https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-07-13/coronavirus-australia-live-news-covid-19-latest-victoria-testing/12447528Dozens of venues attended by potentially infectious people
Several venues have been identified where cases attended while infectious or potentially infectious.
There are special rules about isolating if you attended the Picton Hotel on certain dates:
One of the cases attended the gaming room at the Picton Hotel on 4, 5, 9 and 10 July. The hotel has been closed for cleaning. A pop-up clinic will also be operational at Picton tomorrow at Victoria Park, Menangle Road from 8.30am- 6pm.
NSW Health is urging people who were at the Picton Hotel on these days, especially those in the gaming room to also self-isolate for 14 days since they were last there, and to attend a clinic for testing even if they have no symptoms, watch for symptoms and get retested should any respiratory symptoms occur. Even if you get a negative test stay in isolation for 14 days.
Some confirmed cases linked to the Crossroads Hotel also separately visited the premises below on these dates and times.
6 to 10 July Planet Fitness Casula
4 July Star City Casino 20:00‐ 22:30hrs
4 July Canterbury Leagues Club 23:00‐ 01:00hrs
6 July Narellan Town Centre shopping town Kmart, Target, Best & Less, H&M and food court
27 June Zone Bowling Villawood 11 am to 3 pm.
Victoria Department of Health reports two Victorian cases separately attended several venues in NSW, including:
4 and 5 July Murray Downs Golf Club
5 July lunch at Cook @ Kurnell 11:30am -12:30 pm
5 July dinner at Highfield, Caringbah 6 – 9 pm
6 July dinner at the Merimbula RSL 6 - 9 pm
7 July breakfast at the Waterfront Café Merimbula 8:30-9:30 am
and concerns that some long haul interstate freight and courier drivers have been infected and travelled onto QLD and NT and SA .
Just announced :
stricker reguirements for venues to record all patrons' contact details and verify IDs via viewing drivers' licences or passports
Group bookings at pubs in New South Wales will slashed back from 20 to a maximum of 10, under new COVID rules decided at a special meeting of State Cabinet ministers this evening..
https://www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/coronavirus-update-victoria-13-july-2020In Victoria at the current time:
641 cases may indicate community transmission
1612 cases are currently active in Victoria
72 cases of coronavirus are in hospital, including 17 in intensive care
2329 people have recovered from the virus so far this year
Of the total cases, 3552 cases are from metropolitan Melbourne, while 293 are from regional Victoria
Total cases include 2100 men and 1856 women
More than 1,148,300 tests have been processed
Cases currently linked to public housing in North Melbourne, Flemington and Carlton are as follows:
242 cases are residents of various public housing towers in North Melbourne and Flemington. Investigations are continuing into how these cases are linked.
32 cases are residents of various public housing towers in Carlton. Investigations are continuing into if and/or how these cases are linked.
Cases currently linked to some other outbreaks are as follows:
6 cases have been linked to LaManna Supermarket Essendon
12 cases have been linked to Somerville Retail Services
8 cases have been linked to Cenvic Construction Riverina Apartments in Footscray
26 cases have been linked to Menarock Life Aged Care Facility in Essendon
13 cases have been linked Glendale Aged Care Facility in Werribee
144 cases have been linked to Al-Taqwa College
2 cases have been linked to Japara Central Park Aged Care in Windsor
If you have recently been in Belmore, Caringbah, Casula, Kurnell, Merimbula, Murray Downs, Narellan, Picton, Pyrmont or Villawood, please visit http://nsw.gov.au/covid-19/latest-news-and-updates to read about cases in your area. https://pic.twitter.com/DvMauHvGfG
https://www.msn.com/en-au/news/australia/sydney-cluster-outbreak-linked-to-kmart-and-aged-care-home/ar-BB16HuDG?ocid=msedgntpNSW has reported 13 new cases of coronavirus overnight, including 10 linked to the growing hotel cluster outbreak in south-west Sydney, as the premier warns the state is on "high alert".
The state's Chief Health Officer Dr Kerry Chant said there was now a total of 28 cases linked to the Crossroads Hotel in Casula. She urges anyone who visited the hotel between July 3 and July 10 to self-isolate for 14 days.
Crossroads Hotel customer worked at a Kmart in Casula on July 10, from 5pm until midnight. People who visited that during that time should monitor for symptoms, self-isolate and get tested, Dr Chant said.
Another customer who tested positive had visited the Prestons Lodge residential aged care facility during his infectious period. Dr Chant said no other cases have been identified at Prestons Lodge but "as a precaution" the facility has been placed into lockdown. The aged care resident who was visited by this pub customer who later tested positive for coronavirus is being isolated, she said.
All residents and staff were being monitored for symptoms, given the "high risk" status of aged-care facilities and the tragic experience of Newmarch House, where 19 died.
Tightening up on pubs and clubs
From 12.01 on Friday morning every pub, club and hotel across NSW must download a COVID-safe plan. Customer Service Minister Victor Dominello said those plans must be registered with Services New South Wales.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian said NSW was now in a "state of high alert". She urged residents to comply with social distancing and wash their hands.
<< still not telling us in NSW to ware face masks when out in public ☹ , a huge missed opportunity to further resist covid19 community transmission in NSW .>>
https://www.msn.com/en-au/news/australia/nsw-mechanics-inundated-with-requests-to-switch-victorian-number-plates/ar-BB16HOfX?ocid=msedgntpMechanics in southern New South Wales say they've been inundated with requests from residents wanting to switch over their Victorian number plates.
The border between the two states closed last Wednesday, with authorities requiring anyone entering NSW from Victoria without a valid permit to self-isolate for 14 days.
Scott Rohrich, in Wagga Wagga, said he had completed more than double the usual number of number plate changes in the last week, and had to turn many more away. "We've had an influx of phone calls about carrying out blue slips (interstate safety checks), a lot of which we couldn't get done in time for their liking, so they've then rung around," he said.
The ABC spoke to several NSW mechanics, who confirmed the trend. Service NSW recorded a 23 per cent increase in vehicle registrations late last week —5,059 between July 8 and 11 compared with 4,093 during the same period last year.
https://www.msn.com/en-au/news/australia/nsw-border-checks-frustrate-gold-coast-commuters-and-blow-out-travel-times/ar-BB16HDi5?ocid=msedgntpMany Gold Coast commuters who are becoming increasingly frustrated with ongoing traffic congestion and blown-out travel times.
Businesses call for more border checkpoints
Scott Littler, owner of Choofas Smokehouse and Seafood, said more border checkpoints were needed to help clear the backlog. "They just haven't put enough resources around getting people through the border," Mr Littler said.
He said customers were avoiding coming to the restaurant because of the traffic."We've actually seen a downturn to where we were figure-wise on the previous Sunday," he said.
Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate said drivers needed to be patient but he supported any move to improve travel times.
https://www.msn.com/en-au/news/australia/queensland-declares-nsw-towns-of-campbelltown-and-liverpool-coronavirus-hotspots/ar-BB16HdNW?ocid=msedgntpQueensland Health has declared coronavirus hotspots in several areas of New South Wales after a cluster of cases in Sydney.
Any non-Queensland residents who have visited, or visit, the Campbelltown and Liverpool city areas will not be allowed entry into Queensland from midday today.
This follows a cluster of 28 cases connected to the Crossroads Hotel on the Hume Highway in South Western Sydney. Queenslanders who have been to the hotspots, or travel there in the future, will be forced into hotel quarantine when re-entering the state, at their own cost.
Health Minister Steven Miles said 18 Queenslanders had been tested after visiting the hotel in the last 14 days, but their test results were still unknown."This outbreak is incredibly concerning and we are taking it very seriously," Mr Miles said. "Any Queenslanders who have been to the Crossroads Hotel from July 3 to July 10 inclusive should get tested for COVID-19 as soon as possible and then immediately self-isolate."
Chief Health Officer Dr Jeannette Young said the new hotspot declarations added more restrictions to border checkpoints. "Queensland's border restrictions mean people who have been in a COVID-19 hotspot within the last 14 days will no longer be able to quarantine in Queensland and will be turned away at the border," Dr Young said. "This applies to everyone who has been in a COVID-19 hotspot in the past 14 days, except people needed in Queensland for essential purposes."
The state of Victoria is also a declared hotspot for Queensland, with anyone who has travelled there also banned from entering.
Jail time for travellers caught lying
The Queensland Government will introduce jail time for people caught lying about their movements while attempting to cross the border.The maximum penalty is currently $4,000 PER PERSON IN BREACH , but Mr Miles said it was not enough of a deterrent to stop people making false declarations.
