Record daily cases and Geelong in lockdown after Victoria unveils freedom roadmap
Victoria has hit a new daily case record from the latest COVID-19 outbreak, with 567 infections acquired locally today after the three local government areas (LGAs) of Geelong, Surf Coast and Mitchell Shire went into lockdown overnight.
However, lockdown-weary Victorians have something to look forward to now after a roadmap out of COVID-19 restrictions was delivered yesterday, detailing what life will look like once key vaccination targets are hit.
Based on expert modelling from the Burnet Institute, the roadmap is set against COVID-19 thresholds including hospitalisation rates and is subject to public health advice and health system capacity.
Over four different stages Victoria will gradually reopen, but many venues will only accept attendees that have received the vaccine.
In addition, once certain targets are hit for double-dose vaccination, public and private gatherings will be able to accommodate more people, with Premier Daniel Andrews hoping up to 30 people will be able to gather by Christmas.
“While we’re no longer aiming for COVID zero, it’s imperative we don’t jeopardise our health system as we open up – too many Victorians rely on it every day,” Andrews said.
“The COVID-19 thresholds detailed in the Roadmap will be important measures to maintain as we move through the different stages in order to safeguard the health system. There will be a “guard rail” system in place, which will allow our public health team to adjust restrictions if hospital admissions become too high.”
Andrews also said the roadmap details there will be a time at which unvaccinated Victorians will be “left behind”, but for those that do get the jab it is expected that more freedoms will be available come Summer.
“As we’ve flagged before, there will come a time when Victorians who choose not to get vaccinated will be left behind – that time has now been firmly set in the Roadmap,” Andrews said.
“When Victoria reaches 70 per cent double dose vaccination, changes will include an increase in numbers for public gatherings outdoors, funerals, weddings and religious gatherings – with larger caps for people who are fully vaccinated.”
The four stages of Victoria’s roadmap to freedom
Phase A: 80 per cent single dose
Once Victoria hits 80 per cent of its eligible population having received one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine people will be able to get outside to catch-up with friends.
The state expects this to occur on 26 September 2021, and will also allow for regional Victoria to leave lockdown.
In metropolitan Melbourne:
You can play basketball, golf, tennis, cricket and other outdoor recreation activities together - with the same limits as picnics. Accessing facility must be contactless,
Personal training resumes for up to five fully vaccinated people outside.
In regional Victoria:
Final years VCAL students can return to on-site learning,
Masks can be removed during beauty services by the client if the service requires it.
Schools in Melbourne are also planned to reopen on 5 October, with on-site learning for VCE Units 3/4 and final year VCAL and IB students to resume on 6 October.
Phase B: 70 per cent double dose
Once 70 per cent of the state’s population is fully vaccinated, the lockdown in Melbourne will end. This is anticipated to occur around 26 October.
Once this happens, more social and recreational activities will open up for those who have been fully vaccinated.
Social and recreational
In metropolitan Melbourne:
Reasons to leave home and curfew no longer in place.
10 fully vaccinated people can gather outdoors, community sport training returns for minimum required to hold training.
Pubs, clubs and entertainment venues can open to 50 fully vaccinated people outdoors.
In regional Victoria:
Community sport returns indoors for minimum number required.
Pubs, clubs and entertainment venues are open indoors to 30 fully vaccinated people.
Education
In metropolitan Melbourne:
All school students return on-site at least part-time.
In regional Victoria:
All school students return onsite at least part-time.
Religious ceremonies
In metropolitan Melbourne:
Funerals are allowed for 20 fully vaccinated people indoors and 50 fully vaccinated outdoors.
Weddings allowed for 50 fully vaccinated people outdoors.
In regional Victoria:
Funerals and weddings are allowed for 30 fully vaccinated people indoors and 100 fully vaccinated outdoors.
Hairdressing, personal care
In metropolitan Melbourne:
Open for up to 5 fully vaccinated people.
Phase C: 80 per cent fully vaccinated
At 80 per cent of the state’s eligible population fully vaccinated, regional Victoria and metropolitan Melbourne will come together under the same rules.
This is expected to occur around 5 November, and will see more people permitted to gather together at home, all retail will reopen, and fully-vaccinated workers can return to the office.
Social and recreational
Up to 10 people (including dependants) are permitted at your home.
Up to 150 fully vaccinated people can dine indoors, and up to 30 can gather in public outside.
Indoor community sport open for minimum number required.
Masks are only required inside.
Pubs, restaurants and cafes can open for seated service only, up to 150 fully vaccinated people inside and 500 outdoors.
Work
Work from home if you can, but you can go to work if fully vaccinated.
Education
Early childhood education and care is open.
All students return to school with additional safety measures in place.
On-site adult education returns for fully vaccinated Victorians.
Religious ceremonies
Weddings, funerals, and religious services return for 150 fully vaccinated people indoors, and 500 outdoors.
