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Coronavirus Australia live news: NSW records eighth death as premier says: 'We draw a line in the sand from midnight'– latest updates Coronavirus Australia live news: NSW records eighth death as premier says: 'We draw a line in the sand from midnight'– latest updates
(32 minutes later)
New South Wales on the brink of new restrictions with only essential services to remain open as department store Myer stands down 10,000 staff and closes all of its stores from Sunday. Follow all the latest newsNew South Wales on the brink of new restrictions with only essential services to remain open as department store Myer stands down 10,000 staff and closes all of its stores from Sunday. Follow all the latest news
The number of confirmed Covid-19 cases in the ACT has risen to 71, up by 9 from yesterday. Some images from Queensland’s ongoing local elections.
Of the new cases, six are men and three are women, all aged between 48 and 73, according to the ACT health department. And here’s that full story on Perth Glory standing down its players and staff:
A coalition of community groups is calling on the government and energy retailers to provide energy bill relief to those vulnerable during the coronavirus pandemic.
The Australian Council of Social Service, the Ethnic Communities Council, the Uniting Communities, St Vincent de Paul Society and the Public Interest Advocacy Centre have all joined to ask for funding for bill relief and energy efficiency programs.
The group is also calling on energy retailers to employ Australians in call centres as they close overseas offices.
The number of confirmed Covid-19 cases in the ACT has risen to 71, up by nine from yesterday.
Of the new cases, six are men and three are women, all aged between 48 and 73, the ACT health department says.
Seven of the new cases are “linked to overseas travel, including cruise ships”, one is a close contact of a confirmed case, and one is still under investigation.Seven of the new cases are “linked to overseas travel, including cruise ships”, one is a close contact of a confirmed case, and one is still under investigation.
“There remains no evidence of local transmission in the ACT,” the department says.“There remains no evidence of local transmission in the ACT,” the department says.
Also in sport, the football players’ union has said it is ready to take legal action against A-League club Perth Glory and its owner Tony Sage after he stood down the club’s players and staff.Also in sport, the football players’ union has said it is ready to take legal action against A-League club Perth Glory and its owner Tony Sage after he stood down the club’s players and staff.
From AAP:From AAP:
Less than a week after the FFA suspended the 2019-20 A-League season until at least 22 April due to the coronavirus outbreak, Sage has stood down all the club’s players and staff.Less than a week after the FFA suspended the 2019-20 A-League season until at least 22 April due to the coronavirus outbreak, Sage has stood down all the club’s players and staff.
The outspoken club owner said the decision was “heartbreaking”.The outspoken club owner said the decision was “heartbreaking”.
“I can’t remember sadder days except when my mum died and my brother died. It’s heartbreaking. Very, very sad,” Sage told the West Australian.“I can’t remember sadder days except when my mum died and my brother died. It’s heartbreaking. Very, very sad,” Sage told the West Australian.
Professional Footballers Australia, however, says it will initiate legal proceedings against Sage if the players aren’t immediately reinstated.Professional Footballers Australia, however, says it will initiate legal proceedings against Sage if the players aren’t immediately reinstated.
“A fortnight ago it was fine to relocate players to the east coast away from their families and expose them to a global pandemic,” PFA chief executive John Didulica said. “Now, when the opportunity arises, it is considered acceptable to stop paying them.”“A fortnight ago it was fine to relocate players to the east coast away from their families and expose them to a global pandemic,” PFA chief executive John Didulica said. “Now, when the opportunity arises, it is considered acceptable to stop paying them.”
The Australian Rugby League commission’s chairman, Peter V’landys, will present his plan to slash costs from NRL headquarters on Monday in a move expected to hand players an additional $7m for this year.The Australian Rugby League commission’s chairman, Peter V’landys, will present his plan to slash costs from NRL headquarters on Monday in a move expected to hand players an additional $7m for this year.
The Rugby League Players’ Association has been negotiating with the NRL for wage cuts to keep the game alive through the toughest financial challenge it has ever faced.The Rugby League Players’ Association has been negotiating with the NRL for wage cuts to keep the game alive through the toughest financial challenge it has ever faced.
A model for an 87% drop in wages for the coming months due to the coronavirus suspension has already been presented, based on a worst-case scenario.A model for an 87% drop in wages for the coming months due to the coronavirus suspension has already been presented, based on a worst-case scenario.
However, the rescue package to be presented by V’landys at Monday’s meeting is set to take the original offer of $12.4m for players for the rest of the season up to about $20m.However, the rescue package to be presented by V’landys at Monday’s meeting is set to take the original offer of $12.4m for players for the rest of the season up to about $20m.
Hi everyone, it’s Naaman Zhou taking over the liveblog for a bit.Hi everyone, it’s Naaman Zhou taking over the liveblog for a bit.
Queensland’s total cases of coronavirus have risen to 625, an increase of 70.Queensland’s total cases of coronavirus have risen to 625, an increase of 70.