The Queensland Government will pass new laws to enforce a six-month jail term for the offence of breaching a public health declaration. "Perhaps people from other states think they might get away without having to pay for it, perhaps people think that $4,000 is worth it to come to Queensland," Mr Miles said."I hope [this new penalty] will demonstrate to the public how serious we are in enforcing these measures and just how serious it is that everyone complies with them."
A group of Victorians was fined more than $24,000 after lying on border declaration forms while trying to enter Queensland at the weekend. More than 850 people have been turned back since border restrictions were eased on Friday. << these people are still in regional northern and north eastern NSW and able to do largely as they please – THIS IS A BIG CONCERN to many NSWelshmen as we don’t their covid19 status and they are not coming forward to be tested and not self isolating .>>
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-07-14/coronavirus-fears-over-krispy-kreme-doughnut-promotion/12454862NSW Police have branded a Krispy Kreme promotion as "nonsensical" as large groups of people queued for free doughnuts.Police were called to patrol social distancing among doughnut-loving crowds in NSW yesterday.
The Krispy Kreme chain ran a giveaway offering a dozen doughnuts free to anyone who had a birthday between mid-March and mid-July, to celebrate the company's 83rd birthday.
As news of the free doughnuts spread, concern grew that social distancing was not being observed among those lining up at stores.
NSW Police confirmed general duties, traffic patrol and riot squad officers were among those called to "a number" of locations across Sydney on Monday.
Acting Assistant Commissioner Tony Cooke urged businesses to "act responsibly" during the health crisis.
Coronavirus latest: Follow all the latest information in our COVID-19 update story
"This is nonsensical and defies logic," he said in a statement.
"We have people in NSW who have lost jobs, people who have missed the opportunity to farewell their loved ones at funerals, and of course, people who have lost their lives due to COVID-19."
He said promotions like the Krispy Kreme giveaway did nothing to assist in maintaining social distancing, describing that as being "vital to stopping the spread of the virus".
Police are now examining which, if any, breaches may have occurred and have warned they will "take appropriate action where required".
Customers were asked to bring photo ID into stores to collect their freebies and the company estimated it was going to give away 350,000 doughnuts.Krispy Kreme had warned early on Monday that it was "crucial the celebration stays safe".
In a Facebook post, it said: "All government guidelines must be followed and customers will be required to comply with social-distancing rules at all times".
<< obviously they made effort to try to control this - very poor corporate citizen IMO who really didn't give a toss >>
By Monday afternoon all stores had sold out, according to an update on the company's Facebook page.
Those who secured their free doughnuts were highly complimentary of the promotion, thanking the company and gloating online with photos of their glazed treats.
Others lamented arriving at their local store only after it had sold out.
https://www.msn.com/en-au/news/australia/south-australia-delays-opening-borders-to-nsw-and-act/vi-BB16HxmQ?ocid=msedgntpPremier Steven Marshall says the situation is too uncertain given the outbreak in Sydney's south-west.
Therefore SA borders remain closed to NSW and ACT residents , this will be revisited at a crisis meeting on Friday but the closure is likely to remain in place while there are building clusters in Sydney and along the Vic-NSW border .
Police swooped on the train yard, with police dogs Axe and Zac who quickly located the four men.SA Police have charged four men who allegedly tried to stowaway out of Victoria on a freight train overnight. The freight train had departed Melbourne at 10.30pm yesterday, bound for Perth.
SA Police officers were called when the four men, believed to be Victorians, were seen onboard the train when it stopped at Adelaide Freight Terminal at Regency Park this morning.]
<< The Victorian Police need to hunt this person , or these people , down ( likely council employees it seems ( access to council stationary is clear indicator ) , they should be sacked , "blackballed" = made unemployable , and put these pscychopaths in prison for a very long time . >>Fake council signs encouraging children to use playground equipment because they are 'safe' from coronavirus have been left at Melbourne parks as the city goes into stage three lockdown amid a second wave of infections.
Believing the signs were from the local council, many families used the playgrounds at Chelsea Bicentennial Park and Bonbeach Recreation Reserve in Melbourne's south-eastern suburbs over the weekend.
The bogus signs used the City of Kingston logo and its Mayor Georgina Oxley's signature to make them seem authentic.
Images of the signs circulated on Facebook before the Kingston Council ripped them down, replacing them with red signs that said 'playground closed'.'Park open,' the signs read, before providing information about why children are 'safest' from COVID-19.
Kingston City Council recognises that a strong immune system is [the] best defence against the current COVID-19 threat and children are the safest community group,' the sign read.
'Your children can best maintain a healthy immune system by the following: regular vitamin D, regular physical activity [and] healthy eating habits.
'Please observe all required social distancing measures while using this park equipment.'
Outraged her signature had been used, Mayor Oxley warned her Facebook followers 'these signs are fake'.
'It's incredibly upsetting that someone has forged my signature and used the Kingston Logo to try to mislead our community,' she wrote.
'Playgrounds are closed - and for good reason - to keep US ALL SAFE, especially our youngest Kingston residents.
'We must keep going! We're in this together, and this type of divisiveness is not welcome in our united community.'
https://www.msn.com/en-au/news/australia/passengers-arriving-in-wa-from-victoria-to-have-mandatory-coronavirus-tests-at-perth-airport/ar-BB16Hfja?ocid=msedgntpWA Health Minister Roger Cook said from tomorrow, passengers from Victoria would be swabbed at the terminal before being allowed to collect their luggage.
He said the new rule was in addition to a requirement for all Victorian arrivals to be tested on day 11 of their mandatory quarantine period in WA. "This means that we are doubling down on limiting any potential spread of the virus from Victoria," he said.
Mr Cook said since entry requirements were tightened at the weekend, 29,000 travel exemptions had been cancelled for people seeking to enter WA from Victoria."We are obviously taking a very tough stance in relation to people travelling from Victoria and we make no apology for that," he said.
Mr Cook said the WA Government was also considering a tougher screening and testing regime for truck drivers entering WA who had come from, or travelled through, Victoria. "We are looking at ways that we can look at those freight deliveries to see how we can better monitor — and, if appropriate, test them — as part of their freight-delivery arrangements," he said.
Western Australia has recorded one new case of coronavirus, a 10-year-old boy who is in hotel quarantine in Perth after travelling from London via Dubai. He is the 11th passenger from that flight to test positive to COVID-19. << pretty solid proof that travelling by air is FAR from safe even on a very lightly loaded passenger flight where passengers were spread out to socially distance , Archille's heals are boarding and disembarking, in flight toileting , recirculated airconditioned pressurized cabin air , cabin crew , luggage collection , ticket collection queues, gates and queuing and waiting in a confined airconditioned space , gate to aircraft shuttles >>
WA watching NSW outbreak 'very carefully'
Mr Cook said the WA Government was watching the coronavirus situation in New South Wales "very carefully". "At the moment the outbreak there is a tight cluster around that specific [Crossroads] hotel," he said."We are simply going to monitor that over the next 48 to 72 hours to see if there is any ongoing transmission of the disease within the community from that outbreak.
"If the situation in New South Wales deteriorates we may be in a position to have to put on further restrictions.
<<They are also aware of the large number Victorian Covid-refugees circulating in NSW and many who have been refused entry to QLD , who are trying to get regional mechanics to swap Vic number plates and vehicle and caravan and boat and camper regos to NSW and ACT rego and who are trying swap over from Victorian drivers' licences and IDs to NSW drivers' licences and IDs >>
Nurses Union urges rethink on AFL games
Up to 30,000 fans are expected to fill Perth Stadium for the AFL match between Geelong and Collingwood on Thursday, and the Western Derby between Fremantle and West Coast on Sunday.
"That's an exciting development," Mr Cook said. "That's the biggest crowd that would have been to a sporting event in Australia since the COVID-19 outbreak."
However, the Australian Nurses Federation (WA) has urged the Government to reconsider (this as an urgent health danger to Perth) .
State secretary Mark Olson said a survey of 2,000 union members showed 94 per cent were opposed to allowing large crowds at Perth Stadium. "There will be 30,000 people there without masks, there will be 30,000 people queueing up for food — effectively eating and drinking together — and there will be 30,000 people there not social distancing," he said. "There is no possible way you can do that << without creating a 2nd Covid19 wave in WA >> "
https://www.msn.com/en-au/news/australia/ama-nt-calls-for-tougher-coronavirus-border-restrictions-as-territory-prepares-to-reopen/ar-BB16HLql?ocid=msedgntpAustralian Medical Association NT branch president Dr Robert Parker says "the whole of NSW" needs to be declared a COVID-19 hotspot and travellers from the state barred from entering the Northern Territory.
Dr Parker's comments come three days before the NT opens its borders, allowing people from all jurisdictions in Australia — except Victoria — to travel freely through the NT without going into quarantine first.
