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Australia coronavirus update live: Victoria extends state of emergency as travellers fly in from cruise nightmare – latest news Australia coronavirus update live: Victoria extends state of emergency as travellers fly in from cruise nightmare – latest news
(32 minutes later)
Premier Daniel Andrews says state of emergency will be extended for a further four weeks as Australians trapped on Antarctic cruise ship arrive in Melbourne. Follow updates livePremier Daniel Andrews says state of emergency will be extended for a further four weeks as Australians trapped on Antarctic cruise ship arrive in Melbourne. Follow updates live
Let’s run through where we’re at on Easter Sunday.
Australia has 6,289 confirmed cases and 59 people have died from the virus, 16 of which were passengers on the Ruby Princess cruise ship.
The country’s 57th death, another passenger from that cruise ship, was confirmed this morning in South Australia.
The 58th death was confirmed from Tasmania this morning. A woman in her 70s died.
The nation’s 59th death was announced in NSW – an 82-year-old man died overnight at the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital.
Some 112 passengers from the Antarctic cruise ship the Greg Mortimer touched down in Melbourne and, after medical checks, are headed for quarantine. About 16 New Zealanders went straight onto a smaller plane to return home.
Treasurer Josh Frydenberg warned it was “very dangerous and unrealistic” to loosen restrictions on movement ahead of medical advice.
Victoria extended its state of emergency for four more weeks, to 11 May.
A drop in testing over the Easter weekend may have influenced the number of new cases being reported today - Victoria reported 3, Qld 12, ACT zero, NSW 7
Education minister Dan Tehan said costs for short courses in universities and tertiary settings would be cut, and he guaranteed no funding cuts for universities.
AAP reports that an 82-year-old man died at the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital in NSW overnight, brining the total number of deaths from Covid-19 to 24.
NSW Health acting director Dr Christine Selvey said the man was in contact with a confirmed Covid-19 case and was not linked to the Ruby Princess cruise ship.
There have been no new cases of Covid-19 reported in the ACT, which has 102 confirmed cases – one less than yesterday after further tests on one previously confirmed case.
There are three people in Canberra hospitals and 67 people have recovered and been released from self-isolation. The state has previously confirmed two deaths from the disease.
In a statement, acting ACT chief health officer Dr Vanessa Johnston thanked Canberrans for their efforts in helping flatten the curve. She said:
My colleague Anne Davies also has some information on some changes announced by the NSW government to the way people can get their prescriptions.
To prevent older people from having to leave their homes, doctors will be able to prescribe medicines in NSW via email or fax from April 17.
Health Minister Brad Hazzard said under the NSW government changes announced today GPs and nurse practitioners will be able to send a digital image of the prescription. Hazzard said:
Scripts will only be able to be sent by email or fax rather than via text to a pharmacy, to stop potential prescription forgery and diversion to the criminal supply chain.
NSW health minister Brad Hazzard and health authorities in the state have been updating us on the number of cases – and there’s been some adjustments to their numbers around the fringes, due to people moving back and forth between states.
The state now has 2,854 confirmed cases – including seven added from yesterday – and Hazzard pointed out that 1,206 of those were people under 40.
But health officers said this small rise could be down to a drop in the numbers of tests being carried out over the Easter weekend.
On Saturday, there were only 840 tests carried out, when usually that daily number has been between 3,000 and 4,000.
Hazzard also raised concerns about people’s mental health and encouraged residents to go out an exercise and “build up vitamin D” but they needed to make sure they were still keeping a safe distance from others. He wanted people to look out for each other.
As the deadline approaches on Monday for people getting the jobseeker payment to get the additional $750 economic support payment, Services Australia says it is working to ensure everyone is able to get their claim in.As the deadline approaches on Monday for people getting the jobseeker payment to get the additional $750 economic support payment, Services Australia says it is working to ensure everyone is able to get their claim in.
Over 200,000 jobseeker claims have been processed so far. For those still waiting for a call back from Services Australia, or are worried they missed a call, Services Australia say they can call the dedicated jobseeker line (132 850) on Monday from 9am to 5pm to check their claim.Over 200,000 jobseeker claims have been processed so far. For those still waiting for a call back from Services Australia, or are worried they missed a call, Services Australia say they can call the dedicated jobseeker line (132 850) on Monday from 9am to 5pm to check their claim.