The state’s chief health officer, Jeannette Young, said this increase was “fairly steady”, AAP reports.The state’s chief health officer, Jeannette Young, said this increase was “fairly steady”, AAP reports.
As of midnight, people transiting through Brisbane international airport will be sent to a hotel for a 14-day quarantine period.As of midnight, people transiting through Brisbane international airport will be sent to a hotel for a 14-day quarantine period.
The state’s health minister, Steven Miles, said 1,047 people arrived in Brisbane from overseas yesterday, but that was down from about 7,000 a week ago.The state’s health minister, Steven Miles, said 1,047 people arrived in Brisbane from overseas yesterday, but that was down from about 7,000 a week ago.
Let’s recap on the day so far, as Australian cases of Covid-19 hit 3,378. Another death has been reported in NSW, a 91-year-old woman. The national death toll is now 14.Let’s recap on the day so far, as Australian cases of Covid-19 hit 3,378. Another death has been reported in NSW, a 91-year-old woman. The national death toll is now 14.
From midnight anyone arriving at an Australian airport from overseas will be taken straight to a hotel. The Victorian and NSW premiers have explained how this will work: travellers will be given health checks and taken straight by bus to hotel rooms. They will be monitored by authorities to ensure they are adhering to quarantine and so they can be given treatment if they become unwell. They will be provided with food.From midnight anyone arriving at an Australian airport from overseas will be taken straight to a hotel. The Victorian and NSW premiers have explained how this will work: travellers will be given health checks and taken straight by bus to hotel rooms. They will be monitored by authorities to ensure they are adhering to quarantine and so they can be given treatment if they become unwell. They will be provided with food.
Another airline support package has been announced to support regional communities that depend on aviation for medical and food supplies. The additional $198m was announced by the deputy prime minister, Michael McCormack, with about 140 communities relying on regional aviation.Another airline support package has been announced to support regional communities that depend on aviation for medical and food supplies. The additional $198m was announced by the deputy prime minister, Michael McCormack, with about 140 communities relying on regional aviation.
Victoria and South Australia have followed NSW in introducing on-the-spot fines for businesses and individuals breaching social distancing restrictions.Victoria and South Australia have followed NSW in introducing on-the-spot fines for businesses and individuals breaching social distancing restrictions.
Total job losses across Australia have exceeded 75,000.Total job losses across Australia have exceeded 75,000.
Queenslanders are heading to the polls for local government elections and two state byelections, with the state’s Covid-19 total now at 625.Queenslanders are heading to the polls for local government elections and two state byelections, with the state’s Covid-19 total now at 625.
Melissa Davey with you, I’ll be handing over to my colleague Naaman Zhou shortly while I refill the coffee cup and prepare to take you through the afternoon liveblog coverage.Melissa Davey with you, I’ll be handing over to my colleague Naaman Zhou shortly while I refill the coffee cup and prepare to take you through the afternoon liveblog coverage.
It’s tough to keep up with the multiple press conferences that happen every day from the federal government as well as the states and territories, plus the opposition.It’s tough to keep up with the multiple press conferences that happen every day from the federal government as well as the states and territories, plus the opposition.
Thankfully our friends at AAP have filed this update on the press conference in South Australia earlier today.Thankfully our friends at AAP have filed this update on the press conference in South Australia earlier today.
AAP reports:AAP reports:
South Australians who breach self-isolation or quarantine orders will be slapped with a $1,000 on-the-spot fine under new regulations and $5,000 fines for companies and businesses that trade against the current rules.South Australians who breach self-isolation or quarantine orders will be slapped with a $1,000 on-the-spot fine under new regulations and $5,000 fines for companies and businesses that trade against the current rules.
The SA police commissioner, Grant Stevens, said while most people were doing the right thing, some were not.The SA police commissioner, Grant Stevens, said while most people were doing the right thing, some were not.
“The principal objective here is to ensure that people who are required to self-quarantine, who we believe are at risk of spreading the infection, comply with those obligations,” he said.“The principal objective here is to ensure that people who are required to self-quarantine, who we believe are at risk of spreading the infection, comply with those obligations,” he said.
Before the new rules, police had to launch a formal prosecution and take the matter to court.Before the new rules, police had to launch a formal prosecution and take the matter to court.
New regulations will also ban gatherings of more than 10 people. Gatherings of fewer than 10 would have to follow the one person per four square metres rule.New regulations will also ban gatherings of more than 10 people. Gatherings of fewer than 10 would have to follow the one person per four square metres rule.
The premier, Steven Marshall, said the government understood the restrictions were changing people’s lives: “But they are not optional. Everyone needs to understand that from today failure to follow the directions to the letter of the law will leave individuals and businesses liable for significant on-the-spot fines.The premier, Steven Marshall, said the government understood the restrictions were changing people’s lives: “But they are not optional. Everyone needs to understand that from today failure to follow the directions to the letter of the law will leave individuals and businesses liable for significant on-the-spot fines.
