Coronavirus Australia live news: Perth, Peel regions face 4-day lockdown
WA Premier Mark McGowan calls a four-day lockdown of Perth and Peel regions amid alarm over a new, Sydney-linked case.
- Perth, Peel regions go into lockdown
- GPs offered AstraZeneca indemnity
- Aged-care workers face vaccine order
- NSW records 18 new cases
- Two cases, Qld 'on verge’ of lockdown
- Warning Sydney lockdown could be extended
Welcome to updates on the latest developments in the nation’s Covid-19 crisis. Live coverage has ended for now, read on for a recap of the day’s events.
The Perth and Peel regions face a four-day lockdown after WA Premier Mark McGowan announced a new case linked to Sydney’s outbreak.
GPs will be offered no-fault indemnity for giving the AstraZeneca vaccine to under 60sin a new push for anti-Covid jabs.Aged care workers will be unable to refuse a Covid-19 vaccination under an agreement that is set to be struck by national cabinet. Gladys Berejiklian warns numbers will rise again as NSW records 18 new local cases.
Rhiannon Down11pm:Perth, Peel face mandatory mask rules
Mandatory mask orders will also return with anyone in the Perth and Peel regions required to wear masks outside the home when outdoors and in all indoor settings including on public transport.
McGowan confirmed the third case, a man in his 30s who worked at the Indian Ocean Brewery, contracted the virus from a woman from Sydney who when he ate in the same restaurant.
“How far away they were if someone walked past the other, when they were going to pay their bill, I don’t have that detail,” he said.
“I do know they weren’t friends, they weren’t sitting at the same table.
“It was a very fleeting contact. That says to us that this is a very contagious virus and as we’ve seen in New South Wales, once it gets a hold, it’s very, very difficult to contain.”
Rhiannon Down10.45pm:Weddings limited to 5, funerals 10
The lockdown will also see fitness venues including gyms, swimming pools, pilates, yoga and dance studios close as well as places of worship.
Community sport will also be paused for the duration of the lockdown, Mr McGowan said.
“Private outdoor gatherings are not permitted and vents and functions are not permitted,” he said. “Weddings are restricted to five and for compassionate reasons funeral events are restricted to 10 people.
“No visitors will be allowed in homes unless it is for essential services, critical maintenance, caregiving and compassionate reasons or in an emergency.”
Rhiannon Down10.25pm:WA Premier announces range of closures
Mr McGowan said residents would only allowed to leave the house for essential shopping, exercise in groups of less than two, work and caregiving.
“Restaurants, cafes, pubs and bars can only provide takeaway service at this point in time for the next four day,” he said. “Casinos, nightclubs, and entertainment venues will close. Beauty, nail and hair services will close.
“Retail is permitted but only for essential services and essential goods such as supermarkets, pharmacies, petrol stations, hardware and others.”
Mr McGowan stressed the virulent nature of the Delta strain meant no chances could be taken.
“Tonight’s new positive case is a man in his 30s. He worked at the Indian Ocean Brewery and had a meal at the brewery on the same night as the original case - case 1022. That was on the evening of Tuesday, June 22.
“Any new positive case is not good. What is even more concerning is this most recent infection appears to have involved only fleeting contact with the original case,” he said.
“We need to take this very seriously. We know the risk COVID presents and we know from around the world that the Delta strain is another new beast that we can’t take any chances with.”
Paul Garvey10.15pm:Perth, Peel region go into 4-day lockdown
Western Australia has called a four-day lockdown of the Perth and Peel region, effective from midnight tonight.
WA premier Mark McGowan announced the step at a press conference on Monday night.
He said the government had decided to take stronger action after it emerged that a second woman who contracted the virus from a returned traveller from Sydney had only had “fleeting” contact with the other woman.
Both cases are the Delta strain of the virus.
“The Delta strain is a new threat that we can’t take any chances with,” Mr McGowan said.
“It is debilitating and it can be deadly.”
Rhiannon Down10pm:NSW Transport Minister defends lockdown
NSW Transport Minister Andrew Constance has defended his state’s lockdown saying that the Delta strain was highly virulent.
“I think it’s fair to say the variant of the virus has now led to this,” he told Sky News.
“When you have people walking past each other in shopping centres, as we saw the other day, and people quite literally being in the breathing space of others and turning positive, it was going to take hold and take hold very quickly.”
“So we are better to try and ring fence it, obviously with this lockdown it does mean people for essential purposes can go out and do their shopping and their exercise. And also when required going to work.
“It is going to be a very tough period and also making sure we get through this as quickly as possible and get back to zero community transmission.”
Mr Constance said that the country would not be able to open up again until the government was “able to get to that point once enough people are vaccinated” which was likely about 80 per cent.
Rhiannon Down9.30pm:Covid situation reaching ‘national outbreak’
Royal Australian College of General Practitioners president Dr Karen Price says the current Covid situation was nearing “national outbreak” status, as several states and territores battle rising Covid numbers.
“I think we are already there to some extent, that is all across Australia at the moment, we have got reason to be concerned,” Dr Price told the ABC.
“We need to very strictly apply public health measures as recommended.
“The future is challenging but as long as contact traces can keep up with the outbreak, that’s a good sign, when we get unlinked cases it begins to get worrying.”
Dr Price also refuted NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian’s assertion that the GP network was unable to keep up with the rollout.
“It is interesting with 4700 GPs signing up for AstraZeneca and offering expressions of interest,” she said.
“I know 1300 GPs will come on during July so I’m not sure what she is talking about because to some extent it might relate to her concerns about the supply chain of Pfizer because we know that will take time to wrap up to full capacity.”
Rhiannon Down9pm:More exposure sites added by NSW Health
New venues have been added to NSW’s growing list of exposure sites including a Marrickville bank branch, Maroubra bakery and Alexandria service station.
âš ï¸PUBLIC HEALTH ALERT – FURTHER VENUES OF CONCERNâš ï¸
— NSW Health (@NSWHealth) June 28, 2021
NSW Health has been notified of further new venues of concern associated with confirmed cases of COVID-19 and has expanded the times for a close contact venue. pic.twitter.com/rocyHCnW3m
Westpac Marrickville, Bakers Delight and Royale Poultry at the Pacific Square Shopping Centre in Maroubra, Harvey Norman and JB Hi-Fi at Westfield Bondi Junction and Shell Coles Express in Alexandria have been added as casual exposure sites.
The exposure window at Black and Gold Espresso in Roseberry, which is a close contact exposure site, has also been extended from 10.30am to 11.30am on Friday June 25.
This comes as the state braces for tomorrow’s Covid numbers, after 18 cases were recorded today.
Richard Ferguson8.20pm:PM: ‘unwise’ to surrender Covid advantage
Scott Morrison says he is not “prepared to countenance” an increase in Covid-19 deaths in order to further open up the economy and the international borders.
As countries like Singapore and Britain prepare to open up and drop many Covid-19 restrictions, the Prime Minister said that the nation should not surrender to the levels of deaths seen in countries with very high vaccination rates.
“Even as the UK is finding with an 80 per cent vaccinated population, they’re not there either because they’ve got over 100 people dying every week. And so that’s not a situation that I’m prepared to countenance,” he said.
“And one of the reasons why Australia is in such a unique position compared to the rest of the world is Covid is riddled through all of those countries.
“Their opportunity to ensure that the absolute calamitous impact of this virus and the new strains doesn’t impact on them is much more limited than us here in Australia, because of the success we’ve had to date. It would be unwise to surrender up that advantage at this point and preferably at no point.”
Richard Ferguson8.15pm:AstraZeneca opened to those aged under 40
Australians under 40 will be able to get the AstraZeneca vaccine through their GPs under the Morrison government’s indemnity scheme.
Scott Morrison has announced that GPs will be offered indemnity for giving the vaccines to anyone under-60.
The Prime Minister confirmed on Monday night that under-40s - who are currently not part of the rollout nationally - will be able to ask their GPs now about getting the AstraZeneca jab.
“If they are willing to go and speak to their doctor and have access to the AstraZeneca vaccine, they can do so. So the answer is yes, they can go and do that.”
Richard Ferguson8.10pm:Australia set to open up in 2022
Scott Morrison says Australia will gradually open up to the world next year, despite his vaccine rollout chief saying the nation’s public health restrictions will be “activated and deactivated” for years to come.
The head of the Commonwealth vaccine rollout, Lieutenant General John Frewen, said on Monday that Australians needed to become comfortable with the prospect of public health measures being in place for years.
But on Monday night, the Prime Minister said that while there are “uncertainties”, he can foresee quarantine arrangements for vaccinated people changing at some point next year.
“There are many uncertainties and those uncertainties aren’t dispensed with simply by making announcements. What you need to do is continue to gather the information that enables you to build that path back,” Mr Morrison said.
“Once we get into next year, I think we are in a position where we will be able to be considering changes to how potentially quarantine arrangements work, with much higher levels of vaccination, and the arrangements that are available for people that have been vaccinated, because they present a lower risk to the public health of the community.
“We will continue to gather the evidence and continue to prepare our plans for how we can have Australia living with this virus in the future in a way that minimises the restrictions upon them.”
