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Australia coronavirus live updates: Two more deaths reported in NSW as national death toll reaches 74 – latest news Australia coronavirus live updates: Two more deaths reported in NSW as national death toll reaches 74 – latest news
(32 minutes later)
New South Wales chief medical officer says 231 people are now being treated for Covid-19, with 20 in intensive care. Follow liveNew South Wales chief medical officer says 231 people are now being treated for Covid-19, with 20 in intensive care. Follow live
The deputy chief medical officer, Dr Nick Coatsworth, has had a chat to the ABC this morning about loosening restrictions.
May 11 is the date circled in the calendar at the moment. If the rate of infection stays at where it is (at around 1%), then the current restrictions will be stepped back.
What does that look like? Dr Coatsworth isn’t entirely sure as yet.
Last night the Waverly council voted to open the water for Bondi, Bronte and Tamarama beaches from Tuesday next week, but congregating on the sand or sunbathing will still be strictly off-limits.
There will also be restriction on when Sydneysiders can access the water. The beach will only open on weekdays between certain times and fences will be erected to guide swimmers and surfers in and out of the water. The council may also limit numbers during busier times.
This comes after the council area to the south, Randwick, opened it’s water and sand to allow people to exercise on the beach.
Waverley Mayor, Paula Masselos said previous that allowing people on the sand at Bondi wasn’t an option, as the area remains the most heavily infected in NSW.
Josh Frydenberg has also, for about the third time this month, ruled out raising the GST to address Australia’s coming economic grief as part of his ABC interview this morning:
NSW police commissioner Mick Fuller is then asked to give an update on the Ruby Princess cruise ship and its crew, which is still docked off Port Kembla.NSW police commissioner Mick Fuller is then asked to give an update on the Ruby Princess cruise ship and its crew, which is still docked off Port Kembla.
Another five people have been diagnosed with covid-19 in the last 24 hours in NSWAnother five people have been diagnosed with covid-19 in the last 24 hours in NSW
Gladys Berejiklian has also spoken about the changes to Anzac day this year, under the physical distance rules:Gladys Berejiklian has also spoken about the changes to Anzac day this year, under the physical distance rules:
Australia’s death toll now stands at 74.Australia’s death toll now stands at 74.
The NSW chief medical officer, Dr Kerry Chant, says two more people have died after contracting covid-19, in the last 24 hours.The NSW chief medical officer, Dr Kerry Chant, says two more people have died after contracting covid-19, in the last 24 hours.
That is on top of the Newmarch House resident who passed late yesterday.That is on top of the Newmarch House resident who passed late yesterday.
Malcolm Turnbull is the guest at the national press club today – a special, socially distant edition.Malcolm Turnbull is the guest at the national press club today – a special, socially distant edition.
He has recorded his address, and reporters have recorded their questions to ask him.He has recorded his address, and reporters have recorded their questions to ask him.
You’ll not only hear more from his book (which is a good read, for those wondering) but you’ll also get his views on what’s coming for Australia, as it navigates public health and an economy, through a pandemic, without a vaccine.You’ll not only hear more from his book (which is a good read, for those wondering) but you’ll also get his views on what’s coming for Australia, as it navigates public health and an economy, through a pandemic, without a vaccine.
Last week, speaking to Neil Mitchell on Melbourne radio 3AW, Scott Morrison was asked if it was “business as usual” with China and the prime minister answered:Last week, speaking to Neil Mitchell on Melbourne radio 3AW, Scott Morrison was asked if it was “business as usual” with China and the prime minister answered:
Back on that interview with Josh Frydenberg on ABC Breakfast, it ended with him being asked if he trusted China.Back on that interview with Josh Frydenberg on ABC Breakfast, it ended with him being asked if he trusted China.
That’s going to be a question which pops up time and time again.That’s going to be a question which pops up time and time again.
Frydenberg deliberately didn’t answer it:Frydenberg deliberately didn’t answer it:
Host: That wasn’t the question. Do you trust China, Josh Frydenberg?Host: That wasn’t the question. Do you trust China, Josh Frydenberg?
Frydenberg:Frydenberg:
Bondi is back. Almost.Bondi is back. Almost.
In the first stage of whatever the new normal is that we are all walking into, the Waverley council last night voted to reopen Sydney’s most famous beach, along with Bronte and Tamarama.In the first stage of whatever the new normal is that we are all walking into, the Waverley council last night voted to reopen Sydney’s most famous beach, along with Bronte and Tamarama.
The beaches were closed as part of strict physical distancing rules, after people kept flocking to the ocean. From next Tuesday, people will be allowed back into the water. But only on weekdays and there is to be no chilling on the sand.The beaches were closed as part of strict physical distancing rules, after people kept flocking to the ocean. From next Tuesday, people will be allowed back into the water. But only on weekdays and there is to be no chilling on the sand.
Council rangers will manage ‘surf and go’ and ‘swim and go’ entrances, and the council has vowed to reclose the beaches if the rules aren’t adhered to.Council rangers will manage ‘surf and go’ and ‘swim and go’ entrances, and the council has vowed to reclose the beaches if the rules aren’t adhered to.
Still. It is something.Still. It is something.
Meanwhile, the World Health Organisation has once again had to announce that it has found no evidence the coronavirus came from a lab, pointing to its origins as most likely starting from animals. It hasn’t worked out how it came to be transmitted to humans as yet, but is pushing back, again, against the never ending speculation it was created.Meanwhile, the World Health Organisation has once again had to announce that it has found no evidence the coronavirus came from a lab, pointing to its origins as most likely starting from animals. It hasn’t worked out how it came to be transmitted to humans as yet, but is pushing back, again, against the never ending speculation it was created.
Closer to home, and Josh Frydenberg has defended Peter Dutton against the Chinese embassy’s criticisms.Closer to home, and Josh Frydenberg has defended Peter Dutton against the Chinese embassy’s criticisms.
Dutton returned to work after a month off, after he contracted covid-19 in the states, by calling for greater transparency from China over the coronavirus. Beijing, through its embassy, claimed Dutton was receiving instructions from Washington.Dutton returned to work after a month off, after he contracted covid-19 in the states, by calling for greater transparency from China over the coronavirus. Beijing, through its embassy, claimed Dutton was receiving instructions from Washington.
Scott Morrison has since suggested a global inquiry needs to be held into the origins of coronavirus.Scott Morrison has since suggested a global inquiry needs to be held into the origins of coronavirus.
Speaking to the ABC this morning, Frydenberg said Australia would defend its national interest.Speaking to the ABC this morning, Frydenberg said Australia would defend its national interest.
We’ll have all of that and more, as the day unfolds. You have Amy Remeikis with you for most of the day.We’ll have all of that and more, as the day unfolds. You have Amy Remeikis with you for most of the day.
Ready?Ready?