Hairdressing, beauty, personal care
Open for fully vaccinated people.
Retail
All retail open.
Phase D: 80 per cent double dose
Once 80 per cent of Victorians aged 12 and over are fully vaccinated, expected to occur on 19 November, restrictions will align to the National Plan to transition Australia’s National COVID-19 Response, as agreed to by National Cabinet.
At this stage, the state will permit 30 visitors to the home.
“We know how important getting to the end of the year and being able to celebrate Christmas will be for so many,” Andrews said.
“That’s why we are working towards having 30 visitors to the home by late December – and with travel across both interstate and international borders open again, many families will be able to reunite.”
Peak industry bodies have welcomed the Victorian Roadmap which gives businesses a glimmer of hope, but further clarity on certain issues has been requested.
Australian Retailers Association (ARA) CEO Paul Zahra said whilst it’s pleasing that hairdressers and personal care services can reopen at 70 per cent double dose, other discretionary retail businesses face a longer wait, limiting their ability to trade in the lead up to the all-important Christmas period.
“Victorian businesses have been desperate for hope and certainty out of the ongoing Delta devastation, and whilst the roadmap details what life will look like after lockdown, it’s disappointing that most of discretionary retail faces a longer wait to reopen,” Zahra said.
“Discretionary retail has been the hardest hit throughout the pandemic. Many small retail businesses are on the brink of financial, emotional and mental health collapse. Sadly, they’ll be closed for at least another seven weeks, while other sections of the economy can open and trade at 70 per cent double dose.
“We appreciate the health and safety of the community needs to come first, but we can’t hide our concern for vulnerable retailers who will have been continuously closed for 13 weeks in total – which will sadly be unsustainable for some. In NSW, retail businesses, along with hospitality and hair and beauty services will reopen when 70 per cent of their population is fully vaccinated.”
Zahra also said he would welcome more detail about how proof of vaccination will work and be enforced, especially in retail settings.
“There’s some important details to be finalised with the Victorian Government around how proof of vaccination will work and will be enforced,” he said.
“Front-line retail staff have unfortunately been the victims of increased customer aggression as a result of the QR code and mask mandates, and while these instances are in the minority, asking for a customer’s vaccination history will certainly elevate this concern.
“It’s important that retailers have the backing of law enforcement agencies so they can manage the safe reopening of their businesses.”
The Property Council of Australia Victorian executive director Danni Hunter also welcomed the roadmap, labelling it “sensible” and “balanced”.
“After 230 days of lockdowns, Melbourne’s CBD has been devastated by the pandemic. Many businesses have closed, office occupancy and vacancies are at record high levels and the city is on life support. This plan balances the health challenge with the social and economic challenge and gives Victorians hope,” Hunter said.
“The plan to allow vaccinated workers to return to the office from November 5 is a welcome beacon of hope which will keep CBD business holding on, and within weeks we’ll be able to start to turn Melbourne from a ghost town into the world’s most liveable city once again.”
Geelong, Surf Coast & Mitchell Shire in seven-day lockdown
In addition to releasing the roadmap yesterday, the Victorian Government reimposed lockdown restrictions on the three LGAs of Geelong, Surf Coast and Mitchell Shire.
Commencing at 11.59pm last night, the restrictions are the same as those in Ballarat and metropolitan Melbourne, excluding the curfew.
The state’s health authorities are concerned about the large caseload in Greater Geelong and Mitchell Shire, with 17 and 15 active cases in these LGAs respectively as of 18 September.
“If you’re in Geelong, Surf Coast or Mitchell Shire, follow the restrictions, get tested if you have symptoms, and get vaccinated if you haven’t already. Regional communities have overcome outbreaks before – and this will be no different,” Premier Andrews said.
Updated at 10.08am AEST on 20 September 2021.
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Two regional NSW LGAs sent back into lockdown
The regional New South Wales local government areas (LGAs) of Hilltops and Glen Innes will go back into lockdown tonight due to an increased COVID-19 public health risk.
The stay-at-home orders also apply to anyone who has been in the Hilltops LGA including Young and surrounding areas since 3 September, and the Glen Innes LGA since 13 September.
For both LGAs the seven-day stay-at-home order is to come into force from 6.00pm tonight.
Glen Innes' local MP and NSW Minister for Agriculture Adam Marshall made the announcement on Facebook, and said the NSW Chief Health Officer recommended the restrictions come into place to protect the local community.
“I am very sorry and realise this was not the news many of you were wanting to hear, especially small business owners, and I fully appreciate the stress and strain this will place on you,” Marshall said.
“However, in response to the COVID case and the fact that the individual had been active in the community while infectious, the NSW Chief Health Officer convened an independent panel of medical experts to review all the information relevant to the case in Glen Innes.”
