DAILY BLOG, March 21: Premier and Health Minister to give latest update on coronavirus crisis
Five more Tasmanians have been diagnosed with coronavirus today, bringing the total number of cases in Tasmania to 16. Meanwhile, Premier Peter Gutwein has banned indoor gatherings of more than 100 people.
Coronavirus
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KEY POINTS:
- Tassie cruise ship passenger confirmed to have coronavirus
- Fever, coughing, trouble breathing – but refused testing
- What it’s like to suffer from coronavirus
- The Salamanca Market has been suspended
- A public health emergency has been declared
- Travellers need to provide their details if they are returning from overseas
- GPs call for immediate school closures to control the spread of the disease
- UTAS and schools taking preventive measures, consider closing
- A GP and Labor candidate says schools, universities need to be closed now
- Elective surgery could stall in Tasmania as hospitals look to increase capacity
DON’T MISS: Your guide to everything cancelled, postponed or closed
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7.15pm: 5 NEW TASMANIAN CORONAVIRUS CASES DIAGNOSED
FIVE more Tasmanian coronavirus cases have been confirmed, bringing the state’s total to 16.
Tasmanian Public Health Director Mark Veitch on Saturday evening confirmed the further five cases of coronavirus infection diagnosed in Tasmania.
The cases comprise of one woman and two men who were on the Ruby Princess cruise, and a woman and a man who recently travelled together in Europe.
It brings the total number of cases diagnosed in Tasmania to 16.
4.20pm: TASSIE WEDDINGS ROCKED BY VIRUS
DEVASTATED couples are having to cancel or postpone their weddings due to coronavirus travel restrictions and new indoor gathering bans, in a blow to the state’s wedding industry.
As couples make the agonising decision to pull the pin and potentially lose thousands of dollars to try to rebook for a later date, the consumer watchdog has warned they may not get their money back.
It comes as more than 30 people caught the virus after attending a wedding in NSW on March 6.
1.20pm: TOUGH CHOICE THAT COULD SAVE AUSTRALIA
ANALYSIS: NOBODY likes talking about the COVID-19 endgame, but we need to choose one.
The appropriate interventions – public health, government spending, and freedom of movement – all depend on the endgame we choose.
The differences between endgames amount to tens of thousands of avoidable deaths, hundreds of thousands of avoidable hospital admissions, and deep and systemic impacts on Australia’s economy and society.
We see three possible endgames.
None is attractive, but one is better than the others.
12.20pm: EXTRAORDINARY VIRUS RESTRICTIONS IMPOSED
AS coronavirus infections rise across Australia, the Federal Government has imposed a series of new measures and restrictions.
– Non-essential gatherings of more than 100 people are forbidden
– No more than one person per four square metres in a room, including outdoor events
– Hand hygiene products must be made available in all venues
– Restricted travel into remote indigenous communities
– Non-essential domestic travel is under review
– Schools will remain open
11.10am: PREMIER’S BLUNT WARNING: ‘IF YOU DON’T NEED TO GO OUT, DON’T’
An 11th person in Tasmania has been confirmed to have coronavirus as Premier Peter Gutwein delivered a blunt warning to all Tasmanians, introducing new restrictions on events in the state.
Indoor gatherings of more than 100 people have been banned, Mr Gutwein said at the Government’s daily briefing this morning.
Public Health Director Dr Mark Veitch also confirmed an 11th case of coronavirus in the state.
He said a woman arrived in Tasmania on Wednesday after travelling in the UK and was tested in her house after showing symptoms of the virus. She is being treated in her house.
Mr Gutwein urged Tasmanians to exercise caution and reminded people to ensure there is a minimum of four square metres per person at any gathering.
He also announced that all personal visits to the state’s prison facilities will be suspended until further notice.
The state’s prison service will increase capacity for phone and video calls, he said.
The state budget will also be delayed because of the coronavirus crisis, following the move announced by the Federal Government this week.
8.50am: GLOBAL LOCKDOWNS AMID SHOCK RISE IN CORONAVIRUS DEATHS
FEDERAL Treasurer Josh Frydenberg will be under pressure to turn on the economic taps further after the UK guaranteed 80 per cent of workers’ pay to save millions of jobs.
UK Chancellor Rishi Sunak made the unprecedented announcement this morning that the government would cover the payroll of millions of workers while they are off because of the coronavirus.
It came as Prime Minister Boris Johnson called last drinks across the UK, with pubs, cafes, restaurants, gyms and leisure centres to close tonight.
The dramatic interventions, which have been mirrored in other European countries, will provide a blueprint for Australia as the virus inevitably skyrockets there.
SEE THE FULL ROLLING COVERAGE HERE
5am: KINDNESS PANDEMIC SWEEPS ACROSS TASMANIA
TASMANIA may have pulled up the drawbridge on the mainland but it doesn’t mean we are alone.
Now more than ever, we have to stick together as a state to get through the coronavirus pandemic.
This is why the Mercury is launching the #togetherfortassie campaign.
Alongside our news coverage we want to help unite the state during this crisis by providing practical support and advice, celebrating frontline workers, assisting businesses and helping to maintain community spirit in a time of isolation.
8.30pm: VIRUS CREATES SURGE IN DEMAND FOR FOOD DELIVERY
DESIGNATED parking spaces for food delivery drivers are being urgently installed in one of Hobart’s hospitality hot spots following a significant spike in the service.
Hobart alderman and local business owner Marti Zucco hosted an emergency meeting with the executive of the North Hobart Traders Association on Thursday to find solutions to the influx of particularly Uber Eats drivers to the area in the past several days.
Ald Zucco said the COVID-19 emergency had seen a spike in drivers parking in the area, in particular the Elizabeth St strip.
7.20pm: DISTILLERIES DELIVER A HANDY SOLUTION
TASMANIA’S distilleries are coming to the rescue, manufacturing sanitiser as schools, hospitals, doctors surgeries and hotels struggle to source the product.
Lark, 7K and Killara distilleries are among those pumping out the product as Tasmanians run short.
A South Hobart chemist is also making its own hand sanitiser and taking orders.
Experts push for double shot as new Covid wave looms
As deaths from Covid continue, Tasmanians are being urged to get boosters and flu shots with doctors saying infection rates are “taking off and complacency is setting in”. LATEST FIGURES >>
Covid-safety urged as daily case numbers decline
The pace of Tasmania’s winter Covid wave is slowing but the public is urged to remain vigilant. LATEST FIGURES >>