Returning Queensland residents to take part in home quarantine trial
Queensland may have the nation's highest levels of net interstate migration as Australians in locked down areas pull up stumps to move to the Sunshine State, enticed by the affordability, climate and relatively free lifestyle, but it has not come without its costs.
One of those costs - or indeed deterrents - is hotel quarantine, but starting next week the state will start trialing a new home quarantine system to make life easier for new arrivals, provided they have been fully vaccinated with at least two weeks having passed since the second dose was received.
Following pilot programs in South Australia and New South Wales that will form the basis for a nationwide set-up once international borders reopen, from 11 October 1,000 returning Queensland by air will be given the opportunity to trial the new model.
"We are so excited for this trial of home quarantine to commence in Queensland where we will see up to 1,000 returning Queenslanders offered an opportunity to participate," Minister for Health Yvette D’Ath said.
"On 11 October, Queensland residents currently located in a COVID-19 hotspot, who have already applied to return home, will be invited to trial this new model.
"Those who have already applied to return to Queensland will be contacted by the Government to ascertain their eligibility to participate."
Minister D’Ath said it was important for participants in the trial to take it seriously.
"We ask that those Queenslanders taking part in the trial take the requirements of quarantining at home very seriously, to give the trial the best chance of success and possible future expansion," she said.
She said participants would need to nominate their quarantine address, which must be located within one of the eight approved local government areas (LGAs) - Brisbane (excluding Moreton Island), Moreton Bay, Sunshine Coast, Noosa, Ipswich, Logan, Gold Coast, Redland (excluding the islands of the Redland LGA).
"These Local Government Areas have been chosen because they are within safe driving distance of the port of arrival, in this case being Brisbane Airport," Minister D'Ath said.
"Where a returning Queensland resident has nominated a private residence to complete the home quarantine trial, any other people who normally reside at the same location, and who will remain there during the quarantine period, will also need to quarantine.
"As all Queenslanders would want, strict criteria must be met by the person taking part in the home quarantine trial."
Apart from vaccination and the need for them to arrive by air, other requirements for trial participants include the following:
Have returned a negative PCR test within 72 hours of entry;
Use the home-quarantine check-in system;
Quarantine at home for 14 days;
Subject themselves to tests on days one, five and 12; and
Have a suitable home with a direct entry.
Interstate arrival statistics released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) in August show a net migration into Queensland of more than 7,000 in the March quarter and 9,763 in the December quarter. These figures are 5-7 times the state with the second-highest net migration rate - Western Australia.
Updated at 3.23pm AEDT on 7 October 2021.
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Hardship panel for NSW businesses that “fell through the cracks” welcomed by peak body
A new ‘Hardship Review Panel’ established in New South Wales to consider financial support for businesses that did not quality for existing COVID-19 assistance measures has been welcomed by the state’s peak business organisation.
The panel will assess, on a case-by-case basis, businesses which did not meet the eligibility requirements for the 2021 COVID-19 Business Grant, Micro-business Grant and JobSaver payments.
It will consider a broad range of factors in determining whether a business has experienced financial hardship, with the Chief Commissioner of Revenue NSW to be ultimately responsible and make the final determination for applications.
Factors that the hardship panel will consider include whether the business is an employer, in a highly impacted industry, in a local government area (LGA) of concern or has unavoidable costs for which no other support is available.
Businesses will be back-paid to the fortnight where they can demonstrate the required decline in turnover with the Panel. Hardship applications for JobSaver are now open with hardship COVID business grants and Microbusiness grants to open later this month.
Minister for Finance and Small Business Damien Tudehope said the Review Panel would help those businesses experiencing genuine financial hardship that were previously ineligible for support payments and grants.
“COVID-19 has affected so many businesses in NSW and even though we have a number of support measures in place, there are still some businesses under severe financial strain that aren’t eligible for assistance for a number of reasons. We want to plug that gap as much as we can,” Tudehope said.
Business NSW chief executive Daniel Hunter said the Panel is an important initiative and one the organisation is “more than happy to support”.
“There is concern amongst the business community that some may ‘fall through the cracks’ when it comes to the support packages,” Hunter said
“Establishing a panel to assess each case that doesn’t automatically fit the criteria gives business the confidence to put their case forward.
“The pandemic has shown that different industries have been impacted in different ways, and different parts of the state have been impacted at different times.”
Updated at 12.27pm AEDT on 7 October 2021.
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New Premier accelerates NSW freedom roadmap as 70 per cent double dose target hit
After New South Wales hit the coveted target of 70 per cent of the eligible population fully vaccinated yesterday the newly appointed Premier Dominic Perrottet today announced some changes to his predecessor’s roadmap, bringing forward some easing of restrictions.
The changes alter the previously announced roadmap which will see stay-at-home orders lifted from Monday 11 October, and allow for larger gatherings at home and outdoors, the reopening of swimming pools, and more attendees at funerals and weddings.
New Premier Perrottet says the changes are able to be made because of the sacrifices and efforts made by the people of NSW to hit the 70 per cent double dose milestone.
“We’ve always said vaccination is the key to our freedom and the sacrifices and the efforts of people right across New South Wales have ensured that we can open up as quickly and safely as possible,” Perrottet said.
As such, from Monday, 11 October:
Swimming pools will reopen for swimming lessons, squad training, lap swimming and rehab activities
The number of people allowed to visit homes will double from five to 10 people
Up to 30 people will be permitted to gather together outdoors
Weddings and funerals can have up to 100 people in attendance
In addition, Premier Perrottet has brought forward the reopening of all schools, with all students to return to class by the 25 October.
Changes have also been made to what will happen once 80 per cent of the state’s eligible population is fully vaccinated.
Once that happens, masks will no longer need to be worn in the office, outdoor venues will be allowed to apply for an exemption to the 5,000 person cap for major events, and more people will be allowed to gather in homes and outdoors generally.
“I want to thank every single person right across New South Wales,” Perrottet said.
“This is not over, but to get to 70 per cent is incredibly successful for everybody right across New South Wales.
“If we continue to work together, if we continue to make the effort and make the sacrifices that we have all been making, New South Wales will be open again.”
In addition, Deputy Premier Paul Toole said workers in regional areas who have received one vaccination dose will be permitted to return to their workplace from October 11 and will be given a grace period until November 1 to receive their second dose.
"This move ensures we get businesses in the regions re-open and local economies buzzing again. It's about ensuring we make this a roadmap that works for everyone,” Toole said.
Confirmation that businesses will be able to reopen on Monday are a cause for celebration within the business and broader community according to Business NSW chief executive Daniel Hunter.
“We have reached the milestone quicker than initially expected, thanks to the community across NSW stepping up, and as a result, business can re-open,” Hunter said.
“Premier Perrottet has also confirmed that when we reach the 80 per cent milestone, masks won’t be required to be worn in office environments. That will have a huge impact on the return to work procedures of many businesses and will provide a big boost to the various CBD’s across the state."
“Next Monday is being called ‘back-to-business day’ because that’s what it is for hundreds of thousands of business owners and their employees across our state."
Updated at 9.29am AEDT on 7 October 2021.
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Vaccination soon mandatory for WA resource workers
The Western Australian government has made COVID-19 vaccinations mandatory for all workers in mining, oil and gas exploration, as well as visitors to operations and fly in fly out (FIFO) workers from December.
The State has also made the jab mandatory for all workers at regional and remote mine sites, in addition to people who run critical infrastructure, which includes remote train and port control.
Workers must receive their first dose by 1 December to continue accessing their workplace, and be fully vaccinated by 2022.
Employers will be responsible for recording the vaccination status of their employees, with exemptions for approved medical reasons.
WA Premier Mark McGowan said he was urging workers to get vaccinated.
"To all the impacted workers who have done their share throughout the pandemic, stay the course and heed the health advice. I'm urging you to take this next step and get the COVID vaccine now," said McGowan.
"We've worked with industry along the way and what is not lost on all of us is that because the resources sector was able to operate during the height of the pandemic, Western Australians have benefited and enjoyed freedoms other places in the country cannot.”
To accommodate the shift, the State government is opening a pop-up vaccination clinic at Perth Airport on 11 October, encouraging FIFO workers to get the jab on their way to and from work.
The new move will address risks posed by the movement of resource workers and aims to protect Aboriginal people in remote communities, as well employees.
"If a resources worker became infected with COVID-19 and the virus was then transmitted to one of our remote Aboriginal communities where people are very vulnerable to the illness, the consequences would be disastrous,” Health Minister Roger Cook said.
