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Coronavirus live news: Trump pledges vaccine for all by April as Melbourne faces more protests Coronavirus live news: UK could face second lockdown as Melbourne sees more protests
(32 minutes later)
Number of cases worldwide passes 30 million; Victoria announces 21 new Covid-19 cases and seven more deaths; UK faces possible second national lockdown. Follow all the developmentsNumber of cases worldwide passes 30 million; Victoria announces 21 new Covid-19 cases and seven more deaths; UK faces possible second national lockdown. Follow all the developments
Fewer Australian babies will be born over the next two years because of the Covid-19 pandemic, contributing to the lowest population growth rate since the First World War, AAP reports. No new cases for South Australia.
AAP has more from the press conference of the Australian social services minister, Anne Ruston.
AAP reports any extension of supplements for Jobkeeper will need to wait until after the October budget, once the government can see what the impacts of the reduction in payments has after next week.
“We will not be making announcements in budget,” she told reporters.“We don’t know what Australia is going to look like on the other side of this pandemic. We don’t know when it’s going to end.”
“So we will remain agile and we will continue to provide the support that is needed for Australia and Australians.”
About 1.6 million Australians receive unemployment payments, which were boosted in April by $550 a fortnight. From next week, the supplement will be cut to $250 each fortnight.
That reduction alone will plunge many families into hardship, Australian Council of Social Services (ACOSS) chief executive Dr Cassandra Goldie said.
Add in the uncertainty about the boosted payments continuing into 2021 and Dr Goldie says people will have to start skipping meals and forgoing fresh fruit and vegetables to scrounge Christmas gifts for their children.
“While it might suit some within government to not make decisions yet ... 1.6 million people are worrying today about how they are going to get through Christmas,” she said.
ACOSS is calling on the Morrison government to legislate a permanent increase to JobSeeker or at least guarantee a level of increased payments beyond this year.
India has reported 93,337 new cases of Covid-19 in the past 24 hours, and 1,247 more deaths.
It takes the country’s total case numbers to 5.3 million, and deaths to 85,619.
India has been reporting highest single-day rise in cases every day for the past five weeks, and is expected to become the worst-hit country in the world within weeks, surpassing the US, AP reports.
Fewer Australian babies will be born over the next two years because of the Covid-19 pandemic, AAP reports.
The federal government’s Centre for Population has released a report saying couples are going to delay the expansion of their family because of the economic climate, resulting in fewer babies born in 2021 and 2022.The federal government’s Centre for Population has released a report saying couples are going to delay the expansion of their family because of the economic climate, resulting in fewer babies born in 2021 and 2022.
The fertility rate is forecasted to drop to 1.59 babies per woman in 2021 compared to 1.7 in 2018. The fertility rate is forecasted to drop to 1.59 babies per woman in 2021 compared with 1.7 in 2018.
By 2030, the long-term average is expected to settle at 1.62.By 2030, the long-term average is expected to settle at 1.62.
Graphs tracking the national fertility rate, show it has been falling gradually since 2011 anyway but there’s a sharper dip in 2021. Graphs tracking the national fertility rate show it has been falling gradually since 2011 anyway but there’s a sharper dip in 2021.
Minister for Population, Cities and Urban Infrastructure Alan Tudge said while a lack of migration would be the main contributor to Australia’s declining population growth, fertility rates tend to slow in times of economic uncertainty. The minister for population, cities and urban infrastructure, Alan Tudge, said while a lack of migration would be the main contributor to Australia’s declining population growth, fertility rates tended to slow in times of economic uncertainty.
“Our population growth will be the lowest since World War I as a result of Covid,” he said.“Our population growth will be the lowest since World War I as a result of Covid,” he said.
Some more photos from the anti-lockdown protest in Melbourne’s south, and the very large police presence the small protest.Some more photos from the anti-lockdown protest in Melbourne’s south, and the very large police presence the small protest.
The Victorian Department of Health and Human Services has put out some more information on the latest case numbers today.The Victorian Department of Health and Human Services has put out some more information on the latest case numbers today.
The 21 cases is the lowest number of new cases since 24 June.The 21 cases is the lowest number of new cases since 24 June.
Of the seven who died, one is a man in his 60s, three are men their 80s, one is a man in his 90s and two are women in their 90s. Two of the deaths occurred before yesterday.Of the seven who died, one is a man in his 60s, three are men their 80s, one is a man in his 90s and two are women in their 90s. Two of the deaths occurred before yesterday.
Six of today’s seven deaths are linked to known outbreaks in aged care facilities.Six of today’s seven deaths are linked to known outbreaks in aged care facilities.
To date, 757 people have died from coronavirus in Victoria.To date, 757 people have died from coronavirus in Victoria.
800 are in metropolitan Melbourne under the First Step of our roadmap800 are in metropolitan Melbourne under the First Step of our roadmap
28 are in regional local government areas under the Third Step of our roadmap28 are in regional local government areas under the Third Step of our roadmap
5 are either unknown or subject to further investigation5 are either unknown or subject to further investigation
1 is an interstate resident1 is an interstate resident
Colac Otway has 12 active cases, Greater Geelong has three active cases, Greater Bendigo has one active case and Ballarat has no active cases.Colac Otway has 12 active cases, Greater Geelong has three active cases, Greater Bendigo has one active case and Ballarat has no active cases.
There are two active cases among staff in residential disability accommodation.There are two active cases among staff in residential disability accommodation.