Until July 17, all new arrivals to the NT must go into 14 days of self-quarantine.
NT Health Minister Natasha Fyles said a decision would be made tomorrow about whether NSW residents would still be allowed to travel freely through the NT when borders open on July 17.
"We are watching NSW very closely. The Chief Health Officer has briefed myself and the Chief Minister today and will continue to brief us," she said.
"We expect to make an announcement around New South Wales tomorrow, noting that we are seeing a change in the border restrictions this Friday."
Dr Parker said banning only Sydneysiders wouldn't go far enough to protect Territorians.
"I think it's very dangerous, we still don't know the effect of this particular location and because it was a crossroads, and particularly because people were passing through, what the carry-on effect of this is," he said.
"It's far safer just to delay NSW for a further week — sure, open up to South Australia, Western Australia, whatever — delay NSW for a further week, just to see what the effect of this particular location is and how far and wide the virus spreads rather than having a fairly confident response."
https://www.newcastleherald.com.au/story/6822428/very-rare-how-health-authorities-are-explaining-newcastles-positive-test/The Hunter has recorded its first new coronavirus case in 76 days after a returned traveller tested positive in Newcastle following his release from hotel quarantine.
Health authorities said the man had returned a negative test result on day 10 of his quarantine but had developed COVID-19 symptoms after returning to Newcastle on Sunday.
They said it was unusual for someone to test positive after the mandatory two-week quarantine period.
"More than 50 % of people develop symptoms by day five and 98 % by day 12, so it's very rare that someone develops symptoms this late," Hunter New England Health public health physician Dr David Durrheim said in a video posted on social media.
https://www.newcastleherald.com.au/story/6832516/hold-the-line-doctors-urge-as-hunter-records-new-case-of-covid/?cs=7573A 27-year-old male - a known close contact of a previously reported case from Newcastle - is the latest Hunter resident to be diagnosed with COVID-19.
Hunter New England public health physician Dr David Durrheim said the case and his close contacts were in isolation, and there was no ongoing risk of community transmission.
"The Casula hotel experience has shown us just how quickly this virus can spread, especially with a pub that is a key stop-off location for travelers," Dr Durrheim said.
"There are towns all throughout our district that are key stop-offs during travel, particularly during the holiday season. So all of us now need to play our part to ensure we are not reintroducing the spread of COVID-19 in our communities.
"We need to keep our distance, we need to maintain our good hygiene.
"These things are proving key to stopping the spread of the virus.
"Anyone who develops mild respiratory symptoms, or more severe respiratory symptoms or a fever, needs to make sure they stay at home and get tested.
"We need to be vigilant so that the virus doesn't get away from us again."
It comes as the Hunter GP Association called on residents to remain vigilant and "hold the line" in the battle against COVID-19.
"If we all pitch in together we might have an opportunity to keep our region open even if Sydney ends up going back into lockdowns," Dr Lee Fong, secretary of the Hunter GP Association, said.
"We were just getting used to hugging our friends again and meeting them in crowded cafes and restaurants - and some workplaces are already starting to phase out remote working.
"The reality is that it's really, really hard to keep up social distancing and it's super easy to slide back into doing things the way we used to do them.
"But just over the border in Victoria, there are now hundreds of new COVID-19 cases being found daily, and there is desperate, really hardworking attempts being made to find and follow up on thousands of close contacts of those new cases."
Dr Fong said due to school holidays, it was possible thousands of Victorians had already crossed the borders before they were policed.
"We are already seeing a worrying NSW outbreak of COVID-19 that potentially involves hundreds of people linked to that pub in Casula," he said. "Nobody wants to go back to the sort of lockdown that metropolitan Melbourne is now under.
"If we want to stop that from happening, we need to hold the line. We need to re-focus our efforts."
Dr Fong urged people to get tested, even for a slightly runny nose, a tickle in the throat, fever, fatigue, or a loss of sense of smell or taste.
"Maintaining high testing rates is the only way we can be confident we will quickly pick up COVID-19 if it is spread in our community," he said. "Don't go to work if you are unwell. Don't send your child to school if they are unwell. Avoid physical greetings - the hugs, kissing and the handshakes - it's still not OK to do that. Don't forget to practice good hand hygiene, stay that 1.5 metres apart, don't touch your face."
https://www.msn.com/en-au/news/australia/hospitals-in-south-west-sydney-struggling-to-keep-up/vi-BB16JU5X?ocid=msedgntpDoctors have told a state inquiry that the south-west Sydney region is suffering, while better healthcare services are offered in the wealthier eastern and northern suburbs.
https://www.msn.com/en-au/news/australia/albury-on-alert-as-traveller-infected-with-covid-19-dines-at-popular-cafe/ar-BB16KaBq?ocid=msedgntpHealth officials say diners at an Albury cafe that unknowingly hosted a traveller infected with COVID-19 should be on alert for symptoms of the virus.
The man, who was travelling through, dined at Cafe Borellas two weeks ago on June 30, but there is no evidence of community transmission linked back to the venue so far.
The border town is already on high alert and has strict traffic controls in place amid concern Victoria's high case numbers could spread across state lines into NSW.
The CEO of the Murrumbidgee Local Health District, Jill Ludford, said it was important people who had visited the venue were tested, even if they were not displaying symptoms. "I think it's important to say that people who have been in those venues — don't wait for symptoms," Ms Ludford said.Diners urged to get tested, even if asymptomatic
An investigation is underway as to whether the man travelled anywhere else on the border.
Ms Ludford confirmed the man was not a local and did not attend other venues across Albury.
Authorities are now in the process of contacting those who visited the cafe in the past two weeks.
When asked why it took two weeks for authorities to act, Ms Ludford said the health service had only received the information on Tuesday.She said it was common for people to present for testing late in the disease when their symptoms reached a peak.
"There are asymptomatic people in the community and we don't know when those symptoms suddenly prevail and cause them to be really unwell," Ms Ludford said.
"We would really like anyone who has been there to come forward for testing, even if you are asymptomatic."
Cafe staff 'healthy as bells'
The cafe has been deep cleaned, on top of its already strict cleaning measures, and owner George Benyon told the ABC none of his staff had been sick.
Mr Benyon said the cafe had strict social distancing and cleaning methods. "People are worried and concerned, but it's a safe place to come," he said. "We distance and we sanitise, and at this stage all of our staff are as healthy as bells.
"There's a reason why they have a COVID plan and we adhere to every rule they've got in that, which has helped."And it could probably be why it didn't spread any further."
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-07-14/nsw-health-probe-crossroads-truck-driver-coronavirus-theory/12450308NSW health authorities scrambling to contain a coronavirus cluster in south-west Sydney are investigating whether a truck driver could be the outbreak's "patient zero".
There are now 21 COVID-19 cases linked to the Crossroads Hotel at Casula, with several of those testing positive after attending the venue on July 3.
The ABC understands the pub is popular among truck drivers and is within 10 kilometres of the busy Southern Cross Transport Terminal at Chipping Norton.
NSW chief medical officer Kerry Chant yesterday confirmed authorities were looking at the possibility a truck driver may be the source of the Crossroads Hotel infection, "This is called the Crossroads Hotel for a reason, it is on a popular route," Dr Chant said.
"Clearly we are pursuing — it's a pivotal part of the investigation — as to whether these cases can be linked to any travellers from Melbourne, because that gives us comfort we are not missing another avenue of transmission."
NSW Health was looking at truck drivers on the Melbourne-to-Sydney run. It is understood thousands of trucks travel across the Victorian and NSW border each week. "Because the hotel is on main transit routes, we have been working with our colleagues in other states and territories to make sure they are aware of this cluster and they can take appropriate actions to increasing awareness through those states in through the freight network, who may be just travelling through," she said.
Mr Miles warned those in Queensland who had visited the venue between July 3 and 10 to get tested and isolate immediately.
"The hotel is a busy stopover for many travellers, so it is very likely that there are a number of Queenslanders who have been there during this period," he said.
<< As someone who has done the Grey Nomad thing for several times and likes long haul driving / camping holidays
- it's pretty customary to keep an eye out for "truck stops with attached restraunts" for rest stops , toilet stops , and meals , if there are lots of trucks and road trains in the parking area , they are there because the food is very good and there are very good clean facilities and the prices are good , plus they are usually a good place to get intel on road conditions ahead of you as truck drivers will debrief each other and leave warning notices on the notice boards about washouts, flooded dangerous creek and river crossing, barge breakdowns, mud, thick bulldust, fires, bad road erosion , bad road corregations ( espec if the road is not sealed ) and yes radar traps >>
Mr Olsen said the TWU was seeking assurances that employers had COVID-19 safety plans in place to protect drivers and distribution centre workers.