Richard Ferguson8pm:GPs ‘freed up’ to deliver AstraZeneca shots
Scott Morrison says giving GPs no-fault indemnity to give AstraZeneca vaccines to anyone under-60 will help to vaccinate more aged care workers and other at-risk groups.
The federal government will oversee the no-fault indemnity scheme after the national cabinet’s sign-off.
Despite medical advice that AstraZeneca only be used for over-60s, the Prime Minister in Canberra said that it was only a preference and GPs would be freer now to engage with people who want that jab.
“We will be implementing a new no fault indemnity scheme for general practitioners who administer COVID-19 vaccines. So this relates to encouraging Australians to go and check to their GP about the vaccination,” he said.
“The ATAGI advice talks about a preference for AstraZeneca to be made available to those as preferred for those over 60.
“The advice does not preclude a person under 60 from getting the AstraZeneca vaccine, and so if you wish to get the AstraZeneca vaccine, we would encourage you to go have a discussion with your GP.
“We are also providing the indemnity scheme for those general practitioners so they can actively engage with you and you can make the best decision for your health.”
Richard Ferguson7.55pm:Aged care worker vaccine moved confirmed
All aged care workers in Australia will be legally required to have at least one dose of a Covid-19 vaccine by September.
The Morrison government will introduce an $11 million grant program to let aged care providers give their staff paid leave to take time off to get vaccinated.
The Prime Minister said on Monday night that mandatory vaccinations of aged care workers will be coordinated with the states.
“That will be implemented in a partnership between the Commonwealth and the States, preferably using the same system that is used for having mandatory vaccinations for the flu for aged care workers,” he said virtually from The Lodge.
“That is traditionally done through state public health orders, but the Commonwealth will work together with the states to ensure compliance with those orders.”
Richard Ferguson7.50pm:GPs to receive indemnity over AZ vaccine
Scott Morrison and the national cabinet will offer indemnity to GPs who give the AstraZeneca vaccine to under-60s who want it, in a massive push to boost the rollout of anti-Covid jabs.
The opening up of AstraZeneca comes amid serious concerns the Delta variant of coronavirus is breaking out across the country and a number of states either lock down or seriously tighten restrictions.
As of Monday, Australia had 271 active Covid cases with 23 local cases recorded in the past 24 hours, according to the latest national snapshot of the nation’s Covid situation.
The bulk of the cases were the new 18 infections recorded in NSW, with community transmitted COVID-19 cases also spotted in Western Australia, the Northern Territory and Queensland.
Staff Reporters7.35pm:National cabinet set to break from meeting
The Prime Minister and state and territory leaders are expected to announce the latest from their urgent national cabinet meeting at 7.45pm.
Paul Garvey7.10pm:WA ‘needs to go into lockdown’
Western Australia needs to go into a short, sharp lockdown immediately in response to the state’s latest Covid-19 outbreak, the WA arm of the Australian Medical Association says.
AMA WA president Dr Mark Duncan-Smith said the pace with which the Delta variant of the virus was moving through NSW, and the existing pressure in WA’s health system, showed that WA needed to act now.
A second woman in Perth’s northern suburbs tested positive on Monday. She had visited the same gym where a physiotherapist who contracted the virus during a recent visit to Sydney was working while infectious.
Dr Duncan-Smith on Sunday said he agreed with the government’s decision not to call a lockdown in response to the initial case, but on Monday he said the spread to the second person meant it was time to take further action.
“We need time for the contact tracers to get on top of the situation and ensure that there are no other cases of community spread,” he said.
“The Delta variant is highly contagious and we’ve already seen in NSW that the Delta variant has been able to outrun contact tracers and accordingly we urge the government to move towards a short, sharp lockdown.”
WA premier Mark McGowan called lockdowns in January and April this year after single cases entered the community, although the government has only introduced three days of mask and capacity restrictions in light of the latest outbreak.
“This situation that we’re in now is worse than the situations that have previously led to a lockdown,” Dr Duncan-Smith said.
“We’re a little confused as to why the government is using a different strategy now. The contact tracing strategy and drawing rings around community spread is similar to the model that NSW has used and has recently failed.”
The ongoing pressures in the state’s hospital system also meant WA had to be particularly conservative in its handling of the latest outbreak.
“Our hospitals are full,” Dr Duncan-Smith said.
“We have an ongoing health crisis, with record ambulance ramping expected to cross the 5,000 hours per month barrier for the first time this month.”
Mr McGowan earlier on Monday said the government’s preparedness not to enter lockdown at this stage reflected its confidence in the abilities of the state’s contact tracers and the fact the origins of the two new cases were known.
“Over the last 18 months, we’ve gotten better at our contact tracing, our testing measures that have been put in place and we move early,” he said.
“If we need to go further we will, if the testing regime indicates we need to go further in the future.”
Rhiannon Down6.55pm:Queensland issues new venues alert list
Queensland health authorities have updated the list of exposure sites to include several intercity flights, a pizza restaurant and a public toilet in Ban Ban Springs.
Travellers on Virgin flight VA334 from Brisbane to Melbourne, Virgin flight VA939 from Sydney to Brisbane and Virgin Flight VA454 from Darwin to Brisbane all on Friday June 25 have been put on high alert after they were listed as exposure sites.
âš ï¸ Public Health Alert - Ban Ban Springs âš ï¸
— Queensland Health (@qldhealthnews) June 28, 2021
A public health alert is being issued for a number of flights, and a public toilet in Ban Ban Springs.
More details can be found here: https://t.co/xrF1h6fRFypic.twitter.com/8NmVTh7Brp
Virgin flight VA827 from Melbourne to Sydney, Virgin Flight VA517 from Sydney to Gold Coast and Virgin Flight VA524 from Gold Coast to Sydney all on Saturday June 26 have also been added to the list.
Domino’s Pizza at the Sunshine Homemaker Centre and a Ban Ban Springs female public toilet has also been added and the exposure window at the Unhas Chic Salon in Brisbane has been updated.
Annastacia Palaszczuk said Queensland was “on the verge” of lockdown after the state recorded two new local Covid-19 infections today.
Rhiannon Down6.21pm:Wyatt concerned on low vaccination rates near NT mine
Indigenous Australians Minister Ken Wyatt says he’s gravely concerned about the spread of the Delta strain at the Granites gold mine in the NT due to its proximity to some “significant communities”, while many Indigenous people remain unvaccinated.
“It is because the Delta strain is more virulent and the infectious nature of it makes it concerning,” he told the ABC.
“Even the Granites mine, which is near some significant communities and with the movement out of that mine site to different locations, we are all concerned.
“I know Minister Hunt has established an incident management team and is working with my agency and the health sector and NT government to make sure we don’t get a spread beyond what we currently know of the five locally identified cases in the NT.”
Mr Wyatt said too few Indigneous Australians had received the jab, and urged communities to get vaccinated as soon as they could.
“(Some) 89,000 have received a shot, 16 per cent total of the indigenous community, much more work is to be done,” he said.
“Part of the challenge has been the fear generated through social media, and in a couple of communities, people have declined not to take the vaccines.
“But I thank the fear of what is now occurring in the territory will see a change of response, and I would encourage anybody listening… that they go and have the vaccine in order to protect themselves, so your body is at least prepared for when you come in contact with COVID-19, should it be in your community.”
Staff writers6.17pm:Sydney cluster spreads to another eastern suburbs school
Sydney’s Covid-19 cluster has spread to another eastern suburbs school, the fifth since the start of the current outbreak.
Rose Bay Secondary College, in an email to families, said it had been advised “that a student at our school has tested positive for Covid-19”.
“Our school site will be non-operational from Tuesday 29 June, 2021 for the on-site attendance of staff and visitors to allow time for contact tracing and cleaning.”
The school did not say when the student had attended the campus.
School holidays began on Monday.
That warning came after Mount Sinai College in Maroubra also notified parents at the weekend that a member of the “school community” had tested positive.
Emanuel School in Randwick has also confirmed on Sunday that a student had tested positive, while all students at South Coogee Public have been classified as close contacts and forced to isolate for a fortnight.
In nearby Waverley, contact tracers have yet to establish how a case at St Charles’ Catholic Primary School reported last Tuesday is connected to the growing Bondi cluster.
Rhiannon Down6.14pm:Australia now has 271 active Covid cases
Australia now has 271 active Covid cases with 23 local cases recorded in the past 24 hours, according to the latest national snapshot of the nation’s Covid situation.
Some 103,798 Covid tests have been received in the past 24 hours, bringing the nation’s total past 20 million tests.
This daily infographic provides a quick view of the current coronavirus (#COVID19) situation in Australia. https://t.co/ZIVz7VH76Ppic.twitter.com/evAOqtk7nX
— Australian Government Department of Health (@healthgovau) June 28, 2021
The figures come as several states face a Covid crisis with cases detected in Queensland, NT and WA linked to the NSW outbreak.
Some 58 people are currently in hospital with the virus, and the total death toll stands at 910.
Rhiannon Down 6.12pm:Sydney Airport health warning revoked
NSW health authorities have revoked a health warning that listed Sydney Airport’s Terminal 2 food court as an exposure site, thanking the “hundreds” of people who had already complied with the health order.
