðŸ¤ðŸ¤¦ðŸ»ðŸ¤¦ðŸ»ðŸ¤·â€â™‚ï¸ #covidpic.twitter.com/d4Xx5p6j68
— Rick Samimi (@RickSamimi) August 21, 2021
“You’re not going to do that... You’re not going to shoot that... What is that?,” a male voice can be heard yelling, before police spray people in the crowd.
It comes as more footage emerges of a group of protesters — many brandishing Eureka and Red Ensign flags — were filmed clashing with police on Melbourne streets as the protest gathers pace.
READ MORE: Premier pulls out the big guns
Rhiannon Down1.45pm:Freedom protesters march on Brisbane CBD
Hundreds of “freedom” protestors have also gathered in Brisbane today, with a crowd forming at the City Botanic Gardens.
Crowds chanting anti-lockdown slogans, brandishing anti-vaccination signs while others blasted Creedence Clearwater Revival on speakers.
🇦🇺 Australia - Brisbane [August 21, 2021]
— 🌠BMedia 🇳🇱 (@BananaMediaQ) August 21, 2021
Large protests nationwide going on in Australia against COVID restrictions. #FreeAustralia#brisbanelockdown#Brisbane#EnoughIsEnough#manifestation21aout#NoVaccinePassports#NoMoreLockdowns#australiaprotests#freedomrallypic.twitter.com/jZFUG4GjEU
Helicopter news footage showed the group converging on the gardens where many have set up makeshift picnic spots.
A plane overhead was recorded flying a banner that said: “Lockdown insanity = child abuse.”
It comes as protests in Melbourne gather pace, while activists in Sydney dither under the weight of the police response.
READ MORE: Gerard Henderson — Campbell Newman’s own-goal for the conservatives
Rhiannon Down1.38pm:Major jump in New Zealand’s daily cases
New Zealand has recorded 21 community cases of Covid-19, taking the total number of cases associated with the Auckland outbreak to 51, in a major jump in the country’s daily case numbers.
Health authorities said that 18 of the new cases were in Auckland and three in Wellington, including one which was already reported yesterday.
Though 21 cases have been linked to the Auckland cluster, 30 remain under investigation.
“Initial assessment shows in most cases there is a link,” a government tweet said.
It comes after New Zealand authorities announced a four day extension of its nationwide lockdown after 11 cases were recorded on Friday.
The Auckland cluster has been linked to the NSW Delta outbreak.
READ MORE:Escaping the reality of dreary lockdowns
Joseph Lam1.12pm:Protesters weigh move to Parramatta, messages show
Tensions continue to flare in Sydney’s CBD between police and demonstrators at an intersection near Victoria Park, where dozens of protesters have gathered in defiance of lockdown orders.
Protestors have been shouting “Is this democracy” while others hurled accusations at the police response, with one person yelling, “What is this, Nazi Germany?”.
A man who shouted, “is this democracy?†as a protester was arrested has been arrested @australian#VictoriaParkpic.twitter.com/jPJr6V1iG8
— Joseph Lam (@editorialjoe) August 21, 2021
“Are you proud of yourselves?,” one man shouted at officers.
It comes as divisions surface among protestors about whether to push on and continue to attempt to regroup in central Sydney or move to Centenary Square in Parramatta, according to encrypted chats seen by The Australian.
Footage showing a group of about eight police officers gathered at the square has been shared as authorities race to stay ahead of the protestors.
“You should be ashamed of yourself,†shouts a man at Victoria Park â¦@australianâ© pic.twitter.com/sOOh7osTMz
— Joseph Lam (@editorialjoe) August 21, 2021
READ MORE:Fearing death but still living in denial of Covid reality
Rhiannon Down1pm:Riot squad deployed as rally demands Premier’s sacking
Hundreds of protesters have swarmed on the Melbourne CBD where a group chanting “sack Dan Andrews” is being closed in on by police.
A group has formed at an intersection on Elizabeth Street where crowds brandishing anti-lockdown and anti-health order slogans were seen chanting, with videos being circulated on social media.
“No health advice = no compliance,” one sign read.
Meanwhile, video showing scores of Victorian police officers including riot squad in their distinctive black, were seen running down Elizabeth street to intercept the group.
