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Australia coronavirus live update: education minister orders independent schools to reopen – latest news Australia coronavirus live update: education minister orders independent schools to reopen – latest news
(32 minutes later)
Dan Tehan wants all schools to provide in-person teaching to children whose parents want it. Follow liveDan Tehan wants all schools to provide in-person teaching to children whose parents want it. Follow live
Western Australia reports 14 new cases of COVID-19 today, bringing the state’s total to 495.
Of the new confirmed cases 10 are from metropolitan Perth, two are from the Kimberley, one is from the Goldfields region and the other is from the Wheatbelt.
WA’s department of health says 10 of the new cases are related to cruise ships and overseas travel. Four are close contacts of confirmed cases.
WA currently has 34 confirmed COVID-19 patients in Perth metropolitan hospitals – of those 15 are in ICU.
Via AAP, here’s some detail on the virtual masses which will replace traditional Easter festivities as Christians observe their holiest day on the calendar amid Covid-19 virus restrictions.While social distancing rules have been eased to allow places of worship to organise Easter service broadcasts and webcast, ceremonies will take place in near-empty places of worship across the nation.Anglican Archbishop Glenn Davies will lead prayers for health workers in a televised Easter service at St Andrew’s Cathedral.Sydney Dean Kanishka Raffel will preach from the pulpit book-ended by songs performed by the trimmed-down Cathedral choir.The service will air at 9am across Australia on Sunday, on Channel 9.St Andrew’s Sunday mass normally attracts about 400 people, according to Dean Raffel.Tourists, the lapsed devout and irregular church goers swell those numbers into the thousands for Easter, he added.And via social media, Dr Davies’ is expected to lure many more, curious ears.“I think people are a bit shy,” Dean Raffel told AAP.“They’re not ready to make the commitment with their feet but may want to dip their toe in online.”Just around the corner, Catholic Archbishop Anthony Fisher will be broadcast preaching Good Friday and Easter Sunday mass on Channel 7.The Archbishop kicked off Holy Week - which marks the end of Lent and climaxes with the resurrection of Christ on Easter Sunday - with a livestream on Palm Sunday.To talk about the resurrection and its message of hope might seem crass when people were suffering due to the coronavirus, Archbishop Fisher said in a video.Scott Morrison’s own church, the Pentecostal Horizon’s, will be posting a string of videos online over the long weekend while Orthodox Churches have switched to live-streaming mass in the lead up to Pascha on April 19.Australian Greek Orthodox were the first church to lock down their congregation in response to the COVID-19 threat.
Here’s Labor’s response to foreign minister Marise Payne’s comments earlier today about flights to bring Australians stranded overseas home.
Payne said a Qantas service from Lima to Australia was scheduled to depart Peru on Monday 13 April, while the government was working on further flights from locations including India and the Phillipines.
Health minister Greg Hunt urging Australians to stay home over the Easter long weekend.Health minister Greg Hunt urging Australians to stay home over the Easter long weekend.
Not even Scott Cam is immune to Covid-19 job losses.Not even Scott Cam is immune to Covid-19 job losses.
Police in Western Australia will investigate whether Fremantle Dockers star Nat Fyfe breached restrictions by surfing in Margaret River.Police in Western Australia will investigate whether Fremantle Dockers star Nat Fyfe breached restrictions by surfing in Margaret River.
After the West Australian newspaper reported the AFL player had been photographed surfing, the WA police minister Chris Dawson said police would investigate.After the West Australian newspaper reported the AFL player had been photographed surfing, the WA police minister Chris Dawson said police would investigate.
“I think that’s something for Nat himself to answer, in terms of, whether he’s done the right or wrong thing,” he said.“I think that’s something for Nat himself to answer, in terms of, whether he’s done the right or wrong thing,” he said.
“Police will investigate that matter but on the face of it there are questions to be answered.“Police will investigate that matter but on the face of it there are questions to be answered.
“An essential service is not surfing unless you are a professional surfer, I’ll leave it at that.”“An essential service is not surfing unless you are a professional surfer, I’ll leave it at that.”
It’s worth noting that policy contradicts other states, where surfing has been classified by police as legitimate exercise.It’s worth noting that policy contradicts other states, where surfing has been classified by police as legitimate exercise.
Independent Schools Victoria has blasted a decision by Dan Tehan to threaten schools’ funding if they do not all open their doors in term two.Independent Schools Victoria has blasted a decision by Dan Tehan to threaten schools’ funding if they do not all open their doors in term two.
The chief executive of ISV, Michelle Green, said:The chief executive of ISV, Michelle Green, said:
As Josh mentioned a little earlier, Virgin Australia has suspended all of its flights except one between Sydney and Melbourne.As Josh mentioned a little earlier, Virgin Australia has suspended all of its flights except one between Sydney and Melbourne.
I’ve now got its statement. The company says this is basically a decision based on demand. The company will continue to operate local and international cargo transport as well as charter flights for Australians trapped overseas.I’ve now got its statement. The company says this is basically a decision based on demand. The company will continue to operate local and international cargo transport as well as charter flights for Australians trapped overseas.