The TWU also wrote to NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian asking that drivers be supported during the pandemic, Mr Olsen said."Transport workers are performing critical roles ensuring the movement of freight across the country," he said."Truck drivers must be given adequate access to rest areas and roadhouses — to take a much-needed break, have a hot meal, a coffee, nap or even a shower to avoid fatigue."
https://www.msn.com/en-au/news/melbourne/six-staff-at-royal-women-s-hospital-latest-victorian-healthcare-workers-diagnosed-with-covid-19/ar-BB16K1hL?ocid=msedgntp6 staff affiliated with Melbourne’s Royal Women’s hospital are among those confirmed to have COVID-19 as part of Victoria’s recent outbreak, with a concerning number of healthcare workers throughout the state now infected with the virus.
The hospital, located in Parkville next to Melbourne city, on Tuesday afternoon sent a notice to staff confirming 6 active cases and 2 recovered cases in health staff, including visiting medical officers and other staff who work elsewhere across multiple health services.No patients at the hospital have the virus << at this time >> .
“If you are a close contact of a confirmed case, you will be notified by our own infection prevention and control team and you will need to self-isolate,” the email to staff said.
“The Women’s has changed its visitor policy for birthing women. We have returned to a restriction of a maximum of one support person in the birth suite and on the postnatal ward – with no time limitations.
“The Women’s clinical leaders continue to make progress on the requirement to implement COVID-19 testing for patients before their elective surgery. However, there are a number of issues to work through and we will keep you updated as these are addressed.”
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-07-15/victoria-coronavirus-cases-rise-woman-dies-from-covid-19/12455982Victoria's Premier Daniel Andrews has pleaded with restriction rule-breakers to "please do better", after the state recorded 238 new coronavirus cases and another woman's death overnight.The woman, in her 90s, is the third person to die from coronavirus in Victoria in two days. Her death brings the state's toll to 27.
Police have issued 546 fines in the past week for breaches of stage three restrictions — including people playing poker, holding parties and drinking in the street.
One person was fined for refusing to leave a KFC restaurant, and two men were caught driving around playing the video game Pokemon GO, Deputy Commissioner Rick Nugent said.
"A couple of mates out in the car travelling around playing Pokemon doesn't fit the reasons to leave, and those males were issued with infringement notices," Deputy Commissioner Nugent said.
"As is visiting massage parlours or massage businesses, or undertaking sex work."
Deputy Commissioner Nugent said police were especially concerned about house parties and gatherings. "We're finding people in cupboards, we're finding people in garages — please stop," he said. "Do all you can to support what the rest of the community is doing to address this health emergency."
Cases linked to JBS Abattoir and aged care homes grow
There are now 105 people with coronavirus in hospital, an increase of 20 from yesterday.
Twenty-six of those people in hospital are receiving intensive care.
Twenty-nine of the new cases are related to known outbreaks, and 209 are under investigation.
Professor Sutton said the latest wave of cases was harder to manage than the first wave, which mainly involved international travelers who were easy to trace."This wave is trickier, and so it won't be as easy to drive numbers down with the community transmission that's out there," he said.
here are now 21 cases linked to the JBS Abattoir in Brooklyn, Professor Sutton said.
A total of nine cases have been linked to Embracia Moonee Valley aged care, and two are linked to St Basil's aged care in Fawkner.
Five cases have been liked to Steel Mains, a steel fabrication business in Somerton, and four cases have been linked to Waste Equipment and Hiab Services in Ardeer.
Mr Andrews said between 300 and 400 people from the private sector could be recruited to work in the public health team. "We already have a number of stood-down workers from the travel industry," he said. "They've been working with us for a few months now because they have those call-centre skills."
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-07-15/nt-declares-nsw-sydney-coronavirus-hotspots-border-reopening/12456752The Northern Territory Government has declared several areas of New South Wales coronavirus hotspots as case numbers in Sydney rise.The decision means arrivals from these areas will face strict mandatory supervised quarantine protocols when the Territory's borders reopen on Friday.
Chief Minister Michael Gunner said the decision follows advice from his Chief Health Officer.
NSW recorded 13 new cases of coronavirus on Tuesday, and authorities today confirmed a cluster of cases linked to the Crossroads Hotel in southwest Sydney had grown to 34."This situation in Sydney has the potential to get worse before it gets better, and we need to assume that it will get worse," Mr Gunner said. "To open our borders to Sydney right now, when we don’t know the full extent of this cluster, would be a roll of the dice."Mr Gunner said from Friday arrivals to the Territory from Sydney, or who have been in Sydney in the previous 14 days, will be directed into mandatory supervised quarantine at the Howard Springs quarantine facility and charged $2,500.
Mr Gunner apologised to individuals and families inconvenienced by the decision.
Travellers transferring through Sydney Airport will not need to enter mandatory supervised quarantine upon arrival in the NT, as long as they did not leave the airport, Mr Gunner said, "If you leave Sydney Airport and go into a hotspot, then you are not welcome," he said.
The decision follows the Northern Territory Government last week declaring all of Victoria a coronavirus hotspot for the purposes of travel to the NT.
Mr Gunner confirmed travellers from other parts of NSW would be able to travel freely within the Northern Territory from Friday.
Mr Gunner said the declaration would remain in place indefinitely. "We will review the Sydney hotspot declarations in two weeks — one full replication cycle of the virus — to see if they need to be extended or amended," he said. "I don't anticipate this declaration being in place for as long as Victoria's, but I will not make any promises about a date. "This will stay in place for as long as we need it to, until we are confident it is under control."
Until Friday, when the Northern Territory's borders open, arrivals must undergo two weeks of self-isolation.
All arrivals from Sydney currently in self-isolation, or who enter quarantine before Friday, must complete the full 14 days of their quarantine.
Mr Gunner said the Chief Health Officer would allow "very limited travel exemptions with strict protocols" to ensure critical goods such as food and medical supplies could enter the Northern Territory from hotspot areas.
Mr Gunner also announced the Northern Territory Government would maintain a police presence on Northern Territory borders and at airports indefinitely after borders reopened on July 17. "We had planned to review this at the end of July but I am now making it clear that they will stay there as long as we need them to," Mr Gunner said. "They will stay there to monitor and review arrivals, and direct them to quarantine where necessary."
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-07-15/coronavirus-queensland-nsw-border-checks-cause-traffic-delays/12455096There is more significant congestion on Queensland's southern road border, with police checking every vehicle with a New South Wales number plate. << Guess all the Victorian covrefugees have now reregistered their vehicles in NSW and swapped over to NSW plates or otherwise "acquired" NSW plates to swap >>
Adding to the traffic delays, commuters have been caught unaware and been made to fill out new border declaration passes in the wake of Queensland Health declaring the New South Wales towns of Liverpool and Campbelltown coronavirus hotspots at midday yesterday.
Anyone who has been in those hotspots in the past 14 days is being denied entry into Queensland or forced to undergo hotel quarantine at their own expense. The areas were added to the hotspot list, alongside all of Victoria, after dozens of coronavirus cases were linked to a south-west Sydney Hotel in recent weeks.
18 Queenslanders have said they have been to the hotel in the past fortnight.
14 have so far tested negative to the virus and four remain in isolation at home awaiting their results.
Health Minister Steven Miles said he would not be surprised if more Queenslanders had visited the venue since early July.
"No doubt there probably are other Queenslanders who visited the pub on those dates and we'd urge them to come forward and get tested immediately."
Mr Miles also defended denying entry to people who had been to the two New South Wales local government areas in Sydney.
People turned around at Cairns Airport
A number of people were reportedly turned around at Cairns Airport yesterday and had to fly back to Sydney after the midday change took effect.
People turned around at Coolangatta Airport
Since lunch time yesterday, five people have been turned around from Coolangatta airport and 30 people turned around from Gold Coast border crossings. "Look, it's really hard," he said. "Every time we make these changes people get caught out.
On Gold Coast
Gold Coast police said it was not possible to fast-track locals through the border checkpoints.
Chief Superintendent Mark Wheeler said locals could not be given priority. "We are constrained by construction of the road," Mr Wheeler said. "There is simply no other way to slow down vehicles and filter them. "We have to bring them into one lane. That is when we assess them. "Whether you are a local or a person travelling from South Australia, it's simply not possible to pull you out of the line and bring you up to the front of it."
Covid19 virus will be happy - Theme parks reopen
Two more of the Gold Coast's major theme parks, Movie World and Wet'n'Wild, reopened today, following Sea World and Paradise Country reopening last month.
Village Roadshow general manager Shane Phillips said the reopening of other theme parks had been successful and attendance rates were up.
"Movie World and Wet'n'Wild are very much focused on rides and there was a process that needed to be put in place to bring those rides up to scratch," he said.
