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Australia coronavirus live: deputy chief medical officer warns of risks from restarting NRL too soon – latest updates Australia coronavirus live: deputy chief medical officer warns of risks from restarting NRL too soon – latest updates
(31 minutes later)
Paul Kelly says league is ‘not a law unto themselves’ and would need permission to resume play next month as it intends. Follow the latest updatesPaul Kelly says league is ‘not a law unto themselves’ and would need permission to resume play next month as it intends. Follow the latest updates
Of the outbreak at the Northwest regional hospital, Courtney says: “All staff who worked at the Northwest regional Hospital in the medical or surgical wards will be asked to quarantine for 14 days. We will be providing accommodation for those staff who are unable to quarantine in their own homes.” Cusack says at this stage there is no case to close the state’s beaches. Marshall is asked about photographs local media published apparently showing groups of people.
Courtney says that staff will be tested, regardless of whether they showing symptoms. Marshall says: “I have spent time down at the beach myself today and I can tell you that there were a lot of people enjoying their time but the most important thing is we are trying to guard gate large number of people congregating in close vicinity but not people walking the dog, going for a child.”
A fourth person has died in Tasmania, the state’s health minister has just announced. Sarah Courtney says the man was elderly and died at Northwest Hospital. She extends her condolences to his family. “We do not want to see reporters, with all due respect, or members of the public tried to separate people. They could be people of the same family, people living together.”
Cusack says there are 15 people in South Australian hospital. Six are in ICU and four are in a critical condition.
Michael Cusack, the SA Health executive director of medical service, says that the state has recorded seven new cases overnight. There are 428 in the state.
The cases range in age from 23 to a person in their 80s.
He says:
The South Australian premier, Steven Marshall, is addressing the media as we speak.
Marshall says the former Wakefield hospital is now ready to take patients. It has been transformed into a Covid-19 facility.
The prime minister, Scott Morrison, will address the children of Australia in a special broadcast on the ABC, the network has announced.
The ABC says in a statement that Morrison will answer questions from children on the Monday bulletin of its flagship children’s news program, Behind The News.
An ABC statement said the broadcast would include questions such as:
“My question is, what’s your advice to the population who have lost their jobs as their workplaces have shut down?”
“How long do you think it will take to find a cure for the coronavirus?”
The program will air 6.25pm on Monday.
Advocates for the unemployed have called on the government to extend the $550 per fortnight coronavirus supplements to disability support pensioners and carers.
The Guardian reported last month that people on these payments would now receive a lower base rate of income support than a jobseeker or a person receiving parenting payment who did not have a disability.
“[The Australian Unemployed Workers Union] has been flooded with calls and messages from our members who have been unfairly excluded from the $550 supplement, and thousands of people have signed our petition to #RaiseTheDSP,” a statement read.
“The minister has been granted extraordinary new powers that mean she can do this without going back to parliament. No legislation is required.”
A Greens motion to include these welfare recipients in the coronavirus supplement failed to win the support of the government or Labor this week.
However, the minister, Anne Ruston, can extend the supplement without legislation.
“I’m on DSP, not parenting payment but I’m the only person raising my children, why is it I’m not seen to have extra costs/needs,” said Emma, a respondent to an AUWU survey.
Of the outbreak at the Northwest hospital, Courtney says: “All staff who worked at the Northwest regional hospital in the medical or surgical wards will be asked to quarantine for 14 days. We will be providing accommodation for those staff who are unable to quarantine in their own homes.”
Courtney says that staff will be tested, regardless of whether they are showing symptoms.
A fourth person has died in Tasmania, the state’s health minister has just announced. Sarah Courtney says the man was elderly and died at Northwest hospital. She extends her condolences to his family.
Courtney says there were four more Covid-19 cases confirmed overnight, bringing the state’s total to 111.Courtney says there were four more Covid-19 cases confirmed overnight, bringing the state’s total to 111.
Northern Territory police have issued a statement outlining the fines issued yesterday for social distancing rules.Northern Territory police have issued a statement outlining the fines issued yesterday for social distancing rules.
Police said they fined a 32-year-old woman who “absconded from mandatory quarantine in Darwin”.Police said they fined a 32-year-old woman who “absconded from mandatory quarantine in Darwin”.
“The woman arrived in the NT on 7 April 2020, travelling from Adelaide and was required to remain in a hotel for 14 days,” a police statement said. “Police located the woman and issued her a fine before returning her to her hotel.”“The woman arrived in the NT on 7 April 2020, travelling from Adelaide and was required to remain in a hotel for 14 days,” a police statement said. “Police located the woman and issued her a fine before returning her to her hotel.”
Police also said a 22-year-old man in Araluen also “breached quarantine by leaving his house to register his new vehicle at the MVR”. “The man had returned to the NT by road from South Australia on 29 March 2020.”Police also said a 22-year-old man in Araluen also “breached quarantine by leaving his house to register his new vehicle at the MVR”. “The man had returned to the NT by road from South Australia on 29 March 2020.”
A further six people were issued with infringement notices relating to mass gatherings.A further six people were issued with infringement notices relating to mass gatherings.
Police said 3,630 compliance checks had now been completed with 17 fines issued.Police said 3,630 compliance checks had now been completed with 17 fines issued.
