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You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/live/2020/sep/21/coronavirus-australia-live-updates-nsw-taxi-contact-tracing-health-victoria-daniel-andrews-hotel-quarantine-business-economy-budget-josh-frydenberg
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| Coronavirus Australia live update: NRL proposes 25% staff cut as Victoria reports 11 new cases and NSW four | |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| Victoria’s infections continue to fall as Covid testing rates drop across Australia. Follow live | |
| Anyone losing their mind over Eddie McGuire’s trip to a night spot on the Gold Coast over the weekend – Jeff Kennett, we’re looking at you – can take a deep breath. | |
| The Collingwood president was at the Pink Flamingo on Saturday night in a business capacity and was merely on a reconnaissance mission to find out how similar venues in Victoria can re-open in a Covid-safe way. | |
| “As you are well aware, I do a few different things in my life, including being on the board of Visit Victoria, and … speak extensively to people in the restaurant and hospitality industry about how we get Victoria going again,” McGuire said on Triple M this Monday. [That is] part of what I was looking at the other night and how that all works. | |
| “What I did was I booked a dinner on Saturday night – the last night that I’ve got, because the next four weeks I’m flat out doing Hot Seat and hosting and all sorts of different things. I went through the procedure on how you go about doing things if you are outside the hub.” | |
| Hawthorn president Kennett had taken a pop at his Collingwood counterpart, saying McGuire’s “jiving at the Pink Flamingo” was “a hell of a contradiction”, given AFL players and officials remain under effective lockdown in hubs. “It looks silly,” Kennett said. | |
| But McGuire is not part of the Pies’ hub and did not break any biosecurity rules on his night out. Nor is he part of the AFL hub on the Gold Coast. | |
| McGuire has called for tough sanctions to be meted out for players who breach Covid protocols, and he has been outspoken in his criticism of players from other clubs caught out. He said of Richmond pair Sydney Stack and Callum Coleman-Jones (who left their hub before getting into a drunken altercation outside a strip club - that “the idiot soup kicked in on them and they decided it was a good idea to break every rule they’ve been told for the last three months”. | |
| But he was forced to hit back at claims of hypocrisy in July when Pies midfielder Steele Sidebottom was given a relatively lenient sanction and was not stripped of the vice-captaincy for multiple breaches. | |
| The head of the Victorian premier’s department said he was “not aware” how a decision was made to use private security guards in the state’s bungled hotel quarantine program. | |
| Department of Premier and Cabinet secretary Chris Eccles told the inquiry on Monday he was not aware of his department’s involvement in an alleged deal on 27 March to use private security instead of police at the hotels, as text messages produced from former police commissioner Graham Ashton had suggested. | |
| He said it was also possible but “extremely unlikely” that his department could have made such an arrangement without his knowledge. | |
| Minutes from a Victorian Secretaries Board meeting later that afternoon record Ashton as expressing the view that having Victoria police as a “static presence” in hotels for a long period of time would be a challenge, and Ashton and Eccles assuming private contractors would be used. | |
| Eccles, as with every witness before the inquiry so far, could not say who ultimately made the decision to use private security. Eccles indicated decision making was shared by groups of different expertise in government. | |
| “I have a strong view that the concept of collective governance where you’re bringing together the special skills of different actors to deal with complex problems is an important part of how we operate,” he said. | |
| “So you’ve asked for my response, as the head of the public service, I can see some legitimacy in the idea of there being collective governance around an area such as this.” | |
| Rental and accommodation scams have increased, because 2020 is just the worst. | |
| From the ACCC: | |
| Australians have lost over $300,000 to rental and accommodation scams this year, an increase of 76% compared to the same time last year. | |
| Scamwatch has received 560 reports of rental scams so far this year, an increase of 56 per cent, with many using tactics related to the Covid-19 pandemic. | |
| These scams target people seeking new rental accommodation by offering fake rental properties to convince people into handing over money or personal information. | |