"There were many approvals that needed to be in place to get them up and operating again."
Ardent Leisure said there would be a staged reopening of its theme parks, Dreamworld and WhiteWater World, in time for the September holiday period.
Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate said the theme parks were a barometer on how the city functions and how jobs flow."It sends a signal that we're returning back to normality post COVID-19," Cr Tate said.
"One thing about Gold Coasters is that we get knocked down and get back up again, and our theme parks really exemplify that.".
https://www.msn.com/en-au/news/australia/nsw-govt-to-provide-500-000-health-masks-to-sydney-aged-care-facilities/ar-BB16K99I?ocid=msedgntpHealth Minster Greg Hunt has announced 500,000 face masks will be provided to aged care facilities Sydney's western suburbs.
“That’s an important part of the commonwealth’s contribution, to provide that support, to provide that assistance," he said.
Mr Hunt said he was heartened by health advice which praised the speed and focus of the community transmission program and the fact community cases of the virus were contained to links with the Crossroads Hotel.
https://www.msn.com/en-au/news/australia/wa-records-eight-new-coronavirus-cases-amid-calls-for-restrictions-on-interstate-travellers/ar-BB16KPER?ocid=msedgntpWA recorded 8 new cases of coronavirus overnight — the largest daily increase since May 29 when the state was dealing with an outbreak on the Al Kuwait live export ship.
The WA Health Department said 7 of the 8 new cases had been on a flight from London via Dubai that landed in Perth on July 1. It brings to 19 the number of positive cases from that flight.
The other new case was a returned traveller from Nigeria.
It comes as the WA Government faces growing pressure to further lock down its border and tighten restrictions on people wanting to enter the state, as airline passengers from Victoria face the first day of mandatory COVID tests on arrival at Perth Airport.
Travellers from Melbourne are now required to be swabbed at the terminal before being allowed to collect their luggage.
The new rule is in addition to a requirement for all Victorian arrivals to be tested on day 11 of their mandatory two-week quarantine period in WA.
WA Cabinet minister Simone McGurk said the Government was continuing to monitor the coronavirus situation in New South Wales and was considering whether to impose similar measures on travellers from that state.
"It is not a 'set and forget measure'," she said.
"We will continue to monitor those people coming into Western Australia to ensure we are doing everything we can to mitigate any risks associated with the pandemic and outbreaks in other states."
The Australian Medical Association (AMA) WA president Andrew Miller said the same hardline stance should be applied to all prospective interstate travellers.
"It seems a bit artificial at this stage to be particularly picking on Victoria," he said."New South Wales seems to have had, over the last couple of weeks, enough cases from Victoria to also be a concern. "Given this disease has an incubation period, given that it spreads before you find it, really all interstate travellers need to be under very close scrutiny now."
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-07-15/covid-19-testing-not-as-accurate-missing-coronavirus-cases-grow/12455076New research shows more than 20 % of coronavirus cases are being missed by testing — known as "false negatives" — with one expert saying the results could require a rethink of Australia's COVID-19 strategies.The "test-and-trace" method is a permanent fixture in the global coronavirus arsenal, but these new findings indicate diagnosis may not be as clear cut — or accurate — as first thought.
COVID-19 testing relies on a type of test called rt-PCR, or just PCR, which looks for viral genes in a sample collected with a swab.
If the sample contains any of the virus, it will almost always pick it up.
Because of this, many have assumed that PCR gives very few "false negative" results — that if you have the virus, the PCR will not come back negative. << I've been warning about this here and elsewhere for a while now , and this has been discussed several times on MEDCRAM >>
But that thinking has come under serious scrutiny recently.
Coronavirus latest: Follow all the latest information in our COVID-19 live blog
The best data so far is a study from Johns Hopkins University in the US, which pooled the results from seven studies and a combined 1,300 test results.
It found that, in fact, people confirmed to have coronavirus almost never got a positive result in the first three days of their infection.
The best time to test someone was between six and eight days after infection.
But even then, the tests still missed about one-in-five confirmed cases.
ref https://www.acpjournals.org/doi/full/10.7326/M20-1495
sked about this issue on Tuesday, Victoria's Chief Health Officer Brett Sutton said people who had already been tested but were not getting better should get a repeat test.
"If you've got ongoing symptoms and you've had a negative test, then consider retesting," he said.
He said sometimes false-negative tests were a technical issue with the swab or the lab."But sometimes it's where you're at in your illness and it may well be picked up on a different occasion," Professor Sutton said
If those figures represent contagious people being released into the community — a matter still being debated — that is a serious problem, according to Tony Blakely, an epidemiologist and public health expert from the University of Melbourne.
"If we take these false negatives seriously, which I do, it has a number of serious implications," Professor Blakely said.
1) it meant the number of real cases was higher than was being recorded and which public health officials were relying on.
2) he said it would make Australia's suppression strategy — where tries to keep the virus at manageable levels in the community instead of eliminating it — much harder to implement.
"It could be — I emphasise 'could' — a reason why the 'test and contact trace' strategy failed in Victoria," he said.
Suppression relies on finding true positive cases and isolating them. If we miss some of those cases, Professor Blakely said ensuring suppressed levels stay low enough could be difficult.
He also said Australia might need to change the way it defined a positive case: that symptoms and contact with other cases might need to be used to define a positive case, even in the face of a negative PCR result.
If false negatives were a real problem, Professor Blakely said "presumptive isolation" would be necessary — a concept where people suspected of having the virus are required to isolate, regardless of their test result.
That was the advice given by NSW Chief Health Officer Kerry Chant this week to people who visited the Crossroads Hotel between 3 and 10 July.
"Even if you get a negative test, that does not mean you are out of the woods and hence we are asking that you isolate yourself for 14 days since you were last at the Crossroads Hotel," Dr Chant said."A negative test does not mean you can breach self-isolation." << or you are in the clear and get on with your normal life >>
The rationale behind Dr Chant's directive is referred to as "negative predictive value (NPV << see previous posts >>. False negatives are more likely among a group of people who are very likely to have the virus, such as people who were on the Ruby Princess or family members of a confirmed case.
But in the general population — where very few people have the virus — false negatives have been believed to be not very common.
Are false negatives a 'problem'?
Professor Sutton said people who tested negative were unlikely to spread the virus.
"There's no capturing people who have very low viral numbers and maybe they're less infectious so it's less of an issue," he said.
Bill Rawlinson, a virologist from the University of New South Wales, agreed.His lab conducts thousands of COVID-19 tests each day and looks for possible false negatives by comparing PCR tests with blood antibody tests.
"Because I'm a laboratory person as well as a clinical person I ask how does it look in the community [if] this was a major problem then we should have seen it in the last six months," he said.
"At a population level, there should have been lots of outbreaks caused by this. [But] we're not seeing lots of outbreaks."
He said that based on the evidence, a change of policy direction was not warranted.
But Professor Rawlinson said some false negatives could be caused in other ways.One possibility was that the virus had not infected the precise part of the nasal passage swabbed.
Alternatively, there could be a reservoir of the virus elsewhere in the body. Again, not just where the person was swabbed.
He said work he did on pandemic influenza in 2009 showed that could happen. But he was sceptical it was happening a lot with COVID-19.
"They were very sick with pneumonia," he said of the flu patients.
"Nasopharyngeal swabs were negative but when we could get a lung sample or [an immunological test] and they were clearly positive," he said.
https://www.pm.gov.au/media/jobtrainer-skills-package-economic-recovery-and-growth$2 billion to give hundreds of thousands of Australians access to new skills by retraining and upskilling them into sectors with job opportunities, as the economy recovers from COVID-19.
The JobTrainer skills package will also guarantee support for thousands of apprentices in jobs across the country by subsidising their wages to keep them employed and their training secured.
The new $1 billion JobTrainer program will provide up to an additional 340,700 training places to help school leavers and job seekers access short and long courses to develop new skills in growth sectors and create a pathway to more qualifications.
Courses will be free or low cost in areas of identified need, with the Federal Government providing $500 million with matched contributions from state and territory governments.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the JobTrainer package was focused on getting people into jobs.
“JobTrainer will ensure more Australians have the chance to reskill or upskill to fill the jobs on the other side of this crisis,” the Prime Minister said. “COVID-19 is unprecedented but I want Australians to be ready for the sorts of jobs that will come as we build back and recover. “The jobs and skills we’ll need as we come out of the crisis are not likely to be the same as those that were lost.”
The package also includes an additional $1.5 billion to expand the wage incentive to help keep apprentices in work. It builds on the initial $1.3 billion package announced in March.
In addition to small businesses already covered, the wage subsidy will now be available to medium businesses with less than 200 employees for apprentices employed as at 1 July 2020. Around 180,000 apprentices and 90,000 small and medium businesses that employ them will now be supported, with the program extended by six months to March 2021.