"We want to avoid that dreadful scenario and ensure all Western Australians are protected.
"So, my message for resources sector workers is 'Roll up for WA' - and do your bit to protect yourself, your loved ones and your community."
Vaccines to be required in all City of Melbourne facilities
All staff, contractors and visitors attending City of Melbourne operated facilities must be fully vaccinated from Friday, 5 November as part of the Victorian capital's push to reopen safely from COVID-19 restrictions.
City of Melbourne CEO Justin Hanney announced the mandate today, which will apply to any City-run site including libraries, recreation centres, community facilities and administration offices like Town Hall.
"We believe that COVID-19 vaccination is the best way to reopen our city, while protecting the health, safety and wellbeing of our staff and our broader community. Our people have overwhelmingly told us they agree," Hanney said.
"As we continue to provide essential services and support our community, we want to ensure the City of Melbourne is a safe and healthy place to work, and our facilities remain safe places to visit.
"This is a complex decision that we have not made lightly, and we’re currently working through next steps."
The mandate does not apply to those with a valid medical exemption.
Updated at 9.41am AEST on 6 October 2021.
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Victorian construction restarts amidst record daily case numbers of 1,763 COVID infections
After restrictions on the Victorian construction sector eased overnight permitting some workers to return to sites today, the state hit a new daily case record of 1,763 new locally acquired COVID-19 infections this morning.
This represents the highest daily record for any Australian jurisdiction since the pandemic began, and comes as four people with COVID-19 died in the last 24 hours.
Despite the large number of cases recorded in Victoria every day the state is trucking along with its plans to reopen swathes of the economy, beginning with the construction sector which exited a two-week pause overnight.
As of 11.59pm on Monday, 4 October, the construction industry was allowed to reopen as long as all workers carried an Authorised Worker Permit and had received at least one COVID-19 vaccine dose.
In addition, every construction site in Victoria must also have a designated and fully-trained COVID Marshal to ensure compliance with the Chief Health Officer’s directions.
As part of the reopening of the sector, up to five workers and a supervisor will be able to work onsite for small scale projects, while large scale sites can have up to 25 per cent of workers on the ground.
Further, if crib rooms meet best practice and the entire workforce is fully vaccinated, large scale construction sites can have up to 50 per cent of workers onsite.
Projects on the State Critical Infrastructure list will operate at 100 per cent as long as crib rooms follow best practice guidelines.
Subject to continued high levels of compliance by the industry, workforce caps will progressively increase. At the 70 per cent double dose milestone, large scale construction can return to 100 per cent of its workforce.
Caps will be removed when Victoria reaches its 80 per cent target, and in addition, all onsite workers must be fully vaccinated by 13 November.
“We’ve worked really hard with the industry to ensure they can reopen safely – but the message is clear: we won’t tolerate it operating in a way that puts the rest of our community at risk,” Victorian Treasurer and Minister for Industrial Relations Tim Pallas said.
“I want to thank the large number of men and women from the construction sector who have gone and got vaccinated, and if you haven’t booked your jab – get it done today.”
SA border communities under tightened COVID-19 restrictions
Three border communities in the southeast of South Australia were placed under Level 3 restrictions at 4pm yesterday, giving health authorities time to trace the movements of a Mount Gambier resident who tested positive to COVID-19.
The local government areas (LGAs) of Mount Gambier City, District Council of Grant and Wattle Range Council saw the new restrictions introduced yesterday which cap gathering numbers in the home and in venues.
New restrictions for Mount Gambier City, District Council of Grant and Wattle Range Council:
One per four square metre density for all defined public activities
No communal consumption facilities
Seated food and beverage consumption only
COVID Management Plan events of more than 1,000 people outside only
Shisha ban
Masks for high risk settings, passenger transport services, health care services and personal care services (except for the person receiving the service, if necessary for the provision of the personal care service)
Restrictions on dancing and singing
Gathering at home cap: Residents plus two people (gatherings at residential premises, including residents of residential premises)
Private activity cap: 10 people (private activities at non-residential premises)
Masks for shared indoor public places (except bridal parties during ceremonies) and indoor fitness facilities (except while exercising).
Updated at 8.40am AEST on 5 October 2021.
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Universities praise TGA recognition of new vaccines to help international student recovery
One of the hardest-hit sectors during the pandemic received welcome news today when the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) announced it would recognise two vaccines that are widely used around the globe - Coronavac (Sinovac) and Covishield (AstraZeneca/Serum Institute of India).
The recognition has far-reaching ramifications for the international students who contribute to one of Australia's largest export industries, as it means if they've had these vaccines they will be able to enter the country once borders reopen under a one-week home quarantine scheme.
The two vaccines have been administered in two of Australia's largest sources of international students - China and India - but Sinovac is also used in Thailand, Cambodia, the Philippines, Indonesia, Mexico, Brazil, Colombia, Chile, Ecuador, Paraguay, Egypt, Libya, Oman, Turkey, the Ukraine and elsewhere.
Group of Eight chief executive Vicki Thomson said the decision gives certainty to Australia’s international students.
"This is a major milestone in ensuring a smooth transition for their return to Australian campuses, when the Federal and State Governments deem it safe to do so," Thomson said.
"Importantly, we can now provide clear advice to our international students, who while continuing their studies offshore have had to rely on the vaccines made available to them."
The Group of Eight, Australia’s leading research-intensive universities which enroll the majority of international students, wrote to the Minister for Health Greg Hunt last week, seeking urgent advice on the Government’s position on the vaccination requirements for international students.
"The Go8 has around 30,000 international students studying offshore, they have stuck by our world class universities during the pandemic with the expectation that they can eventually be back in Australia to resume their studies on campus," Thomson said.
"Today’s announcement will provide a much-needed boost to our international student community.
"The recent announcement of the phased return of international students into NSW by the end of the year is also welcome and a key step forward in Australia’s post pandemic recovery."
She explained international students comprised a significant proportion of research cohorts studying in key areas such as engineering, information technology and agriculture.
"Without these students, Australia risks suffering skills gaps in the very areas that we are increasingly going to need to be competitive in a post-pandemic environment," Thomson said.
"We are especially pleased to see the emphasis on safety in the NSW Government’s announcement. While we have been strong advocates for the importance of international students to our community and economy, we have also always emphasised the need to maintain safety by following the expert health advice."
Updated at 4:49pm AEST on 1 October 2021.
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International travel restrictions to be lifted for vaccinated Australians in November
International travel is on track to reopen for fully vaccinated Australian travellers under Phase C of the National Plan, with Prime Minister Scott Morrison expecting a new system to be rolled out in November with proof of vaccination documents.
"It will be time very soon that we'll be able to open those international borders again," the Prime Minister told a press conference this afternoon.
The new arrangements include seven-day home quarantine for returning Australian citizens and permanent residents who are fully vaccinated, but this will only be valid with vaccinations that are recognised by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA).
In positive news for many Australians struck overseas and also for the higher education sector, the TGA took steps today towards recognising the commonly used Sinovac and Covishield vaccines.
People who are unable to be vaccinated, for example if they are under 12 or have a medical condition, will be treated as vaccinated for the purposes of travel.
The implementation of the home quarantine plan is still subject to the results of home quarantine pilot programs in New South Wales and South Australia.
For arriving travellers who are unvaccinated the standard 14-day managed quarantine would apply.
States and territories are however set to begin this program at different times given their varying vaccination rates, but Morrison said when they hit the 80 per cent vaccination target and move into Phase C the caps at airports will be lifted.
"We've already got the technology and the other things in place that will support those states being able under Phase C of the plan to enable their residents and citizens to leave the country and return, and also those residents and Australians who are overseas to return to Australia if they are vaccinated with uncapped restrictions on their arrival in those states," the PM said.
"We're also offering facilitated commercial flights for Australians overseas into states and territories that agree to commence those home quarantine trials, and I look forward to discussing that further with my colleagues this afternoon.
"Once changes are made in November, the current overseas travel restrictions related to COVID-19 will be removed."
The government is also working towards establishing quarantine-free travel to certain countries such as New Zealand when it is safe to do so.
"Once restrictions are remove, we'll be able to access an internationally recognised proof of vaccination document - that will be in the coming weeks - to prove their vaccination status abroad, and that proof of vaccination for international travel will include a QR code that is readable globally."
Updated at 1:17pm AEST on 1 October 2021.
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Mid-October deadline set for Victorian worker vaccinations, plans slated for construction recovery
All workers on Victoria's authorised worker list will be required to have received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine by 15 October if they wish to continue working on-site, with a second dose necessary by 26 November.
Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews made this announcement today for workers in both Melbourne and regional Victoria, after the state recorded 1,143 new locally acquired COVID-19 cases and three deaths from the virus.
"Yesterday's case numbers [1,438] I think took a lot of people by surprise. It's probably fair to say that many people would have been quite concerned, scared even, to see a number as high as that," the Premier said.
"Today obviously is less than that, and we're pleased, although we shouldn't underestimate the challenge that 1,143 COVID patients present for whether it be our hospitals in the ultimate sense, contact tracers, all the other support services, and of course the challenge that they'll face having to isolate away."
The Premier emphasised the new vaccination requirements were not about stopping people from going to work, but making sure the state can open up safely.
"These steps are not taken lightly, but they are critically important," Andrews said.
"The good news is that many, many of those around 1 million to 1.25 million authorised workers will already have had a first dose; a bunch of them will have had two doses - this is about making sure that we go that extra mile to protect the roadmap to opening.
"We know that vaccination is our way through this. Vaccination is the most effective weapon against getting infected, and then if you do happen to get infected...it is the most effective tool against becoming really, really sick."
To ensure authorised workers can receive their vaccine in time, the state government is also expanding its GP and pharmacy grant program to priority local government areas (LGAs) in regional Victoria and doubling the number of grants available for the existing LGAs.
This will provide more of Victoria's primary care network with $4,000 and $10,000 grants.
"We've been well oversubscribed, and we're going to fund in the first instance all of those who have applied, so it's around another 90 to 100 GP surgeries and pharmacy businesses that will receive those grants that will allow them to employ more staff to operate longer hours, to perhaps rent some space where their clinic or their pharmacy business is not quite big enough to be able to run essentially a mini-vax hub," Premier Andrews said.
"I don't know [if] there's any other state doing this. We're very pleased to partner with both the AMA (Australian Medical Association), the College of General Practice, individual GPs, the Pharmacy Guild and of course pharmacists who are doing a fantastic job.
"These are simple, common-sense partnerships that will mean more jabs in more arms."
Victoria will also have a walk-up Moderna blitz from 4 October to 10 October at the following sites:
Melton Vaccination Hub (Bunnings)
Sunshine Vaccination Hub
Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre
Royal Exhibition Building
Sandown Racecourse Vaccination Centre
Frankston Community Vaccination Hub
Plenty Ranges Arts and Convention Centre
Dandenong Palm Plaza
Former Ford Factor Campbellfield
La Trobe University site in Bundoora
St Francis Xavier College Officer Campus
"If you’ve been putting it off or waiting to get vaccinated, don’t wait any longer. The best vaccine is the vaccine you can get today and we all need to do our bit to protect the community and get back to the things we love," added Minister for Health, Martin Foley.
COVIDSafe reopening plan announced for Victorian construction
The Victorian Government has also announced an easing of restrictions for the construction industry from 11.59pm on Monday, 4 October, following close collaboration between the government, industry and unions.
In order to work on-site, all workers will need to continue to carry an Authorised Worker Permit and have had at least one vaccine dose. Every construction site in Victoria must also have a designated fully trained COVID Marshal to ensure compliance with the Chief Health Officer‘s directions.
Prior to reopening, operators will be required to attest that they have implemented the CHO directions and every site will need to have an up to date vaccination register available for compliance checks at all times.
In order to make this process as easy as possible, an online portal will soon be available on the Service Victoria website so these documents are accessible for both the operator and compliance teams.
Crib facilities may be used for the consumption of food and drink with strict density requirements and additional ventilation.
Up to five workers and a supervisor will be able to work on-site for small scale construction projects, and large scale sites can have up to 25 per cent of workers on-site. If crib rooms meet best practice and the entire workforce is fully vaccinated, large scale construction sites can have up to 50 per cent of workers on-site.
Projects on the State Critical Infrastructure list will operate at 100 per cent as long as crib rooms follow best practice guidelines.
Subject to continued high levels of compliance by the industry, workforce caps will progressively increase. At our 70 per cent double dose milestone, large scale construction can return to 100 per cent of its workforce.
Caps will be removed when Victoria reaches its 80 per cent target, and in addition, all on-site workers must be fully vaccinated by 13 November.
Fully vaccinated workers can travel between metropolitan Melbourne and regional Victoria in order to work on-site.
Workers on state critical projects or large scale construction can also travel between metropolitan Melbourne and regional Victoria if they have had a single dose, take an initial test before their first travel, then test twice per week until fully vaccinated.
To allow all sites to remobilise, workers who have had at least one vaccination dose will be able to enter a site prior to 5 October in order to undertake crib facility improvements, participate in a reinduction or receive deliveries.
As part of the re-opening, we expect the construction industry to comply with directions in full.
Teams of Authorised Workers will conduct checks to enforce directions, and penalties will be in place for builders and site operators that do not comply – including site shutdowns for significant or repeated breaches.
"A massive effort has gone into getting the 18,000 strong Big Build workforce vaccinated and project sites ready to return to work in compliance with new construction public health orders," Minister for Transport Infrastructure, Jacinta Allan said.
"This is a challenging time for Victoria, and we are focused on keeping our sites safe – to slow the spread of coronavirus, and continuing to build big for Victoria."
"I want to thank the large number of men and women from the construction sector who have gone and got vaccinated, and if you haven’t booked your jab – get it done today," Minister for Industrial Relations, Tim Pallas, said.
Updated at 12:27pm AEST on 1 October 2021.
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North Kirra, Greenmount surf clubs among exposure sites as QLD records three new cases
Correction: The original version of this article incorrectly stated the Kirra Beach Surf Club was an exposure site, based on the CHO's announcement that the 'Kirra Surf Club' was a site. However, Queensland Health's updated list reveals the location in question was in fact the Greenmount Beach Surf Club.
Two iconic locations in the southern Gold Coast are among new COVID-19 exposure sites listed after a locally acquired case was active in the area while infectious for four days from 25 September.
Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has called on people in the area to come forward for testing if they have any symptoms, with Chief Health Officer Dr Jeannette Young noting one new case attended the North Kirra Surf Lifesaving Club, the Kirra Surf Club [since clarified as Greenmount Beach Surf Club], Timezone, local cafés and Woolworths at the Strand.
The individual is linked to the aviation training facility cluster and is believed to have caught the virus while at the office, after which he went to the Gold Coast with his family and stayed at the Iconic Kirra Beach Resort.
There were three new COVID-19 cases in total reported this morning, one of whom was in hotel quarantine and is not believed to be a risk to the state, and another who acquired the virus interstate and had been in the Queensland community for one day on 29 September.
"This is a gentleman who travels up and down from New South Wales picking up animals and relocating them, so he was infectious in the community for a short time in the Gold Coast when he was picking up an animal there - he was contacted by New South Wales health that he was a positive case," Dr Young said.
Queenslanders have responded positively to calls to get the current outbreak under control with 19,764 tests conducted yesterday.
"That gives us an added layer of confidence at this stage but we do want to see continual high rates of testing to make sure we do not have any community transmission," the Premier said.
"What's really important at the moment, and the fundamental reason we are not in lockdown, is because we do not have any seeding or unlinked community transmission.
"If we do see any unlinked community transmission I'm quite sure Dr Young will not hesitate to recommend a lockdown."
Queensland Health administered 21,712 vaccines yesterday, taking the state total to two million so far, equating to 65.72 per cent of the state's population that has received at least one dose and 46.74 per cent with two doses.
"Don't forget all of our hubs accept walk-ins, so if you have not had your vaccine, today is the day to go and get your vaccine.
"If you don't go to the vaccination hubs, go and see one of your local GPs or of course the pharmacies are administering that as well."
The news follows Queensland's implementation of Stage 2 restrictions in the local government areas of Brisbane, the Gold Coast, Moreton Bay, Logan, Townsville and Palm Island from 4pm yesterday for a timeframe of two weeks.
Updated at 10:34am AEST on 1 October 2021.
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Kyogle and Narromine in lockdown until 11 October
The regional local government areas (LGAs) of Kyogle and Narromine in New South Wales have seen stay-at-home orders introduced overnight due to an increased COVID-19 public health risk and will stay in lockdown until 11 October.
The restrictions will also apply to anyone who has been in the northern rivers region of Kyogle since 21 September and the central NSW town of Narromine since 28 September.
Everyone in the two LGAs must stay at home unless it is for an essential reason, which includes shopping for food, medical care, getting vaccinated, compassionate needs, exercise and work or tertiary education.
