This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/live/2020/apr/16/australia-coronavirus-live-updates-nsw-victoria-qld-national-cabinet-schools-latest-news-update
The article has changed 26 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 6 | Version 7 |
|---|---|
| Australia coronavirus live updates: Rudd slams Trump's 'lunatic' WHO decision as national cabinet meets – latest news | |
| (30 minutes later) | |
| State and federal leaders will discuss Australian school attendance at Thursday’s meeting. Follow all the latest news, live | State and federal leaders will discuss Australian school attendance at Thursday’s meeting. Follow all the latest news, live |
| Jacinda Ardern says stage three lockdowns mean continuing to act “like you have Covid” and “those around you have Covid” to “keep your bubble safe”. | |
| For those interested, you’ll find more information here. | |
| It looks as though NZ will begin to reduce its restrictions next week but plans on spending quite a bit of time in level three, as it seeks to eliminate the virus entirely from its islands. | |
| New Zealand is continuing with its elimination strategy. | |
| Jacinda Ardern says the country is working towards returning to a level three lockdown – which means “expanding bubbles” but not opening borders. | |
| It is now in level four, which is pretty much a complete lockdown, but is setting out the conditions for level three, which sounds a lot like what most of Australia is under right now. | |
| Peter Dutton also tells Ray Hadley that while he “can certainly understand why President Trump has done what he has done” when it comes to cutting the US contributions to the World Health Organization, Australia relies on the WHO to help support the Pacific, and won’t be following suit. | |
| But he says where the WHO’s position is compromised “I think it’s entirely appropriate that we call them out”. | But he says where the WHO’s position is compromised “I think it’s entirely appropriate that we call them out”. |
| The home affairs minister, Peter Dutton, has been given a clean bill of health by Queensland Health, a month after contracting Covid-19. Which is good to hear. | |
| He was back on Sydney radio 2GB for his weekly chat with Ray Hadley, where he was asked about Malcolm Turnbull’s upcoming book, A Bigger Picture. | |
| Nothing like a former prime minister’s memoir after a leadership coup to cut through a concentrated news cycle. | |
| You can read some takeaways from the book, here, in this report from Katharine Murphy. | You can read some takeaways from the book, here, in this report from Katharine Murphy. |
| Dutton wished Turnbull “all the best in his retirement” and says he is not interested in getting into a “tit-for-tat” (Turnbull is reportedly not overly complimentary about Dutton’s leadership ambitions in his tome, but hey – at least it let the home affairs minister “smile” a bit more with the Australian public.) | |
| “I really am very grateful everyday that Bill Shorten is not the prime minister of this country,” says the man whose inability to count kicked off the whole leadership coup, which ended with Scott Morrison as prime minister. | |
| You can imagine what Hadley, who was never Turnbull’s biggest fan, has to say about the book. | You can imagine what Hadley, who was never Turnbull’s biggest fan, has to say about the book. |
| The government is also establishing 83 mobile testing sites for Indigenous communities. | The government is also establishing 83 mobile testing sites for Indigenous communities. |
| The sites will be equipped with rapid testing kits, to ensure results are received as quickly as possible for some of Australia’s most vulnerable communities. | The sites will be equipped with rapid testing kits, to ensure results are received as quickly as possible for some of Australia’s most vulnerable communities. |
| Greg Hunt spoke to Sky News this morning about the national cabinet’s position on schools: | Greg Hunt spoke to Sky News this morning about the national cabinet’s position on schools: |
| It is national cabinet meeting time, so it will be a bit quiet for the next hour or so as the state and territory leaders join that teleconference with their national counterparts. | It is national cabinet meeting time, so it will be a bit quiet for the next hour or so as the state and territory leaders join that teleconference with their national counterparts. |
| Because I keep getting messages about this, for any Americans who are still not across it, or for those who have been paying more attention to someone on social media then their lessons on the Australian constitution, the national cabinet is part of the federation, featuring democratically elected leaders. | Because I keep getting messages about this, for any Americans who are still not across it, or for those who have been paying more attention to someone on social media then their lessons on the Australian constitution, the national cabinet is part of the federation, featuring democratically elected leaders. |
| We have had a version of it for a long, long time. Every time we talk about Coag, the Council of Australian Governments, it’s the same principle – state and territory leaders, discussing funding agreements with the commonwealth. In this case, it is state and territory leaders, discussing funding agreements for a public and economic health crisis, and making sure everyone at least has the same information. | We have had a version of it for a long, long time. Every time we talk about Coag, the Council of Australian Governments, it’s the same principle – state and territory leaders, discussing funding agreements with the commonwealth. In this case, it is state and territory leaders, discussing funding agreements for a public and economic health crisis, and making sure everyone at least has the same information. |
| For those asking, we don’t have the latest Victorian figures yet, because of an IT upgrade. | For those asking, we don’t have the latest Victorian figures yet, because of an IT upgrade. |