Just to recap deputy chief medical officer Paul Kelly’s comments on the NRL’s decision to restart.Just to recap deputy chief medical officer Paul Kelly’s comments on the NRL’s decision to restart.
Kelly said emphasised that we all have a responsibility to continue with social distancing measures.Kelly said emphasised that we all have a responsibility to continue with social distancing measures.
He said that although the league’s players were not at high risk, others who are involved in the game would be.He said that although the league’s players were not at high risk, others who are involved in the game would be.
Kelly specifically named two coaches, Wayne Bennett and Ricky Stuart, as being vulnerable to Covid-19.Kelly specifically named two coaches, Wayne Bennett and Ricky Stuart, as being vulnerable to Covid-19.
“To be really frank about this, we all have a place in this and if we loosen the social distancing measures at the moment it can have an implication down the track,” he said.“To be really frank about this, we all have a place in this and if we loosen the social distancing measures at the moment it can have an implication down the track,” he said.
He added that it “remains to be seen” whether May is the right time to restart the league, but that the NRL would “definitely need to get some permission to do that”.He added that it “remains to be seen” whether May is the right time to restart the league, but that the NRL would “definitely need to get some permission to do that”.
The NSW health minister, Brad Hazzard, confirmed today that he hadn’t been consulted prior to the league’s announcement of a planned restart date.The NSW health minister, Brad Hazzard, confirmed today that he hadn’t been consulted prior to the league’s announcement of a planned restart date.
Kelly reiterates that the health advices on schools remains the same. That is that the schools can remain open.Kelly reiterates that the health advices on schools remains the same. That is that the schools can remain open.
But he notes that “we’ll be having more to say about schools in the coming weeks.”But he notes that “we’ll be having more to say about schools in the coming weeks.”
And with that, the press conference has concluded.And with that, the press conference has concluded.
Kelly is asked by a journalist, and we are thankful to her: what about about NRL Island?Kelly is asked by a journalist, and we are thankful to her: what about about NRL Island?
He says:He says:
Is the NRL risking the community by saying they will return to the game?Is the NRL risking the community by saying they will return to the game?
Kelly says:Kelly says:
Kelly is asked about the NRL’s plans to restart the game next month. He is asked whether the NRL would need permission from state government or whether they are, for want of a better word, “a law unto unto themselves in this regard”?Kelly is asked about the NRL’s plans to restart the game next month. He is asked whether the NRL would need permission from state government or whether they are, for want of a better word, “a law unto unto themselves in this regard”?
He says:He says:
Kelly says border closures will be a component of what happens into the future.
Kelly says that “the curve is definitely decreasing”.
Kelly said that it would be a great “achievement” if the virus began to die out in parts of Australia.
But he adds: “It does bring with it a challenge, of course, it would mean the most of us would not have been exposed yet. So we would remain susceptible to the virus if it was re-introduced.”
The deputy chief medical officer, Paul Kelly, has started speaking in Canberra.
He is asked if about the possibility that people can became immune to the virus.
Let’s wrap up some of today’s developments.
NSW recorded its 22nd death and Victoria its 13th. It takes Australia’s death toll to 53.
Embattled NSW minister Don Harwin was fined $1,000 for breaching social distancing laws.
Authorities are urging people to stay home for Easter, and police are turning people around who are heading to holiday spots.
NSW health minister Brad Hazzard is yet to discuss the NRL’s restart date 28 May with the league.
Tasmanian police have told 15 people on their way to holiday spots to go home during Covid-19 patrols over the past 24 hours.
AAP reports that the force intercepted more than 35 people in cars - including some towing caravans and boats - and turned them back as needed.
Three people have been arrested or summoned to appear in court over Covid-19 related offences, the force confirmed on Friday.
“This Easter, if you are away from your primary residence and try to go to your shack and you don’t have a valid excuse, you will not only be turned around, but you could be charged and face a substantial fine,” Acting Assistant Commissioner Jo Stolp said.
Premier Peter Gutwein told residents on Thursday not to leave their homes unnecessarily, with fines of up to $16,800 or six months’ jail.
Helicopters are monitoring people’s movements, hovering over regional communities including Bicheno, Friendly Beaches, Coles Bay, Dunalley and Primrose Sands.
Officers are also patrolling on foot in Bridport, St Helens, Longford, Great Lake, Port Sorell, Somerset and Smithton among the areas.
Tasmania had recorded 111 cases of the virus as of Thursday night, with 48 of those people recovering.
The NSW government has announced that healthcare workers would now benefit from free parking at public hospital carparks during the Covid-19 crisis.
“Our healthcare workers are on the frontline of our battle with Covid-19 and we need to do whatever we can to support them during this difficult time,” the premier, Gladys Berejiklian said.
“We hope this new measure makes life a little easier for our doctors, nurses and other hospital staff who are working hard to keep us all safe.”
The free parking begins from today.
Some good news for the more than 100 Australian and New Zealand residents who were aboard the Antartica cruise that was anchored of the coast of Uruguay.
AAP reports that the group are expected to land in Melbourne over Easter after Aurora Expeditions, the operator of the Greg Mortimer ship, chartered a flight from Montevideo.
The news was confirmed by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade told AAP on Friday.
Of the more than 200 people on the vessel, 96 are Australian passengers and crew, along with roughly 16 New Zealand citizens.
Five Australians have already been taken off the Greg Mortimer and admitted to hospital in Montevideo, DFAT said.