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| Australia coronavirus live: NSW government extends $5,000 fine to people who spit at 'all workers' – latest updates | Australia coronavirus live: NSW government extends $5,000 fine to people who spit at 'all workers' – latest updates |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| Every worker is an essential worker, NSW health minister Brad Hazzard says, and Greg Hunt backs calls for global investigation into Covid-19 spread. Follow the latest news live | Every worker is an essential worker, NSW health minister Brad Hazzard says, and Greg Hunt backs calls for global investigation into Covid-19 spread. Follow the latest news live |
| Western Australia has recorded just one new Covid-19 case overnight. | |
| But the state’s health minister, Roger Cook, has urged people not to become complacent. He announced a little earlier that the state had invested in preparing to give its health department significant “surge capacity”, going from a little more than 100 ventilator beds to “well over 660”. | |
| Queensland Health have issued a correction. Instead of four new cases, the state has five. That includes the death of the 83-year-old man, which was announced yesterday. | Queensland Health have issued a correction. Instead of four new cases, the state has five. That includes the death of the 83-year-old man, which was announced yesterday. |
| Not Covid-19 related exactly, but this is quite a story from my colleague Malcolm Farr. A legal clash is looming after claims a senior adviser to the prime minister, Scott Morrison, has pirated Malcolm Turnbull’s memoir before its official publication on Monday. | Not Covid-19 related exactly, but this is quite a story from my colleague Malcolm Farr. A legal clash is looming after claims a senior adviser to the prime minister, Scott Morrison, has pirated Malcolm Turnbull’s memoir before its official publication on Monday. |
| A letter of complaint has been sent to a senior Morrison adviser from Nicholas Pullen of lawyers HWL Ebsworth, representing Turnbull and his publishers. | A letter of complaint has been sent to a senior Morrison adviser from Nicholas Pullen of lawyers HWL Ebsworth, representing Turnbull and his publishers. |
| Lawyers for Turnbull and his publisher Hardie Grant believe unauthorised digital copies of the book, A Bigger Picture, were widely distributed with recipients encouraged to forward them to others. | Lawyers for Turnbull and his publisher Hardie Grant believe unauthorised digital copies of the book, A Bigger Picture, were widely distributed with recipients encouraged to forward them to others. |
| I should stress that beaches in neighbouring Waverley – so Bondi, Tamarama and Bronte – remain closed for now. | I should stress that beaches in neighbouring Waverley – so Bondi, Tamarama and Bronte – remain closed for now. |
| On Saturday Waverley mayor Paula Masselos said the area remained “a hotspot for coronavirus cases and we have no intention of reopening our beaches at this time”. | On Saturday Waverley mayor Paula Masselos said the area remained “a hotspot for coronavirus cases and we have no intention of reopening our beaches at this time”. |
| Masselos also said the council was working with Randwick City and Woollahra councils “on a coordinated approach to the situation at our beaches in consultation with our local police and health authorities”. | Masselos also said the council was working with Randwick City and Woollahra councils “on a coordinated approach to the situation at our beaches in consultation with our local police and health authorities”. |
| So, watch this space I guess. | So, watch this space I guess. |
| A number of beaches in Sydney’s eastern suburbs will reopen on Monday, but only for exercise. | A number of beaches in Sydney’s eastern suburbs will reopen on Monday, but only for exercise. |
| Randwick Council says that from tomorrow Coogee, Maroubra and Clovelly Beaches will be made available for “exercise purposes only”. That means jogging on the sand, walking, swimming, surfing and other exercise activities will now be permitted. | Randwick Council says that from tomorrow Coogee, Maroubra and Clovelly Beaches will be made available for “exercise purposes only”. That means jogging on the sand, walking, swimming, surfing and other exercise activities will now be permitted. |
| Sydney’s eastern suburbs beaches were closed on 28 March after large crowds were filmed gathering at neighbouring Bondi Beach. | Sydney’s eastern suburbs beaches were closed on 28 March after large crowds were filmed gathering at neighbouring Bondi Beach. |
| “Living along the coast, I know how important our beaches are to the mental and physical health of so many in the community,” Randwick mayor Danny Said said. | “Living along the coast, I know how important our beaches are to the mental and physical health of so many in the community,” Randwick mayor Danny Said said. |
| “The past three weeks have been difficult as we’ve all had to make changes and sacrifices to our daily routines. Our decision to close the beaches three weeks ago was not taken lightly and factored in the risk of coronavirus spread, particularly given the concentration of Covid-19 cases in the eastern suburbs area along with the popularity of our beaches. | “The past three weeks have been difficult as we’ve all had to make changes and sacrifices to our daily routines. Our decision to close the beaches three weeks ago was not taken lightly and factored in the risk of coronavirus spread, particularly given the concentration of Covid-19 cases in the eastern suburbs area along with the popularity of our beaches. |