“The period of education regarding restrictions during this pandemic really has come to end and the period of enforcement has begun.”“The period of education regarding restrictions during this pandemic really has come to end and the period of enforcement has begun.”
South Australia has 257 confirmed coronavirus cases with six being treated in intensive care.South Australia has 257 confirmed coronavirus cases with six being treated in intensive care.
Gladys Berejiklian is asked whether NSW is going to move towards stricter shutdowns ahead of the other states and territories. She says:Gladys Berejiklian is asked whether NSW is going to move towards stricter shutdowns ahead of the other states and territories. She says:
A reporter asks for some clarity because businesses are scared and confused. When will more of them have to close?A reporter asks for some clarity because businesses are scared and confused. When will more of them have to close?
The NSW chief health officer, Dr Kerry Chant, has given an update saying NSW now has 1,617 confirmed cases. This is an increase of 212 new cases since 8pm on Thursday 26 March.
Chant said 84,907 people have been tested and excluded. Of those infected, 22 are in intensive care. A 91-year-old woman who was a resident of the Dorothy Henderson Lodge aged care facility died overnight. The death toll in the state is now eight.
The NSW police commissioner, Mick Fuller, is speaking about the additional restrictions that will take effect from midnight.
Travellers returning from overseas will be taken straight to hotel rooms for 14 days isolation, he says. They will be monitored by police and other authorities. Travellers will be transported to hotels by bus straight from the airport and will undergo health checks.
The NSW premier, Gladys Berejiklian, is urging travellers to bear with the government throughout shutdown and quarantine measures:
Stationery retailer kikki.K, which was already in receivership, has shut its 59 stores and stood down 440 staff because of the coronavirus crisis.
This adds to 10,000 stand downs announced last night by the department store Myer, which will shut for a month when doors close on Monday night.
It brings total job losses announced by airlines, retailers, sporting codes and retailers over the past week to more than 75,000, with hundreds of thousands more estimated to be gone from hospitality.
Retailers in particular haven’t waited for an order from the government to shut their doors, and have also stopped paying rent to landlords.
Receiver Barry Wight of Cor Cordis said kikki.K’s online shop remained open and he hoped to sell the business as a going concern.
Melbourne reporter Matilda Boseley has this update:
Thirty-nine Australians who were on board the Costa Luminosa and are now trapped in quarantine in Rome have got word that at least two of their international shipmates have died.
Italian authorities demanded the group isolate for two weeks before returning to Australia after Coronavirus infections broke out on board their cruise ship. They may soon be joined by 200 Australians on the Costa Victoria.
Facebook groups have been created for Luminosa passengers and family members around the world to share updates. In the past day, two people have posted to say their elderly relatives had died – one in an intensive care ward of a hospital in Savona, the Italian town where the cruise ship is docked.
At least two Australian passengers have been admitted to hospital for Covid-19 since arriving in Italy. One is in critical condition. It’s unknown how many more may have the virus.
US and Canadian passengers were evacuated via charter plane when the ship docked in France on 20 March. Since arriving home many have posted to say they have tested positive, and at least one man is in intensive care in the US.
With the Italian health care system under extreme strain, family members fear Australians who fall ill will not receive sufficient care.
A 91-year-old woman is latest person to die in NSW after testing positive to Covid-19. The woman was a resident at the Dorothy Henderson Lodge aged care facility in Macquarie Park. It is the fourth Covid-19 death related to the facility.
The number of deaths in NSW related to coronavirus is now eight. Nineteen people are in intensive care and nine are on mechanical ventilation.
BaptistCare manages the Dorothy Henderson Lodge and its chief executive, Ross Low, said:
A bitter stand-off between the AFL and its players has ended, with players agreeing to a 50% pay cut until the end of May owing to the coronavirus shutdown.
They are also prepared to play games until December to ensure the season is completed.
In an agreement reached on Friday, the players’ pay cut will increase to 70% if the season is delayed beyond 31 May, but will stay at 50% when games recommence.
McCormack is asked whether it’s appropriate that the Queensland council elections and byelections are going ahead today despite the pandemic. The state has more than 550 cases.
He says:
We’re doing a callout for voicemails for Guardian Australia’s Full Story news podcast which is now daily and looking for your stories about how the coronavirus pandemic has affected you.
We want to know:
How are you feeling?
How has your life changed?
You can leave a voicemail on (02) 8076 8550 and leave your first name and number if you wouldn’t mind us getting in touch with you.
The deputy prime minister, Michael McCormack, is speaking in Wagga Wagga in the NSW Riverina and says the aviation industry is one of the hardest hit due to Covid-19, with cuts to flights especially harsh on regional Australia which relies on planes to bring in essential supplies.