“NSW Health will continue to closely monitor the evolving situation with COVID-19 and will not hesitate to update its advice to protect the health and wellbeing of the people of NSW,” NSW Health said.
“We urge people throughout NSW to continue to come forward for testing at the first sign of even mild symptoms. To find your nearest clinic visit COVID-19 clinics or contact your GP.”
Updated at 9.28am AEST on 1 October 2021.
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NSW to continue funding JobSaver when vaccine targets hit, lockdown extended for 18 regional LGAs
The New South Wales government will continue to support the JobSaver program even once the 80 per cent double vaccination target is hit, albeit on a lower level in lieu of Federal Government plans to withdraw the support payments.
It comes as stay-at-home orders for 18 regional local government areas (LGAs) in NSW are extended until 11 October due to the ongoing COVID-19 public health risk, and the introduction of lockdown restrictions for the Snowy Monaro region from 3pm today.
The state government’s plan for JobSaver, a program designed to assist NSW businesses in maintaining employee headcount, will see it continue payments without Federal Government contribution.
When NSW reaches the 70 per cent double dose vaccination rate JobSaver payments will be tapered from 40 per cent to 30 per cent of weekly payroll.
However, at 80 per cent, the joint Commonwealth and NSW JobSaver payments will cease, but the state will continue to fund its 50 per cent contribution but tapered from 30 per cent to 15 per cent of weekly payroll.
Eventually, all JobSaver payments will end on 30 November, coinciding with the relaxation of restrictions.
The announcement follows the Federal Government's announcement it would phase out COVID-19 disaster payments once state and territory governments achieve certain vaccination targets.
Once jurisdictions hit the 80 per cent fully vaccinated milestone the temporary disaster payments will step down over a period of two weeks before ending.
NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian said the extension of JobSaver would work alongside the state’s roadmap out of lockdown, giving businesses certainty until the beginning of December when most restrictions will be eased.
“The continuation of JobSaver over the next two months will give businesses across NSW the financial boost they need to get them through the challenge of re-opening their doors,” Berejiklian said.
“The light at the end of the tunnel is so close, and this support will help see businesses and workers out to the other side and prepare them for re-launch.”
The state government also announced today that once NSW reaches the 80 per cent double vaccination target the micro-business grant will continue to be available at a rate of $750 a fortnight, before ceasing on 30 November.
The jointly-funded Commonwealth and NSW government business support package, including JobSaver, has provided a $7 billion financial lifeline to businesses over the past three months.
Over the next two months, this support will increase to almost $12 billion provided to NSW businesses to make it through the Delta outbreak.
Regional LGAs see lockdown extended
Due to ongoing outbreaks of COVID-19, 18 regional local government areas (LGAs) will remain under lockdown until 11 October.
Stay-at-home orders will be extended for the following LGAs until 11 October: Bathurst Regional, Bourke, City of Broken Hill, Central Coast, City of Cessnock, Dubbo Regional, Eurobodalla, Goulburn Mulwaree, Kiama, City of Lake Macquarie, City of Lithgow, City of Maitland, City of Newcastle, Port Stephens, Queanbeyan-Palerang Regional, City of Shellharbour, City of Shoalhaven, and Wingecarribee.
Due to the recent transmission of COVID-19, stay-at-home orders will be introduced for the Snowy Monaro LGA from 3pm today for seven days. These stay-at-home orders also apply to anyone who has been to the Snowy Monaro LGA since 22 September.
Meanwhile, the LGAs of Mid-Western Regional, Hilltops and Walgett will emerge from lockdown tomorrow as scheduled.
For the Central Darling Shire Council, stay-at-home orders will be lifted from tomorrow, with the exceptions of Wilcannia and Menindee. Stay-at-home orders will be extended in Menindee for a further seven days and in Wilcannia until 11 October.
Updated at 12.28pm AEST on 30 September 2021.
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QLD Premier hopes to avoid lockdown with stricter rules for 6 LGAs including Brisbane, Gold Coast
Three local government areas (LGA) in Southeast Queensland along with Townsville and Palm Island will go back to Stage 2 restrictions under the state's COVID Safe Future roadmap, as authorities grow concerned about emerging clusters of the virus after six local community cases were reported overnight.
The changes will be in place for two weeks starting from 4pm today in Brisbane, the Gold Coast, Moreton Bay, Logan and the two aforementioned North Queensland areas, and include a return to the one person per four square metres rule in restaurants and cafes, a cap of 30 on household visitors including residents, and a 100-person limit at weddings and funerals.
Capacity at sporting events will decrease to 75 per cent, including Sunday’s NRL Grand Final at Suncorp Stadium, while dancing will also be banned at venues, except for weddings where a maximum of 20 people are allowed to dance.
"I think everyone realises that we've got to put these restrictions in place if we are to avoid a lockdown at this stage," Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said in a press conference this morning.
"I'm quite sure that we will be able to get through this like we did previously if we all do the right thing," she said.
"The next 24-48 hours is absolutely crucial."
Health Minister Yvette D'Ath urged Queenslanders to get tested for COVID-19 and highlighted wait times for testing were very short. She also reiterated yesterday's announcement that all clinics in the Sunshine State had now pivoted to offering walk-in vaccinations.
Queensland currently has the second-lowest double-dose vaccination rate in the country at 46.7 per cent as of today, putting it in a relatively challenging position compared to other states and territories for a prospective opening.
Chief Health Officer Dr Jeannette Young said four of the six new cases were linked to the aviation cluster.
"We think the event where all these people were exposed and got infected happened on the 20th of September," she said, explaining it was likely people from the cluster started being infectious in the community on 21 September.
Dr Young said there were people from the aviation cluster residing in the Brisbane suburb of Hamilton, Biggera Waters on the Gold Coast, North Lakes and Eatons Hill in Moreton Bay, and Townsville.
"Seven of them are currently in Queensland, one of them is currently in New South Wales, and as a result of those people being out infectious in the community from the 21st, we have multiple exposure venues across Brisbane, Moreton Bay, Gold Coast and Townsville," she said.
Queensland Health continues to update its list of exposure sites, with several locations recently added in Brisbane City, Spring Hill, Hamilton, Carindale and Cannon Hill in Brisbane, as well as the Gold Coast suburbs of Mermaid Waters, Merrimac, Surfers Paradise and Nerang.
The two unlinked cases announced today include a Camp Hill woman who travelled to the NSW town of Kyogle where she came into contact with a known case, and a Queensland resident who flew from Melbourne to Brisbane on a Virgin Australia flight on 27 September and went into hotel quarantine and got tested as per the protocol.
"She has Delta that is not clustering with any known case in Queensland which is to be expected as we believe she's acquired that when she's been in Melbourne, so we will be out to look at her whole genome sequence against those sequences circulating in Melbourne," Dr Young said.
"Although we haven't seen any community cases expand out from any of these known clusters, there are so many of them now which is a concern, so I think it's important that we do some put some restrictions back in place as I advised the Premier this morning.
"Thank you, I know they're annoying for people, but people are so good at following them. So we know homes are the highest risk so that's why we're bringing back that maximum of 30 people in anyone's home, and we know gatherings like weddings and funerals so that's why there's the limit of 100 there, plus we need people to return to being seated when they're eating and drinking.
"Keep your mask on unless you're seated and eating or drinking."
Updated at 10:51am AEST on 30 September 2021.
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Victorian businesses to receive a further $2.3 billion in lead-up to reopening
Victorian businesses are set to receive $2.27 billion worth of grants in a new package funded by the Commonwealth and State governments, adding to $6.6 billion committed since July to help cover wages, rent, utilities and other costs during lockdown.
The news follows yesterday's announcement from Federal Treasurer Josh Frydenberg about how COVID-19 disaster payments will be wound back once states and territories hit vaccination targets.
The state has also crossed the 1,000-mark for new daily cases of COVID-19, as the Victorian Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) this morning reported 1,438 new cases for yesterday; well in excess of the numbers in New South Wales where the current Delta wave began.
But the state is pressing on with its Roadmap to Deliver the National Plan, with the latest funding aimed at supporting around 160,000 businesses through the next six weeks until Victoria is expected to reach 80 per cent vaccination - a milestone due to be reached on 5 November, after a 70 per cent target is likely hit by 26 October.
Around 24,000 eligible businesses will receive automatic Business Costs Assistance Program grants ranging from $1,000 to $8,400 per week, rising according to payroll, until the end of October.
Businesses that remain closed or severely restricted over the first two weeks of November will also receive automatic payments for that period.