The initiative covers 50 per cent of the wages paid to apprentices and trainees, up to $7,000 per quarter.
Minister for Employment, Skills, Small and Family Business Michaelia Cash said the JobTrainer package would form a vital part of the national recovery efforts. “Our nation has faced many challenges, and it is critical that we keep our apprentices in jobs and help those looking for work,” Minister Cash said. “This package will be essential as the economy rebuilds so that people looking for work can reskill and upskill for in-demand jobs, provide school leavers with a pathway into their careers, and ensure businesses are able to get the skilled workers they need.”
Minister Cash said the National Skills Commission would play a critical role in identifying current and future skills needed in a challenging and changing labour market. “We will work with States and Territories to develop a list of qualifications and skill sets that will provide job seekers with the skills that are in demand by employers and are critical to the economic recovery.”
Assistant Minister for Vocational Education, Training and Apprenticeships Steve Irons said the expanded waged subsidy would more than double the number of supported apprentices and trainees. “The Supporting Apprentices and Trainees wage subsidy will now help almost 90,000 businesses employing around 180,000 apprentices and trainees throughout Australia,” Assistant Minister Irons said. “This will dramatically improve the viability of tens of thousands of apprenticeships and the businesses employing them right across the country.”
States and territories need to sign up to a new Heads of Agreement to access JobTrainer funding, with the agreement setting out immediate reforms to improve the vocational education and training sector, and providing the foundation for long term improvements as outlined by the Prime Minister in his recent speech to the National Press Club.
https://www.msn.com/en-au/video/news/victoria-reports-record-317-coronavirus-cases/vi-BB16NtjY?ocid=msedgntpVictoria has reported a record 320 coronavirus cases for July 15, making it the largest daily increase in Australia since the start of the pandemic
https://www.msn.com/en-au/news/australia/meatworks-closure-forces-other-plants-into-overdrive/vi-BB16O3fb?ocid=msedgntpAustralia's biggest abattoir closed down in Melbourne after a COVID-19 outbreak, and now facilities in South Australia and New South Wales are ramping up their capacity.
https://www.msn.com/en-au/news/australia/portland-covid-19-case-likely-to-have-spread-but-melbourne-lockdown-laws-weren-t-breached-says-hospital/ar-BB16O5ki?ocid=msedgntpThe head of a south-west Victorian hospital says an active coronavirus case in the region is likely to have spread.
A Melbourne woman was tested in Portland on the weekend and returned a positive COVID-19 result on Wednesday.
Portland District Health (PDH) revealed the news of the positive test, triggering concerns on social media the woman had breached lockdown rules by leaving Melbourne.
But PDH chief executive Chris Giles said that was not the case, saying the woman was a regular visitor to Portland and was in town before Melbourne was locked down. "They have a very legitimate reason to come down here to Portland," Ms Giles said."They've done all the right things — they haven't actually broken any of the lockdown rules and as soon as they developed symptoms they came to our clinic and got tested.
"They did all the appropriate things while in the clinic, like wearing a mask, and then went home and have self-isolated in their place here in Portland.
"However Ms Giles said the case was not to be taken lightly.
"In all reality this person has had close contact with people in Portland and I'm anticipating there is a likelihood we'll get another case," she said.
"I'm sure there's going to be places in Portland that will be doing a very deep thorough clean."
https://www.msn.com/en-au/news/australia/act-health-announce-new-coronavirus-public-health-direction-in-wake-of-sydney-outbreak/ar-BB16NyF4?ocid=msedgntpThe ACT Government has announced community sport can resume from this weekend as it also issues a new Public Health Direction, requiring people returning from hotspot locations in Sydney to self-isolate for 14 days.
From today, anyone who has been in the is legally required to self-quarantine for 14 days from the date they were there, even if they do not have any symptoms.
ACT Health said the new direction was a safety precaution, designed to limit the spread of coronavirus.
They advised that any Canberrans who had been in the following locations on the specified dates, that they were required to self-quarantine for 14 days:
Crossroads Hotel, Casula – between Friday 3 July to Friday 10 July
Planet Fitness, Casula – between Saturday 4 July and Friday 10 July
Picton Hotel, Picton – on Saturday 4 July, Sunday 5 July, Thursday 9 July or Friday 10 July
ACT Health have asked that people who visited these locations on the specified dates call the COVID-19 Helpline on (02) 6207 7244, so they can be supported through their self-isolation.
These people are also encouraged to get tested for COVID-19, even if they have no symptoms.
Health authorities also reminded residents not to travel to areas where COVID-19 outbreaks were occurring in NSW, including the Liverpool and Campbelltown areas of Sydney."NSW Health is implementing a strong public health response [there] but, at the moment, we are asking Canberrans to please avoid travelling to these areas unless it is absolutely urgent to do so," ACT Health Minister Rachel Stephen-Smith said.
"If you must travel, please keep a record of where you have been, and take appropriate precautions."
South Australia has delayed reopening its border to ACT and NSW residents amid the latest outbreak, which the Premier called a "super-spreader event".
Five active cases and 440 in self-quarantine
People travelling back to the ACT from Victoria are currently required to self-isolate, as are those who have been in direct contact with a confirmed COVID-19 case.
Yesterday, Ms Stephen-Smith said about 440 people were in self-quarantine in Canberra. "I want to thank all those people for what they're doing to protect the community from the spread of COVID-19," Ms Stephen-Smith said.
The ACT still has five active cases of COVID-19, and has gone almost a week with no new confirmed cases.
Ms Stephen-Smith reminded Canberrans that the city was "still at stage (Level) 2" restrictions. "We pressed pause and didn't go to stage (Level) three," she said, reiterating this meant only 100 people were permitted in any enclosed space, that group bookings must be a maximum 20 people, and only 10 people were allowed to drink together without food.
Full-contact community sport can resume on Friday
The ACT Government has confirmed full-contact sport competitions can re-start from midday tomorrow.
The scheduled return date was in doubt following the increase in COVID-19 cases in Victoria in NSW.
Along with contact sport competitions, from tomorrow there'll be no limit to numbers in swimming lanes.
Minister for Sport Yvette Berry said communal facilities such as change rooms and canteens could also open, but organisations must be responsible for keeping them clean.
"So it just means everybody has to work a little bit more carefully so we can continue to keep our community safe, but really great news to see that full-contact sport is back in competition from noon tomorrow," she said.
https://www.msn.com/en-au/news/australia/coronavirus-queensland-builds-wall-to-keep-nsw-residents-out/vi-BB16ObBF?ocid=msedgdhpA wall is being built on the Queensland border to stop travellers coming from COVID hotspots sneaking through back streets and avoiding checkpoints.
https://www.msn.com/en-au/news/australia/jail-time-now-an-option-for-travellers-from-coronavirus-hotspots-caught-lying-at-queensland-borders/ar-BB16O0zU?ocid=msedgntpPeople caught breaching coronavirus health restrictions could be sent to jail for up to six months, after harsher penalties were passed through Queensland Parliament.
Health Minister Steven Miles said the prison sentence could be imposed by the courts in serious cases of people flouting the state's public health directions.
The increased penalty followed a number of people trying to illegally enter Queensland, after having been in areas designated as COVID-19 hotspots.
"We take the health of Queenslanders very seriously and our public health directions are in place to limit any potential spread of COVID-19," Mr Miles said.
"Queenslanders are working hard in following restrictions and health advice.
"We don't want to see all our hard work undone, and we are very serious about enforcing our public health directions."
The prison penalty will sit alongside already hefty fines of up to $13,345 for people and businesses caught breaking the rules.
Six people were fined a total of more than $24,000 for lying on border declaration forms while trying to enter Queensland at the weekend.
"It's very important that people comply with public health directions and do not provide false or misleading information on their border declaration pass," Mr Miles said.
"They could face heavy fines, or even now a jail term."
The new laws also give the Chief Health Officer Jeannette Young permission to delegate some of her extraordinary powers to her deputy.
Dr Young was granted new powers earlier this year, allowing her to impose strict restrictions, and shut down the state in severe COVID-19 outbreaks.
"This amendment will allow Queensland's Chief Health Officer to share her considerable workload during the pandemic response with suitably qualified medical practitioners," Mr Miles said.
https://www.msn.com/en-au/news/australia/new-coronavirus-case-confirmed-as-sa-announces-fines-for-travellers-who-refuse-tests/ar-BB16NAc0?ocid=msedgntpThe SA Government has announced fines of $1,000 for travellers from Victoria who refuse a coronavirus test on arrival in SA, as the state confirms its first COVID-19 case in more than two weeks.