| “Our decision was also based upon expected crowd numbers and people’s initial behaviour in relation to social distancing rules. | “Our decision was also based upon expected crowd numbers and people’s initial behaviour in relation to social distancing rules. |
| “By not going to the beach, each of us has helped others in need. We’ve helped slow the spread and flatten the curve. I know it’s been tough, but I thank everybody for doing the right thing.” | “By not going to the beach, each of us has helped others in need. We’ve helped slow the spread and flatten the curve. I know it’s been tough, but I thank everybody for doing the right thing.” |
| Ocean rock pools in Randwick will remain closed until further notice as they are subject to a public health order to close. | Ocean rock pools in Randwick will remain closed until further notice as they are subject to a public health order to close. |
| The ABC is reporting that there has been another death at the Newmarch House aged care home in Western Sydney after a 94-year-old resident died this morning. | The ABC is reporting that there has been another death at the Newmarch House aged care home in Western Sydney after a 94-year-old resident died this morning. |
| It’s the second death at the aged care home, after a 93-year-old man died yesterday. | It’s the second death at the aged care home, after a 93-year-old man died yesterday. |
| The New South Wales health minister Dr Kerry Chant said this morning that there were now 39 confirmed cases from the aged care home, including 13 staff. That’s an increase of nine cases from yesterday. | The New South Wales health minister Dr Kerry Chant said this morning that there were now 39 confirmed cases from the aged care home, including 13 staff. That’s an increase of nine cases from yesterday. |
| The outbreak occurred after a staff member attended work without realising she was infected. | The outbreak occurred after a staff member attended work without realising she was infected. |
| Queensland recorded four new cases of Covid-19 overnight, taking the state’s total to 1,019. | Queensland recorded four new cases of Covid-19 overnight, taking the state’s total to 1,019. |
| The state’s health department says 275 of those cases remain active. | The state’s health department says 275 of those cases remain active. |
| Thanks to Josh, as always. | Thanks to Josh, as always. |
| Police in New South Wales charged seven people and issued 45 fines for alleged breaches of Public Health Orders in the past 24 hours. | Police in New South Wales charged seven people and issued 45 fines for alleged breaches of Public Health Orders in the past 24 hours. |
| A few of the fines handed out included: | A few of the fines handed out included: |
| A 43-year-old man who was stopped by police in Kings Cross just after midnight. The man was driving a McLaren 650S in Potts Point. He told officers he was driving to Woolloomooloo to get petrol. After being warned, he informed officers driving is a form of exercise. The man and his 60-year-old passenger were each issued a $1000 fine. The driver allegedly told police “do what you want mate, I don’t care. This $1,000 fine won’t hurt with my $15m.” | A 43-year-old man who was stopped by police in Kings Cross just after midnight. The man was driving a McLaren 650S in Potts Point. He told officers he was driving to Woolloomooloo to get petrol. After being warned, he informed officers driving is a form of exercise. The man and his 60-year-old passenger were each issued a $1000 fine. The driver allegedly told police “do what you want mate, I don’t care. This $1,000 fine won’t hurt with my $15m.” |
| At about 8.40am, officers attended a home in Auburn and found four men congregating in a small room, with one man hiding behind the door. Only one of the four men, a 39-year-old, resided at the address and no one in the group – including a 25-year-old man from Guildford, a 36-year-old man from another Auburn address and a 40-year-old man from Fairfield East – are related. They were each issued a $1,000 fine. | At about 8.40am, officers attended a home in Auburn and found four men congregating in a small room, with one man hiding behind the door. Only one of the four men, a 39-year-old, resided at the address and no one in the group – including a 25-year-old man from Guildford, a 36-year-old man from another Auburn address and a 40-year-old man from Fairfield East – are related. They were each issued a $1,000 fine. |
| At about 12.30am, officers stopped and spoke to a 29-year-old man in Pendle Hill. The man was issued a $1,000 fine after telling police he was out to go a visit a friend. | At about 12.30am, officers stopped and spoke to a 29-year-old man in Pendle Hill. The man was issued a $1,000 fine after telling police he was out to go a visit a friend. |
| At about 2am, officers stopped and spoke to a 19-year-old woman in Enmore. The woman was issued a $1,000 fine after telling officers she was going to pay rent in Lakemba and then drive to Cabramatta to buy a pork roll. | At about 2am, officers stopped and spoke to a 19-year-old woman in Enmore. The woman was issued a $1,000 fine after telling officers she was going to pay rent in Lakemba and then drive to Cabramatta to buy a pork roll. |