A spokeswoman for Virgin said:A spokeswoman for Virgin said:
In the meantime, the Tasmanian government has said today that it will use helicopters to monitor people’s movement over the Easter long weekend.In the meantime, the Tasmanian government has said today that it will use helicopters to monitor people’s movement over the Easter long weekend.
The apple isle has had tough Covid-19 rules limiting movement for some time, but today the premier, Peter Gutwein, told residents that if they left their homes unnecessarily over the long weekend, they could face fines of up to $16,800 or six months’ jail.The apple isle has had tough Covid-19 rules limiting movement for some time, but today the premier, Peter Gutwein, told residents that if they left their homes unnecessarily over the long weekend, they could face fines of up to $16,800 or six months’ jail.
Patrols will be increased in the state’s north-west, where an outbreak of Covid-19 has hit two hospitals. Gutwein said:Patrols will be increased in the state’s north-west, where an outbreak of Covid-19 has hit two hospitals. Gutwein said:
Good evening. This is Michael McGowan, taking over from Josh Taylor. I’ll get you some more on that Virgin announcement as soon as I can.Good evening. This is Michael McGowan, taking over from Josh Taylor. I’ll get you some more on that Virgin announcement as soon as I can.
Virgin Australia has suspended all its flights except one between Sydney and Melbourne.Virgin Australia has suspended all its flights except one between Sydney and Melbourne.
The dreams of many were dashed this week when NRL island was taken away from us all, but maybe there’s hope yet for UFC island?The dreams of many were dashed this week when NRL island was taken away from us all, but maybe there’s hope yet for UFC island?
The PM’s Easter message, telling people to stay home.The PM’s Easter message, telling people to stay home.
On the restart of the NRL season at the end of May:On the restart of the NRL season at the end of May:
“The details on the competition structure we haven’t got yet because the landscape is changing around government boundaries. That will feed into the complexity structure,” said ARL commissioner Wayne Pearce, who is also a member of the NRL’s innovation committee.“The details on the competition structure we haven’t got yet because the landscape is changing around government boundaries. That will feed into the complexity structure,” said ARL commissioner Wayne Pearce, who is also a member of the NRL’s innovation committee.
Pearce suggested the proposal to split the league into conferences was off the table.Pearce suggested the proposal to split the league into conferences was off the table.
WA premier Mark McGowan is talking after national cabinet.WA premier Mark McGowan is talking after national cabinet.
He says there will be monthly reviews on the restrictions currently in place, but he doesn’t want to pre-empt the outcome of those reviews.He says there will be monthly reviews on the restrictions currently in place, but he doesn’t want to pre-empt the outcome of those reviews.
“We’re certainly not guinea pigs,” he says on whether WA could be a test ground for other states.But he says WA was stronger in its initial response.“We’re certainly not guinea pigs,” he says on whether WA could be a test ground for other states.But he says WA was stronger in its initial response.
Here’s the latest from national cabinet via a press release from the prime minister’s office (no press conference):Here’s the latest from national cabinet via a press release from the prime minister’s office (no press conference):
Social distancing measures are working, we’ll be living for the virus for at least six monthsSocial distancing measures are working, we’ll be living for the virus for at least six months
Stay at home over EasterStay at home over Easter
The suppression phase will last a while: “Restrictions will be reviewed regularly and planning for the medium- to long-term has begun”The suppression phase will last a while: “Restrictions will be reviewed regularly and planning for the medium- to long-term has begun”
National cabinet to meet again in a week (April 16)National cabinet to meet again in a week (April 16)
There will be a consistent and immediate exemption for non-cruise maritime crew to be transiting to and from work and across jurisdictions with documentationThere will be a consistent and immediate exemption for non-cruise maritime crew to be transiting to and from work and across jurisdictions with documentation
Air crew on international flights will need to self-isolate in their home or hotel if not local city between flights for 14 daysAir crew on international flights will need to self-isolate in their home or hotel if not local city between flights for 14 days
Domestic air crew stay exempt except where a state or territory specifically prohibits entryDomestic air crew stay exempt except where a state or territory specifically prohibits entry
National cabinet agrees for consistent “hardship” responses for utilities, including telcos, energy companies etcNational cabinet agrees for consistent “hardship” responses for utilities, including telcos, energy companies etc
Flexible payment offers should be offered to all households and small businesses in financial stressFlexible payment offers should be offered to all households and small businesses in financial stress
No disconnectionsNo disconnections
Deferring debt recovery/credit default listingDeferring debt recovery/credit default listing
Waiving late fees and interest charges on debtWaiving late fees and interest charges on debt
Minimising planned outages and giving as much notice as possible for that which can’t be avoidedMinimising planned outages and giving as much notice as possible for that which can’t be avoided
And work between the states and the federal government around seasonal workers. States are responsible for the self-isolation requirements for those wanting to go pick fruit in regional areasAnd work between the states and the federal government around seasonal workers. States are responsible for the self-isolation requirements for those wanting to go pick fruit in regional areas
There’s been no change to the requirements previously announced around that.There’s been no change to the requirements previously announced around that.