Premier Steven Marshall said the woman recently travelled from overseas to Victoria, where she twice tested negative while in quarantine."She then travelled into South Australia," he said.
"It is a low positive. She is not contagious. SA Health is not concerned about this person although she is going to remain in 14 days of isolation.
"Other members of her family, who she has been with, have not contracted this disease but we will continue to monitor that situation."
Deputy Chief Public Health Officer Mike Cusack said the patient arrived on a flight from Melbourne on Sunday evening and had "done all the right things".
He said it was likely that the woman had contracted the virus in the last couple of weeks, and everyone on the flight has been quarantined.Mr Marshall last week announced coronavirus testing for everyone crossing the border from Victoria within 24 hours of their arrival, and again on day 12 of their quarantine.
But today he said the tests would be mandatory, and that anyone who did not comply with that requirement would be subject to a $1,000 on-the-spot fine.
"We're sending a very strong message that is absolutely mandatory to make sure that these tests are undertaken and that we keep our state safe," he said.
Stowaway leniency 'disappointing for our state'
Mr Marshall said the leniency shown to the men was "disappointing for our state".
"We are concerned about what is happening in Victoria and that is why we have a hard border arrangement," he said.
"Those people who are breaching that hard border should feel the consequences."
The men were arrested on Tuesday at Adelaide's Regency Park rail yard, after hiding in a freight train travelling from Victoria through South Australia. Nicholas Batty, 29, Alexander Moore, 22, Jacob Todd, 29, and Sam Gledhill, 26, all escaped conviction yesterday, after admitting to the offences in the Adelaide Magistrates Court.
A magistrate did not fine the men, instead placing them on 12-month good behaviour bonds, but he did take into account the fact they had spent more than a day in custody following their arrest.
Labor today described the punishment as "a slap on the wrist" and has demanded an explanation as to why harsher penalties were not handed down.
SA Police Commissioner Grant Stevens said there was "no custodial option" for the magistrate under the state's Emergency Management Act. But he said the magistrate could have fined the men EACH an amount up to $20,000. "The court had that option available to them, and chose not to exercise that option," he said.
Mr Stevens said it was "probably a lesson for SA Police" in how to manage future breaches of border restrictions.
"The police approach has been to issue expiation notices up to $1,000, and we've done that consistently," he said.
"The decision to arrest these individuals was taken to eliminate the risk [of COVID-19] from the community, and from these people moving freely in South Australia.
"In future, we would probably issue an on-the-spot fine, before placing the person in quarantine, and removing them from South Australia."
The four men will be returned to Victoria.
SA Labor's health spokesman Chris Picton said South Australians doing the right thing had reason to be angry at the penalties handed down to the stowaways. "The fact that they've now been released on a bond, without any fine, without any penalty — and in fact we're now putting them up at a five-star hotel at tax-payer expense — is completely outrageous," he said.
<< I AGREE , AT LEAST CHARGE THEM FOR
> court costs
> quarantine costs
> extradiction costs back to Victoria
> and give them permanent criminal records . >>
"I think we need an explanation now from the Government as to why this has happened, and why the extraordinary powers that Parliament has granted to deal with this pandemic weren't used in this situation."
Labor said it would introduce seek to introduce changes to the Emergency Management Act 2004 to State Parliament next week, to give courts the option of jail time for anyone who breached COVID-19 laws in the future The proposed laws would give the courts the ability to impose prison sentences of up to two years for a breach of coronavirus directions.
<< should also take the option for magistrates NOT TO FINE these people away but making the fines AUTOMATIC and not appealable >> .
https://www.msn.com/en-au/news/australia/nsw-coronavirus-case-became-infectious-to-others-within-24-hours/ar-BB16O07d?ocid=msedgntpA person infected with COVID-19 in New South Wales became infectious to other people within 24 hours of contracting the virus, Deputy Chief Medical Officer Professor Michael Kidd has said. "The advice from the infectious disease experts is that while this is unusual, it's not implausible," he told reporters today.
Prof. Kidd said typically people develop coronavirus symptoms within five to seven days, but may be infectious to others one to two days before their symptoms start to show. "As we see larger numbers of people (that are) COVID-19 infected in Australia, we're starting to see signs of people with early infectivity," he said.
The DCMO denied the infection is a sign the COVID-19 virus strain in Australia has changed but said it has provided health authorities with new information about how it can interact with some people's bodies.
https://www.msn.com/en-au/news/australia/new-nsw-covid-case-flew-from-victoria-to-ballina/ar-BB16Nbl9?ocid=msedgntpNSW has recorded 10 new coronavirus cases during the 24 hours to 8pm yesterday, including 3 cases of community transmission which are under investigation.
The state's Chief Health Officer Dr Kerry Chant said 6 more cases are linked to the cluster from the Crossroads Hotel in south-west Sydney, and the final 3 are in hotel quarantine.
5 more cases were recorded by NSW Health after the 8pm cut off time for reporting.
1 of these was a traveller who flew from Victoria to Ballina in northern NSW on Sunday, July 12.
"The person was wearing a surgical mask and was self-isolating," Dr Chant said. "We're doing contact tracing in relation to that JetStar flight, JQ466. The individual was screened on arriving in Ballina airport and as I said, since arriving, they were in the 14-day self-isolation and any potential close contacts are being followed up."
Crossroads Hotel Cluster due to a Victorian SUPERSPREADER stands at least 40 cases .
Dr Chant reminded anyone in the south-west Sydney hot spot to get tested, with at least 40 cases linked to the Crossroads Hotel.
https://www.msn.com/en-au/news/australia/border-closure-forces-murray-river-tour-operators-to-shut-down-as-police-step-up-water-patrols/ar-BB16N3O3?ocid=msedgntpTourism businesses reliant on the Murray River have been forced to shut down for a second time during the COVID-19 pandemic because the NSW Government requires anyone who heads out on the water to obtain a permit to enter the state.
The New South Wales-Victoria border follows the high-water mark of the Murray on the Victorian side, and police and maritime officials have been told to actively patrol the river to ensure every individual on the water has a valid permit.
But the enforcement is a blow to operators of houseboat companies and paddle-steamer cruises, which had only just reopened after the easing of coronavirus restrictions.
"It's been an emotional rollercoaster," said Ashton Kreuzer, marketing manager at Mildura Paddle Steamers.
Back to 'zero revenue'
Ms Kreuzer's passengers board from the Mildura wharf in Victoria but on Saturday they shut down again because of the NSW border closure.
While residents of cross-border towns can get permits to enter NSW for "daily life", visitors from elsewhere cannot, leaving paddle-steamer operators cut off from the bulk of their market.
"We were beginning to get back on our feet, as tourism businesses around the country are trying to do.
"It's the same as every other small business. In these lockdown situations we go to zero revenue," said Rohan Burgess, managing director of Echuca-based Murray River Paddlesteamers.
Ms Kreuzer said her business could have continued operating from the opposite side of the Murray, but NSW residents had been warned to stay away from the border, and there was now an accommodation shortage.
"It's all been booked-out, essentially, by the NSW Police who have been coming here for the border patrolling, and all the Australian Defence Force personnel that are here now, so we then don't have places for people to stay," she said.Mr Francis said the arrival of police and defence personnel was a "small silver lining" for accommodation providers but "it certainly doesn't, by any means, replace the lost visitors that would normally be in the region".
The requirement to hold a valid entry permit also applies to recreational anglers, and people on houseboat holidays.
New South Wales police said its officers were working with the local community and using discretion about what is considered reasonable.
Inspector Darren Brand, based at Dareton in the south-west, said police "have had information that traffic on the river, whether it be a houseboat or ski boat or jet ski or whatever, is of concern".
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-07-16/afl-returns-to-perth-stadium-amid-coronavirus-crowd-fears/12461094As tens of thousands of fans head to Perth Stadium to watch the state's first AFL game in front of a crowd in more than 10 months, the West Australian Government is being warned its decision to allow the event "could come back to haunt it".
The stadium spent the day putting last minute preparations together for tonight's match between Geelong and Collingwood, which is being staged while the teams are still serving 14 days of quarantine.
It will be followed by the western derby on Sunday afternoon.
Under WA's phase 4 restrictions, 30,000 fans are allowed to attend — half the stadium's capacity — meaning every second row will be empty.
A number of COVID-19 safety measures will be put in place, including spraying disinfectant on footballs kicked into the crowd, keeping the front row empty, and fines of up to $50,000 for any supporter who invades the field.
Australian Nursing Federation (ANF) WA secretary Mark Olson said he was concerned the AFL matches could be a "turning point" for the state.
"I think it is a decision that could come back to haunt them in a few weeks' time and I hope it doesn't," Mr Olson said."If there is one case at this ground tonight of COVID-19 it will certainly be a turning point," he said.
