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| Coronavirus Australia update latest: Tasmanian police find no evidence health workers held 'illegal dinner party' that spread Covid-19 – live news | Coronavirus Australia update latest: Tasmanian police find no evidence health workers held 'illegal dinner party' that spread Covid-19 – live news |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| A police investigation has found no evidence health workers in northwest Tasmania held an ‘illegal dinner party’ that contributed to Covid-19 spread. Follow live | A police investigation has found no evidence health workers in northwest Tasmania held an ‘illegal dinner party’ that contributed to Covid-19 spread. Follow live |
| In New Zealand - where strict lockdowns are set to ease tonight - prime minister Jacinda Ardern has successfully suppressed the “widespread, undetected community transmission” of Covid-19. | |
| Confusing and stressful: the debate around around children and coronavirus as some Australian schools reopen. | Confusing and stressful: the debate around around children and coronavirus as some Australian schools reopen. |
| Melissa Davey has filed this important story: | Melissa Davey has filed this important story: |
| With some schools around Australia set to reopen during the second school term, debate has reignited as to whether school staff, students and their families are at risk, and whether measures to halt the spread of coronavirus will be jeopardised. | With some schools around Australia set to reopen during the second school term, debate has reignited as to whether school staff, students and their families are at risk, and whether measures to halt the spread of coronavirus will be jeopardised. |
| My indefatigable colleague Paul Karp has been following up earlier reports about a $90,000 in specialist cleaning contracts entered into by the home affairs department as a response to Covid-19. The cleaning contracts are not related to the home affairs minister Peter Dutton’s infection with the virus. | My indefatigable colleague Paul Karp has been following up earlier reports about a $90,000 in specialist cleaning contracts entered into by the home affairs department as a response to Covid-19. The cleaning contracts are not related to the home affairs minister Peter Dutton’s infection with the virus. |
| A spokesperson said: | A spokesperson said: |
| Latrell Mitchell and Josh Addo-Carr have been fined by NSW police for breaking social distancing laws as the NRL continues to investigate their weekend gathering near Taree. | Latrell Mitchell and Josh Addo-Carr have been fined by NSW police for breaking social distancing laws as the NRL continues to investigate their weekend gathering near Taree. |
| Mitchell admitted on Instagram the Kangaroos stars had “slipped up”, as he and the Melbourne winger both apologised for their behaviour amid a pandemic. | Mitchell admitted on Instagram the Kangaroos stars had “slipped up”, as he and the Melbourne winger both apologised for their behaviour amid a pandemic. |
| Photos posted by Addo-Carr showed the pair with 10 other men around a fire, prompting the NRL to label the pictures as disappointing and unacceptable. | Photos posted by Addo-Carr showed the pair with 10 other men around a fire, prompting the NRL to label the pictures as disappointing and unacceptable. |
| The fine also came on the same day the league further pushed its claim for a return, discussing its strict biosecurity rules with clubs on Monday afternoon. | The fine also came on the same day the league further pushed its claim for a return, discussing its strict biosecurity rules with clubs on Monday afternoon. |
| But Mitchell insisted they did not mean to flout rules imposed by the federal and state governments to stem the coronavirus pandemic. | But Mitchell insisted they did not mean to flout rules imposed by the federal and state governments to stem the coronavirus pandemic. |
| Mitchell said in a video: | Mitchell said in a video: |
| A repentant Addo-Carr said “nothing was intentional or deliberate” as he tried to “put a smile on the faces” of family members going through a tough time. | A repentant Addo-Carr said “nothing was intentional or deliberate” as he tried to “put a smile on the faces” of family members going through a tough time. |
| Newcastle are also investigating the involvement of Tyronne Roberts-Davis after their NRL squad member was seen in one of Addo-Carr’s photos. | Newcastle are also investigating the involvement of Tyronne Roberts-Davis after their NRL squad member was seen in one of Addo-Carr’s photos. |
| But the NSW police decided they had broken health rules, slapping the trio with a fine late on Monday afternoon. | But the NSW police decided they had broken health rules, slapping the trio with a fine late on Monday afternoon. |
| Under NSW guidelines people can only leave the house for work, essential shopping, exercise, medical appointments and compassionate visits. | Under NSW guidelines people can only leave the house for work, essential shopping, exercise, medical appointments and compassionate visits. |