More than 9,000 eligible cafes, restaurants, hotels and bars across Victoria will receive automatic Licensed Hospitality Venue Fund payments of between $5,000 and $20,000 per week until the end of October.
Licensed Hospitality Venue Fund payments will continue for the first half of November, set at reduced rates to reflect lower restrictions in place at that stage under Victoria’s Roadmap.
The package will also enable a further 30,000 businesses to receive a one-off $20,000 payment through the Small Business COVID Hardship Fund, taking the number of recipients to 65,000.
Treasurer Josh Frydenberg said today's package is on top of the Federal Government's more than $45 billion in direct economic support to Victorian households and businesses since the start of the pandemic.
"The Morrison Government understands the significant impact lockdowns and border closures have had on small and medium businesses across Victoria which is why safely opening up in line with the plan agreed at National Cabinet is so important," Frydenberg said.
"We can’t eliminate the virus, we need to learn to live with it in a COVID-safe way. Our economy has bounced back strongly before once restrictions are eased and is well positioned to do so again when lockdowns lift."
The Victorian Government has to date provided more than $10 billion in direct financial support for businesses over the course of the pandemic – before today’s new $1.1 billion commitment to the joint package.
Victorian Treasurer Tim Pallas said the funding will ensure businesses have the best chance of sustaining the final weeks of lockdown and recovering strongly.
“Victorian businesses have endured so much over the past 20 months and they’ve been amazingly resilient as we’ve faced challenge after challenge," Pallas said.
"We are opening up and our Roadmap shows us how we get there – this jointly funded package will underpin businesses across the state, help them to keep their workers on and plan for a really positive future.”
“We know that the bills don’t stop just because revenue does and we are proud to stand with the businesses that form the backbone of our economy.”
Victorian Minister for Industry Support and Recovery Martin Pakula said the funding for business was an important part of a comprehensive plan for re-opening.
“Vaccination is our way out of the pandemic and as more and more Victorians roll up their sleeves, those key double-dose targets are in sight,” Pakula said.
“Once we open up, it’s vital for everyone that we can stay open. That’s businesses owners, their workers and suppliers and their customers," he said.
“The Vaccinated Economy trials starting in little over 10 days will be another important step for businesses as we move steadily and safely to greater freedoms.”
According to Covid19data.com.au, 53.4 per cent of the Australian population aged 16 years and over has received a COVID-19 vaccine, with the percentage slightly lower at 50.4 per cent for the population aged 12 years and over.
These percentages however are distorted by a much higher vaccination rate in Australia's most populous state of NSW, where 62.9 per cent of people aged 16 or older have had two doses. This compares to 63.2 per cent in the Australian Capital Territory, 57.8 per cent in Tasmania, 51.9 per cent in the Northern Territory, 49.1 per cent in Victoria, 49 per cent in South Australia, 45.9 per cent in Western Australia, and 46.2 per cent in Queensland
Updated at 9:42am AEST on 30 September 2021.
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COVID disaster payments to be wound back once vaccination targets are hit
The Federal Government's stop-gap to deal with the end of JobKeeper now has its own horizon, with COVID-19 disaster payments to be transitioned out once a state or territory achieves vaccination targets for its population aged 16 years and older.
More than $9 billion of these payments have been made to around two million Australians since they were announced in June, with eligible recipients currently receiving $750 if they have lost over 20 hours of work.
People who have lost between eight and 20 hours of work per week are receiving $450, and those on income support payments who lost more than eight hours are getting $200 million.
But today Treasurer Josh Frydenberg has revealed how the payments will be wound up as the country moves into Phase B of the National Plan agreed to at National Cabinet.
"Once a state or territory reaches 70 per cent full vaccination, the automatic renewal of the temporary payment will end and individuals will have to reapply each week that a Commonwealth Hotspot remains in place to confirm their eligibility," the Treasurer said.
"In line with the movement into Phase C of the National Plan, where a Commonwealth Hotspot remains in place and a state or territory reaches 80 per cent full vaccination of its population (16 years and older), the temporary payment will step down over a period of two weeks before ending.
"In the first week after a state or territory has reached 80 per cent vaccination there will be a flat payment of $450 for those who have lost more than eight hours of work, while those on income support will receive $100."
In the second week after this milestone has been reached, the payment will be bought into line with JobSeeker at $320 for the week for those who have lost more than eight hours of work, while the payment will end for those on income support.
"For those who haven’t already returned to the workforce following the end of the temporary payment as the economy opens up, the social security system will support eligible individuals back into work," Frydenberg said.
"The Government will also leave in place the Pandemic Leave Disaster Payment until 30 June 2022.
"Since the start of the pandemic the Morrison Government has provided $291 billion in direct economic support to households and businesses."
Updated at 5:46pm AEST on 29 September 2021.
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Delta outbreak “halted” Australian airline recovery, ACCC reports
For the first time in recorded history flights in and out of Sydney Airport (ASX: SYD) were not in the monthly top 10 busiest Australian routes in July as the COVID-19 Delta outbreak brought the domestic airline industry to a standstill.
According to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission’s (ACCC) latest Airline Competition in Australia report, passenger numbers in July 2021 plunged to 23 per cent of pre-pandemic levels.
For comparison, the domestic travel sector had somewhat recovered in April 2021 and was operating at a peak of 68 per cent of pre-pandemic levels.
The ACCC’s report also expects passenger numbers for August and September 2021 to be even lower than those recorded in July.
“The Delta outbreak has hit the domestic airline industry hard, and it has unfortunately halted the airlines’ recovery just as they were starting to approach pre-pandemic levels of flying,” ACCC chair Rod Sims said.
Qantas (ASX: QAN), Jetstar, Virgin and Rex combined were forced to cancel one in three flights in July 2021, which is the highest cancellation rate since April 2020.
Weekly passenger numbers in Victoria fell 91 per cent from mid-May to early June, and in NSW they dropped 97 per cent between mid-June and the end of July.
The ACCC notes that routes in and out of Sydney Airport were not in the top 10 busiest routes in July 2021, despite it normally being Australia’s busiest airport.
Instead, intra-state Queensland routes were the busiest, with Brisbane to Cairns, Townsville and Mackay among the most popular.
“With many state borders closed, those that could fly were doing so closer to home,” Sims said.
“July was the first time that Sydney hasn’t been among the 10 busiest routes in the country, which is a sign of the state of the industry.”
The report also details how the ACCC has heard concerns from some airlines that airports are looking to increase charges in order to recover lost profits from the pandemic - actions that would be inconsistent with the Australian Government’s Aeronautical Pricing Principles.
“We would be very concerned if the major Australian airports sought to use their monopoly position to charge airlines excessive prices in order to recover any lost profits from the pandemic,” Sims said.
“This could limit an already vulnerable sector’s ability to recover, and impact on both consumers and the economy.”
Updated at 11.37am AEST on 29 September 2021.
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NSW sees record-breaking retail lows in August
In a predictable response to the ongoing east coast lockdowns, retail figures released yesterday by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) have shown another marked fall in retail sales around the country, with record-breaking lows recorded in some states in August.
Most dire is the fall of 3.5 per cent in NSW to the state's lowest monthly levels since April 2020 when the pandemic first hit.
The statistics mark the third consecutive monthly fall in turnover this year for the state, following a drop of 2.7 per cent in July and 1.8 per cent in June.
August saw a decrease in spending across almost every major industry nationally, including clothing, footwear and personal accessory retailing (down 15.7 per cent), cafes, restaurants and takeaway food services (down 7.0 per cent), department stores (down 10.2 per cent), and household goods retailing (down 2.3 per cent).
“Retail turnover continues to be negatively impacted by lockdown restrictions, with each of the eastern mainland states experiencing falls in line with their respective level of restrictions,” ABS director of quarterly economy wide surveys Ben James said.
"In direct contrast, states with no lockdowns performed well with Western Australia and South Australia enjoying strong rises as physical stores were open for trade.”
Turnover in South Australia rose by 6.6 per cent, bouncing back strongly from a short lockdown in late July.
The most obvious disparity is between Victoria’s 2020 and 2021 records, with sales in Victoria up 14.6 per cent on August 2020 levels when the state was weathering its second wave.
Online shopping – which showed a rise of 0.8 per cent - has received attention most notably for the burdens the ongoing trend has imposed on the national shipping system. Delivery companies like Australia Post have experienced “major backlogs” across the country as they struggle to meet with a sharp increase in demand, and manage freight workers being forced into quarantine.