Authorities announced the correction following “further case interviews” that meant travellers who were at the airport no longer needed to isolate and get tested.
âš ï¸UPDATED INFORMATION: SYDNEY AIRPORT T2 FOOD COURTâš ï¸ pic.twitter.com/K0kxkK0QMU
— NSW Health (@NSWHealth) June 28, 2021
“NSW Health has cancelled public health advice announced yesterday in relation to the T2 Domestic terminal food court on Thursday 24 June between 5am and 10am,” the health body said.
“Further case interviews have determined the confirmed case of COVID-19 had not spent any time in the food court as initially reported.”
“NSW Health extends its gratitude to the hundreds of people across the country who immediately complied with requests to test and isolate as close or casual contacts. These requests no longer apply, and NSW Health is now re-contacting all those close contacts.”
It marks the second correction in just two days after NSW Health announced on Sunday night it had mixed up two hotels with the same name, after the Crossroads Hotel in Casula was listed instead of the Strathfield South Crossways Hotel.
Greg Brown 6.00pm:National cabinet to back new vaccine rules
Aged care workers will be unable to refuse a Covid-19 vaccination under an agreement that is set to be struck by national cabinet.
National cabinet began a meeting at 5.30pm on Monday and is expected to back new rules mandating Covid vaccinations for aged care workers.
It is also likely to endorse a ban on quarantining returning international travelers near lower risk people who have travelled interstate.
This could be done by separating the quarantining of domestic and international travelers to different floors of a hotel.
National cabinet is also likely to note the need to vaccinate and test all quarantine workers. The state and territory leaders will back making testing and vaccines available for household contacts of quarantine workers.
Rhiannon Down3.55pm:SA Covid testing site reaches capacity
SA Health says its Mount Gambier testing site has reached capacity due to “high demand” as the state introduces tougher COVID-19 restrictions in response to several outbreaks across the country.
“The Mount Gambier COVID-19 testing clinic is currently experiencing a high demand of testing, with wait times exceeding operating hours,” the health body said, in a post.
“The clinic will re-open at 9.00am 29 June 2021.”
SA Premier Steven Marshall announced the state would be stepping up its Covid restrictions including mandatory mask wearing in high risk areas, from midnight tonight.
Under the new rules indoor venues and entertainment facilities will be limited to one customer per two square metres with mandatory masks, which will last for at least one week.
Mr Marshall said the nation’s struggles to contain the Delta variant, with outbreaks now active in NSW, Queensland, WA and the NT, was “a wake up call”.
The Mount Gambier COVID-19 testing clinic is currently experiencing a high demand of testing, with wait times exceeding operating hours. The clinic will re-open at 9.00am 29 June 2021.
— SA Health (@SAHealth) June 28, 2021
Adesjola Ore3.35pm:Pizza chain, pub, Bunnings among latest Sydney exposure sites
A pizza chain, a Macquarie Fields pub and Rosebery cafe have been added to NSW’s list of exposure sites, as the state records 18 local cases in 24 hours.
Diners at the Domino’s Pizza in Merrylands, Glenquarie Hotel in Macquarie Fields and the Black and Gold Espresso in Rosebery have been put on high alert, after the venues were listed as close contact exposure sites.
The Shell Coles Express in Pagewood, Woolworths Glenquarie Town Centre in Macquarie Fields, Bunnings Eastgardens in Hillsdale and Coles Express in Alexandria has also been added to the list of casual contact venues.
It comes just hours before an emergency national cabinet meeting convenes at 5.30pm today, to discuss the deteriorating Covid situation in the country as several states and territories battle new outbreaks.
âš ï¸PUBLIC HEALTH ALERT – ADDITIONAL VENUES OF CONCERNâš ï¸
— NSW Health (@NSWHealth) June 28, 2021
NSW Health has been notified of new venues of concern associated with confirmed cases of #COVID19. pic.twitter.com/iHADmhMFo5
Adesjola Ore3.30pm:Brace yourself, he’s ‘incoherent’: Chester savages Joyce
Demoted veterans affairs minister Darren Chester has savaged new Nationals leader Barnaby Joyce, describing his telephone manner during his sacking as “incoherent.”
Mr Chester — a long-time backer of Michael McCormack – was dumped from the veterans affairs portfolio in Mr Joyce’s ministerial reshuffle on Sunday. The move comes ahead of a royal commission into veteran suicides.
The Gippsland MP said Mr Joyce called him about his demotion three hours before his press conference to announce the new cabinet roles.
He said during the conversation Mr Joyce was “incoherent.”
“I couldn’t actually explain what he was even saying to me. So people of Australia, brace yourself, there will be more conversations like that,” he said.
“Now we didn’t have harsh words at all, it was just a matter of fact conversation. He was sacking me. I didn’t agree with him, and I got on with the walk I was having with my dog.”
READ MORE:Joyce’s cabinet reshuffle all about revenge
Rhiannon Down 3.25pm:Even ‘prime creator of earth’ not above health orders
A man who disrupted NSW’s daily Covid press briefing claiming to be the “creator of the earth” has been fined $1000 for breaching health orders, NSW Police say.
The 42-year-old Darlinghurst man approached Police Commissioner Mick Fuller with papers asking him if he had received his cease and desist notice and describing himself as God.
“Don’t come near me,” Commissioner Fuller said as he was approached during the live streamed media conference, before police detained the man and led him away.
Commissioner Fuller added that even the prime creator was not above the public health orders and commended those on scene for their swift actions.
“I’d also like to acknowledge the actions of my Chief of Staff, Superintendent Rod Hart, and the Executive Director of our Public Affairs Branch, Grant Williams, as well as Seven News’ Rob Ovadia,” he said.
NSW Police said the man was issued with a move on directive and fined because he “left his home without a reasonable excuse”.
READ MORE: No change despite ‘very low’ AZ risk
Remy Varga2.50pm:Delta variant ‘60 per cent more infectious’
Chief Nursing and Midwifery Officer Alison McMillan has warned the Deltra variant is about 60 per cent more infectious than the alpha strain of the virus, as well as appearing to make younger people sicker.
Ms McMillan told a press conference on Monday the increased infectivity was currently playing out in NSW.
“We know the Delta strain is about 60 per cent more infectious than the alpha strain,” she said.
“That’s a significant amount more infectious.”
Lieutenant General John Frewen said he expected Australians would have to live for years with restrictions being introduced in response to outbreaks.
Lieutenant Frewen said the aim was to save lives from the diseases and Australians needed to become comfortable with the prospect of public health measures being activated and deactivated.
“We will be living with Covid for many years and I think all of these measures we can expect to be activated and deactivated,” he said.
READ MORE: Queensland on the verge of lockdown
Max Maddison 2.40pm:Albanese: Vaccine 'horizons’ will never be met
Anthony Albanese says the Morrison government has given up on vaccine targets and instead committed to “horizons”, something that they’ll “never meet”.
Amid ongoing scrutiny over the lacklustre vaccination rollout, which has intensified amid several outbreaks of the delta variant, the opposition leader said the federal government had given up on meeting the targets it had set for itself, and rather than aspiration needed concrete answers for the immediate crisis facing the nation.
“What’s extraordinary about last week is that the government gave up on targets and now they have something called horizons. Now, a horizon is something that you never meet. As you move the horizon moves with you,” Mr Albanese told Sky News.
“The government needs to acknowledge that it has been complacent, that it hasn’t put in place appropriate measures, present it hasn’t delivered it hasn’t delivered on its targets, and now it’s given up completely.”
READ MORE:Revelation from superspreader party
Remy Varga 2.20pm:Darwin lockdown extended with 1 new NT case
Northern Territory Chief Minister Michael Gunner has extended the snap lockdown of the Darwin region until Friday after the NT recorded one new case.
The new case is a man in his 50s who returned from the Granites gold mine in the Tanami Desert, while the territory’s first public exposure site is a pub in the Darwin suburb of Stuart Park. Mr Gunner said the positive case was at the Buff Club on Friday night.
Mr Gunner said the NT was at a critical point in its battle to contain the virus.
“For the first time, we do have public exposure sites in the territory,” he said.
There are now two cases in the NT from the Toonami mine.
READ MORE:No change despite ‘very low’ AZ risk
Max Maddison 1.59pm:SA restrictions come less than a day after borders shut
South Australian Premier Steven Marshall’s new restrictions come as the nation is gripped by fears of a widespread outbreak of the Delta variant.
The restrictions will be in place for a week, and Mr Marshall said he had no alternative in response to the “nature of the rapid spread of the Delta variant”, as he restricted singing for a week, limiting it to performers or at educational facilities.
“Even after these restrictions are put in place, we still have the lowest level of restrictions in Australia. We have to be very vigilant at the moment,” Mr Marshall said.
“We are pleading with the people of South Australia, if you have any symptoms whatsoever to immediately go and get tested.”
Buffets, communal facilities in shisha bars and standing while drinking will also be scrapped for the week.
Remy Varga 1.55pm:No cases, but SA clamps down with mask restrictionist
SA Premier Steven Marshall has announced a suite of new restrictions including mandatory mask wearing in high risk areas, which will last for at least one week.