| President of the Australian Medical Association Dr Tony Bartone has been speaking with Patricia Karvelas on the ABC. He says he has signed up to the CovidSafe app and “I’ve certainly recommended it to all my family and friends, my patients, and my colleagues”. | President of the Australian Medical Association Dr Tony Bartone has been speaking with Patricia Karvelas on the ABC. He says he has signed up to the CovidSafe app and “I’ve certainly recommended it to all my family and friends, my patients, and my colleagues”. |
| Bartone has said Australians have responded “marvellously” to the impositions of isolation, shutdowns and social distancing. | Bartone has said Australians have responded “marvellously” to the impositions of isolation, shutdowns and social distancing. |
| But he has warned Australia has not defeated the virus yet, and there is a significant risk that if restrictions are lifted too early or too hastily, a second peak of infection could be worse than the first. | But he has warned Australia has not defeated the virus yet, and there is a significant risk that if restrictions are lifted too early or too hastily, a second peak of infection could be worse than the first. |
| As an aside: there is historical precedent for this: in the immediate aftermath of WWI, Australia was spared the very worst of the Spanish flu outbreak, aided by geography and the delay the steam-ship age afforded a distant continent to implement a strict quarantine regime. | As an aside: there is historical precedent for this: in the immediate aftermath of WWI, Australia was spared the very worst of the Spanish flu outbreak, aided by geography and the delay the steam-ship age afforded a distant continent to implement a strict quarantine regime. |
| But when the flu did break in Australia, it killed an estimated 17,000 people, and it did so in three waves, the first in February, the second in April. The third wave, in July, was by far the most deadly. | But when the flu did break in Australia, it killed an estimated 17,000 people, and it did so in three waves, the first in February, the second in April. The third wave, in July, was by far the most deadly. |
| Our spoilsport friends at AAP have reported the end of the mystery surrounding this alleged underground dinner party of doctors. | Our spoilsport friends at AAP have reported the end of the mystery surrounding this alleged underground dinner party of doctors. |
| An investigation into claims of an “illegal dinner party” of health workers in northwest Tasmania has found no evidence a gathering occurred. A police investigation has found no evidence health workers in north-west Tasmania held an “illegal dinner party” that contributed to Covid-19 spread. | An investigation into claims of an “illegal dinner party” of health workers in northwest Tasmania has found no evidence a gathering occurred. A police investigation has found no evidence health workers in north-west Tasmania held an “illegal dinner party” that contributed to Covid-19 spread. |
| The probe was launched earlier this month after the claim was made by Australia’s chief medical officer Brendan Murphy in evidence to a NZ parliamentary hearing, which he then quickly rescinded. | The probe was launched earlier this month after the claim was made by Australia’s chief medical officer Brendan Murphy in evidence to a NZ parliamentary hearing, which he then quickly rescinded. |
| “Investigators have determined that there is no evidence of such a gathering occurring,” Tasmania Police said in a statement on Monday. | “Investigators have determined that there is no evidence of such a gathering occurring,” Tasmania Police said in a statement on Monday. |
| All but one of the state’s 11 virus deaths have been in the north-west, amid an outbreak at the private and public hospitals in Burnie where scores of staff tested positive. | All but one of the state’s 11 virus deaths have been in the north-west, amid an outbreak at the private and public hospitals in Burnie where scores of staff tested positive. |
| Good afternoon, Ben Doherty here. My grateful thanks to my antecessors Amy Remeikis and Michael McGowan. | Good afternoon, Ben Doherty here. My grateful thanks to my antecessors Amy Remeikis and Michael McGowan. |
| An update from Western Australia, and it is excellent news again. There have been no new cases reported in the state over the past 24 hours. This is the second day in a row of no new cases. | An update from Western Australia, and it is excellent news again. There have been no new cases reported in the state over the past 24 hours. This is the second day in a row of no new cases. |
| The state’s total stands at 549, with 55 active cases. Of these, 23 are from the Artania cruise ship, two are from interstate and 30 cases are WA locals. | The state’s total stands at 549, with 55 active cases. Of these, 23 are from the Artania cruise ship, two are from interstate and 30 cases are WA locals. |