The anti-lockdown protest in Melbourne has kicked off at the intersection of Little Bourke Street and Elizabeth Street @theheraldsunpic.twitter.com/e4o784Wkgn
— Laura Placella (@lauraplacella) August 21, 2021
Melbourne anti-lockdown protest looks ugly. As it is. Still no cure for stupid. 😔#auspol#COVID19vicpic.twitter.com/RNWNSBwyRW
— Jenny Frecklington-Jones; #Vaccinate ðŸŒðŸ³ï¸â€ðŸŒˆðŸ’§ðŸ’‰ (@JonesHowdareyou) August 21, 2021
READ MORE:We will never get our freedom back until we learn to obey
Joseph Lam12.43pm:Police clash with protesters in Sydney now
NSW Police have begun pouncing on protestors outside Broadway shopping centre in central Sydney, as the crowd begins to clash with police.
Officers have made at least one arrest, wrestling a woman in pink exercise clothes to the ground on the street, as others yelled abuse at officers from the sidelines.
Groups of protesters have begun to gather near Victoria Park and have caused major disruption on Broadway Road.
Police arrest a woman across from Victoria Park @australian#VictoriaParkpic.twitter.com/z0NVdTpKUl
— Joseph Lam (@editorialjoe) August 21, 2021
More to come...
Christine Kellett12.33pm:Anti-lockdown protest erupts in Melbourne
Anti-lockdown demonstrators have begun clashing with police in Melbourne’s CBD, where hundreds have turned out to protest current Covid restrictions.
In scenes reminiscent of those in Sydney last month, helicopter news footage has captured large crowds of people marching throught the streets of the city, as police try to block their movements. About 700 police have been deployed to quell the action.
Went for my daily walk and unfortunately came across this pic.twitter.com/nF4FFxfTye
— Sally McManus (@sallymcmanus) August 21, 2021
Victoria Police Commissioner Patton said earlier officers had already issued six fines to potential anti-lockdown protesters in the Melbourne CBD this morning.
“It’s tagged as a freedom demonstration, it’s anything but it’s just selfish,” he said.
More to come...
Joseph Lam12.21pm: Arrests made in Sydney as protesters show up |WATCH
NSW Police have arrested at least two people at Victoria Park in Sydney who have gathered to protest lockdowns.
One protester was taken down in the middle of the street outside the park as protesters gathered around and began shouting at police.
Another man who told police they “should be ashamed of themselves” has been taken to the park by several officers for questioning.
Police arrest a woman across from Victoria Park @australian#VictoriaParkpic.twitter.com/z0NVdTpKUl
— Joseph Lam (@editorialjoe) August 21, 2021
Police have now stopped traffic from entering an intersection on City Road and Parrammatta Road @australian#VictoriaParkpic.twitter.com/47awNbTpTj
— Joseph Lam (@editorialjoe) August 21, 2021
More to come...
Rhiannon Down12.17pm:Victorian fined for brawling with officer over mask
Victoria Police have issued 70 infringements for public health breaches in the past 24 hours, including to a man who allegedly fought with a protective services officer after being ordered to wear a mask.
Chief Commissioner Shane Patton said the altercation which took place at Southland shopping centre in Melbourne’s southeast was one of a number of instances of “unacceptable conduct” discovered by police on Friday.
A group caught playing pool and “drinking and parting without any masks” in Ballarat in regional Victoria at 2.30am had also been fined $1000 for breaching the health orders. Chief Commissioner Patton said police had already issued six fines to potential anti-lockdown protesters in the Melbourne CBD this morning.
“It’s tagged as a freedom demonstration, it’s anything but it’s just selfish,” he said.
“The reality is, we don’t know how many people are going to turn up. There’s between 200 to 5000 people who could turn up, we’re trying to do what we can in terms of identifying how many people got there through encrypted applications that makes it difficult for police.
“I have over 700 Police on top of the other police who are already seen in the community, another 700 Who is specifically tasked with this demonstration, they’ve been out there this morning already.”
More to come...
Christine Kellett11.57am:ACT records eight new cases, all linked
The ACT has recorded eight new local cases of coronavirus, all of them linked to known outbreaks.
The territory now has 102 active cases, with the source of two of them not yet identified.
Authorities say none of the eight new cases today were infectious in the community.
“This lockdown is working,” Chief Minister Andrew Barr has told a press conference.
“But we are however starting to see (more) exposure sites post the start of the lockdown. This is a general warning to the community to please be careful when you are outside your home. The lockdown has significantly reduced the risk around new exposure sites but there will still be some.”
More to come...
Rhiannon Down11.42am:Where are all of Victoria’s new cases coming from?
Victorian contact tracers are racing to contain the spread of the Delta variant as the number of primary close contacts skyrockets to 8855 with 10,006 secondary contacts.