From midnight tonight, venues and entertainment facilities will be limited to one customer per two square metres and masks must be worn indoors
Mr Marshall called outbreaks in NSW, Queensland, WA and the NT was “a wake up call for Australia”.
SA Chief Public Health Officer Nicole Spurrier said the Delta variant’s transmission potential was between 3.5 and four, compared with 2.5 with the dominant strain in 2.5
“With our current level of restrictions this will take off very quickly,” she said.
She said there were currently no local cases in the state but urged the public to come forward for testing.
Ms Spurrier said potential easing of restrictions in a week would depend on outbreaks in other states and territories.
“I’m looking for an improvement in those states, so no new cases, no new exposure sites,” she said.
She defended introducing restrictions, despite the state not recording any new cases on Monday.
Ms Chant said the state would have a “serious problem” if the virus leaked into the community, pointing to the fact three travellers from NSW entered SA on a private plan over the weekend.
“The borders remain porous, this virus has a way of getting in here,” she said.
READ MORE:All you need to know for interstate travel
Paul Garvey1.50pm:Latest WA case had ‘minimal contact’
Western Australia’s latest Covid-19 outbreak has spread to a second person.
Premier Mark McGowan on Monday said a 32-year-old woman had tested positive.
He said she had had “minimal contact” with a physiotherapist who contracted the virus after visiting Sydney over a week ago.
The 32-year-old had visited a gym in Perth’s northern suburbs where the physiotherapist had been working while contagious.
WA introduced three days of mask and capacity restrictions on Sunday in the wake of the latest outbreak.
Remy Varga1.44pm:Another new virus case in Western Australia
Western Australia has recorded one new local case of Covid, with health authorities believing the 32-year-old woman contracted the virus at a health and wellness gym.
Max Maddison12.58pm:Push for rethink on AstraZeneca jabs
Senator James Paterson says he hopes the vaccination advisor continues looking at lowering the age of people who can receive AstraZeneca jabs, particularly with the “very minimal risk” of harm.
With several outbreaks across Australia placing the decision to limit the AstraZeneca vaccination to people aged over 60-years-old under the spotlight, public health experts have called for the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation to reconsider the recommendation.
Given the spread of the Delta variant, time, and the time lag before Pfizer became widely available, Senatore Paterson believed people may “regret” not being able to access the AstraZeneca vaccine.
“I hope ATAGI continues to look at this, particularly given the very, very low risk of harm or death from the vaccine,” Senator Paterson told Sky News on Monday afternoon.
“Of the 4 million doses of AZ in Australia, there’s been two deaths. So you have a one in two million chance of dying. That’s far, far, far lower than the risk of death you’re facing if you get COVID.”
READ MORE:No change despite ‘very low’ AZ risk
Remy Varga12.30pm:Seven FIFO mine workers test for Covid in Victoria
Seven fly in fly out workers from the Granites gold mine in the Tanami Desert have identified themselves to Victorian health authorities.
Contact tracing chief Jeroen Weimar said three of the miners had tested negative with results pending for the remaining four.
Remy Varga12.23pm:Discretion over as Vic police escalate border clampdown
Victoria Police Chief Commissioner Shane Patton says 260 officers along with local police are patrolling the Victorian border, warning the time for discretion was over.
Mr Patton said ADF, which had been requested by the state government, would provide logistical support and free up police on the frontline.
He said people who attempted to enter Victoria without a valid permit faced thousands of dollars in fines, saying people had enough time to learn about the border restrictions.
“If there’s a need to escalate, we will escalate,” he said.
Exemptions are in place for border communities.
Remy Varga12.20pm:Victoria calls for ADF help to police borders
Victoria has requested Australian Defence Force support to help enforce border restrictions, says the state’s health minister.
Martin Foley told reporters on Monday the state government had requested ADF support to complement police efforts at the Victorian border.
He said Victoria has processed more than 5000 red zone and more than 21,000 orange zone permits.
“This is the first time Victoria has had orange and red zones in most states and territories,” he said.
Mr Foley said 1152 red zone permits were processed on Sunday alone.
Victoria has declared Greater Sydney and Darwin regions with most of NSW and the ACT orange zones.
READ MORE:A letter to Sydney from a city that’s been there
Jess Malcolm11.58am:NSW to keep taking international arrivals
NSW will continue to take international arrivals despite battling a growing outbreak, Gladys Berejiklian has confirmed.
Despite acknowledging the risk posed by international arrivals, the NSW Premier says it is “the right thing to do”.
“It’s the compassionate thing to do and I appreciate the risk that comes with that, which is why I’ve argued for a long time that, you know, given New South Wales is doing the heavy lifting there, that consideration should be given to those vaccines coming our way.”
“Imagine being an Aussie stranded somewhere overseas and not being able to come home, that is a basic human right that all of us have, as Aussies, to be able to come back home.
Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said earlier this morning she would be pushing for a reduction in international arrivals at the emergency national cabinet meeting later today.
But Ms Berejiklian says she is in favour of keeping caps the same, backing the NSW system.
“Obviously, the larger numbers you have, the greater the risk. But our system is robust. We have a rhythm, and we’re supporting the nation.”
READ MORE:
Remy Varga11.50am:Victorian COVID-19 update press conference due at midday
Victorian Health Minister Martin Foley, COVID-19 Commander Jeroen Weimar and Victoria Police Chief Commissioner Shane Patton are due to provide an update on the state’s coronavirus situation at 12pm.
Jess Malcolm11.46am:GPs want more doses: Berejiklian blasts vaccine supply
Gladys Berejiklian says the vaccine rollout must lean more heavily on the GP network, but that her government cannot control the vaccine supply.
The NSW Premier says GPs have been eager to help out, but have been limited and frustrated by the vaccine supply and that many have not been given the opportunity by the commonwealth to administer the jabs.
“I have been calling on this for weeks and weeks if not months,” she said. “Our GPs want to do more. They want more doses and they want more GPs to come online. That is necessary, that is not something the New South Wales government can control.”
“We have to plan for the weeks and months ahead. I am frustrated that people are not doing that at other levels.”
“We need a plan for the future and make sure the vaccine is accessible to our whole population.”
Health Minister Brad Hazzard said there were six people vaccinated at the West Hoxton super-spreading party and none of them became infected with the virus.
There are now 24 positive cases associated with the West Hoxton party, which was attended by over 30 people.
“The early and strong indications from that party, that West Hoxton party, are if you’re vaccinated, you are much more likely to NOT be infected with COVID-19.”
READ MORE:State flags new rules despite no local cases
Jess Malcolm11.30am:Chant: At least five days until numbers decrease
There are “thousands and thousands” of close contacts associated with the latest Bondi outbreak, Dr Kerry Chant has confirmed.
She forecast Covid numbers in NSW would not decrease for another five days, given the time it takes for testing and detection.
“The restrictions came in towards the end of last week, there were other mitigations earlier on, but the cases we have now reflect exposures that occurred,” she said.
“Therefore it is important the community understands that the numbers are not expected to decline for another five days. But if we don’t want to see these cases dribble on, we all have a role to play in adhering to the health advice.”
The current outbreak has seen multiple venues which have been associated with a high number of cases, including the Lyfe Cafe Bondi, Joh Bailey hairdresser, Great Ocean Foods, Royal Bondi and Westfield Bondi Junction.
Dr Kerry Chant reiterated authorities are seeing almost 100 per cent transmissibility in households, up from 30 per cent with previous strains.
READ MORE: AZ tests booster jab against UK variant
Jess Malcolm 11.25am: NSW police fine 44 over health breaches
NSW Police have issued 44 fines for people disobeying public health orders, Police Commissioner Mick Fuller has confirmed.
Most of the tickets were issued for people failing to wear a mask, but there were also incidents of people disobeying stay-at-home orders.
NSW Health is treating 88 COVID-19 cases, two of whom are in intensive care. Most cases (92 per cent) are being treated in non-acute, out-of-hospital care, including returned travellers in the Special Health Accommodation.
— NSW Health (@NSWHealth) June 28, 2021
NSW Police have also fined two men for sunbaking naked on a beach on the South Coast, who required SES and police assistance after they got lost in a national park after being startled by a deer.
“It’s only a small percentage of the New South Wales people that are not following the health guidelines, but I can assure you, if you breach the health orders or the guidelines, you will be punished,” he said.
“Crime continues to fall in most categories. You are safe at home and you are safe if you do have to travel for those essential reasons.”
READ MORE:Eerie photos of city in lockdown
Jess Malcolm11.20am:Chant: Comply with iso, lockdown restrictions
Chief Health Officer Kerry Chant has clarified confusion around stay-at-home and isolation requirements.
Dr Chant says it is “critical” that those in self-isolation must act in a “cocoon” environment, living where possible completely separate from other household members.
Under stay-at-home restrictions, people are being asked to spend minimal time in retail environments, and to only leave home for the four essential reasons.
When giving compassionate care to vulnerable people, Dr Kerry Chant said this must be done in a contactless way where possible.
“But if you do need to support your aged and frail relatives and you do need to visit, please wear a mask even indoors and try to visit at the warmer parts of the day, if it is a sunny winter’s day, sit outside and use well and ventilated spaces.”