| This morning, Western Australia started a “cautious relaxation” of some of the restrictions, scrapping the two-person rule and allowing for indoor and outdoor gatherings of up to 10 people. | This morning, Western Australia started a “cautious relaxation” of some of the restrictions, scrapping the two-person rule and allowing for indoor and outdoor gatherings of up to 10 people. |
| And that’s the end of my short stint at the wheel. I’ll hand you over to Ben Doherty who will take you through the evening. | And that’s the end of my short stint at the wheel. I’ll hand you over to Ben Doherty who will take you through the evening. |
| NRL stars Latrell Mitchell and Josh Addo-Carr have apologised as NSW Police and the NRL investigate whether the Kangaroos duo broke social-distancing laws. | NRL stars Latrell Mitchell and Josh Addo-Carr have apologised as NSW Police and the NRL investigate whether the Kangaroos duo broke social-distancing laws. |
| AAP reports that Mitchell admitted on Instagram on Monday afternoon the pair had “slipped up” after Addo-Carr on Sunday posted images on social media of them among a group on a property near Taree over the weekend. | AAP reports that Mitchell admitted on Instagram on Monday afternoon the pair had “slipped up” after Addo-Carr on Sunday posted images on social media of them among a group on a property near Taree over the weekend. |
| On the same day the NRL gave clubs a draft of strict new biosecurity rules for the ambitious season restart on 28 May, the photos showed the pair with 10 other men around a fire. | On the same day the NRL gave clubs a draft of strict new biosecurity rules for the ambitious season restart on 28 May, the photos showed the pair with 10 other men around a fire. |
| The NRL on Monday labelled the images as “unacceptable”. | The NRL on Monday labelled the images as “unacceptable”. |
| But Mitchell insisted they did not mean to flout rules imposed by the federal and state governments to stem the coronavirus pandemic. | But Mitchell insisted they did not mean to flout rules imposed by the federal and state governments to stem the coronavirus pandemic. |
| “I have been up here with my family for four or five weeks practising social distancing,” Mitchell said in a video. | “I have been up here with my family for four or five weeks practising social distancing,” Mitchell said in a video. |
| “It was a little bit of a slip up. | “It was a little bit of a slip up. |
| “Foxy [Addo-Carr] reached out, his cousins are going through a bit of stuff up in Sydney. | “Foxy [Addo-Carr] reached out, his cousins are going through a bit of stuff up in Sydney. |
| “He just wanted to get up to the bush and make sure they were getting cultured and connected again. That was the whole part of the concept of what the weekend was. It wasn’t here to break any rules or hurt anyone. We’re not being selfish, I couldn’t turn down the brothers in a time of need. On behalf of Foxy and all my mob, we do want to apologise.” | “He just wanted to get up to the bush and make sure they were getting cultured and connected again. That was the whole part of the concept of what the weekend was. It wasn’t here to break any rules or hurt anyone. We’re not being selfish, I couldn’t turn down the brothers in a time of need. On behalf of Foxy and all my mob, we do want to apologise.” |
| A repentant Addo-Carr said “nothing was intentional or deliberate” as he tried to “put a smile on the faces” of family members going through a tough time. | A repentant Addo-Carr said “nothing was intentional or deliberate” as he tried to “put a smile on the faces” of family members going through a tough time. |
| All NRL players agreed to health and safety protocols when the competition was stopped for the shutdown. Melbourne said they would leave any punishment of Storm winger Addo-Carr over the matter to “relevant authorities”, while South Sydney said they’d ensure Mitchell cooperates with investigations. | All NRL players agreed to health and safety protocols when the competition was stopped for the shutdown. Melbourne said they would leave any punishment of Storm winger Addo-Carr over the matter to “relevant authorities”, while South Sydney said they’d ensure Mitchell cooperates with investigations. |
| Newcastle are also investigating the involvement of Tyronne Roberts-Davis after their NRL squad member was seen in one of Addo-Carr’s photos. | Newcastle are also investigating the involvement of Tyronne Roberts-Davis after their NRL squad member was seen in one of Addo-Carr’s photos. |
| If you missed this earlier, Australian tech billionaire Mike Cannon-Brookes has urged his industry to “turn the ... angry mob mode off” and support the Covidsafe app. | If you missed this earlier, Australian tech billionaire Mike Cannon-Brookes has urged his industry to “turn the ... angry mob mode off” and support the Covidsafe app. |
| Writing on the tech social news board Hacker News, the Atlassian co-founder said he believed the government when it said it would release the app’s source code, and said he commended them “on some smart privacy and security choices”. | Writing on the tech social news board Hacker News, the Atlassian co-founder said he believed the government when it said it would release the app’s source code, and said he commended them “on some smart privacy and security choices”. |