Though generally retail figures have taken a hit, certain players have been more insulated than others.
Perhaps representing a mass reconfiguration of lifestyle during the lockdown seasons, leisurewear and sleepwear recorded significant profits when compared to adjacent industries.
Premier Investments (ASX: PMV) – the parent company of Peter Alexander - recently saw its sales rise by 18.7 per cent to reach $1.4 billion.
Similarly, JB Hi-Fi saw a boom in consumer activity as Australians rushed to keep themselves entertained at home, noting a significant growth of online sales of 93 per cent to $780 million during FY21.
Australian Retailers Association CEO Paul Zahra expressed hope the sector would recover toward the busier Christmas spending period, “when most discretionary retailers make up to two-thirds of their profits for the year.”
However, uncertainty hangs over whether that crucial period can deliver on expected gains.
“Unfortunately, there’s little consistency across the three reopening plans, which means there are different trigger points for when businesses can get back up and running again,” Zahra said.
“We continue to call for an earlier reopening of retail in Victoria and the ACT when 70 per cent of their populations are fully vaccinated, like what has been announced in NSW.
“It’s crucial that businesses are given every opportunity to reopen and trade at their full potential in line with COVID safety requirements.”
Updated at 10.02am AEST on 29 September 2021.
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Australia Post to pause e-commerce parcel collections in Melbourne for five days
Australia Post will pause parcel pickups, collections and lodgements from e-commerce retailers across Greater Melbourne for five days from Friday as the deliveries company manages a major backlog.
Announced overnight, the service disruption will start at 12.01am on Friday 1 October and end on 12.01am Wednesday 6 October and will not affect collections from e-commerce retailers in regional Victoria and all other states and territories.
All letters, Express Post, StarTrack Premium, StarTrack Courier, and Startrack Express deliveries remain unchanged across the network, as does processing for all international inbound and outbound.
“The safety of our people is our highest priority. This temporary measure will allow us to responsibly clear record parcel volumes while our Greater Melbourne Metro operations are impacted by major COVID-19 disruptions. Our team will continue processing parcels across the weekend in affected areas,” says Australia Post.
That pause was done to manage pressure on the Australia Post network caused by around 500 staff members in self-isolation due to the COVID-19 outbreak across the east coast.
Updated at 9.16am AEST on 29 September 2021.
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Byron and Tweed to exit lockdown tonight
The New South Wales north coast regions of Byron and Tweed will exit lockdown at midnight tonight following no further detection of COVID-19 in the local government areas (LGAs).
However, the LGA of Kempsey, which went into lockdown at the same time as Byron and Tweed, is expected to remain under stay-at-home orders for another week due to ongoing concern about COVID-19 in the region.
The LGAs of Port Macquarie and Muswellbrook are also expected to go into lockdown today, but further announcements to confirm the orders will come later this afternoon.
“These decisions are not made lightly - there’s more work to do and the public health team will be doing that work this afternoon,” NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard said.
“But I’m just putting the communities on notice that there may be a further announcement today in regard to all three of those areas or any one of those three areas, we just need to make some final decisions on that.”
Hazzard thanked the local communities of Byron and Tweed for their cooperation with the stay-at-home orders.
“Thankfully we’ve had no further cases of concern,” he said.
“The public health time has advised that they can come out of lockdown.”
The announcements come after NSW today reported 863 new locally acquired cases of COVID-19 and seven more deaths.
There are currently 1,155 cases of COVID-19 in hospital, and 213 in the intensive care unit.
Updated at 11.24am AEST on 28 September 2021.
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Mask rules change and jabs soon mandatory for truck drivers after QLD reports four new cases
With Queensland today reporting four new locally acquired cases of COVID-19, the state will reintroduce recently eased rules for mask-wearing in Brisbane and Moreton Bay, alongside mandating vaccines for truck drivers.
At a press conference this morning, QLD Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk confirmed the state’s four new COVID-19 cases - some of which had been in the community while infectious.
One of the cases is a man who works at an aviation training facility and lives in Eatons Hill in the Moreton Bay region. He was infectious in the community for three days and his wife has also contracted COVID-19.
The third case is a truck driver who was living in shared accommodation but was infectious in the community for around one week, and the fourth is a person who completed two weeks of hotel quarantine but tested positive to COVID-19 after leaving.
Palaszczuk said the QLD chief health officer Dr Jeanette Young was most concerned about the truck driver given the amount of time he spent in the community while infectious.
In response to the new cases, Premier Palaszczuk has walked back recent changes to mask-wearing in Brisbane and Moreton Bay - meaning it is again mandatory to wear a mask when inside a venue.
Further, truck drivers entering Queensland using the freight pass must have had one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine by 15 October, and a second dose received or an appointment to get one booked by 15 November.
New contact tracing locations have been added today by Queensland Health including:
Mother Duck Childcare & Kindergarten, Eatons Hill on Thursday 23 September from 7.25-8am
McDonalds Albany Creek Drive Thru on Friday 24 September from 5.05-5.10am
Seatss 'R' Us, Rocklea on Friday 24 September from 11.15-11.45am
Freedom Furniture Aspley, Friday 24 September from 4.40-5pm
Updated at 10.03am AEST on 28 September 2021.
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ACT to exit lockdown on 15 October once territory hits vaccine milestone
A new roadmap unveiled today by the Australian Capital Territory forecasts Canberrans will see lockdown lifted on 15 October when an 80 per cent full vaccination target is due to be met.
In the meantime, lockdown restrictions will continue with some minor alterations from 1 October, allowing up to five people to gather outdoors and two people to visit another household at any one time.
This will be a precursor to the lockdown lifting just over two weeks later, marking the second stage of a four-part easing of restrictions in the territory.
At that point most venues will reopen with capacity limits, gathering limits at home and outdoors will increase, and school will resume for year 11 and 12 students.
Restrictions will then ease again on 29 October, and all public health measures will align with the National Plan in late-November/early-December 2021.
While the territory is optimistic these targets will be hit, health officials will continue to monitor vaccination rates, health system capacity, case numbers and current trends, and testing rates and turnaround times before easing restrictions.
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Travel stocks fly on news international travel may resume by end of year
Shares in Qantas (ASX: QAN), Flight Centre (ASX: FLT), Webjet (ASX: WEB) and Camplify (ASX: CHL) are all trading at record highs for 2021 at the time of writing, flying high on the promise of greater freedoms come 1 December for New South Wales.
Of particular note is caravan-sharing platform Camplify, founded by two-time winner of the Australian Young Entrepreneur Award in the Hospitality and Tourism category Justin Hales, which at a current share price of $3.20 means investors who bought in on the company’s debut in June have more than doubled their money.
As of 11.45am, shares in Qantas are up 3.90 per cent, Flight Centre is up 8.08, Webjet up by 5.21 per cent, and Camplify by 8.78 per cent.
Today’s ASX movements reflect renewed confidence in US travel stocks too - last week the Dow Jones U.S. Travel & Tourism Stock Market Index (DWCTTR) rose by 11.5 per cent in just five days.
While Australian travel stocks still have a while to go until they return to pre-pandemic levels, for Qantas the rejuvenation is a far cry from its April 2020 bottom of around $3 per share.
The airline today announced changes to its flying schedule in response to the reopening plans, bringing forward the reopening date between Victoria and NSW from 1 December to 5 November, increasing regional flying within NSW from 25 October to around 40 per cent of pre-COVID levels, and delaying the restart of domestic flying between Western Australia and Victoria/NSW by two months to 1 February.
Qantas will continue to operate five return flights a week between Perth and both Sydney and Melbourne to maintain minimum connections for those with permits to travel.
Internationally, flights are still on track to gradually restart from 18 December 2021 onwards when Australia is expected to have reached National Cabinet’s ‘Phase C’ vaccination threshold of 80 per cent.
"It’s great to see plans firming up for some domestic borders opening given the success of the national vaccine rollout," Qantas CEO Alan Joyce said.
“We’re now planning to ramp up flying between Melbourne and Sydney, which is usually the second busiest air route in the world, almost a month earlier than expected. There are also a lot of regional destinations that will open up for the first time since June, which is great news for tourism as well as family and friends who can’t wait to see each other again.
“Get ready to see some emotional reunions at airports from late-October onwards."
Shareholders have every right to be excited today after NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian announced residents may be able to consider travelling overseas as soon as the 80 per cent fully vaccinated target is hit - which could come as early as the end of October.
"We believe by 1 December we will be at that COVID normal state where, hopefully, we will be booking our international travel once the PM gives that green light, we will be able to go overseas as well,” Berejiklian said.