| “Scammers are offering reduced rents due to Covid-19 and using the government restrictions to trick people into transferring money without inspecting the property,” ACCC deputy commissioner Delia Rickard said. | |
| The scammer will post advertisements on real estate or classified websites or target people who have posted on social media that they are looking for a room. | |
| After the victim responds, the scammer will request an upfront deposit to secure the property or phish for personal information through a ‘tenant application form’, promising to provide the keys after the payment or information is provided. | |
| The scammer may come up with excuses for further payments and the victim often only realises they have been scammed when the keys don’t arrive and the scammer cuts off contact. | |
| Some scammers will even impersonate real estate agents and organise fake inspections, victims will then arrive to discover the property doesn’t exist or is currently occupied. | |
| Here is the latest on how many people have accessed the early access super scheme. | Here is the latest on how many people have accessed the early access super scheme. |
| Victoria police have also released their latest fine information: | |
| In the last 24 hours, Victorian police: | In the last 24 hours, Victorian police: |
| Issued a total of 177 fines to individuals for breaching the Chief Health Officer directions, including: | Issued a total of 177 fines to individuals for breaching the Chief Health Officer directions, including: |
| 13 for failing to wear a face covering when leaving home for one of the four approved reasons | 13 for failing to wear a face covering when leaving home for one of the four approved reasons |
| 6 at vehicle checkpoints | 6 at vehicle checkpoints |
| 45 for curfew breaches | 45 for curfew breaches |
| 15,714 vehicles checked at the vehicle checkpoints | 15,714 vehicles checked at the vehicle checkpoints |
| Conducted 1,174 spot checks on people at homes, businesses and public places across the state (total of 450,361 spot checks conducted since 21 March). | Conducted 1,174 spot checks on people at homes, businesses and public places across the state (total of 450,361 spot checks conducted since 21 March). |
| Please find below examples from the last 24 hours of breaches: | Please find below examples from the last 24 hours of breaches: |
| A male was fined after being stopped at the checkpoint near Bacchus Marsh. He had travelled from Coburg, stating he wanted to go to a specific grocery store in the area. | A male was fined after being stopped at the checkpoint near Bacchus Marsh. He had travelled from Coburg, stating he wanted to go to a specific grocery store in the area. |
| A male driver was intercepted at a vehicle checkpoint at Rosebud. He had travelled from Cranbourne, and stated he was in the area to get petrol. | A male driver was intercepted at a vehicle checkpoint at Rosebud. He had travelled from Cranbourne, and stated he was in the area to get petrol. |
| Police intercepted a male driver a vehicle checkpoint near Frankston. He had travelled from Doncaster, stating that there aren’t any nice parks in his area and he wanted to go to one because of the nice weather. | Police intercepted a male driver a vehicle checkpoint near Frankston. He had travelled from Doncaster, stating that there aren’t any nice parks in his area and he wanted to go to one because of the nice weather. |
| Police attended an apartment in the city and found six people present, with only three being residents of the apartment. They were all issued with a fine. | Police attended an apartment in the city and found six people present, with only three being residents of the apartment. They were all issued with a fine. |
| Two males were fined after they were located in a ride share service car in Melton just before 4am on Sunday. One male was from Deer Park while the other was from Tarneit. They stated they were going to visit family. | Two males were fined after they were located in a ride share service car in Melton just before 4am on Sunday. One male was from Deer Park while the other was from Tarneit. They stated they were going to visit family. |
| The NRL is proposing a “painful but necessary” 25% cut to its workforce in a reorganisation of its business in response to the Covid-19 pandemic. Staff were advised on Monday of the planned changes, which will be implemented to ensure a sustainable long-term future for the game, according to the league. | The NRL is proposing a “painful but necessary” 25% cut to its workforce in a reorganisation of its business in response to the Covid-19 pandemic. Staff were advised on Monday of the planned changes, which will be implemented to ensure a sustainable long-term future for the game, according to the league. |