Covid-19 Testing Commander Jeroen Weimar said 31 of the cases are from two major clusters, with 11 mystery cases under investigation from authorities.
“Of the 77 cases today 31 are in two large and rapidly growing clusters,” he said.
“One 14 cases are in the Broadmeadows My Centre child care center.
“That’s in addition to the 30 we identified yesterday, that’s 27 cases, just in the last two days, and 17 are in Shepperton.”
Mr Weimar said 35 of today’s case numbers were linked to existing case numbers, with 22 of those cases already in isolation.
“Those existing clusters includes Al Taqwa College, which is on their day 13 testing, Glenroy West Primary School, the Newport footy club, all those kinds of exposure sites we’ve been talking about for a while.
“Again 66 cases in total for today. We then have 11 separate unlinked cases that covers a wide geography of Melbourne, including Airport West, Frankston, Keysborough, Docklands, Yarraville; we are still working to link those cases and identify any downstream exposures.”
It comes as 80 Victorians are being treated in hospital with Covid-19 with eight in ICU and two on ventilators.
READ MORE:Illumina shines in Covid genetics battle
Christine Kellett11.20am: Maroubra party ends in 16 positive cases
NSW authorities have blasted up to 60 people who attended a party in beachside Maroubra, which has resulted in 16 positive cases overnight.
NSW Police Deputy Commissioner Gary Worboys said 681 fines had been handed out in 24 hours, as well as 50 court attendance notices. Four hundred of the fines were for people being outside their home without a reasonable excuse, he said.
“They are being dobbed in by neighbours and people who know these events are occurring so one of the events was at St George, another at Sutherland, another in the Hills district and one at Golden Beach at Tweed Heads.”
NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard said: “There are those amongst us who don’t seem to give a damn.”
“They are out attending parties, they are out doing what they have been told not to do, facilitating the spread of the virus. I would just say to them, you are ransoming our future, you are making sure that none of us can get back to a normal life. We are in a very serious situation here in New South Wales.”
Despite the infringements, NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian would not be drawn on wether a nightly curfew currently in place in Sydney’s south west would be extended to all local government areas.
More to come...
Rhiannon Down11.15am:Victorian authorities recommend masks for kids
In a national first, Victorian health authorities have recommended young children wear masks to prevent the spread of the Delta variant.
Victorian chief health officer Brett Sutton said the advice will apply to primary school-age children, and was in line with health recommendations in the US.
“I’m reflecting on how challenging it will be for very young children,” Professor Sutton said.
“It is for that reason a recommendation, some kids will do it.
“Some will do it well, some kids will absolutely not be able to do it as a recommendation and if your child is able to do that, that will help protect them.
“It’ll help protect those settings where transmission between kids occurs.”
Premier Daniel Andrews has also announced tough new restrictions on certain high-infection risk industries including construction and childcare sector, which will no longer be able to operate at “100 per cent”.
“They will have to reduce just as the construction sector has done, construction will be reduced to 25 per cent across the whole state, so that will happen in regional Victoria,” he said.
“There will be a little bit of time for that to occur.
“We will work with industry to deliver that outcome, but things like abattoirs, meat processing centres, very large supermarket distribution centres, cool stores,
things of that nature, exactly the same settings as were changed last year, they will be under new arrangements to limit movement and to limit the risk of widespread infection.”
More to come...
Christine Kellett11am:NSW records 825 new local cases | WATCH LIVE
NSW has recorded its worst day of the pandemic, with 825 new daily cases.
Three people, including a fully vaccinated aged care resident, have died overnight.
Two men, aged in their 80s and both residents of the Greenwood Aged Care facility in Normanhurst, on Sydney’s upper north shore, both died after contracting the virus there. The third death is a woman in her 90s who caught the virus at Liverpool Hospital, in Sydney’s south west.
More than 500 people have ben hospitalised with Covid in NSW, 85 in ICU and 29 on ventilators.
“The virus is spreading. That is a fact,” Ms Berejiklian has told a press conference.
“What we need to do is protect ourselves and loved ones by staying at home and getting vaccinated. But also being assured that once we hit 70% double dose vaccination, that 80% double dose vaccination, our national plans as we live freely or more freely than what we are now. It is absolutely what we need to stay focused on.
“If we work harder and faster, we could bring those dates forward. I’m looking forward next week to talk about what our plan for schools looks like and what we can do in terms of offering people a bit of relief once we get to the 6 million jabs.
More to come...