On the outbreaks:On the outbreaks:
26 active cases are currently linked to the Casey community outbreak (total cases: 34)26 active cases are currently linked to the Casey community outbreak (total cases: 34)
13 active cases are currently linked to Footscray hospital (total cases: 15)13 active cases are currently linked to Footscray hospital (total cases: 15)
7 active cases are currently linked to Vawdrey Australia truck manufacturer (total cases: 64)7 active cases are currently linked to Vawdrey Australia truck manufacturer (total cases: 64)
6 active cases are currently linked to Dandenong police station (total cases: 17)6 active cases are currently linked to Dandenong police station (total cases: 17)
6 active cases are currently linked to the Alfred hospital (total cases: 7)6 active cases are currently linked to the Alfred hospital (total cases: 7)
The department is investigating a case linked to BlueCross Riverlea aged care facility in Avondale Heights.The department is investigating a case linked to BlueCross Riverlea aged care facility in Avondale Heights.
The Australian minister for social services, Anne Ruston, just held a press conference, and was asked about the return of mutual obligations for jobseekers from the end of this month.The Australian minister for social services, Anne Ruston, just held a press conference, and was asked about the return of mutual obligations for jobseekers from the end of this month.
As part of those obligations, you can face penalties on your welfare payment if you refuse to take a job without a valid reason. Ruston said if people aren’t suitable for a job then they wouldn’t be expected to take it, but if you’re capable to do the job then that is “the sensible thing to do”.As part of those obligations, you can face penalties on your welfare payment if you refuse to take a job without a valid reason. Ruston said if people aren’t suitable for a job then they wouldn’t be expected to take it, but if you’re capable to do the job then that is “the sensible thing to do”.
Of course the anti-lockdown protesters are livestreaming themselves protesting because 2020.Of course the anti-lockdown protesters are livestreaming themselves protesting because 2020.
AAP has described the Elsternwick Park anti-lockdown protest in Melbourne’s south as being chaotic when broken up by police:AAP has described the Elsternwick Park anti-lockdown protest in Melbourne’s south as being chaotic when broken up by police:
Western Australia has recorded no new cases of Covid-19 overnight.Western Australia has recorded no new cases of Covid-19 overnight.
The state’s total remains at 661. Health authorities said three active cases were being monitored.The state’s total remains at 661. Health authorities said three active cases were being monitored.
To date, 649 confirmed cases have recovered from the virus in WA.To date, 649 confirmed cases have recovered from the virus in WA.
A total of 782 people presented to WA Covid-19 clinics on Friday, 766 were assessed and 763 swabbed.A total of 782 people presented to WA Covid-19 clinics on Friday, 766 were assessed and 763 swabbed.
Victoria police say they have made a number of arrests at an anti-lockdown protest at Elsternwick in south-east Melbourne.
“While we know the majority of the community are doing the right thing, the behaviour of these selfish few who choose to blatantly ignore the direction will not be tolerated,” Victoria Police tweeted.
Some protests forming in Melbourne.
Some data from the Australian Senate Covid-19 committee:
The ATO has told the committee that between 3 and 17 August, so just after stage 4 lockdown commenced in Melbourne, 11,000 more employers and businesses applied for Jobkeeper with a Victorian ABN.
Andrews indicates it could be until next weekend before we know how the restrictions will ease in Melbourne on 28 September.
Andrews is again asked why the Casey and Dandenong families who broke the rules and got Covid-19 didn’t get fined. Andrews said while it might make others feel better, it wouldn’t be useful for contact tracing.
Andrews is asked about whether there is a plan to recruit retired police to act as authorised officers. He says the state needs more authorised officers to go check workplaces to ensure they are Covid-compliant.
But the powers are broader than that, including the ability to detain people, which, given they are not police, has alarmed some people.
Andrews said the powers are needed right now when the Victorian community wants to get the Covid-19 case numbers down and keep them down, but the powers won’t be around forever.
“There will be a time when they are no longer appropriate and many of them Sunset next year,” he said.
Andrews said anyone thinking of protesting today should go home.
“Go home. Go home and follow the rules. That is a very simple message. Go home and follow the rules.”
Victorian premier Daniel Andrews says although the test numbers are good today (around 12,000) he suspect people might not be getting tested in order to keep the numbers down.
He rules out removing the Mornington Peninsula from metro Melbourne in terms of the restrictions in place.
Sutton says in the home is the biggest concern for virus transmission as restrictions ease.
“It really is. It is a combination of indoors which is 20 times more dangerous than outdoor and the length of time you spend.
“There are brief encounters indoors, as you get your takeaway coffee, it is much less of a risk. But if you are indoors for a protracted period of time that is exactly when transmission occurs. People need to be aware of that.”
When asked whether restrictions easing could be brought forward, Sutton said everything was more or less tracking as the modelling planned, and the next few weeks.
“That is not to say we shouldn’t take the opportunity of these next couple of weeks to say this is literally the last gasp of this virus, if we wanted to be, and to do everything we can to knuckle down with the things that we know have worked all through.”
Sutton says there are many misconceptions out there about Covid-19, including testing, and it’s not limited to migrant communities.
“But there are some very persistent misconceptions and there are some people who are really trying to promulgate misinformation, disinformation, having false information out there for whatever reason, so we need to tackle that head-on as well.”
He says the most frustrating misconception is that Covid-19 doesn’t exist and doesn’t kill people.
“The idea that this illness that we know kills one in three people over the age of 80, you know, to say that it is mild or just the flu or doesn’t exist at all is really offensive to everyone who has lost a loved one.”
The Victorian chief health officer Prof Brett Sutton has apologised for comments he made about the Afghan migrant community.
Sutton on Monday said he was attempting to engage with the Afghan migrant community in Casey as a priority, amid an outbreak in Casey, and the Herald Sun reported today that the community had felt scapegoated by his comments.
Sutton apologised for those comments, saying it was wrong to single out the Afghan community.
Yesterday the Victorian government revealed a cluster of 34 cases in Dandenong and Casey among five households that had breached the rules on travelling more than 5km from home and visiting each other.