Updated at 12.22pm AEST on 27 September 2021.
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NSW details next steps towards 1 December Freedom Day
More freedoms for residents of New South Wales are on the way in the coming months as part of the state’s three-stage reopening plan, the final two parts of which have been unveiled today by the government.
The first stage will kick into gear on 11 October when the 70 per cent double dose vaccination target is anticipated to be reached - currently, 60.1 per cent of people have received two jabs of a vaccine.
Two weeks later, NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian expects the state to hit the 80 per cent double dose vaccination target, meaning even more freedoms are just around one month away.
Berejiklian says once that target is hit, people will be allowed to travel freely throughout NSW, stand up for a drink at the pub, resume community sport and even consider international travel.
Restrictions will also be removed for fully vaccinated people attending weddings, funerals and hairdressers and unvaccinated people will be allowed to attend places of worship.
From there, Berejiklian said the third stage of the reopening will occur on 1 December 2021 - essentially the State’s ‘Freedom Day’.
By then, 90 per cent of the population will be fully vaccinated, giving health authorities the confidence to ease capacity rules to one person per four square metres, and allowing unvaccinated people to participate in daily life like those vaccinated had been enjoying a month prior.
Further, masks will also no longer be required and nightclubs will reopen.
“Thank you so much for your patience,” Berejiklian said.
“It is just this week and next week that we have to hang in there for, we’re nearly there, and let’s not give up at the last minute.
"We believe by 1 December we will be at that COVID normal state where, hopefully, we will be booking our international travel once the PM gives that green light, we will be able to go overseas as well.”
The news comes as NSW today reported 787 locally acquired cases of COVID-19 and 12 deaths.
Business NSW welcomes three-phase roadmap
New South Wales' peak business organisation Business NSW says today's confirmation of the three phases of reopening is a positive step, providing much-needed certainty to businesses.
“It’s been an uncertain time for many businesses with lots of confusion about which businesses will be able to open and under what rules,” said Business NSW Chief Executive Daniel Hunter.
“The release of the Public Health Orders in coming days will reconfirm that the onus will be on individuals to do the right thing and abide by the rules.
“Business owners can’t be expected to also act as security guards, so long as they have a COVIDSafe plan and appropriate registration in place at their entry, they can get on with the business of being in business."
Updated at 11.33am AEST on 27 September 2021.
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Gold Coast tourism sector records $1 billion in losses
Gold Coast tourism companies have lost $1 billion in visitor expenditure over the last three months compared to the same period in 2019, according to new figures released today by Destination Gold Coast.
The city's tourism body estimates local businesses will have lost $326 million in September alone - a 68 per cent decrease on pre-COVID numbers.
Since the beginning of the pandemic, 20,094 full- and part-time jobs within the sector have been lost, with a 4,000 further positions expected to be slashed by Christmas.
The tourism industry employs “one in six jobs on the Gold Coast”, says Destination Gold Coast CEO Patricia O’Callaghan, making it one of the largest drivers of employment in the area.
The Griffith Institute for Tourism previously noted a 37 per cent decrease in visitors and an expenditure decline of 47 per cent on pre-pandemic levels, primarily due to lockdowns during peak travel periods.
It is against this backdrop that O'Callaghan emphasises the industry has been "hurting".
"Our industry has been facing some of its darkest days having persevered through more than 18 months of hardship, but if we get through the next 100 days we can rebound exceptionally strongly," O'Callaghan says.
"We’ve seen support flow in from Federal and State Governments recently that’s going to go a long way, however COVID has left a hole in the pockets of our tourism operators and any additional support is always welcome from both sides of government."
The release of these latest forecasts coincide with Global Tourism Day, which Destination Gold Coast chairman Paul Donovan says would usually mark a time for celebration, but "this year looks very different".
"What’s most important is ensuring our local operators are OK," Donovan says.
In a bid to connect with industry peers experiencing losses and check, Destination Gold Coast is carrying out a walk and talk with tourism operators to "check in" on its members today.
"Fresh air, light exercise and connecting with industry peers has never been more critical," O'Callaghan says.
The tour began at Vibe Hotel, moving through the usually busy accommodation precinct of Surfers Paradise and stopping at big names like the JW Marriot before moving along the foreshore.
Hopes are high for the post-COVID era, says O’Callaghan, and she hopes the day can signal a moment of optimism for a renewed future.
“Though our norm has been well and truly shaken up, we stand shoulder-to-shoulder at every turn," she says.
Updated at 11:09am AEST on 27 September 2021.
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Regional Victoria to trial post-lockdown settings in mid-October
With Victoria expected to hit the 80 per cent first dose vaccination target tomorrow, some of the state’s regions will begin trialing the rules which will govern life after lockdown from mid-October.
Up to 20 regional areas that are highly vaccinated will take part in the trials in the fortnight before 26 October - the date when Victoria is aiming to reach the key 70 per cent full vaccination mark, triggering greater freedoms for vaccinated people.
Scheduled to start on 11 October, the trials will cover hospitality, beauty services and tourism businesses, and events such as race meetings, community celebrations and concerts, allowing higher patron numbers if all attendees are confirmed as being fully vaccinated.
The Bass Coast, Greater Bendigo, Pyrenees, Warrnambool, Buloke and East Gippsland will be the first invited to participate in the trials, as these regional hubs have high population rates and low or no COVID-19 cases.
Pending the outcomes of the first phase, a second phase of trials using 80 per cent double dose settings will be held, prior to Victoria achieving that threshold. These trials will be used to hold larger events in metropolitan Melbourne to test the systems and technologies with larger crowd sizes.
"Businesses and events are on the front line of this vital campaign to keep Victorians safe and our economy recovering strongly,” Victorian Minister for Industry Support and Recovery Martin Pakula said.
“We’ll do the work on these trials and provide businesses with the support they need to maintain and build on the gains that continue to be enabled by vaccination.”
It comes ahead of Victoria expecting to hit the 80 per cent first dose vaccination target tomorrow, enabling the State’s health authorities to recommend a “modest” easing of restrictions in metropolitan Melbourne and regional Victoria.
Residents of metropolitan Melbourne and regional areas in lockdown will be able to undertake ‘contactless’ recreation at outdoor facilities, such as boating, tennis or golf.
In regional Victoria, outdoor settings for restaurants and cafes will have their outdoor venue cap increase from 20 to 30 people. Masks may be removed if the service requires it in hair and beauty salons, so facials and beard trimmings can recommence.
The gathering size outdoors can increase to up to five adults, from two households, if all adults are fully vaccinated. The 10km radius will also expand to 15km – so exercise and shopping can take place up to 15km from the home.
Personal training will be able to take place with five fully vaccinated people outside plus a fully vaccinated trainer. The additional restrictions on playgrounds will be lifted – normal public gathering limits apply, and masks can be removed to eat and drink at the playground.
Separately, the City of Greater Geelong and Surf Coast Shire exited lockdown at 11:59pm last night – with public health teams confident that caseloads, which are largely contained to existing contacts, can be well managed by the local public health unit.
Mitchell Shire – with more than twice the number of active cases as Greater Geelong – will remain in lockdown due to its close proximity to areas of highest concern in metropolitan Melbourne.
Updated at 10.06am AEST on 27 September 2021.
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Victoria opens up pathway for stranded residents to return home
Victorians stranded in ‘extreme risk’ zones in New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory will soon have a pathway to return home, with the State Government today announcing an alteration to border crossing rules.
From 30 September, Victorians in ‘extreme risk’ zones, which includes Sydney, a number of regional hubs in NSW and Canberra, will be permitted to return home if they fit certain criteria.
They can only return if they have received two doses of a COVID-19 vaccine and can display a negative COVID-19 test 72 hours prior to leaving the ‘extreme risk’ zone.
Returnees will still have to complete 14 days of quarantine on arrival in Victoria, however they will be allowed to do that at home.
If those returning to Victoria have no safe place to quarantine on arrival, the state government will make arrangements to house them for the duration of the two weeks.
Unlike the home quarantine systems being trialed in New South Wales and South Australia, the two weeks will not be monitored by technology.
“We don’t think we need to do that,” Premier Daniel Andrews said.
“We think, however, given the number of cases that are here and the number of cases that are in New South Wales, the growing vaccination numbers and our proximity if you like to those double dose thresholds that this is proportionate and the right thing to do.
“That’s a big step forward. This has been a real inconvenience and a real challenge for those people and their families.”