Rhiannon Down10.54am:Andrews extends lockdown to regional Victoria
Regional Victoria has been plunged into lockdown after 16 new cases were added to today’s case numbers, bringing the new case total to 77.
Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews said the whole of regional Victoria would operate under the same restrictions as Metropolitan Melbouren from 1pm today, except for the curfew.
“Sadly the public health team have advised that given the Shepparton outbreak and the fact that at least one person travelled to Bendigo and potentially others travelled beyond, that is to say there is a very significant risk of transmission right across regional Victoria and not just in that Goulburn Valley area,” Mr Andrews said.
“From 1pm today, all of regional Victoria will move to the same lockdown conditions as exist in Melbourne right now.
Mr Andrews said the additional 16 local cases of Covid-19 recorded this morning through rapid testing will be officially included in tomorrow’s case numbers.
More to come...
Christine Kellett10.30am:Premier Daniel Andrews to address the media | WATCH LIVE
Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews will address the media at 10.45am, after the state recorded 61 new cases of coronavirus today.
A further 16 positive cases identified via rapid PCR testing will be included in tomorrow’s numbers.
Victorians are bracing for the announcement of a tougher, statewide lockdown, with a growing cluster in regional Shepparton raising alarm.
Watch the press conference live here:
READ MORE: Oh, how we ache to eat out again
Rhiannon Down10.24am:Shopping, medical centres added to NSW exposure list
A green grocer in a busy Merrylands shopping centre and a Rooty Hill medical centre are among the latest venues to be added to NSW’s list of exposure sites, as the state braces for today’s case numbers.
Shoppers at Trim’s Fresh in Stocklands Merrylands at any time between Tuesday August 10 and Thursday August 12 have been identified as close contacts and urged to get tested and isolate for 14 days.
Meanwhile, anyone who was at Rooty Hill Medical and Dental Centre on Sunday August 15 between 1.50pm to 2.05pm has also been identified as a close contact.
A string of venues in Dubbo in the state’s central west are among the latest venues to be added to the list as casual exposure sites, including: Bunnings Glendale, Aldi Dubbo, BP Truckstop Dubbo and Chemist Warehouse Dubbo.
Ritchies IGA Elermore Vale, Woolworths East Maitland and Big W East Maitland, all on the outskirts of Newcastle were also added to the list on Friday.
It comes as NSW braces for potentially higher case numbers again today, after 644 cases were recorded on Friday, marking the third day in a row the tally had been above 600.
In response the NSW government extended the lockdown in Greater Sydney until the end of September and introduced new rules targeting hotspot LGAs.
READ MORE:More jabs ‘mean robust economies’
Rhainnon Down10.16am:Queensland records zero new local cases
Queensland has reported zero local cases of Covid-19 and two cases in hotel quarantine.
It comes just a day after restrictions eased across the state after the Cairns and Yarrabah LGAs returned to stage 3 restrictions at 4pm on Friday, the same level as the rest of Queensland.
While 11 LGAs in South East Queensland moved to stage 2 restrictions with mask wearing and limits on home visits to 30 people to continue until Friday August 27.
READ MORE:Lockdown protester in tears as he’s jailed for months
Rhiannon Down9.44am:Taxis, rideshare banned as exclusion zone takes effect
Authorities have created an exclusion zone around the Sydney CBD in an effort to stifle a planned anti-lockdown protest in the city today.
The prohibition notice will prevent anyone from entering the city via taxi, rideshare and passenger services between 9am and 3pm today.
The zone stretches from the West Link Road and The Crescent at Lilyfield to New South Head Road and Ocean Avenue at Edgecliff in the east, north to the Bradfield Highway at Milsons Point with South Dowling Street and Todman Avenue in Zetland making up the southern boundary.
Central Metropolitan Region Commander Assistant Commissioner Peter Thurtell said that any companies that fail to comply could be fined up to $500,000 or up to $100,000 for individuals.
“The transmission of the delta strain of COVID-19 presents a clear and present threat to the community. Now is not the time to gather in groups in protest,” Assistant Commissioner Thurtell said.
“This prohibition notice is just one of our strategies to prevent any unlawful mass gathering and keep our community safe.
“Essential workers, or anyone that requires medical treatment, will be able to make their way to their destinations.”
READ MORE:Peter van Onselen — Bruised PM could still clinch the election
Rhiannon Down9.35am:1400 police flood Sydney CBD to stop protest
NSW Police has warned Sydneysiders to stay home, after more than 1400 officers arrived in the CBD this morning to suppress an anti-lockdown protest planned for midday.