| My very clever colleague Josh Taylor has produced this handy explainer about the government’s Covidsafe app. Very worth reading if, like me, you still have unanswered questions. | My very clever colleague Josh Taylor has produced this handy explainer about the government’s Covidsafe app. Very worth reading if, like me, you still have unanswered questions. |
| Professor Peter Doherty is perhaps Australia’s foremost expert on Covid-19. In 1996 he won the Nobel prize for medicine for his work studying the immune system, and the Doherty Institute that bears his name is at the forefront of Australian research on the virus. | Professor Peter Doherty is perhaps Australia’s foremost expert on Covid-19. In 1996 he won the Nobel prize for medicine for his work studying the immune system, and the Doherty Institute that bears his name is at the forefront of Australian research on the virus. |
| Now he has also (accidentally) won the prize for best Tweet of the pandemic. | Now he has also (accidentally) won the prize for best Tweet of the pandemic. |
| And in New South Wales a 48-year-old man has been arrested for allegedly coughing at a security guard in Wollongong earlier today. | And in New South Wales a 48-year-old man has been arrested for allegedly coughing at a security guard in Wollongong earlier today. |
| Police allege that at about 9am, as the man was allegedly leaving a government building, he allegedly became verbally abusive towards security staff. As a security officer directed the man to leave the building, he allegedly turned and coughed in his face. | Police allege that at about 9am, as the man was allegedly leaving a government building, he allegedly became verbally abusive towards security staff. As a security officer directed the man to leave the building, he allegedly turned and coughed in his face. |
| Officers from Wollongong attended a short time later and began inquiries into the circumstances surrounding the incident. A 48-year-old man was arrested outside the building and taken to Wollongong police station, where he was charged with assault. | Officers from Wollongong attended a short time later and began inquiries into the circumstances surrounding the incident. A 48-year-old man was arrested outside the building and taken to Wollongong police station, where he was charged with assault. |
| He was refused bail and is due to appear in Wollongong local court today. | He was refused bail and is due to appear in Wollongong local court today. |
| NSW has introduced $5,000 fines for people who cough or spit at workers. | NSW has introduced $5,000 fines for people who cough or spit at workers. |
| Good afternoon. Thanks as always to the keeper of the flame (blog), Amy Remeikis. I’ve just been on my daily trip to the corner deli for a can of Coke - easily the most exciting thing in my life right now - and am ready and raring to take you through the next few hours. | Good afternoon. Thanks as always to the keeper of the flame (blog), Amy Remeikis. I’ve just been on my daily trip to the corner deli for a can of Coke - easily the most exciting thing in my life right now - and am ready and raring to take you through the next few hours. |
| As Queensland prepares to relax some of its Covid-19 restrictions, the state’s police are not stepping back from enforcement. They’ve set up an online form encouraging people to dob on each other for potential breaches of Public Health Orders. | As Queensland prepares to relax some of its Covid-19 restrictions, the state’s police are not stepping back from enforcement. They’ve set up an online form encouraging people to dob on each other for potential breaches of Public Health Orders. |
| Queensland has issued 1,400 fines for breaches of the orders. | Queensland has issued 1,400 fines for breaches of the orders. |
| Josh Garlepp has that little piece of levity the ABC just had to apologise for broadcasting (the perils of a live outside broadcast). | Josh Garlepp has that little piece of levity the ABC just had to apologise for broadcasting (the perils of a live outside broadcast). |
| And on that note, I shall hand you over to Michael McGowan, with the same energy. | And on that note, I shall hand you over to Michael McGowan, with the same energy. |
| Thank you again for joining me today. I very much appreciate it, and your messages. I’ll be back tomorrow morning. Please – take care of you. | Thank you again for joining me today. I very much appreciate it, and your messages. I’ll be back tomorrow morning. Please – take care of you. |
| Liberal senator, David Fawcett, a member of the parliamentary joint committee on intelligence and security has strongly backed the government’s hard line in rejecting China’s threats over an investigation into Covid-19. | Liberal senator, David Fawcett, a member of the parliamentary joint committee on intelligence and security has strongly backed the government’s hard line in rejecting China’s threats over an investigation into Covid-19. |
| Fawcett told Guardian Australia: | Fawcett told Guardian Australia: |