| But Jenny Mikakos says the trend seems to be heading in the right direction. | But Jenny Mikakos says the trend seems to be heading in the right direction. |
| She says she is “relatively optimistic” that stage four restrictions won’t be necessary. But there will be no change to Victoria’s restrictions over the next month. | She says she is “relatively optimistic” that stage four restrictions won’t be necessary. But there will be no change to Victoria’s restrictions over the next month. |
| That is in line with its stronger message on schools – “if you can learn from home, you must learn from home”. | That is in line with its stronger message on schools – “if you can learn from home, you must learn from home”. |
| But, as in other states, schools remain open for parents who cannot keep their children at home. | But, as in other states, schools remain open for parents who cannot keep their children at home. |
| The states are also working to provide vulnerable students with laptops and sim cards, to help with at-home learning. | The states are also working to provide vulnerable students with laptops and sim cards, to help with at-home learning. |
| In Victoria, 30,000 devices have been loaned out. | In Victoria, 30,000 devices have been loaned out. |
| Marise Payne is continuing diplomatic talks to get back home the Australians who are stranded around the world. | Marise Payne is continuing diplomatic talks to get back home the Australians who are stranded around the world. |
| Talks with the US have focused on stopovers. Which has been a very important part of the puzzle in the repatriations, given all the border closures. | Talks with the US have focused on stopovers. Which has been a very important part of the puzzle in the repatriations, given all the border closures. |
| Just five* Queenslanders tested positive for Covid-19 yesterday – and the health minister, Steven Miles, says the state has maintained its high level of testing. | Just five* Queenslanders tested positive for Covid-19 yesterday – and the health minister, Steven Miles, says the state has maintained its high level of testing. |
| That brings Queensland’s cases to 1,001. | That brings Queensland’s cases to 1,001. |
| (*Three cases from yesterday have been found to not be positive, and have been removed from the previous total.) | (*Three cases from yesterday have been found to not be positive, and have been removed from the previous total.) |
| The NSW chief health officer, Dr Kerry Chant, says the state is moving towards anyone with mild symptoms being eligible for Covid-19 testing. | The NSW chief health officer, Dr Kerry Chant, says the state is moving towards anyone with mild symptoms being eligible for Covid-19 testing. |
| “We will get to the point where the general population needs to get tested,” she said. | “We will get to the point where the general population needs to get tested,” she said. |
| “As I’ve indicated the disease can often be very mild, so I would also like to extend my appreciation for those that have heard the message and actually come forward with often very minimal symptoms that actually helps us with containment and identifying those clusters.” | “As I’ve indicated the disease can often be very mild, so I would also like to extend my appreciation for those that have heard the message and actually come forward with often very minimal symptoms that actually helps us with containment and identifying those clusters.” |
| There are now large areas in Sydney and across regional NSW where testing is available for any symptomatic person. | There are now large areas in Sydney and across regional NSW where testing is available for any symptomatic person. |
| The premier, Gladys Berejiklian, today urged everyone who interacts people a large number of people as part of their work and are experiencing symptoms to get tested. This appears to be an extension of current guidelines. | The premier, Gladys Berejiklian, today urged everyone who interacts people a large number of people as part of their work and are experiencing symptoms to get tested. This appears to be an extension of current guidelines. |
| “I stress, if you happen to work in any industry where you’re in contact with a lot of people, especially if you’re looking after vulnerable people, please do not hesitate to come forward and get tested, even if you don’t live in those suburbs that you’ve identified.” | “I stress, if you happen to work in any industry where you’re in contact with a lot of people, especially if you’re looking after vulnerable people, please do not hesitate to come forward and get tested, even if you don’t live in those suburbs that you’ve identified.” |
| The March unemployment figures are due in about an hour. | The March unemployment figures are due in about an hour. |
| But the bad news keeps coming – Crown resorts have now stood down the vast majority of its workforce. | But the bad news keeps coming – Crown resorts have now stood down the vast majority of its workforce. |
| As AAP reports: | As AAP reports: |
| Crown Resorts has stood down 11,500 of its employees because of the coronavirus restrictions affecting its casinos in Melbourne and Perth, but it still will pay shareholders their interim dividend. | Crown Resorts has stood down 11,500 of its employees because of the coronavirus restrictions affecting its casinos in Melbourne and Perth, but it still will pay shareholders their interim dividend. |
| The gaming company said it had made an ex gratia payment of two week’s salary to full-time and part-time workers and given $1,000 to eligible casual workers, while chief executive Ken Barton and other senior managers have taken a 20 per cent temporary pay cut. | The gaming company said it had made an ex gratia payment of two week’s salary to full-time and part-time workers and given $1,000 to eligible casual workers, while chief executive Ken Barton and other senior managers have taken a 20 per cent temporary pay cut. |