Services Australia general manager Hank Jongen said in a statement: “If customers miss a call from us or the line disconnects, we encourage them to call us on this line. We are working with our telephony provider to address cases where this has occurred.”Services Australia general manager Hank Jongen said in a statement: “If customers miss a call from us or the line disconnects, we encourage them to call us on this line. We are working with our telephony provider to address cases where this has occurred.”
Services Australia has put on 6,200 more staff for call centres to process claims, and has taken more than 1m calls so far.Services Australia has put on 6,200 more staff for call centres to process claims, and has taken more than 1m calls so far.
People who haven’t registered their intent to claim by tomorrow will miss out on the $750 payment, but Jongen said if someone can’t complete their claim, Services Australia will work with them to ensure they are paid as soon as possible.People who haven’t registered their intent to claim by tomorrow will miss out on the $750 payment, but Jongen said if someone can’t complete their claim, Services Australia will work with them to ensure they are paid as soon as possible.
The increased jobseeker coronavirus supplement will be paid to all people on jobseeker from April 27.The increased jobseeker coronavirus supplement will be paid to all people on jobseeker from April 27.
Education minister Dan Tehan was promoting an alternative binge earlier this morning, saying there would be a cut in the costs of diplomas and short courses.Education minister Dan Tehan was promoting an alternative binge earlier this morning, saying there would be a cut in the costs of diplomas and short courses.
So “rather than bingeing on Netflix” people could “binge on studying” instead, Tehan said.So “rather than bingeing on Netflix” people could “binge on studying” instead, Tehan said.
There wasn’t too much detail, but in a release to media Tehan and skills minister Senator Michaelia Cash said the cost to study short courses including “nursing, teaching, health, IT and science” would be cut.There wasn’t too much detail, but in a release to media Tehan and skills minister Senator Michaelia Cash said the cost to study short courses including “nursing, teaching, health, IT and science” would be cut.
The courses would start at the beginning of May and will initially run for six months.The courses would start at the beginning of May and will initially run for six months.
Tehan told reporters:Tehan told reporters:
Tehan also said the government would guarantee funding for universities at current levels. There’s already been some reaction to that.Tehan also said the government would guarantee funding for universities at current levels. There’s already been some reaction to that.
My colleague Paul Karp says Universities Australia chair, Deborah Terry, has welcomed the “first step” but warned even with the guarantee, there will be a tough road ahead. She said:My colleague Paul Karp says Universities Australia chair, Deborah Terry, has welcomed the “first step” but warned even with the guarantee, there will be a tough road ahead. She said:
My colleague Paul Karp has a full story now on the Treasurer Josh Frydenberg’s interview on the ABC this morning.My colleague Paul Karp has a full story now on the Treasurer Josh Frydenberg’s interview on the ABC this morning.
Queensland premier Annastacia Palaszczuk says the state now has 98 confirmed cases of Covid-19, an increase of 12 since Saturday.Queensland premier Annastacia Palaszczuk says the state now has 98 confirmed cases of Covid-19, an increase of 12 since Saturday.
The total had been revised down from yesterday, she said. There are 12 people in intensive care in the state.The total had been revised down from yesterday, she said. There are 12 people in intensive care in the state.
Palaszczuk had a “big thank you” to Queenslanders who were “absolutely doing the right thing” this Easter weekend.Palaszczuk had a “big thank you” to Queenslanders who were “absolutely doing the right thing” this Easter weekend.
Tasmania’s premier Peter Gutwein has confirmed a fifth death from Covid-19 in the state – a woman in her 70s.Tasmania’s premier Peter Gutwein has confirmed a fifth death from Covid-19 in the state – a woman in her 70s.
That puts the national death toll at 58.That puts the national death toll at 58.
AAP reports that the woman died in the North West Regional Hospital. Gutwein confirmed this on Sunday and offered condolences.AAP reports that the woman died in the North West Regional Hospital. Gutwein confirmed this on Sunday and offered condolences.
“It’s again a stark reminder that this virus is deadly, it’s taken lives and as I said it will take more yet,” he said.“It’s again a stark reminder that this virus is deadly, it’s taken lives and as I said it will take more yet,” he said.
Gutwein also said there had been 11 new cases of the coronavirus from the state’s northwest.Gutwein also said there had been 11 new cases of the coronavirus from the state’s northwest.