Deputy Commissioner Mal Lanyon said the police operation was already underway to prevent a repeat of an illegal protest that attracted more than 3500 supporters that led to violent clashes with police on July 24.
“Over 1400 police will be on the streets throughout the city today to prevent a planned unauthorised protest,” Deputy Commissioner Lanyon said in a video message shared on social media.
“If you are considering coming to the city for that purpose I urge you to rethink, significant penalties will apply through infringement notices or you will be out before the court.
“Do not come to the city, this is the time to stay at home.”
READ MORE: Employers face tough decisions on Covid compo
Christine Kellett8.52am:Victoria records 61 new local cases, 22 in isolation
Victoria has recorded 61 new cases of coronavirus in 24 hours, with a further 16 local cases identified via rapid PCR tests to be recorded in tomorrow’s numbers, health authorities say.
Twenty-two of the 61 new cases were in isolation during their infectious period.
Forty-three cases have been linked to known outbreaks
Reported yesterday: 61 new local cases and 0 new cases acquired overseas.
— VicGovDH (@VicGovDH) August 20, 2021
- 29,539 vaccine doses were administered
- 45,670 test results were received
More later: https://t.co/lIUrl1hf3W#COVID19Vic#COVID19VicData
[1/3] pic.twitter.com/cF6VGG7VKR
More to come...
James Hall8.25am:Covid-positive man on the run: police
NSW Police have pleaded for help to locate a man infected with Covid-19 who has allegedly refused to follow public health orders.
Anthony Karam, 27, tested positive to the virus and is wanted over “multiple alleged breaches” of public health directions, police said on Saturday, with the state’s top doctor releasing a warning and asking for assistance to track the man down.
Chief health officer Kerry Chant said Mr Karam was infectious, pleaded with Sydney residents to “not approach him” and told anyone with information on his whereabouts to call Crime Stoppers.
“Anthony has failed to isolate as directed by the Public Health Order and despite numerous attempts by police to find him; he has not been located,” NSW Police said in a statement.
A warrant has been issued for his arrest.
Mr Karam is described as being of an olive complexion, about 170cm tall and of a thin build, has short dark hair, brown eyes, a beard and moustache.
He is known to frequent the areas of Greenacre, Wentworth Point and Parramatta.
The plea comes after Premier Gladys Berejiklian ramped up restrictions on concerning Local Government Areas in Sydney’s west amid soaring case numbers and rampant failures to comply with health orders.
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Natalie Brown7.30am:Fears lockdown will drag into 2022, Kennett says
Former Victorian premier Jeff Kennett has revealed concerns among Australia’s food distribution sector that Victoria’s lockdown will drag into 2022, with residents forced to live with tightened restrictions until the new year.
Mr Kennett told the Herald Sun that food industry executives briefed by the Victorian Government had told him that food supply would become a “big issue” in an extended lockdown.
Mr Kennett also said regional areas including those “around Shepparton” would be forced into lockdown after he was provided a document that reportedly canvassed options for new restrictions during the state’s Delta outbreak – including length of time out of the house, access to shopping, a halt on construction and a ban on takeaway coffee and food, though the latter is unlikely to come to fruition.
Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews is expected to announce the toughening of measures today, off the back of urgent meetings held by senior ministers last night.
READ MORE: Andrews hints at harsher Covid-19 rules in Victoria
Paige Taylor6.55am:Contact tracers hunt for Wilcannia funeral mourners
A Covid-19 outbreak at the funeral of a young Aboriginal man in the western NSW town of Wilcannia eight days ago has spread within 20km of the Queensland border to the tiny Aboriginal community of Goodooga.
Contact tracers were continuing to track down and isolate up to 300 mourners from across the state on Friday as the number of confirmed cases in the western NSW outbreak reached 194.
Among 27 new cases on Friday were two Aboriginal people who tested positive at their home in Goodooga – a town of 247 people, 183 of them Indigenous – after making an almost 1600km round trip to the funeral at Wilcannia on August 13. Other mourners came from Dubbo, including at least one person now known to have been infectious at the time.
Wilcannia, population 745, was locked down and in crisis on Friday night as cases climbed among residents who attended the funeral or had contact with someone who did. NSW Health confirmed six cases of Covid-19 in Wilcannia on Friday but The Weekend Australian has been told several more are likely to be confirmed today.
Read the full story here.
Liam Mendes6.15am:Lockdown activist in tears as he’s locked up for months
An anti-lockdown activist who drove from Queensland to Sydney to help organise an unauthorised protest scheduled for Saturday has wiped away tears as he was sentenced to eight months’ jail for multiple breaches of public health orders and other offences.
