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Coronavirus Australia update: Melbourne's hotspot suburbs in lockdown as Victoria struggles to contain outbreak – live news Coronavirus Australia update: NSW to fine hotspot Victorians up to $11,000 if they enter the state – live news
(32 minutes later)
Residents of 10 postcodes in Melbourne’s north and west have been ordered to stay home from midnight tonight. Follow liveResidents of 10 postcodes in Melbourne’s north and west have been ordered to stay home from midnight tonight. Follow live
NSW has also further eased its social distancing restrictions:
Limits on attendance have been relaxed from Wednesday for funerals, weddings, places of worship and community sport in NSW, as long as there is no more than one person per four square metres of space.
Outdoor gatherings are still restricted to 20 people, but community sport with a COVID-19 safety plan can have up to 500 participants.
Funerals, weddings and church services may have the maximum number of people allowed on the premises with one person per four square metres.
All businesses can now open and operate under the same principle.
Up to 20 people can visit another household at any one time and guests are permitted to stay overnight. Up to 20 people can also stay at a holiday home, with no restrictions on travelling within NSW.
(Via AAP)
While Scott Morrison has been speaking, the Defence Department has published the two key documents - the Defence Strategic Update and the Force Structure Plan.
The strategic update says the Covid-19 pandemic “has altered the economic trajectory of the region and the world with implications for Australia’s prosperity and security”.
It says the trend towards a more competitive and contested region “will not be fundamentally altered by the effects of the pandemic, but it is sharpening some aspects of strategic competition between the United States and China”.
Later, the document says the pandemic’s impact on regional growth, trade and societies will have lasting consequences.
“The enormous economic impact of measures to contain the spread of the virus will set back development. This economic shock could undermine political and social stability. Far-reaching measures introduced in some countries to ght the pandemic could be used to reduce political freedoms.”
China is mentioned directly:
Those who are interested can read the full documents here: https://www.defence.gov.au/StrategicUpdate-2020/
Daniel Andrews has been doing the Melbourne media rounds this morning, as he attempts to explain how a localised lock down will work, while the rest of the state maintains eased restrictions.
Meanwhile, the ramifications of the virus spike are still being felt
The NSW health minister, Brad Hazzard, has announced penalties for any Victorian from one of the hotspot suburbs entering NSW.
They can be fined up to $11,000 or jailed for six months if they attempt to enter NSW. New South Wales residents face the same penalties if they go to one of the named suburbs. Hazzard said:
Daniel Hurst has picked out some key messages from Scott Morrison’s speech:
(via AAP)
A gunman is on the loose after entering a newly-built townhouse and threatening tradies in a coronavirus hotspot suburb in Melbourne’s north.
Police are looking for the man armed with a gun near Metelmen Court in Broadmeadows on Wednesday morning.
Two workmen entered the townhouse to complete some work about 7.15am when they heard some noises.
They saw a man coming down the stairs with a firearm, police said.
The man threatened the pair, who left the premises and contacted police.
Police have blocked off the area and are yet to confirm if the man is still inside the house.
Scott Morrison has begun his speech outlining Australia’s defence strategy for 2020.Scott Morrison has begun his speech outlining Australia’s defence strategy for 2020.
Daniel Hurst is watching that for you.Daniel Hurst is watching that for you.
Scott Morrison was asked about Annastacia Palaszczuk’s comments about singling out Queensland on the Nine network this morning:Scott Morrison was asked about Annastacia Palaszczuk’s comments about singling out Queensland on the Nine network this morning:
Morrison has been singling out Queensland to open its borders – and then added “all borders” to his comments.Morrison has been singling out Queensland to open its borders – and then added “all borders” to his comments.
Anthony Albanese was asked about Annastacia Palaszczuk’s comments yesterday, after she hit back against the border criticism (which included Scott Morrison) and said:Anthony Albanese was asked about Annastacia Palaszczuk’s comments yesterday, after she hit back against the border criticism (which included Scott Morrison) and said:
Victoria police have called a press conference for 10.45am.Victoria police have called a press conference for 10.45am.
Hopefully we will get some additional information on how the localised lockdowns will work.Hopefully we will get some additional information on how the localised lockdowns will work.
The ATO site is having a few traffic problems today – being 1 July, there are a lot of people trying to log on to register for jobkeeper for the new financial year, as well as the additional tax traffic.The ATO site is having a few traffic problems today – being 1 July, there are a lot of people trying to log on to register for jobkeeper for the new financial year, as well as the additional tax traffic.
If you are having trouble, keep trying – it seems to be coping off and on.If you are having trouble, keep trying – it seems to be coping off and on.
With flights being diverted from Melbourne for the next two weeks, Sydney will see an uptick in returned travellers, and therefore it is expected to see case numbers increase.With flights being diverted from Melbourne for the next two weeks, Sydney will see an uptick in returned travellers, and therefore it is expected to see case numbers increase.
There are reports of another 14 cases in NSW – we don’t have a breakdown of where these cases have come from.There are reports of another 14 cases in NSW – we don’t have a breakdown of where these cases have come from.
On the borders and state responses, Anthony Albanese says:On the borders and state responses, Anthony Albanese says:
Daniel Andrews and his health minister, Jenny Mikakos, will hold a press conference at 11.30am today.Daniel Andrews and his health minister, Jenny Mikakos, will hold a press conference at 11.30am today.
For those wanting more information on the defence announcement, Daniel Hurst has you covered:For those wanting more information on the defence announcement, Daniel Hurst has you covered: