This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/live/2020/sep/16/coronavirus-australia-news-nsw-victoria-border-restrictions-qld-morrison-berejiklian-andrews-palaszczuk-latest-updates
The article has changed 22 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 16 | Version 17 |
|---|---|
| Covid Australia live update: Victoria records eight deaths and 42 new coronavirus cases, with 10 in NSW – latest news | Covid Australia live update: Victoria records eight deaths and 42 new coronavirus cases, with 10 in NSW – latest news |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| South Australia opens up to ACT and Brett Sutton gives evidence at Victoria’s hotel quarantine inquiry | South Australia opens up to ACT and Brett Sutton gives evidence at Victoria’s hotel quarantine inquiry |
| People in Victoria ordered to isolate at home in March after returning from overseas escaped $20,000 fines when, after later testing positive for Covid-19, contact tracers found out they had been leaving home. | |
| Victoria’s deputy chief health officer, Dr Annaliese van Diemen, told the state’s hotel quarantine inquiry on Wednesday that before hotel quarantine was used for all returned travellers, people were ordered to isolate at home and failure to do so would lead to $20,000 fines. | |
| Some of those tested positive, and through that process, they discovered people weren’t complying with the orders. Van Diemen said: | |
| But those who admitted to breaching the order were not fined, she said, in the interest of maintaining trust and people’s willingness to provide accurate information to contact tracers. | |
| Van Diemen said before hotel quarantine was the policy, the public health team was considering home detention with enforcement for returned travellers, but said ultimately she supports the decision to begin mandatory hotel quarantine. | |
| She said in hindsight of the second wave, the mechanisms to enforce compliance with thousands of people at home were not well developed, and it would have been difficult to ensure at that time that people were quarantining at home. | |
| Victoria’s chief health officer Prof Brett Sutton gave evidence today before the state’s inquiry into its hotel quarantine system. | |
| He told the inquiry he didn’t know before June outbreaks of the disease that private security firms were being used at the hotels. With hindsight, this had created a transmission risk, he said. | |
| The Guardian’s Josh Taylor has this report. | |
| Queensland’s state election is on 31 October. Usually, state elections see national party figures turning up in marginal electorates to raise the profile of their candidates. | |
| But News.com journalist Samantha Maiden has a story pointing out that unless things change, national party leaders, including the prime minister Scott Morrison, will need to go into 14-day quarantine if they want to campaign in Queensland. | |
| Trade minister Simon Birmingham is talking to the ABC about raising the cap on international arrivals. | Trade minister Simon Birmingham is talking to the ABC about raising the cap on international arrivals. |
| He says the government is asking all states and territories – except Victoria – “to do a little bit more” in finding quarantine spots for Australians currently stranded overseas. | |
| Most state premiers, he said, had suggested there was a potential to take more people. | Most state premiers, he said, had suggested there was a potential to take more people. |
| There’s some coverage around today of new research that tested 2,991 Australians who had been for elective surgery to see if they had, or had previously had, Covid-19. | There’s some coverage around today of new research that tested 2,991 Australians who had been for elective surgery to see if they had, or had previously had, Covid-19. |
| There’s an extrapolation from that study that gets you a headline that reads something like “70,000 more Australians might have caught coronavirus”. | There’s an extrapolation from that study that gets you a headline that reads something like “70,000 more Australians might have caught coronavirus”. |
| Deputy chief medical officer Dr Nick Coatsworth is a co-author on that study, which you can find here. It has not been peer-reviewed yet. | Deputy chief medical officer Dr Nick Coatsworth is a co-author on that study, which you can find here. It has not been peer-reviewed yet. |
| In his briefing a few minutes ago, Coatsworth said the estimate “doesn’t precisely correspond to reality”. | In his briefing a few minutes ago, Coatsworth said the estimate “doesn’t precisely correspond to reality”. |
| Here’s what the study did. They took blood samples from 2,991 individuals at 10 hospitals across four states between May and June 2020. All the patients had said they’d had no symptoms of Covid-19 before they went in for surgery. | Here’s what the study did. They took blood samples from 2,991 individuals at 10 hospitals across four states between May and June 2020. All the patients had said they’d had no symptoms of Covid-19 before they went in for surgery. |
| Coatsworth says none of the patients had Covid-19 at the time they were patients. | Coatsworth says none of the patients had Covid-19 at the time they were patients. |
| But tests also suggested five of the patients had antibodies to the disease. In other words, they’d had the disease but hadn’t realised. Coatsworth said: | But tests also suggested five of the patients had antibodies to the disease. In other words, they’d had the disease but hadn’t realised. Coatsworth said: |