“This is not a time to think over health guidelines as that this means I can do something a little bit outside the box, this is a time for us to pull together and comply.
READ MORE:Skills shortage threatens subs
Lydia Lynch 11.15am:Palaszczuk to call for more quarantine centres
Annastacia Palaszczuk will call for more purpose-built quarantine centres to be built around Australia at an emergency national cabinet meeting this evening.
State and territory leaders will meet virtually with Prime Minister Scott Morrison at 5:30pm to deal with ballooning cases of the highly-transmissible Delta variant in four states.
Two new local cases were detected in Queensland – one Delta and one Alpha (UK) variant- both as a result of hotel quarantine breaches.
The Premier said leaders needed to have “a good conversation about regional quarantine and quarantine facilities that are not hotels”.
“We have seen leaks out of hotels in a large number of states,” she said.
“It is not unique to Queensland. This has happened in Victoria, it’s happened in New South Wales, it’s happened in South Australia and Western Australia.”
Ms Palaszczuk welcomed the Commonwealth’s offer to pay for a new quarantine site at army barracks near Brisbane airport after killing-off a separate proposal for Toowoomba’s Wellcamp Airport on Friday.
“But we need one at the Brisbane airport and we need Wellcamp,” Ms Palaszczuk said.
“The best thing we can do to fight this virus is to get vaccinated and to get people out of hotel quarantine into regional facilities.
“We need to get people out of these hotels.”
Ms Palaszczuk will also push for overseas arrival caps to be slashed while the nation gets on top of recent outbreaks.
NSW recorded 18 cases in the 24 hours to 8pm last night, bringing the total number of cases in the Bondi cluster up to 127. One of the new cases is unlinked.
No new local cases were detected in WA or Victoria.
READ MORE: New Qld restrictions in force
Jess Malcolm11.10am:Berejiklian: Numbers will bounce around
Gladys Berejiklian says NSW residents should expect the numbers to “bounce around” considering there is a considerable lag time between cases becoming infectious and being detected.
The NSW Premier reinforced the 100 per cent transmissibility associated with the Delta strain which could see the numbers rise in the coming days.
“The cases we are seeing today are a reflection of what may have occurred in the previous week and obviously there is a lag time on the time we are able to record these cases.
“While the numbers today are less than the numbers yesterday, we have to be prepared for the numbers to bounce around and we have to be prepared for the numbers to go up considerably.”
Ms Berejiklian also addressed commentary in recent days about the NSW government’s response to the evolving outbreak, backing the advice of Chief Health Officer Kerry Chant.
“There are a lot of experts out there giving their opinion on what may or may not be the case, please know that what has served New South Wales very well is that we have relied on the health expert advice of Dr Chant and her team.”
“Please know that the information we provide to you directly through these press conferences every day, through Service NSW or the New South Wales.gov.au website or the New South Wales Health website are the sources of truth that we would like the public to rely on.”
READ MORE: New Qld restrictions in force
Jess Malcolm11.00am:NSW records 18 new local cases
NSW has recorded 18 new local cases, with all but one linked to existing clusters. However only one third were in isolation when they tested positive, with others out and about in the community while infectious, says Gladys Berejiklian.
The new cases bring the total number of cases in NSW to 130.
There were 59,000 tests conducted in the past 24 hours.
NSW Health is treating 88 COVID-19 cases, two of whom are in intensive care. Most cases (92 per cent) are being treated in non-acute, out-of-hospital care, including returned travellers in the Special Health Accommodation.
— NSW Health (@NSWHealth) June 28, 2021
Jess Malcolm11.00am:Andrews to push for more vaccines at Nat Cab
Daniel Andrews says he will be pushing for more vaccines for Victorians at today’s national cabinet meeting, urging people to go and get vaccinated.
The Victorian Premier said he would like to see as many vaccines in “as many arms as possible.”
“No one can be happy with the way this vaccine has been rolled out,” he said.
“We’ve got supply problems. We say this from a position of strength, we have done more than any other state. But no one can be happy that we have so few people vaccinated.”
“I would encourage everyone. I’ve had my first Pfizer shot. I’ll have my second one very soon.
“Kath has had both of her shots. I would encourage anybody who’s got an AstraZeneca second shot coming up to go and get that shot.”
In terms of legislating mandatory vaccinations in aged care, Mr Andrews said he is yet to see the commonwealth’s plan.
Jess Malcolm10.45am:Andrews: Spine healed, ribs take 3 more months
Daniel Andrews says while his spine is healed, his ribs will take another three months to be fully recovered.
Despite the slow recovery, the Victorian Premier said he has taken the opportunity to get fitter than he’s ever been.
“I think it’s only human when you have a big and traumatic event in your life, you look at what you’re doing, you assess what’s important, in many respects you’re reminded of what’s absolutely important,” he said.
“I am fit. I am back. And, make no mistake, we’re here to get things done.”
After initially releasing a statement that he would be off work for six weeks, Mr Andrews was off work for nearly four months.
Mr Andrews told reporters this morning he extended his leave after his doctors recommended it.
“I was very keen to take the time to get right, to fully heal, to follow the advice I have been provided from many different people, from all political persuasions, from all parts of the country and the world that you’ve gotta take these things seriously.
“It was a very, very nervous day, going into the Alfred for that first scan at six weeks, because that was the pivotal one to know whether it was healing, whether it was stabilising, whether it was getting better or worse.”
READ MORE:How Hawke ‘informed’ for the US
Jess Malcolm:10.40am:Andrews canes ‘vile stories’ about accident
Daniel Andrews says he is “getting back to work for the people of Victoria” in his first press conference in almost four months.
The Victorian Premier stood firm against rumours circulating around what happened in the incident when he broke his back and ribs, labelling them “vile stories”.
“People who make up their own facts, you’re best not really to get into an argument with them. It’s very difficult to win those arguments.”
“In terms of some of this other stuff, you know, never get into an argument with a fool. That never works.”
“I’m not gonna apologise to you or anybody else for following medical advice and getting fit and well.”
He reiterated that he was away on a family holiday while on annual leave, and that the holiday was paid for himself.
Mr Andrews thanked his family, medical staff and Deputy Premier James Merlino for the work they did while he was away.
READ MORE:‘Comeback Dan’ snubs Age
Staff reporters10.30am:Berejiklian update at 11.00am
NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian, Health Minister Brad Hazzard, NSW Chief Health Officer Dr Kerry Chant and Police Commissioner Mick Fuller will provide a COVID-19 update.
You can watch live here
Richard Ferguson10.30am: national cabinet to meet at 5.30pm
Scott Morrison and the state premiers will convene at 5.30pm to deal with the Covid-19 outbreaks across the nation.
The Prime Minister is set to push the mandatory vaccination of aged care workers and a ban on quarantining domestic travellers next to high risk international arrivals.
Mr Morrison’s key national security ministers are also meeting this morning to discuss the outbreaks.
Jess Malcolm 10.05am:Bowtell: Bring back JobKeeper for latest lockdowns
Strategic health consultant Bill Bowtell says the federal government must look at reinstating Job Keeper arrangements for tens of thousands of people and businesses who have lost their income in lockdown.
Adjunct Professor Bowtell told the ABC that people will require financial assistance over the next few weeks while states and territories battle to contain the recent outbreaks.
“The federal government can’t shirk that responsibility to return JobKeeper and to help all Australians to deal with what is a really serious problem,” he said.
“We really face the most serious crisis in the Covid pandemic since the early days in February, March last year.”
He called the outbreaks a “largely avoidable and foreseeable crisis” but a poor procurement and rollout of vaccines means it will be difficult to respond to the emerging situation.
“The federal government has got to wake up to itself. Their procurement policies have left only four per cent of Australians fully vaccinated today.:
“Secondly, the quarantine arrangements are not good enough. The people at the front line workers were not vaccinated. They were not supervised … that is a very serious problem.”
READ MORE:Skills shortage threatens subs
Max Maddison 10.00am:Nat Cab to address mandatory vax for aged care staff
The national cabinet will address some of the critical issues facing Australia, as the nation confronts one of the most testing points since the beginning of the pandemic.
Amid several outbreaks across Australia, state and federal leaders will meet on Monday, with the national cabinet agenda revealing that Scott Morrison will address core issues, including mandatory vaccinations for aged care workers.
Moreover, testing and vaccinating people working directly and indirectly in the quarantine system will be discussed, in a bid to prevent a similar breach to what occurred in Sydney.
In addition, banning the practice of quarantining low risk domestic travellers next door to high risk international travellers – which led to the Queensland miner becoming infected – will also be debated.
Max Maddison9.45am:Pitt: I’ve landed on a very short snake
Demoted Water and Resources Minister Keith Pitt says he’s “landed on a snake”, after new Nationals leader Barnaby Joyce pushed him into the outer ministry.
After a Nationals ministry reshuffle saw Mr Pitt retain the vital resources portfolio, but moved out of cabinet into the outer ministry, the Hinkler MP said he was “disappointed” after the decision, but dodged questions about whether the decision represented a vendetta.
“I’m disappointed, that’s true. In the game of snakes and ladders I’ve landed on a snake, a very short one,” Mr Pitt told Sky News on Monday morning.
He also said he was disappointed to lose Northern Australia, with the special envoy position handed to Nationals senator Susan McDonald, but denied the demotion of resources represented a slight against the sector.
“Those are decisions for the leader. My job is to represent the sector, to the best of my ability is what I’ve always done,” he said.
READ MORE:Calls to expand terror status
Jess Malcolm9.40am:Berejiklian to give NSW update at 11am
Gladys Berejiklian will provide a NSW Covid-19 update at 11am today, alongside Chief Health Officer Kerry Chant and Police Commissioner Mick Fuller.
NSW residents are bracing for a surge in cases, as Sydneysiders begin their first working week under strict stay-at-home orders.
The state recorded 30 cases on Sunday, bringing the total number of cases in the cluster up to 112.
READ MORE:Businesses urged to submit Covid claims
Lydia Lynch9.30am:Palaszczuk to call for cap on international arrivals
Annastacia Palaszczuk will push for Australia’s international arrival cap to be slashed as the nation grapples with outbreaks in four states.
Two new local cases were detected in Queensland on Monday, including a woman infected with the more contagious Delta strain.
The Premier said south-east Queensland was “on the verge” of lockdown and one unlinked case would trigger stay at home orders.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison has called an emergency cabinet meeting after new community cases were found in Sydney, Brisbane, Perth and Darwin at the weekend.
Ms Palaszczuk said reducing the cap would take pressure off hotel quarantine and allow more Queenslanders, trapped in other states, to return home.
Borders tightened further on Sunday after at least 35 local cases were detected across Australia.
Ms Palaszczuk said she would not hesitate to bring back a hard border if there was community spread in northern NSW.
Deputy Premier Steven Miles said only about half of people returning to Australia were citizens or permanent residents.
READ MORE: Our bleak future
Lydia Lynch9.15am: Palaszczuk brings in new restrictions for Qld
Masks will be mandatory in parts of south-east Queensland from 1am tomorrow after two more local cases were confirmed on Monday.
Of the two locally acquired cases recorded, one is linked to Portuguese Restaurant and tested positive in home quarantine, and one is linked to a Northern Territory mine site (confirmed yesterday).
— Annastacia Palaszczuk (@AnnastaciaMP) June 27, 2021
Annastacia Palaszczuk said one of the cases was linked to the Portuguese restaurant cluster and tested positive while already in isolation so was not of concern.
The second case was a female miner from the Sunshine Coast who tested positive with the more infectious Delta strain.
She was in the community for one day while infectious.
Ms Palaszcuk said the next 24-48 hours will be critical.
The woman is believed to have been infected at a Northern Territory mine.
More than 900 workers at the Granites gold mine, were potentially exposed to the virus and many have already returned to their home states.
The first mine worker to test positive was from regional Victoria and was forced to quarantine at Brisbane airport’s Novotel Hotel on June 18.
READ MORE: Emergency meeting amid Covid scramble
Anne Barrowclough9.12am:Queensland records 2 new local cases
Queensland has recorded two new local cases, one of which is the Delta variant. A third case was recorded in hotel quarantine.
Monday 28 June – coronavirus cases in Queensland:
— Annastacia Palaszczuk (@AnnastaciaMP) June 27, 2021
Two new locally acquired cases.
One new overseas acquired case, detected in hotel quarantine.#covid19pic.twitter.com/UuhLmYuBLv
Rachel Baxendale9.10am:Andrews to give first presser in months at 10.15
Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews is due to give his first press conference in almost four months at 10:15am.
The press conference will be held at a Metro Rail Tunnel construction site in North Melbourne.
Jess Malcolm9.05am: Barilaro: No rule or playbook over lockdown
Deputy Premier John Barilaro has rebuffed claims that Sydney should have locked down sooner, saying “there’s no rule or playbook” when responding to Covid-19.
Mr Barilaro told Sunrise on Monday the government decided to extend the lockdown to greater Sydney when it became concerned about the growing list of exposure sites.
“We took the advice, as we have done for 18 months and we make decisions and there is a long span between these other decisions that we make,” he said.
“There was pressure last week which is why we introduced the restrictions on Friday. We saw the numbers going back but being consistent, and with the exposure sites growing, I think there are about 260 exposure sites across the city now, the risk is real.”
“We could have gone two days earlier or later but the reality is that it is the same way we have managed for 18 months.”
Peter Lalor 8.55am: Labuschagne in iso as housemate Selman tests positive
Marnus Labuschagne was forced out of last night’s T20 blast match for Glamorgan and into isolation with teammate Michael Neser after fellow Australian player Nick Selman tested positive to Covid.
Labuschagne’s manager said this morning the brilliant batsman believed he would have to spend 10 days in isolation.
He and Neser share a house in Cardiff where they and Selman, also from Brisbane, play for the county side.
Labuschagne was ordered not to travel with the team after he and Neser were deemed close contacts.
It is a blow for Labuschagne who was disappointed to be left out on the squad for the West Indies tour which leaves Australia today.
Management decided it was better to leave him in the UK than subject him to quarantine regulations by attending the tournament.
Labuschagne was frustrated at missing the chance to play for his country and put up his hand ahead of the T20 World Cup later this year.
“Anyone who knows Marnus understands he would give absolutely anything to play for Australia and he is deeply upset to miss out due to circumstances beyond anyone’s control,” selector Trevor Hohns said when the squad was announced. “We worked through numerous options in conversations with Marnus to find a workable solution but ultimately came to the conclusion it was more practical for him to remain in the UK.”
READ MORE: Trading Day: Lockdowns set to weigh on market
Jess Malcolm8.50am:AMA urges all frontline workers be vaccinated
The Australian Medical Association says the Delta variant is “the biggest threat of the pandemic as a nation”, urging for all frontline workers to be vaccinated.
In response to the unfolding crisis, AMA President Dr Omar Khorshid has backed the Sydney lockdown but says some of the spread could have been avoided if it was implemented earlier.
“I the right call has been made,” he told Today. “It has been made late enough that the virus has managed to jump those state borders which is always the risk.”
“It’s just not Sydney that we are talking about here. We are a country joined up by at least aeroplanes and roads and other things.”
“We are seeing it across the country, cases of both the Delta and Alpha variants that are really putting our wellbeing and our lives and, certainly, our businesses at risk.”
Dr Khorshid said the biggest failing is unvaccinated workers on the frontline, considering the high transmissibility of the new Delta variant.
“Aged care workers must be vaccinated to protect the people that they are looking after,” he said.
“Flight attendants and transport workers must be vaccinated not just to protect yourself, it is a great move to protect yourself, but more importantly, to protect everyone else.
“There’s no excuse to bring those hotel quarantine facilities up to speed and workers fully vaccinated.”
READ MORE:Melbourne hotel exposed to virus
Max Maddison8.35am: Sharma calls for new style of quarantine for vaccinated
Liberal MP Dave Sharma has warned Australia isn’t “out of the woods yet”, and proposed a new style of quarantine arrangements for returning travellers.
With Perth, the Northern Territory and Greater Sydney in lockdown, the Morrison government has faced renewed criticism for the sluggish vaccine rollout, but Mr Sharma pointed to Singapore and England as countries with high vaccination rates that were undergoing fresh restrictions.
“I urge every Australian eligible to get vaccinated, but we are also going to need to keep other public health measures in place – things like frequent testing, contact tracing regimes, social distancing, QR checking codes, all those sorts of things,” Mr Sharma told Sky News on Monday morning.
“I think this virus is going to be with us for some time yet.”
In response to his Liberal colleagues who called for allowing fully vaccinated travellers to quarantine at home, the Wentworth MP said if people tested negative 72-hours before departure, then tested negative again on arrival, he’d like to see a different form of quarantine.
“We should consider that you’re eligible for a different formal quarantine. Maybe it’s fewer days in the current hotel quarantine or attending at home with checking codes,” he said.
“What that would do is reflect the different level of risk of some of these incoming travellers, and it will free up space in our quarantine program.”
READ MORE: Calls for vaccination leave
Jess Malcolm8.30am:Sydney lockdown ‘could be extended’
Chair of the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Jane Halton has warned Sydney’s lockdown could extend past two weeks if case numbers continue to rise.
Ms Halton said there is potential for it to go longer depending on whether the contact tracing can keep up with the speed of transmissibility.
"I've got to be honest with you, I'm just feeling a little bit nervous it might go on longer"
— Sunrise (@sunriseon7) June 27, 2021
Jane Halton has warned that Sydney's coronavirus lockdown could be extended beyond two weeks if the outbreak continues to explode. pic.twitter.com/pCPFBK2FMF
“I’ve got to be honest with you, I’m feeling a bit nervous it might go on for longer.
“Two weeks is the amount of time you need to make sure that you actually keep an eye on it in terms of the first round of infections, but potentially there will be seeking going on beyond that time, so let’s see how the contact tracers go.”
Ms Halton said she is worried about the levels of vaccination in aged care facilities and other vulnerable cohorts.