| The NRL CEO, Andrew Abdo, said the strategy moving forward was “to stabilise, renovate and grow”. As part of that, Abdo said the league would consider new ways to make its products “more entertaining and dynamic for our fans”, while looking at expansion into new markets and how to grow the game internationally: | |
| The NRL will consult with employees over the coming week about the restructure proposals. | The NRL will consult with employees over the coming week about the restructure proposals. |
| Here is the official update from NSW Health on those cases: | Here is the official update from NSW Health on those cases: |
| Four new cases of COVID-19 were diagnosed in the 24 hours to 8pm last night, bringing the total number of cases in NSW to 4,015. There have been no new COVID-related deaths, and the overall number in NSW remains at 55. | Four new cases of COVID-19 were diagnosed in the 24 hours to 8pm last night, bringing the total number of cases in NSW to 4,015. There have been no new COVID-related deaths, and the overall number in NSW remains at 55. |
| There were 7,765 tests reported in the 24-hour reporting period, compared with 13,635 in the previous 24 hours. While it is not unusual for testing numbers to drop off over the weekend, NSW Health would like to see testing levels above 20,000 as achieved last week, particularly in South Western Sydney, and ahead of school holidays. | There were 7,765 tests reported in the 24-hour reporting period, compared with 13,635 in the previous 24 hours. While it is not unusual for testing numbers to drop off over the weekend, NSW Health would like to see testing levels above 20,000 as achieved last week, particularly in South Western Sydney, and ahead of school holidays. |
| While the number of locally acquired cases recorded in the past 24 hours continues to be low, the virus is likely still circulating and it is imperative anyone displaying mild symptoms get tested immediately and not delay their test. | While the number of locally acquired cases recorded in the past 24 hours continues to be low, the virus is likely still circulating and it is imperative anyone displaying mild symptoms get tested immediately and not delay their test. |
| Of the four new cases to 8pm last night: | Of the four new cases to 8pm last night: |
| Three are returned overseas travellers in hotel quarantine | Three are returned overseas travellers in hotel quarantine |
| One is locally acquired and linked to a known case or cluster | One is locally acquired and linked to a known case or cluster |
| The new locally acquired case is a household contact of a previously reported case linked to Concord Hospital. This person had been identified as a close contact and was in isolation. Investigations and contact tracing are continuing. | The new locally acquired case is a household contact of a previously reported case linked to Concord Hospital. This person had been identified as a close contact and was in isolation. Investigations and contact tracing are continuing. |
| A case reported yesterday drove a taxi for a number of days while potentially infectious. People who caught a taxi on September 7, 8, 9, 10, 14, 15, 16, 17 and 18 in the following suburbs must monitor for symptoms and if any develop immediately get tested: Moorebank, Bankstown, Chipping Norton, Liverpool, Lidcombe, Warwick Farm and Milperra. | A case reported yesterday drove a taxi for a number of days while potentially infectious. People who caught a taxi on September 7, 8, 9, 10, 14, 15, 16, 17 and 18 in the following suburbs must monitor for symptoms and if any develop immediately get tested: Moorebank, Bankstown, Chipping Norton, Liverpool, Lidcombe, Warwick Farm and Milperra. |
| NSW Health has identified passengers who booked the taxi in this period directly. These passengers are treated as close contacts and must get tested and isolate for a full 14 days since they were in the taxi even if the test is negative. They must get tested again if any symptoms develop. NSW Health is seeking to identify passengers who caught the Silver Service taxi on the following times and locations. These passengers should call the NSW Health Call Centre on 9391 9000 for further advice. | NSW Health has identified passengers who booked the taxi in this period directly. These passengers are treated as close contacts and must get tested and isolate for a full 14 days since they were in the taxi even if the test is negative. They must get tested again if any symptoms develop. NSW Health is seeking to identify passengers who caught the Silver Service taxi on the following times and locations. These passengers should call the NSW Health Call Centre on 9391 9000 for further advice. |