| Australia’s deputy chief medical officer Dr Nick Coatsworth is giving a media conference to deliver a national update. | Australia’s deputy chief medical officer Dr Nick Coatsworth is giving a media conference to deliver a national update. |
| He says the 53 new cases of coronavirus takes the national count since the start of the pandemic to 26,779. The eight deaths reported in Victoria take the national toll to 824 people who have died with the disease. | He says the 53 new cases of coronavirus takes the national count since the start of the pandemic to 26,779. The eight deaths reported in Victoria take the national toll to 824 people who have died with the disease. |
| Coatsworth says there are 127 people in hospital with 16 people in intensive care. | Coatsworth says there are 127 people in hospital with 16 people in intensive care. |
| He said in other countries where restrictions had been lifted, the number of cases was accelerating and this was putting a “significant burden” on nations and economies. France had seen 10,000 cases in one day, he said. | He said in other countries where restrictions had been lifted, the number of cases was accelerating and this was putting a “significant burden” on nations and economies. France had seen 10,000 cases in one day, he said. |
| Afternoon. Graham Readfearn here. Let’s have a quick summary of the day so far: | Afternoon. Graham Readfearn here. Let’s have a quick summary of the day so far: |
| Victoria reported another eight deaths today, all connected to aged care. The state reported 42 new cases. | Victoria reported another eight deaths today, all connected to aged care. The state reported 42 new cases. |
| At Victoria’s hotel quarantine inquiry, the state’s chief health officer Prof Brett Sutton confirmed at least one guest left unknowingly passed on the virus to the person who picked them up when they left. | At Victoria’s hotel quarantine inquiry, the state’s chief health officer Prof Brett Sutton confirmed at least one guest left unknowingly passed on the virus to the person who picked them up when they left. |
| NSW reported 10 new cases of coronavirus. Six were overseas arrivals and four were linked to a known case. Queensland reported no new cases. | NSW reported 10 new cases of coronavirus. Six were overseas arrivals and four were linked to a known case. Queensland reported no new cases. |
| Victorian police has said it can issue $5,000 fines to people trying to leave city areas to regional Victoria, where restrictions are easing quickly due to low case numbers. | Victorian police has said it can issue $5,000 fines to people trying to leave city areas to regional Victoria, where restrictions are easing quickly due to low case numbers. |
| The Australian National University has announced it will shed 465 positions. Some 230 had already accepted voluntary terms with another 20 expected, but the university still needed to cut 215 more positions. | The Australian National University has announced it will shed 465 positions. Some 230 had already accepted voluntary terms with another 20 expected, but the university still needed to cut 215 more positions. |
| There’s a national Covid-19 update expected in about 10 minutes. | There’s a national Covid-19 update expected in about 10 minutes. |
| Deputy CHO Dr Nick Coatsworth is due to give the national Covid update at 3.30pm. | Deputy CHO Dr Nick Coatsworth is due to give the national Covid update at 3.30pm. |
| Given that I went to sprinkle tabasco over my eggs, and instead seasoned my cup of tea, I am going to leave you in the very capable hands of Graham Readfearn while I attempt to reboot my brain. | Given that I went to sprinkle tabasco over my eggs, and instead seasoned my cup of tea, I am going to leave you in the very capable hands of Graham Readfearn while I attempt to reboot my brain. |
| I’ll be back early tomorrow morning. In the meantime, take care of you. Ax | I’ll be back early tomorrow morning. In the meantime, take care of you. Ax |
| Victoria police have spoken about the tightening border controls around greater metro Melbourne, as Matilda Boseley reports: | Victoria police have spoken about the tightening border controls around greater metro Melbourne, as Matilda Boseley reports: |
| Melbourne’s “ring of steel” is tightening with city residents now facing fines of nearly $5,000 for attempting to escape to regional Victoria. | Melbourne’s “ring of steel” is tightening with city residents now facing fines of nearly $5,000 for attempting to escape to regional Victoria. |
| Victorian authorities have introduced a new offence under the state of disaster rules, prohibiting people “leaving a restricted area”, aimed at preserving low case numbers in rural towns as they ease restrictions. | Victorian authorities have introduced a new offence under the state of disaster rules, prohibiting people “leaving a restricted area”, aimed at preserving low case numbers in rural towns as they ease restrictions. |
| This infringement will carry a heavy fine of $4,957, more than double the general toll for breaching the chief health officers orders. | This infringement will carry a heavy fine of $4,957, more than double the general toll for breaching the chief health officers orders. |
| “If it’s two people, if it’s mum and dad, they will both get a fine. That’s nearly $10,000,” deputy police commissioner of regional operations, Rick Nugent said. | “If it’s two people, if it’s mum and dad, they will both get a fine. That’s nearly $10,000,” deputy police commissioner of regional operations, Rick Nugent said. |
| Police will also be increasing the number of vehicles they stop. | Police will also be increasing the number of vehicles they stop. |