“We are all very worried about the outbreak, because we are seeing reports of where people who have been diagnosed with Covid have gone, and we know they’ve been exposed to lots of people, so it’s very good that we are now in lockdown, I think it’s absolutely appropriate.
“I certainly think people in the frontline, particularly people dealing with likely infections from overseas, should be vaccinated.”
READ MORE:Eery photos of deserted city
Jess Malcolm8.20am:Victoria records no new cases
Victoria has recorded no new locally acquired cases of Covid-19, following 17,617 tests.
There were two new overseas acquired cases.
The state administered 14,294 vaccine doses in the last 24 hours.
It comes as Victorian authorities were alerted to a positive case who travelled to Melbourne on a Virgin flight from Brisbane on June 25.
The case was a close contact of a NSW case, but left Victoria on June 25 so was processed interstate.
Reported yesterday: 0 new local cases and 2 new cases acquired overseas.
— VicGovDH (@VicGovDH) June 27, 2021
- 14,294 vaccine doses were administered
- 17,617 test results were received
More later: https://t.co/2vKbgKHFvv#COVID19Vic#COVID19VicDatapic.twitter.com/Pl9mCpLMjB
Jess Malcolm8.15am: TWU: Mandate vaccination for aircrews
The Transport Workers Union is calling on the federal government to mandate vaccination for airline crews, calling it an “urgent and disturbing failure” of the nation’s vaccination rollout.
The comments come after a flight attendant was infectious and unvaccinated on five Virgin flights between Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane.
The worker took a rapid test on Saturday night after learning they were a close contact connected to the Bondi cluster.
TWU Secretary said airlines have been doing “what they can in the circumstances” but called it “an absolute schmozzle”.
“What we have here is one of the most urgent and disturbing failures of this rollout so far,” Mr Kaine told the ABC.
Mr Kaine said there was no mandated pre-fight testing, leaving it up to the airlines to organise it themselves.
There is post-flight testing mandated in Victoria and many airlines are following suit in other states.
Max Maddison 8.10am:Joyce: Reshuffle ‘not a case of rewarding’ supporters
Nationals leader Barnaby Joyce says his ministry reshuffle is not about rewarding his supporters, but says anyone who signs up for politics “understands how it works”.
Mr Joyce used a ministry reshuffle to appoint Andrew Gee Veterans Affairs and Defence Personnel Minister, at the expense of Darren Chester, and bring Bridget McKenzie back into cabinet after being engulfed by the Sports rorts affair.
But despite both being prominent backers of his leadership, Mr Joyce denied their promotion was transactional, instead saying bringing women through was a key consideration, while he continued to defend pushing Resources Minister Keith Pitt to the outer ministry.
“It is not a case of rewarding. We know the game of politics. Any person who signs up for politics understands how it works. As a person who spent over three years on the backbench, I make no excuses for that,” Mr Joyce told Nine’s Today show on Monday morning.
With a net-zero target by 2050 potentially proving to be a key sticking point in negotiations with Scott Morrison, the Nationals leader said he would ensure his party room has a “strong say in any so-called deal”, and foreshadowed making the agricultural sector exempt from any target.
“We obviously have farming which is emissions-intensive. That money flows through the cattle yards and to the hairdressers and accountants and shops in town,” he said.
“A white collar job behind a keyboard in Sydney is less exposed to a decision about emissions than a blue collar job in a regional area.”
READ MORE:Coalition firm despite vaccine stumbles
Jess Malcolm 8.05am: NT outbreak grows to six
Northern Territory Health Minister Natasha Fyles says the outbreak in the top end has grown to six cases, and has called it the first “serious Covid threat” the territory has faced.
Ms Fyles said the government is working with its state counterparts to track and trace all exposed contacts.
“We had around 260 contacts in the Northern Territory in this initial index case, and we’ve made contact with all individuals who are now in isolation,” Ms Fyles said.
“It’s not uncommon for FIFO workers to switch their phone off after they finish and go fishing or camping, so it was good news late last night but there’s many challenges ahead.”
Ms Fyles said all positive cases have been linked to the index case of the mine worker, and the state’s positive cases have been moved to Darwin’s Howard Springs facility.
“The cases to date have all been contacts of the line worker, one has gone to NSW, one has gone to Queensland, we’ve had two at the mine but they’ve been brought into Darwin.”
“One individual has tested positive in the Darwin area but they spent minimal time in the community.”
Ms Fyles said the tracing capacity has been “enormous” but the state is working with their state counterparts.
The commonwealth has offered extra assistance, which the government will not hesitate to call on if needed.
Health authorities have not confirmed that it was the Delta variant, but are “extremely concerned” and responding to it as if it was.
READ MORE: Sheridan:Virus not finished with us yet
Max Maddison 7.55am:‘Barnaby would have to explain’ dropping Chester
Dumped Nationals minister Darren Chester has offered an apology to regional Australia for the way the party conducted itself as they knifed former leader Michael McCormack, and says he has no explanation for why Barnaby Joyce dropped him from cabinet
On Sunday, Mr Joyce rewarded his backers Bridget McKenzie and Andrew Gee by promoting them to cabinet, at the expense of former Veterans Affairs and Defence Personnel Minister Mr Chester, and Keith Pitt, who held his Resources portfolio but was dropped to the outer ministry.
And the Gippsland MP said he was mystified as to his demotion, revealing that he had only found out at 12:34pm yesterday, only three hours before Mr Joyce held a press conference about the ministry reshuffle.
“Can I just offer a pretty simple apology to regional Australians for the way my party conducted itself last week, in the middle of a global pandemic, as we’re recovering from bushfires, from drought, from storms,” Mr Chester told ABC Breakfast News “We spent the whole week talking about ourselves again.”
“But in terms of Barnaby’s explanation, he did a press conference yesterday and said I was a competent minister. So, you know, he would have to explain that himself. I can’t explain it.”
READ MORE: Next election couldn’t be tighter
Jess Malcolm7.35am:national cabinet will align Covid responses: Frydenberg
Josh Frydenberg says today’s emergency national cabinet meeting will allow state and federal governments to “align responses” to the growing Covid-19 outbreaks across the country.
The Treasurer said leaders will be briefed by the Chief Medical Officer on the latest development of the virus.
“It will be an important opportunity to bring states together,” Mr Frydenberg said.
“It’s all about aligning responses, you’ve seen state and territory border closes, it’s about bringing the leaders together and hearing the most up to date responses.”
“We’re dealing with a highly infectious Delta variant right now.”
When pressed on whether there will be more emergency vaccine doses available in response to the outbreaks, Mr Frydenberg said “we’re rolling out vaccines as fast as possible.”
“We’ve just recently made an extra 50,000 vaccines available to NSW,” he said.
“More than 28 per cent of eligible cohorts have received their first doses.
“It is important to ensure workers in the facilities with vulnerable cohorts are vaccinated as well.”
READ MORE:Aus population to shrink over next 40 years
Jess Malcolm7.30am:‘We’re rolling out vaccine as fast as possible’
Josh Frydenberg says today’s emergency national cabinet meeting will allow state and federal governments to “align responses” to the growing Covid-19 outbreaks across the country.
The Treasurer said leaders would be briefed by the Chief Medical Officer on the latest Covid-19 developments.
“It will be an important opportunity to bring states together,” Mr Frydenberg said.
“It’s all about aligning responses; you’ve seen state and territory border closes, it’s about bringing the leaders together and hearing the most up to date responses.”
“We’re dealing with a highly infectious Delta variant right now.”
When pressed on whether there will be more emergency vaccine doses available in response to the outbreaks, Mr Frydenberg said “we’re rolling out vaccines as fast as possible.”
“We’ve just recently made an extra 50,000 vaccines available to NSW,” he said.
“More than 28 per cent of eligible cohorts have received their first doses.
“It is important to ensure workers in the facilities with vulnerable cohorts are vaccinated as well.”
Today we’re releasing the 5th Intergenerational Report.
— Josh Frydenberg (@JoshFrydenberg) June 27, 2021
The IGR underlines the fact the economic impact of #COVID isn’t short lived, and boosting productivity will be the key to Australia’s future prosperity.
My OpEd in @australian 👇https://t.co/uwlVaOWBrQ
READ MORE: Josh Frydenberg — Productivity and population keys to prosperity
Jess Malcolm7.05am:States tighten restrictions as new cases spread
Millions of Australians are now under stay-at-home orders and new restrictions as Australia battles several outbreaks across the country.
On the brink of a national outbreak, many states and territories moved to tighten restrictions and close borders as a way to curb the spread of the virus.
Queensland has enforced further restrictions as the state recorded three new locally acquired cases. Pubs, clubs and cafes are now required to adhere to the one person per two square metre rule, and private gatherings are now limited to less than 100 people. The cases spent time while infectious in the community, but health authorities expect they have the Alpha (UK) variant, not Delta. Several new exposure sites have been added to health authorities list.
Darwin residents have been plunged into a snap two-day lockdown, with four cases linked to a mine that could have exposed hundreds of workers. Premier Michael Gunner said he could not rule out extending the lockdown past two days. Residents can only leave their home for essential reasons and must stay within a 5km radius.
West Australia has introduced travel restrictions for people arriving from Queensland, the Northern Territory and the ACT, with restrictions already in place for NSW and Victoria. Residents in Perth and Peel are now subjected to mask-wearing while indoors and on public transport after a NSW tested positive for Covid-19.
The Victorian government has upgraded the ACT and regional NSW to orange on its traffic light permit system, requiring travellers to obtain a border permit to enter Victoria. The state recorded no new cases on Sunday, but authorities were alerted to a positive case who travelled on to Melbourne on a Virgin flight on June 25, and then left the next day.
The ACT also moved to implement mask-wearing in indoor public spaces and on public transport.
South Australia has slammed shut its border with Queensland, the ACT, the Northern Territory and Western Australia, in addition to its existing hard border with NSW and testing requirements for returning Victorians.
Cases in NSW are forecast to surge across greater Sydney, with the lockdown extended to all of Sydney, Central Coast, the Blue Mountains and Wollongong for two weeks.
READ MORE:Go home, territory cops tell lockdown holdouts
Jess Malcolm6.45am:Sydney’s Bondi cluster grows to 112 cases
NSW Health is racing to contact and trace cases of the highly infectious delta variant as the Bondi cluster grows to 112.
Health officials detected 30 new cases on Sunday, with 19 of them visiting several venues for days while infectious.
Sydney residents spent the first two days of a two-week strict lockdown over the weekend, only allowed to leave their homes for four essential reasons.
Authorities are warning that case numbers will surge in the coming days, with the second week of lockdown critical in deciding whether it will be extended.
The list of exposure sites has now grown to more than 240 across greater Sydney, with authorities expressing particular concern about the Joh Bailey hair salon, a Bondi cafe and a Marrickville fish wholesaler.
On Sunday, NSW chief health officer Kerry Chant said contact tracing teams were not being overwhelmed in their efforts to chase down the virus, with only two of the new cases under investigation.
Residents of NSW are being urged to regularly check the list of venues and transport routes and follow the relevant health advice.
Anyone who attended the following venues is a close contact and must immediately get tested and isolate for 14 days.
SYDNEY EXPOSURE SITES
■ Lyfe Cafe Bondi, 2/154 Glenayr Avenue: Wednesday June 16, 12.30pm to 2.15pm; Friday June 18 to Saturday June 19; Tuesday June 22 to Thursday June 24;
■ Joh Bailey, 7 Knox Street, Double Bay: Tuesday June 15 to Wednesday June 23;
■ Great Ocean Foods, 5/11 Cadogan Street, Marrickville: Monday June 21 to Friday June 25; and
■ The Royal Bondi, 283 Bondi Road, Bondi: Sunday June 20, 7.50pm to 9.30pm; Saturday June 19, 5pm to 6.30pm.
VENUE ALERTS FOR WEDNESDAY, JUNE 23
■ 7-Eleven Croydon Park, 342 Georges River Road and Burwood Road, Croyden Park: 5.15am to 5.30am;
■ Chaco Ramen, 238 Crown Street, Darlinghurst: 12.35pm to 2.15pm;
■ Guylian Belgian Chocolate Cafe Darling Quarter, Shop 5-6 Darling Quarter 1-25 Harbour St, Sydney: 2.25pm to 3.45pm; and
■ Bentley Restaurant, 27 O’Connell Street, Sydney, 6.35pm to 10pm.
VENUE ALERTS FOR THURSDAY, JUNE 24
■ T2 Domestic terminal (Food Court), Keith Smith Ave, Mascot: 5am to 10am;
■ Burger and Salad Haus, 8 Edwin Flack Ave, Sydney Olympic Park: 10.45am to 11.55am;
■ 7-Eleven Croydon Park, 342 Georges River Road and Burwood Road, Croyden Park: 5.15am to 5.30am;
■ Tong Li Supermarket Eastgardens, Shop 179, 152 Bunnerong Road: 3pm to 3.20pm
Friday June 25;
■ Crust Pizza, 420 Burwood Road, Belmore: 4.30pm to 5pm;
■ Top Impression Bakery Cafe, 22 John St, Mascot: 8.15am to 8.35am; and
■ Jacern Chai (Asian Grocer), 425 Pitt Street, 1.10pm to 1.25pm.
Anyone who attended the following venues at the listed times is a casual contact and must immediately get tested and self-isolate until a negative result is received.
THURSDAY, JUNE 24
■ T2 Domestic terminal (all areas except Food Court), Keith Smith Ave, Mascot: 5am to 10am;
■ Woolworths Lakemba, 2/26 Haldon St: 7pm to 8pm; and
■ Breadtop Eastgardens, Shop 171, 152 Bunnerong Road, 3.20pm to 3.25pm.
Anyone who travelled on the following light rail routes at the times listed is a close contact and must immediately get tested and isolate for 14 days, regardless of the result.
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 23
■ Light rail from Surry Hills to Chinatown, departed 1.45pm and arrived at 2.05pm;
■ Light rail from Chinatown to Wynyard, departed 6.20pm and arrived 6.35pm; and
■ Light rail from Chinatown to Wynyard, departed 9.50pm and arrived 10.05pm.
Anyone who travelled on the following train routes at the times listed is a casual contact and must immediately get tested and self-isolate until a negative result is received.
■ T1 Train Line, Central to Mascot, Thursday June 24, departed 8.08am and arrived 8.20am; and
■ T1 Train Line, Central to Mascot, Friday June 25, departed 8.07am and arrived 8.20am.
âš ï¸PUBLIC HEALTH ALERT – TRANSPORT ROUTES AND VENUESâš ï¸
— NSW Health (@NSWHealth) June 27, 2021
NSW Health has been notified of new transport routes and venues of concern associated with confirmed cases of COVID-19. pic.twitter.com/g2vzfmcz6M
READ MORE: Locked up life adds to waistline
Yoni Bashan5.10am:Emergency meeting as states scramble over new cases
Scott Morrison will call an emergency national cabinet meeting to deal with growing Covid-19 outbreaks across the country as states close borders after new cases emerged in Sydney, Brisbane, Perth and Darwin.
The Northern Territory was the latest jurisdiction to call a snap two-day lockdown covering Darwin and surrounding regions, with four cases linked to a mine in the Tanami Desert that could have exposed hundreds of workers.
At least 35 cases of community transmission were identified across four states on Sunday, the majority located in NSW, where officials said exposures would rise substantially because symptoms sometimes emerged days after contracting the virus.
The Prime Minister will discuss the growing outbreak with key cabinet ministers – including Josh Frydenberg, Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce and Defence Minister Peter Dutton – on Monday and will seek an urgent meeting of state and territory leaders in coming days.
Western Australia on Sunday afternoon closed its borders to Queensland and the NT while South Australia has strict travel restrictions on every state except Tasmania. NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian on Saturday announced a Sydney-wide lockdown, which is expected to stay in place until at least early July.
Health officials in Sydney said they had identified 30 new cases overnight, 19 of them patients who had moved freely through the community for days while asymptomatic. About 100 cases have been identified across more than 240 exposure sites in Sydney, with one person receiving treatment in an intensive care unit.
All of these cases – bar two – have been linked to each other, with the state’s chief health officer Kerry Chant saying contact tracing teams were not being overwhelmed in their efforts to chase down the virus.
As the rest of the country scrambled to introduce border closures and tighter restrictions, figures released by the commonwealth showed nearly 70,000 vaccines had been administered over the previous 24 hours.
Read the full story here.
Daniel Sankey5am:Sydney venue alerts explode as new cases mount
Sydney Airport is among 13 new locations added to its ever-growing list of Covid-exposed venues yesterday.
Public transport routes were also added in a list of venues released at 10pm yesterday.
Earlier on Sunday, NSW Health named six other venues of concern, with particular emphasis on Briony’s Hair salon in Bondi and the Bexley Aquatic Centre.
And on Sunday afternoon, a list of 18 new venues included a Maroubra shopping centre and popular Sydney CBD bar, Establishment.
READ MORE: Eerie photographs show Sydney’s empty streets
Finn McHugh4.45am:Sydney family breaches lockdown for horse event
A man and woman from Sydney’s eastern suburbs have been slapped with big fines after allegedly travelling nearly three hours across NSW despite strict stay-at-home orders.
A 56-year old man from Paddington, and a 22-year old woman from Maroubra, were each fined $1200 on Saturday after being discovered by police, allegedly in the Hunter Region, northwest of Sydney.
The alleged trip was in breach of stay-at-home orders issued by NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian this week, as the state grappled an escalating Covid-19 outbreak driven by the highly-contagious Delta variant.
Hunter Valley Police received a tip-off that three attendees at a horse trial event at a pony club in Denman were from Sydney and on arrival discovered the pair, accompanied by a 13-year old girl, were not wearing masks.
Further inquiries showed the group had allegedly travelled nearly three hours from Sydney’s eastern suburbs despite the strict stay-at-home orders imposed by the state government.
They were each issued with a $1000 for breaching the order, and $200 for failing to wear masks, while the girl was issued a warning.
NSW Police issued 15 infringements overnight.
Read the full story here.
Additional reporting: Greg Brown, Jess Malcolm, Max Maddison
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