| Just after 4pm, officers spoke with a 22-year-old man at a shopping centre in Mt Druitt about being in a public place without a reasonable excuse. The man had previously been warned and after telling police he was on his way to a friend’s house to “smoke weed” he was subsequently issued a $1,000 fine. | Just after 4pm, officers spoke with a 22-year-old man at a shopping centre in Mt Druitt about being in a public place without a reasonable excuse. The man had previously been warned and after telling police he was on his way to a friend’s house to “smoke weed” he was subsequently issued a $1,000 fine. |
| At about 12.50am officers attended a home in Merewether, Newcastle, following reports of a party. Police found six people sitting on an upstairs balcony area. Three people were directed to leave as it was not their place of residence. One of the men – aged 40 – allegedly refused to leave and yelled at police. He eventually complied and together with a 49-year-old man and a 50-year-old woman, they were issued a $1,000 fine. | At about 12.50am officers attended a home in Merewether, Newcastle, following reports of a party. Police found six people sitting on an upstairs balcony area. Three people were directed to leave as it was not their place of residence. One of the men – aged 40 – allegedly refused to leave and yelled at police. He eventually complied and together with a 49-year-old man and a 50-year-old woman, they were issued a $1,000 fine. |
| Good afternoon, I am now handing back the blog to Michael McGowan. | Good afternoon, I am now handing back the blog to Michael McGowan. |
| A handy bit of information from the agriculture department about Australia’s food security situation: | A handy bit of information from the agriculture department about Australia’s food security situation: |
| You can read the full report here. | You can read the full report here. |
| On the coronavirus contact tracing app again, just worth noting that the deputy chief medical officer Paul Kelly said yesterday that the app would not track location, so it is similar to the Singapore app in that respect. | On the coronavirus contact tracing app again, just worth noting that the deputy chief medical officer Paul Kelly said yesterday that the app would not track location, so it is similar to the Singapore app in that respect. |
| Just a bit more on the NSW government fines for spitting and coughing: | Just a bit more on the NSW government fines for spitting and coughing: |
| “Unfortunately, there have now also been incidents in which retail staff and transport staff have also been subjected to this disgusting, dangerous behaviour, and it will not be tolerated,” NSW health minister Brad Hazzard said. | “Unfortunately, there have now also been incidents in which retail staff and transport staff have also been subjected to this disgusting, dangerous behaviour, and it will not be tolerated,” NSW health minister Brad Hazzard said. |
| “Every worker in this Covid-19 crisis is now an essential worker and will have the added protection they deserve, including those in retail stores and those critical to our public transport system. | “Every worker in this Covid-19 crisis is now an essential worker and will have the added protection they deserve, including those in retail stores and those critical to our public transport system. |
| OK, I’m going to hand you over to my colleague Josh Taylor while I take a short break. | OK, I’m going to hand you over to my colleague Josh Taylor while I take a short break. |
| There have been no new cases of Covid-19 in the ACT for the sixth straight day. The territory still has 103 confirmed cases, 89 of which have recovered. | There have been no new cases of Covid-19 in the ACT for the sixth straight day. The territory still has 103 confirmed cases, 89 of which have recovered. |
| The 14 remaining cases are self-isolating at home, meaning there are currently no cases in Canberra hospitals. | The 14 remaining cases are self-isolating at home, meaning there are currently no cases in Canberra hospitals. |
| The ACT has recorded three deaths in total during the pandemic. | The ACT has recorded three deaths in total during the pandemic. |
| A fascinating story from my colleague in San Francisco, Lois Beckett, on protests against Covid-19 restrictions in the US. A day after the US president Donald Trump encouraged Americans to protest against strict public health measures, demonstrations were held in state capitals in Maryland, Texas and Ohio. | A fascinating story from my colleague in San Francisco, Lois Beckett, on protests against Covid-19 restrictions in the US. A day after the US president Donald Trump encouraged Americans to protest against strict public health measures, demonstrations were held in state capitals in Maryland, Texas and Ohio. |
| Hundreds of people stood shoulder-to-shoulder at the Texas Capitol on Saturday, chanting “Fire Fauci!” as part of a protest organized by the conspiracy theory site InfoWars. Anthony Fauci is the top public health expert on the White House coronavirus taskforce. | Hundreds of people stood shoulder-to-shoulder at the Texas Capitol on Saturday, chanting “Fire Fauci!” as part of a protest organized by the conspiracy theory site InfoWars. Anthony Fauci is the top public health expert on the White House coronavirus taskforce. |
| Bowen is asked whether Australia should “trust” China in the wake of the spread of Covid-19. He says “trust is something that is earned and something constantly reinforced by good actions and by full accountability”. | Bowen is asked whether Australia should “trust” China in the wake of the spread of Covid-19. He says “trust is something that is earned and something constantly reinforced by good actions and by full accountability”. |