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Coronavirus Australia update: Tasmania sets border reopen date as Victoria reports 30 new Covid-19 cases – live news Coronavirus Australia update: Tasmania sets border reopen date as Victoria reports 30 new Covid-19 cases – live news
(32 minutes later)
Premier Peter Gutwein says date could shift if conditions change; five of Victoria’s new cases are from hotel quarantine. Follow livePremier Peter Gutwein says date could shift if conditions change; five of Victoria’s new cases are from hotel quarantine. Follow live
From today Coles has introduced limits toilet paper and paper towels across all stores nationwide and online. Thanks Matilda! Luke Henriques-Gomes here. I’ll be with you into the evening. Get in touch on luke.henriques-gomes@theguardian.com or on Twitter @lukehgomes.
Customers are now only allowed to buy one packet of each per trip. With that I will leave you for today, but don’t you worry for a moment, the magnificent (and award-winning) Luke Henriques-Gomes is here to guide you through the afternoon.
In Victorian stores, and NSW stores along the southern border, there are two packs per customer limits on the following: From today Coles has introduced limits on purchasing toilet paper and paper towels across all stores nationwide and online.
Customers are now allowed to buy only one packet of each per trip.
In Victorian stores and NSW stores along the southern border, there are limits of two packs per customer on the following:
Hand sanitiserHand sanitiser
FlourFlour
EggsEggs
SugarSugar
MinceMince
UHT milkUHT milk
RiceRice
PastaPasta
Gutwein says the state will use an app to track those travelling across the Tasmanian border.Gutwein says the state will use an app to track those travelling across the Tasmanian border.
The Tasmanian premier, Peter Gutwein, is speaking now regarding the state’s border.The Tasmanian premier, Peter Gutwein, is speaking now regarding the state’s border.
Another member of Papua New Guinea’s defence force has tested positive for coronavirus – only the country’s 11th case, but the third in just over a week which can be traced to Port Moresby’s Murray Barracks.Another member of Papua New Guinea’s defence force has tested positive for coronavirus – only the country’s 11th case, but the third in just over a week which can be traced to Port Moresby’s Murray Barracks.
The PNG government is considering imposing new restrictions on the PNG capital, concerned by new community transmission of the virus.The PNG government is considering imposing new restrictions on the PNG capital, concerned by new community transmission of the virus.
The ninth case in the country was detected at the end of last week – an Australian defence force officer who had been in PNG since January. That officer has since been repatriated to Australia.The ninth case in the country was detected at the end of last week – an Australian defence force officer who had been in PNG since January. That officer has since been repatriated to Australia.
The 10th case, of a 27-year-old soldier, came earlier this week as a result of mass testing of staff at the barracks.The 10th case, of a 27-year-old soldier, came earlier this week as a result of mass testing of staff at the barracks.
The latest case is a 26-year-old woman, who is being monitored by health workers in isolation at a sports centre that has been converted into a Covid-19 treatment facility.The latest case is a 26-year-old woman, who is being monitored by health workers in isolation at a sports centre that has been converted into a Covid-19 treatment facility.
PNG’s national pandemic response controller, the country’s police commissioner, David Manning, said he was considering whether new movement restrictions were necessary in Port Moresby, following two new cases in 48 hours.PNG’s national pandemic response controller, the country’s police commissioner, David Manning, said he was considering whether new movement restrictions were necessary in Port Moresby, following two new cases in 48 hours.
PNG lifted its state of emergency last week.PNG lifted its state of emergency last week.
Manning had said previously that the new cases in the capital were “evidence of local transmission in Port Moresby, and the risk is very high that more cases may be identified in the coming days”.Manning had said previously that the new cases in the capital were “evidence of local transmission in Port Moresby, and the risk is very high that more cases may be identified in the coming days”.
Now onto travel news: the prime minister has been asked if he agreed with Qantas head Alan Joyce’s comments that there may be no international travel for 12 months. Scott Morrison replied:Now onto travel news: the prime minister has been asked if he agreed with Qantas head Alan Joyce’s comments that there may be no international travel for 12 months. Scott Morrison replied:
Morrison was asked about the September cutoff date for jobkeeper payments. He said:Morrison was asked about the September cutoff date for jobkeeper payments. He said:
Scott Morrison addressed the news that Bain Capital agreed to buy Virgin Australia.Scott Morrison addressed the news that Bain Capital agreed to buy Virgin Australia.
Chief medical officer Brendan Murphy has addressed the news that 30% of returned travellers in Victoria have been refusing Covid-19 testing in hotel quarantine.Chief medical officer Brendan Murphy has addressed the news that 30% of returned travellers in Victoria have been refusing Covid-19 testing in hotel quarantine.
Scott Morrison also spoke on the AFP and Asio raids on a Labor MP’s Sydney home this morning, allegedly in relation to Chinese political interference.Scott Morrison also spoke on the AFP and Asio raids on a Labor MP’s Sydney home this morning, allegedly in relation to Chinese political interference.
Morrison has addressed supermarkets being forced to reintroduce product limits on toilet paper due to panic buying.
Today is Brendan Murphy’s last day in his post as Australia’s chief medical officer. He thanked the other members of the Australian health protection principal committee.
Chief medical officer Brendan Murphy says he is confident Victoria will bring its outbreaks under control.
Morrison says the national cabinet has agreed that smaller premises will be allowed to move to a 2 square metre per person rule rather than the current 4 sq m.
It will be up to individual jurisdictions when they introduce that rule.
Morrison says any state could experience outbreaks as Victoria is.
Morrison is starting on a happy note, celebrating Australia and NZ winning the bid for the 2023 Women’s World Cup:
The prime minister is speaking now following national cabinet.
Victoria’s deputy chief health officer, Dr Annaliese van Diemen, says 30% of returned travellers in hotel quarantine have been refusing Covid-19 testing.
Van Dieman defined that “very good uptake” as around 70%. She was asked by media if the department required more powers to enforce testing.
Victoria has been battling two separate outbreaks among staff members working at quarantine hotels.
Woolworths has just annouced it will reintroduce countrywide buying limits on toilet paper.
The supermarket chain released this statement:
There are currently no other product limits other than toilet paper and paper towel outside of Victoria.
On Wednesday, Woolworths reinstated a purchase limit of two items in Victoria on toilet paper, hand sanitiser, paper towel, flour, sugar, pasta, mince, long-life milk, eggs and rice.