| “Certainly we will be checking every vehicle that is towing a caravan a camper trailer or other trailer, towing a boat or a jet ski or has a surfboard, a fishing rod or swags. They will all be checked.” | “Certainly we will be checking every vehicle that is towing a caravan a camper trailer or other trailer, towing a boat or a jet ski or has a surfboard, a fishing rod or swags. They will all be checked.” |
| Melbournians can still leave the city, but only for permitted reasons, such as work, providing or receiving care, medical reasons and visiting an intimate partner. | Melbournians can still leave the city, but only for permitted reasons, such as work, providing or receiving care, medical reasons and visiting an intimate partner. |
| Nugent announced on Wednesday, that a new semi-permanent checkpoint would be established on the Mornington Peninsula. | Nugent announced on Wednesday, that a new semi-permanent checkpoint would be established on the Mornington Peninsula. |
| Although classified as part of metropolitan Melbourne and facing the same lockdowns the peninsula is a popular holiday destination with beachside towns such as Portsea and Sorrento. | Although classified as part of metropolitan Melbourne and facing the same lockdowns the peninsula is a popular holiday destination with beachside towns such as Portsea and Sorrento. |
| The original $1,652 find still applies to those travelling illegally to the area. | The original $1,652 find still applies to those travelling illegally to the area. |
| ANU vice-chancellor, Brian Schmidt, told staff today: | ANU vice-chancellor, Brian Schmidt, told staff today: |
| “The changes required are painful, and the changes we make must leave the university in a state that will allow us to thrive in the years to come. | “The changes required are painful, and the changes we make must leave the university in a state that will allow us to thrive in the years to come. |
| There will be less money in our systems for the foreseeable future. This is hard to hear when we have all made so many sacrifices to date, whether it is deferring our pay increase in July 2020, cancelling a piece of expenditure we planned to make, taking on additional or new tasks, or – in some cases – agreeing to separate from the university. | There will be less money in our systems for the foreseeable future. This is hard to hear when we have all made so many sacrifices to date, whether it is deferring our pay increase in July 2020, cancelling a piece of expenditure we planned to make, taking on additional or new tasks, or – in some cases – agreeing to separate from the university. |
| To everyone who has made a sacrifice, thank you for what you have done and continue to do.Sadly, these sacrifices have been essential to get us through 2020, but are not sufficient on their own to make us financially sustainable going forward. | To everyone who has made a sacrifice, thank you for what you have done and continue to do.Sadly, these sacrifices have been essential to get us through 2020, but are not sufficient on their own to make us financially sustainable going forward. |
| Yesterday, 15 September, the ANU Council approved the University’s 2021 financial strategy. This document launches a consultation on how we should respond.The stark reality is, we need to save money, and this will mean spending a lot less, both on our non-salary expenditure, but also on salaries. | Yesterday, 15 September, the ANU Council approved the University’s 2021 financial strategy. This document launches a consultation on how we should respond.The stark reality is, we need to save money, and this will mean spending a lot less, both on our non-salary expenditure, but also on salaries. |
| This is not a course of action we wanted to take, but it is our only viable option going forward if we want to remain a sustainable, stable university. The need for our university and its mission is clear, and we must make sure we can deliver on that mission, and not be a hollowed-out shell of our former selves.” | This is not a course of action we wanted to take, but it is our only viable option going forward if we want to remain a sustainable, stable university. The need for our university and its mission is clear, and we must make sure we can deliver on that mission, and not be a hollowed-out shell of our former selves.” |
| The Australian National University has announced a restructure that will involve the loss of 465 positions. | The Australian National University has announced a restructure that will involve the loss of 465 positions. |
| Some 230 staff have already accepted voluntary separations, with a further 20 to come, but the ANU announced on Wednesday that there will need to be a further reduction of 215 positions. | Some 230 staff have already accepted voluntary separations, with a further 20 to come, but the ANU announced on Wednesday that there will need to be a further reduction of 215 positions. |
| ANU has already saved $13.5m from deferred pay rises, which has saved 90 jobs but will need to save $103m a year up until 2023.The strategy is based on 50% of ANU’s ongoing level of savings coming from salaries. | ANU has already saved $13.5m from deferred pay rises, which has saved 90 jobs but will need to save $103m a year up until 2023.The strategy is based on 50% of ANU’s ongoing level of savings coming from salaries. |
| The reduction will be achieved through additional voluntary separations, or as a last resort, redundancies. | The reduction will be achieved through additional voluntary separations, or as a last resort, redundancies. |
| All these cuts to Australia’s universities are going to have ongoing impacts for years | All these cuts to Australia’s universities are going to have ongoing impacts for years |