The state has a total of 133 confirmed cases of Covid-19, with 11 new cases in north-west Tasmania, where health authorities are working to contain an outbreak of the virus.The state has a total of 133 confirmed cases of Covid-19, with 11 new cases in north-west Tasmania, where health authorities are working to contain an outbreak of the virus.
Thirty-eight of the state’s 133 confirmed cases have been linked to the North West Regional Hospital and North West Private Hospital in Burnie, with 26 staff among them.Thirty-eight of the state’s 133 confirmed cases have been linked to the North West Regional Hospital and North West Private Hospital in Burnie, with 26 staff among them.
Gutwein hasn’t ruled out tougher measures to limit the spread of the virus in the north-west, including a lockdown of the region.Gutwein hasn’t ruled out tougher measures to limit the spread of the virus in the north-west, including a lockdown of the region.
Australia’s chief medical officer Brendan Murphy is up now in Canberra with a positive update, some thank yous and some congratulations.Australia’s chief medical officer Brendan Murphy is up now in Canberra with a positive update, some thank yous and some congratulations.
Australia now has 6,289 confirmed cases of Covid-19, he said.Australia now has 6,289 confirmed cases of Covid-19, he said.
We’ll try and find some clarification on that number because it is less than the 6292 that the government reported as of 3pm on Saturday.We’ll try and find some clarification on that number because it is less than the 6292 that the government reported as of 3pm on Saturday.
Some 80 people are in intensive care with 36 people on ventilators, Murphy said. There have been 57 deaths.Some 80 people are in intensive care with 36 people on ventilators, Murphy said. There have been 57 deaths.
Firstly, to the positive update.Firstly, to the positive update.
Now the thank yous, directed first at Australians.Now the thank yous, directed first at Australians.
Murphy also had some words of thanks for frontline healthcare workers “but especially today, I want to recognise unsung heroes, and they are our public health workforce”.Murphy also had some words of thanks for frontline healthcare workers “but especially today, I want to recognise unsung heroes, and they are our public health workforce”.
Here are some images of the flight from Uruguay carrying Australian and New Zealand passengers from the stricken Antarctica cruise ship the Greg Mortimer.Here are some images of the flight from Uruguay carrying Australian and New Zealand passengers from the stricken Antarctica cruise ship the Greg Mortimer.
A little bit more from Victorian premier Daniel Andrews, who also gave us some numbers from the state’s police service.A little bit more from Victorian premier Daniel Andrews, who also gave us some numbers from the state’s police service.
Victorian police have done 19,303 checks so far, and have issued about 900 fines including 92 in the past 24 hours.Victorian police have done 19,303 checks so far, and have issued about 900 fines including 92 in the past 24 hours.
Victorian premier Daniel Andrews is providing an update on Covid-19 with the news there have been only three more cases overnight, and no further deaths.Victorian premier Daniel Andrews is providing an update on Covid-19 with the news there have been only three more cases overnight, and no further deaths.
But Andrews announced the state of emergency would be extended for a further four weeks to 11 May.But Andrews announced the state of emergency would be extended for a further four weeks to 11 May.
Andrews said Victoria now had 1,268 confirmed cases, with 28 people currently in hospital with 16 in intensive care. There have been 14 deaths.Andrews said Victoria now had 1,268 confirmed cases, with 28 people currently in hospital with 16 in intensive care. There have been 14 deaths.
The low number of new cases was “very strong piece of evidence that our strategy is working” he said, but the restrictions would stay in place, citing the nightmare of New York’s recent daily death tolls of more than 1,200. He said:The low number of new cases was “very strong piece of evidence that our strategy is working” he said, but the restrictions would stay in place, citing the nightmare of New York’s recent daily death tolls of more than 1,200. He said:
We’re starting to hear about some of those travellers arriving in from overseas destinations on flights in to Melbourne.
News agency AAP reports that about 112 passengers from the Greg Mortimer cruise ship that had been moored off Montevideo in Uruguay landed at Tullamarine just before 7am.
Previous reports suggest 16 of the 112 are New Zealanders. One small group was seen in masks leaving the plane and walking across the tarmac to a smaller plane.
The ship had left Argentina, which neighbours Uruguay, on 15 March for a 16-day return trip to Antarctica. It had been stuck in South America for more than two weeks.