The current ‘extreme risk’ zone rules will remain for Victorians who aren’t fully vaccinated, meaning they can still apply for an exemption to enter the state under the existing limited criteria.
The changes come as Victoria reported a new daily record for locally acquired COVID-19 infections today, with 766 new cases confirmed today and four deaths.
Updated at 11.53am AEST on 23 September 2021.
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Glen Innes and Orange to leave lockdown tonight
As of midnight tonight, stay-at-home orders for Glen Innes and Orange will be lifted, but the local government area (LGA) of Hilltops will remain under lockdown conditions for a further week from tomorrow.
While residents of the two LGAs will be free to leave their homes, they will be subject to some restrictions to ensure community safety.
Meanwhile, due to ongoing community transmission of COVID-19 in Hilltops, which includes the town of Young, the LGA’s lockdown will last until Friday 1 October.
“We need all people throughout NSW to continue to come forward for testing at the first sign of even mild symptoms,” NSW Health said.
"High vaccination rates are also essential to reduce the risk of transmission and protect the health and safety of the community.”
The changes to rules in regional New South Wales comes one day after stay-at-home orders lifted in Albury and Lismore, and two days after Byron, Tweed and Kempsey went back into lockdown.
Updated at 2.15pm AEST on 23 September 2021.
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Lockdown to lift tonight for Albury and Lismore
Stay-at-home orders introduced last week for the New South Wales local government areas (LGAs) of Albury and Lismore will no longer apply from midnight tonight.
However, the two LGAs will remain under some restrictions in order to ensure community safety, according to NSW Health.
“We thank the communities of Albury and Lismore for their co-operation and for coming forward for testing in large numbers,” NSW Health said.
“We need all people throughout NSW to continue to come forward for testing at the first sign of even mild symptoms. High vaccination rates are also essential to reduce the risk of transmission and protect the health and safety of the community.”
The easing of restrictions comes one day after Byron, Tweed and Kempsey went back into lockdown after COVID-19 cases were detected in the region.
Updated at 4.58pm AEST on 22 September 2021.
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Byron, Tweed and Kempsey to go back into lockdown
The northern New South Wales local government areas (LGAs) of Byron Shire, Tweed and Kempsey will go back into lockdown for one week from 5pm today after COVID-19 cases were detected in the region.
The lockdown will be implemented due to the heightened COVID-19 public health risk according to NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard.
The stay-at-home orders also apply to anyone who has been in Kempsey since 14 September, or Byron or Tweed since 18 September.
Everyone in the affected LGAs must stay at home unless it is for an essential reason, which includes shopping for food, medical care, getting vaccinated, compassionate needs, exercise and work or tertiary education if you can’t work or study at home.
People who are fully vaccinated can attend an outdoor gathering of up to five people for exercise or outdoor recreation, as long as all of those aged 16 or older are fully vaccinated.
“I encourage everybody in those areas to take this very seriously,” Hazzard said.
“So far those areas have been kept relatively safe, but we need the community to keep getting tested so that the public health team can be very certain of what we need to do at the expiration of those seven days.”
The order comes after NSW reported 1,022 new locally acquired COVID-19 cases today and 10 deaths, with most of the new cases being detected in Sydney’s west and south-west.
Updated at 11.24am AEST on 21 September 2021.
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Melbourne's construction industry shut down for two weeks
Rising COVID-19 case numbers in Victoria's construction sector has led to a shutdown of the entire industry for two weeks in metropolitan Melbourne and other local government areas (LGAs) currently in lockdown.
The change, announced overnight, comes after violent protests erupted at the industry’s main trade union office in Melbourne yesterday where multiple people were arrested.
In a statement issued by Victorian Treasurer Tim Pallas, the industry shutdown is aimed at the movement of the highly mobile workforce.
In addition, the Government is concerned about the sector’s compliance with public health measures and directions.
"We’ve been clear: if you don't follow the rules, we won't hesitate to take action – we have seen widespread non-compliance across the industry and that’s why we're taking necessary steps to protect every single Victorian,” Pallas said.
“We put the industry on notice just a week ago, we have seen appalling behaviour on site and on our streets, and now we're acting decisively and without hesitation.”
The total shutdown came into effect at midnight last night and is expected to last until 4 October.
All construction projects in metropolitan Melbourne, City of Ballarat, City of Greater Geelong, Surf Coast Shire and Mitchell Shire will be closed, with a strictly limited exemption for workers to attend the sites to respond to an emergency or perform urgent and essential work to protect health and safety.
An amnesty will be put in place so that a limited number of workers can attend construction sites in order to shut them down safely.
All government construction projects in metropolitan Melbourne and the relevant LGAs will be closed, with no new work to be completed other than work required to make the site safe and secure.
All sites will be required to demonstrate compliance with Chief Health Officer directions prior to reopening, including the requirement for workers to show evidence to their employer of having had one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine before they return to site on 5 October.
From 11.59pm 23 September, all construction workers require at least their first dose of the vaccine.
CFMEU reacts to protests
The complete shutdown of the construction industry follows a violent protest at the sector’s main trade union office in Melbourne, with demonstrators clashing over the government’s decision to make vaccines mandatory for the construction workers.
In response to the violence, the Construction, Forestry, Maritime, Mining and Energy Union (CFMEU) condemned the protests, saying the crowd was inflamed by far-right extremists.
“The CFMMEU condemns in the strongest possible terms the attack on the CFMEU Victorian Branch office and the mindless acts of violence perpetrated by members of the mob,” the CFMEU said.
“This crowd was heavily infiltrated by neo-Nazis and other right-wing extremist groups and it is clear that a minority of those who participated were actual union members.
“We thank the officials, delegates and rank-and-file members of the union who came to protect their office and their officials, and note that a number of people received minor injuries from acts of violence including the throwing of bottles.”
The union said it would continue to defend its members’ rights to work safely across Australia and would not be intimidated by far-right extremism.
“These are not actions of people who care about their workmates and the construction industry,” the CFMEU said.
“They are the actions of extremists or people manipulated by extremists.”
Updated at 9.24am AEST on 21 September 2021.
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WestInvest a "$5 billion shot in the arm" for Western Sydney
The state government has today announced the $5 billion WestInvest Fund for building new and improved facilities and local infrastructure to help communities hit hard by COVID-19.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian said the new WestInvest Fund would focus on projects that make a real difference to quality of life, help create jobs in the process, and change the face of Western Sydney for the better.
“The future of Western Sydney is bright and this announcement is a major first step along the road to recovery after a challenging year," the Premier said.
"This is about helping to rejuvenate local communities with improved parks, better open spaces, giving town centres a boost and providing opportunities to grow."
The government will put $2 billion from the fund towards high priority projects to be developed in consultation with local communities, while $3 billion will be for future projects in six areas:
Parks, urban spaces and green space;
Enhancing community infrastructure such as local sporting grounds;
Modernising local schools;
Creating and enhancing arts and cultural facilities;
Revitalising high-streets; and
Clearing local traffic.
Treasurer Dominic Perrottet said the state had received a total of $20.4 billion from the WestConnex project, following an investment of $16.8 billion, giving "headroom" for the WestInvest Fund to straight back to the people of Western Sydney.
"We know that it has been a very difficult time for Western Sydney, particularly over the last three months. Today, there are five billion reasons as to why things are going to get a whole lot better," the Treasurer said.
"This isn't just an investment in places. Above all it is an investment in our people. We want Western Sydney to be the very best."
Minister for Jobs, Investment and Tourism and Western Sydney Stuart Ayres said the funding injection would be a game-changer and a catalyst for growth.
"We've been asking people right across Western Sydney to go and get a shot in the arm to help our communities recover from COVID, to reopen our homes, our businesses, reopen our communities to the world," Minister Ayres said.
"Today the New South Wales Government is delivering Western Sydney a $5 billion shot in the arm. This is exactly what Western Sydney needs as it bounces back from the impacts of COVID.
"There’s no doubt that Western Sydney’s been at the forefront of our fight against this insidious virus. It’s impacted our communities more than any other community."
NSW reported 935 new locally acquired cases of COVID-19 today, as well as four deaths from the virus.
It was also announced the regional local government area (LGA) of Cowra would be going into a lockdown effective from 5pm today.
"Anyone who was in Cowra from the 13th of September, regardless of where they are, must adhere to the stay-at-home requirements," Chief Health Minister Dr Kerry Chant said.
"There was a nine-year-old boy who attended school in Cowra and there were a number of associated community exposures."
Updated at 12:33pm AEST on 20 September 2021
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