Anthony Khallouf, one of the organisers behind last month’s violent anti-lockdown rally, was arrested on Thursday after The Australian revealed he had travelled to Sydney and checked into a luxury hotel.
Hornsby Local Court heard on Friday that Khallouf travelled extensively throughout Sydney after arriving on Sunday, including visiting a relative in the Covid-ravaged west of the city, before being tracked down at a train station in Sydney’s north.
The 29-year-old was also convicted of “false representation resulting in police investigation” after telling followers on Instagram on Wednesday to call police because his life was in danger.
Read the full story here.
Remy Varga5.30am:Outbreak spreads in regional Vic; tighter lockdown fears
Premier Daniel Andrews has flagged strengthening Melbourne’s already hard lockdown and tightening restrictions in regional Victoria as the Delta variant spreads across the city and a cluster emerges in the state’s north.
Ministers and public health officials are considering if more steps can be taken to curb the spread after more than half the 55 cases recorded on Friday were infectious in the community and 17 cases were detected in Shepparton, around 190km north of Melbourne.
The Weekend Australian understands a statewide lockdown, further limits on exercise and time allowed outdoors, restrictions on childcare and the full standing down of the construction industry are being discussed.
On Friday night a Victorian government spokeswoman said “all options are on the table” and said all community sporting leagues in the regions had been asked to cancel weekend activities.
Mr Andrews urged people to follow lockdown rules over the weekend, warning case numbers would explode, hospitals would be overrun and that Melbourne could go the way of Sydney if compliance with restrictions did not improve.
In a statement published late on Friday night, Goulburn Valley Health chief executive Matt Sharp said the family and extended networks of a man in his 30s had tested positive for Covid-19.
“Earlier today there was a new case of Covid-19 in Shepparton reported being a male in his 30s.
“There are now an additional 16 people that have tested positive for Covid-19 today bringing the total of the outbreak in Shepparton to 17 Covid-19 positive people at this time.
“All people that have tested positive are now isolating. It is likely there will be further people testing positive for Covid-19 in the coming days.”
This one's for anyone who's ever said "oh, it's not COVID, it's just a cough".
— Dan Andrews (@DanielAndrewsMP) August 18, 2021
Apologies in advance for the slow-mo. pic.twitter.com/OyBX7qnSPO
Read more on the Victorian situation here.
Nicholas Jensen5.15am:Desperate Berejiklian’s ‘final list’ of NSW restrictions
NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian has unveiled a ‘final list’ of new restrictions for parts of Sydney, after 644 new Covid-19 cases were announced, along with four more deaths.
At least 41 people infectious in the community, and the south west and western Sydney remain the key areas of concern.
Ms Berejiklian said rising case numbers had given her no choice but to extend the Greater Sydney lockdown until the end of September and introduce a curfew in the 12 LGAs of concern.
Ms Berejiklian announced there would also be a curfew introduced in the LGAs of concern which will run from 9pm until 5am.
Additional rules for 12 LGAs from 12.01am Monday:
- A curfew will be imposed from 9pm to 5am which authorities said would “help reduce the movement of young people”.
- Outdoor exercise will be reduced to one hour per day.
- All school exams or professional development related activities will be moved to online, except for those doing their HSC.
- The following retail venues must close except for click and collect: garden centres and plant nurseries, office supplies, hardware and building supplies, landscaping material supplies, rural supplies, and pet supplies.
NSW Police will also be given special powers to lockdown entire apartment complexes amid threats of Covid-19 infections.
In response to the evolving Delta outbreak, NSW will extend the lockdown in Greater Sydney until the end of September, and introduce some stricter rules. Details below pic.twitter.com/BQhyPvHlpA
— Gladys Berejiklian (@GladysB) August 20, 2021
Read the full story here.
Natasha Robinson5.am:How to stop Delta spread: jab all teenagers
Vaccinating more than three million children and teenagers under the age of 15 would likely halve the long-term spread of Covid-19.
New University of Melbourne modelling – which comes as Scott Morrison awaits advice on extending the national vaccination program to those aged as young as 12 – predicts that the move could make lockdowns one-third less likely.
The new modelling, led by epidemiologist Tony Blakely, estimates that vaccinating children from the age of five and up would halve the infection rate that Australia is likely to see once interstate borders are opened.
The nation’s vaccine coverage targets should no longer assume children were significantly less likely to be infected with Covid-19, Professor Blakely said.
Read the full story here.
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