AMA likens game to Spanish Flu pandemic
WA's peak medical lobby has described the AFL match as "a huge gamble", saying it would take only one infected person to make it "the dumbest game of football that was ever played".
Australian Medical Association (AMA) WA president Andrew Miller said the health and livelihood of the entire community was relying on those attending the game to maintain high standards of hygiene and physical distancing.
AFL returns to Perth Stadium amid fears big crowds could spark coronavirus outbreak << Good luck with that , especially once they've polished off a slab of beer each during the game >>
Dr Miller also recommended people wear a mask. << hard to drink beer from a tin or bottle with a mask on >>
"Because if there's even one [infected] person in that crowd of 30,000, then that's affecting every small business, every large business, every health care facility, every aged care facility, every patient in Western Australia," he said.
Repeating same mistakes made in the past
Dr Miller likened what was happening to the outbreak of Spanish Flu in WA more than a century ago.
"101 years ago this weekend, Perth was sitting in a very good place in regard to the Spanish Flu, we had a closed border, we had very few cases," he said.
"So we got a little bit arrogant and in Western Australia we held a big peace day celebration, on this weekend coming up, and that was the start of the Spanish Flu outbreak in Western Australia for that pandemic and a lot of people died as a result.
"So I really hope we don't look back in a couple of months' time and say 'What the hell was the AFL and the Government and the public of Western Australia thinking?'"
'If you're sick, stay home':
Health Minister Roger Cook told 6PR radio the decision to allow 30,000 people to attend the football was based on advice from the Chief Health Officer that it was safe.
"We have no community transmission of the disease but we do need people to continue to practice good physical distancing, good personal hygiene because these are the things that keep us safe," Mr Cook said.
"But most importantly of all if people are feeling unwell they should not go to the football tonight," he said. "Stay at home and look after yourself and protect others by not spreading any disease whether it's just the common cold or anything more dangerous."
No community transmission leaves WA risk low
Notre Dame University communicable disease epidemiologist Lauren Bloomfield said she believed the risk was minimal. "In WA we haven't had a case of local or community transmission since mid-April so it's been a few months," Ms Bloomfield said. "And certainly with our border controls and restrictions and our excellent surveillance and follow up, the risk to the public at this stage does appear to be very, very low.
"It's impossible to say there's zero risk because even countries like New Zealand who had elimination, we did see an unfortunate case there where two people were let out of isolation early and they did become symptomatic.
"And in Victoria at the moment we are looking across and there are instances where, if our infection control policies and border control policies don't work very well, there is a potential for it to come out in the community," she said. "But we have to say that based on how our infection control is going at the moment we have pretty good reason to believe that it is safe."
https://www.msn.com/en-au/news/australia/australia-watching-as-crowds-flock-to-footy-amid-health-warnings/ar-BB16ONyH?ocid=msedgntpDoctors fear allowing crowds at the historic Melbourne derby between Geelong and Collingwood tonight might only end with regret, with 5000 interstate arrivals crossing the WA border in the first 10 days of this month alone. ( Many from Victoria and NSW hotspots who have not been screened for covid19 . )
And WA not mandating the wearing of face masks in public gathering << crazy !! >>
more-than-150-health-workers-have-covid-19https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-07-17/victoria-coronavirus-restrictions-stage-four-andrews/12466866Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews says the advice for people in regional areas to wear masks is not a sign that tougher restrictions will be introduced in country areas.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-07-17/victoria-coronavirus-cases-update-record-covid19-daily-increase/12465632Key points:
Of the new cases, 57 are linked to known outbreaks and 370 are under investigation
Chief Health Officer Brett Sutton said today's high figure represented community behaviour from at least 10 days ago
Regional Victorians are being asked to wear masks and more testing sites will be set up in country areas, as five new cases were identified outside the lockdown zone
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-07-17/what-exercise-is-allowed-in-melbourne-during-lockdown/12466512All residents in Melbourne's metropolitan areas and the Mitchell Shire have been required to comply with Stage 3 lockdown rules since July 8, meaning you can only leave your home for four reasons.
They are:
Study and work if it can't be done from home
Exercise
Shopping for food and supplies
For medical care of if you are providing essential care
The exercise exemption comes with several conditions, and it has led to some confusion in the community about what is allowed.
The stay-at-home orders are in place for six weeks, and police have the power to issue on-the-spot fines of $1,652 for non-compliance. Earlier this week they revealed more than 500 infringement notices had been issued.
Firstly, the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) says you can only exercise or play sport outside with one other person or household members. Even when you do that, you'll need to keep 1.5 metres distance between each person.
Community sporting competitions and training sessions are not allowed, and that also applies if you live inside the lockdown area but play for a club that trains outside it.
DHHS says activities like "walking, running, hiking, bike riding, surfing and kayaking" are allowed — but again there are conditions that come with this.
These activities must be performed within the lockdown area, and on top of this, the DHHS website says: "you cannot drive a long way from your home to do these activities".
What exactly that means is unclear, and when the ABC approached the DHHS for clarification, a spokesman said: "You cannot travel further than you need to."
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-07-17/coronavirus-uncertainty-for-homeless-victorians-put-up-in-hotels/12464818Key points:
About 2,000 homeless people are living in hotel accommodation in Melbourne at the moment
Homelessness advocates say it is a fantastic opportunity to find a permanent solution for those without safe housing
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-07-17/working-from-home-wednesdays-vce-remote-learning-commute/12464026Key points:
All Victorian students have been asked to go back to remote learning
But VCE students have the option to remain at school
Some students have opted to stay home to avoid coronavirus contagion
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-07-17/coronavirus-vic-melbourne-casual-aged-care-worker-restrictions/12464302Key points:
More than 100 cases of coronavirus have been discovered in aged care homes in Victoria, with at least 28 homes affected.
Aged care workers are some of the lowest paid in Australia, at $23 per hour
Some workers say their incomes are in jeopardy if they're restricted to one facility ( as casuals and part-time workers )
The Health Workers Union is opposing moves to worker movement between facilities
All remaining residents will be evacuated from an Essendon aged care centre hit with a coronavirus outbreak, after two died and another 20 were hospitalised.Fifteen people at the Menarock Life Aged Care and three who were at the Royal Melbourne Hospital will now be moved to a private hospital in Bundoora, federal Aged Care Minister Richard Colbeck said.
"We believe this is a necessary step to ensure the health, safety and wellbeing of the residents currently living in the Menarock Life facility," Mr Colbeck said.
An ambulance is parked next to a brick building with a sign that reads Menarock Life Essendon out the front.
After virus outbreaks in homes such as the Menarock Life aged care facility in Essendon, some workers have been asked not to work across multiple sites.(ABC News: Billy Draper)
"Due to the layout of the facility and the unique challenges of effectively isolating and grouping residents on site at Menarock Essendon, the decision was taken to transfer all residents to hospital."The transferred patients will receive follow-up COVID-19 tests and be closely monitored for signs and symptoms of the disease.
It came as four coronavirus outbreaks in Victoria were traced to aged care staff working at multiple facilities, leading to the Victorian Government calling on the Commonwealth Government to ban the practice.
23 cases are linked to Glendale Aged Care facility in Werribee, which is unchanged from Thursday, 36 cases to Estia Health aged care facility in Ardeer, and 5 cases have been linked to St Basil's Homes for the Aged in Fawkner.
Other cases have been identified at Arrum Aged Care in Plenty, with single cases found at Regis in Brighton, Grace Villa in Greensborough, Baptcare Wyndham Lodge, Werribee, and Bupa Aged Care Sunshine.
Epidemiologist Professor Mary-Louise McLaws told ABC Radio Melbourne the geographical spread of the COVID-19-affected aged care homes suggested workers may be spreading the disease between facilities.
https://www.msn.com/en-au/news/australia/coronavirus-restrictions-in-victoria-could-move-to-stage-four-here-s-what-was-said-today/ar-BB16QDKw?ocid=msedgntpAfter Victoria's daily coronavirus cases surged into the 400s, authorities in the state are saying nothing is off the table when it comes to further lockdowns and even tougher restrictions.
Experts are hoping the coming days will see a moderation in the number of new cases being recorded, proving the lockdown measures imposed on greater Melbourne and Mitchell Shire have been effective in slowing the virus's spread.
But more than a week after the stage three measures came into force, Victoria has seen another record-breaking day, with 428 new infections and three deaths in the past 24 hours.
Premier Daniel Andrews said he would not hesitate to enforce more stringent rules if the medical advice demanded it.
"If we get a sense, and if the data continues to tell us … that the strategy is not being as effective as quickly as we would like, we may have to go to new rules," he said.
We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:
Do you accept cookies and these technologies?
We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:
Do you accept cookies and these technologies?