| Trip 8/9/2020: Pickup Liverpool TAFE college, Bigge Street Liverpool 13:03 – Drop off Hoxton Park Road Cartwright 13:14 | Trip 8/9/2020: Pickup Liverpool TAFE college, Bigge Street Liverpool 13:03 – Drop off Hoxton Park Road Cartwright 13:14 |
| Trip 8/9/2020: Pickup Liverpool TAFE college, Bigge Street Liverpool 14:01 – Drop off Glenwari St Sadlier 14:11 | Trip 8/9/2020: Pickup Liverpool TAFE college, Bigge Street Liverpool 14:01 – Drop off Glenwari St Sadlier 14:11 |
| Trip 9/9/2020: Pickup Liverpool TAFE college, Bigge Street Liverpool 08:08 – Drop off Moorebank Shopping centre, Stockton Ave Moorebank 8:15 | Trip 9/9/2020: Pickup Liverpool TAFE college, Bigge Street Liverpool 08:08 – Drop off Moorebank Shopping centre, Stockton Ave Moorebank 8:15 |
| Trip 10/9/2020: Pickup Liverpool 14:38 – Drop off Graham Ave Casula 14:44 | Trip 10/9/2020: Pickup Liverpool 14:38 – Drop off Graham Ave Casula 14:44 |
| Trip 10/9/2020: Pickup Haddenham St Chipping Norton 19:15 – Drop off George St Burwood 19:48 | Trip 10/9/2020: Pickup Haddenham St Chipping Norton 19:15 – Drop off George St Burwood 19:48 |
| Trip 14/9/20: Pickup Riverside Road Chipping Norton 15:50 – Drop off The Mill Hotel, Beaconsfield St Milperra 16:04 | Trip 14/9/20: Pickup Riverside Road Chipping Norton 15:50 – Drop off The Mill Hotel, Beaconsfield St Milperra 16:04 |
| Trip 15/9/2020: Pickup Riverside Road Chipping Norton 08:31 – Drop off Birnie Ave Lidcombe 9:11 | Trip 15/9/2020: Pickup Riverside Road Chipping Norton 08:31 – Drop off Birnie Ave Lidcombe 9:11 |
| Trip 15/9/2020: Pickup Milperra 10:14 – Drop off Riverside Rd Chipping Norton 10:25 | Trip 15/9/2020: Pickup Milperra 10:14 – Drop off Riverside Rd Chipping Norton 10:25 |
| Trip 15/9/2020: Pickup Birnie Ave Lidcombe 15:22 – Drop off Riverside Rd Chipping Norton 16:07 | Trip 15/9/2020: Pickup Birnie Ave Lidcombe 15:22 – Drop off Riverside Rd Chipping Norton 16:07 |
| Gladys Berejiklian is also worried about testing rates: | Gladys Berejiklian is also worried about testing rates: |
| NSW has reported four new cases. Three are in hotel quarantine and the fourth is from a known cluster and was isolating. | |
| And that is where the Daniel Andrews press conference ends. | And that is where the Daniel Andrews press conference ends. |
| So should there be free movement, along the borders with regional Victoria? | So should there be free movement, along the borders with regional Victoria? |
| Andrews: | Andrews: |
| Those chats have not started happening yet. | Those chats have not started happening yet. |
| Should NSW open its border to regional Victoria? | Should NSW open its border to regional Victoria? |
| Daniel Andrews: | Daniel Andrews: |
| How concerned is Daniel Andrews about opening up before the AFL grand final public holiday? | How concerned is Daniel Andrews about opening up before the AFL grand final public holiday? |
| Andrews: | Andrews: |
| Why are gyms still closed when NSW has not had any links to infections from a gym? | Why are gyms still closed when NSW has not had any links to infections from a gym? |
| Daniel Andrews: | Daniel Andrews: |
| So it’s just – we got to be careful not to be drawing too much from what might seem a perfectly logical comparison, but the epidemiology of it, the science behind it, the narrative behind the numbers, doesn’t actually support that comparison being made. | So it’s just – we got to be careful not to be drawing too much from what might seem a perfectly logical comparison, but the epidemiology of it, the science behind it, the narrative behind the numbers, doesn’t actually support that comparison being made. |
| Q: What is the science behind it? There’s been no transmission in any gym in Victoria. | Q: What is the science behind it? There’s been no transmission in any gym in Victoria. |
| Andrews: | Andrews: |
| There is no timeline on the national (ish) tracing system as yet. | There is no timeline on the national (ish) tracing system as yet. |
| On that, Daniel Andrews says: | On that, Daniel Andrews says: |
| Q: In terms of tracing apps, where will they feed their information into that system? | Q: In terms of tracing apps, where will they feed their information into that system? |
| Andrews: | Andrews: |
| Just as with the regional model, they will be live and be a service point or touch point of the central system that we are building. So they become a branch office of the centre. In real time, their data will be visible and actionable by everybody else who is in that loop. | Just as with the regional model, they will be live and be a service point or touch point of the central system that we are building. So they become a branch office of the centre. In real time, their data will be visible and actionable by everybody else who is in that loop. |
| Q: Everyone across the country? | Q: Everyone across the country? |
| Andrews: | Andrews: |