The ship’s operator Aurora Expeditions confirmed this week 128 of 217 people had tested positive for the coronavirus.
Uruguay’s foreign minister Ernesto Talvi said two Australian passengers could not be transported home as they were in intensive care at a hospital.
The treasurer has closed up his interview with ABC Insider’s host David Speers with a message of caution on lifting restrictions.
It will only happen if the medical advice says it’s safe.
He said that “so far our medical experts and those on the front line are the real heroes of the crisis”.
A few weeks ago, he said the number of cases per day was rising by 20%, but now the rise was at just 2%.
Finally, the treasurer was asked if he was happy that “we can do six months of this”. Frydenberg responded:
Victoria’s health department has announced a man died on Saturday while he was in quarantine accommodation.
A Department of Health and Human Services spokesperson said in a statement:
Treasurer Josh Frydenberg says 802,000 businesses have applied for the jobkeeper payments as of Sunday morning.
The treasurer also says more than 600,000 Australians have “indicated their interest” in accessing some of their superannuation.
He thinks that ultimately, because that program was announced before the jobkeeper program, less people will take the opportunity to dip into the superannuation than the government initially thought.
The treasurer Josh Frydenberg is speaking to David Speers on the ABC’s Insider’s program and he’s being asked about the options he might have to extend the jobseeker payment.
Frydenberg admits he does have discretion to make changes to the program, but that right now “we have no planes to change the rules”. He says:
If you’re thinking about getting out and about on this Easter Sunday, there are a range of restrictions on our movement. Essentially, if you don’t absolutely have to go out, then don’t.
We have a summary of all the restrictions.
News agency AAP is reporting the death of a 74-year-old man from Covid-19 who was a passenger on the Ruby Princess cruise ship.
The 74-year-old man succumbed to the infection in the Royal Adelaide hospital overnight, SA Health confirmed on Sunday.
It is the state’s fourth coronavirus death, with the national toll now standing at 57.
“Our thoughts are with the family and friends of the man,” SA Health said.
More than a dozen Ruby Princess passengers have died from the virus, and more than 500 people have been infected, either onboard or from contact with people who were.
The deputy prime minister, Michael McCormack, has spoken to Sky News, leaving a very small amount of wiggle room to expand the $130bn jobkeeper wage subsidy and discussing the need for “reform” (possibly even GST reform!) on the other side of the Covid-19 crisis.
On jobkeeper, McCormack said it was “broad enough ... to get as many people through to the other side as we can”, playing down expectations it could be expanded beyond six million workers because Australia doesn’t want “to saddle ourselves with debt”.
But the Nationals leader said the government will “continue to look at the situation, take advice from business and key stakeholders, and people on the ground”.
He also noted that the tax office has a discretion to waive the requirements of a 50% reduction in revenue for businesses earning more than $1bn a year or 30% for those below that threshold. McCormack suggested this could occur where a business “may have lost, say 45% [of revenue], or a drought stricken business that is unlikely to lose another 30% [compared to the previous year]”.
Asked about tax reform in general, and GST reform in particular, McCormack replied:
McCormack praised the economic credentials of Liberal-National governments, claiming they know how to “manage money”.
He then flicked the switch back to bipartisanship by saying reform will “need the help of Labor states and territories, through the [Council of Australian Governments] process and the national cabinet being its best self”.
Asked about the possibility of a loan to Virgin, McCormack said Australia needs two airlines but has already given $1bn support package to the industry.
Her Majesty The Queen released a special Easter Sunday message a few hours ago.
In an effort for inclusiveness, the Queen spoke about the traditional lighting of candles during religious ceremonies, and how candles seemed to “speak to every culture and appeal to people of all faiths, and of none”.
Good morning to this Easter Sunday and our live coronavirus coverage for today. I’m Graham Readfearn and I’ll take you through the next few hours.
So what’s coming up, apart from all the chocolate (and it’s milk chocolate for me)?
We’re expecting about 1,200 Australians to be arriving back into the country from today landing at Melbourne’s Tullamarine airport and heading into quarantine. We’ll bring you news of those arrivals a bit later.
If you want to catch up with yesterday’s developments – including the latest number of cases, and the folk in Sydney that still want to walk from Bondi to Bronte (and now can’t because they’ve shut the path due to the crowds) – you should have a quick read of my colleague Calla Wahlquist’s wrap-up from late yesterday.