| Crown said it was in a strong financial position, with about $500 million in cash and the ability to borrow more than $1 billion. | Crown said it was in a strong financial position, with about $500 million in cash and the ability to borrow more than $1 billion. |
| It will pay its interim dividend on Friday. | It will pay its interim dividend on Friday. |
| At 1015 AEDT on Thursday, Crown shares were down 2.4 per cent to $8.06, in line with the broader market. | At 1015 AEDT on Thursday, Crown shares were down 2.4 per cent to $8.06, in line with the broader market. |
| It is Victorian health minister o’clock. | It is Victorian health minister o’clock. |
| Jenny Mikakos says Victoria’s preparations to boost its health system capacity are coming along nicely. | Jenny Mikakos says Victoria’s preparations to boost its health system capacity are coming along nicely. |
| World Vision’s acting chief executive, Graham Strong, has also slammed the US decision to defund the World Health Organization, saying the impact to developing nations will be huge: | World Vision’s acting chief executive, Graham Strong, has also slammed the US decision to defund the World Health Organization, saying the impact to developing nations will be huge: |
| “This is the worst possible time to cut funding [to WHO] because we don’t know the potential impact of COVID-19 in low-developing and vulnerable communities that don’t have the circumstances for people to socially-distance, or provide adequate health support to their people. | “This is the worst possible time to cut funding [to WHO] because we don’t know the potential impact of COVID-19 in low-developing and vulnerable communities that don’t have the circumstances for people to socially-distance, or provide adequate health support to their people. |
| “WHO provides the vital [health cluster] mechanism that is needed to respond to such crises. | “WHO provides the vital [health cluster] mechanism that is needed to respond to such crises. |
| “Any cut to funding will limit the humanitarian community providing what is needed on the ground to combat the worst pandemic in a century, COVID-19. | “Any cut to funding will limit the humanitarian community providing what is needed on the ground to combat the worst pandemic in a century, COVID-19. |
| “And bear in mind, WHO isn’t just dealing with COVID-19, but a range of other diseases, such as polio, measles, malaria, Ebola, HIV, TB, malnutrition, cancer, diabetes and mental health, among others.” | “And bear in mind, WHO isn’t just dealing with COVID-19, but a range of other diseases, such as polio, measles, malaria, Ebola, HIV, TB, malnutrition, cancer, diabetes and mental health, among others.” |
| Gladys Berejiklian, speaking on the Anglicare Newmarch aged care outbreak, which has now seen nine residents and six employees infected, says the staff member who was first diagnosed as being Covid-19 positive did “nothing wrong”. | Gladys Berejiklian, speaking on the Anglicare Newmarch aged care outbreak, which has now seen nine residents and six employees infected, says the staff member who was first diagnosed as being Covid-19 positive did “nothing wrong”. |
| The woman was not believed to have been displaying symptoms and got tested after learning she had been in contact with someone who was Covid-19. | The woman was not believed to have been displaying symptoms and got tested after learning she had been in contact with someone who was Covid-19. |
| The NSW premier says the worker is very upset over her inadvertent role and did everything right. | The NSW premier says the worker is very upset over her inadvertent role and did everything right. |
| A reminder that the virus continues to impact people in different ways, which is why any lifting of restrictions has to be done carefully and in a controlled way. | A reminder that the virus continues to impact people in different ways, which is why any lifting of restrictions has to be done carefully and in a controlled way. |
| While authorities have been rightly concentrating on public health risks, they are also attempting to keep an eye on mental health, with both federal and individual state packages designed to let people know they are not alone in feeling a particular way – isolation is particularly difficult for people who may have an anxiety disorder, or who are living alone, blocked from the usual social supports that help keep their mental health afloat. | While authorities have been rightly concentrating on public health risks, they are also attempting to keep an eye on mental health, with both federal and individual state packages designed to let people know they are not alone in feeling a particular way – isolation is particularly difficult for people who may have an anxiety disorder, or who are living alone, blocked from the usual social supports that help keep their mental health afloat. |
| There are services, such as Beyond Blue, which can help. | There are services, such as Beyond Blue, which can help. |
| There is also an online school mental health program available at Open Parachute, for anyone with teens who might need some more guidance. | There is also an online school mental health program available at Open Parachute, for anyone with teens who might need some more guidance. |
| You can also see your doctor via a teleconference appointment if you don’t want to head into a physical office. | You can also see your doctor via a teleconference appointment if you don’t want to head into a physical office. |
| The ADF is part of the clean-up of the Tasmanian north-west hospitals that have been closed because of Covid-19 cluster. | The ADF is part of the clean-up of the Tasmanian north-west hospitals that have been closed because of Covid-19 cluster. |
| Two hospitals have been closed, and won’t be reopened until they have been specially decontaminated. | Two hospitals have been closed, and won’t be reopened until they have been specially decontaminated. |
| That is still expected to take some time. | That is still expected to take some time. |