The rules for the lockdown will be the same as the regional LGA’s previous restrictions, which were lifted last Thursday.
At the time, the NSW Government said future lockdowns would be for a period of two weeks, but Marshall said in his statement that a panel of independent medical experts recommended just one week for Glen Innes Severn.
"As announced at the time lockdowns were lifted across our region recently, if a case appeared which was active in the community, that LGA would be placed into a 14-day lockdown. Only seven days has been recommended and agreed for the Glen Innes LGA based on the level of risk posed to the community,” Marshall said.
Everyone in the Hilltops and Glen Innes 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.
Updated at 2.56pm AEST on 17 September 2021.
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NSW to trial home quarantine program for overseas arrivals
175 fully-vaccinated people will take part in a home quarantine trial in New South Wales that the State hopes will eventually replace the hotel quarantine system once vaccination rates globally rise.
The trial, which will begin at the end of September, will see 175 people quarantine in their homes for seven days instead of two weeks in a hotel on arrival from overseas.
According to the State’s Premier Gladys Berejiklian, the trial represents a step toward Australia being able to reopen its international borders.
“The New South Wales Government has already started work on planning our 80 per cent plan - what happens at 80 per cent double dose,” Berejiklian said.
“One of the things we expect to occur at 80 per cent double is to consider our international borders, that is coming back home through Sydney Airport, but also our citizens having the opportunity to go overseas when previously they weren’t able to.
“It’s really opening the door to what home quarantine will look like for us moving forward for this returning Australians who have got double dose vaccinations.”
Under the plan, which is based on evidence collated from South Australia’s similar home quarantine trial, the NSW Government will use an app on smartphones to ensure people are at home during the seven-day period.
The app will use face detection to enable police to check in on those that should be quarantined, which is the same model currently used in South Australia.
Further, the NSW Government will partner with Qantas to enable air crew and staff to be included in the home quarantine trial.
Participants in the pilot will have had both doses of a TGA-accredited COVID-19 vaccine and will be selected by NSW Health, based on a risk assessment framework, and may include some NSW residents and some non-Australian residents in addition to some Qantas air crew.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the pilot would help secure Australia’s safe reopening plan.
“This is the next step in our plan to safely reopen, and to stay safely open,” the Prime Minister said.
“NSW has carried the lion’s share of quarantining returning Australians and will be leading the way with this trial that could set the standard for the next phases of the way we live with COVID-19.
“This could mean more families and friends being able to reunite more quickly, more business being able to be done here, and more workers for key industries being able to fill critical jobs.”
NSW today reported 1,284 locally acquired cases of COVID-19 and 12 deaths of people with the coronavirus.
Updated at 11.44am AEST on 17 September 2021.
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City of Melbourne to consider introducing vaccine passport
City of Melbourne councillors will vote next week on the introduction of a vaccine passport to enable the safe reopening of hospitality, arts and entertainment venues in the Victorian capital.
The temporary scheme, which would allow vaccinated Melburnians to enter venues as soon as possible, would make the city one of the first municipalities in the state to go down the route of a vaccine passport.
“The City of Melbourne has been doing everything it can to get more Victorians vaccinated because it’s the path to reopening our city,” City of Melbourne Lord Mayor Sally Capp said.
“The introduction of the proposed health pass would allow vaccinated and exempt Melburnians to enter participating restaurants, pubs, clubs and other venues. All staff at participating businesses will need to be vaccinated to be part of the scheme.”
The scheme would operate until vaccination levels are sufficient to lift health restrictions.
“Nowhere in Australia has been hit harder by devastating lockdowns than Melbourne, and our businesses should be the first in line to reopen safely. They’re prepared to do whatever it takes,” the Lord Mayor said.
The pilot program is being championed by the Night Time Economy Advisory Committee (NTEAC) who are calling on the Victorian Government to let venues such as pubs, clubs and other venues reopen sooner.
City Activation portfolio lead Councillor Roshena Campbell said the time was right to explore options to safely reopen city businesses to protect livelihoods.
“Our city’s businesses have been crippled after six lockdowns and the earlier businesses can reopen, the quicker our city can recover,” Campbell said.
“This is a temporary measure that will get our businesses back on their feet sooner while we continue to work towards vaccination targets.”
NTEAC Chair James Young said trialling a health pass system would minimise health risks and get businesses open safely, sooner.
“First and foremost, we want staff in our venues to be safe. We want patrons to be safe. We don’t want anything to jeopardise that safety,” Young said.
“An opt-in trial in the City of Melbourne is the perfect opportunity to identify and resolve issues in partnership with industry and Government.
“It would require streamlined technology and processes to minimise the compliance burden on businesses and venues of all sizes, and to ensure the system is rolled out quickly and effectively.”
Councillors will vote on whether they will advocate for the health pass at the Future Melbourne Committee on Tuesday 21 September.
Updated at 10.00am AEST on 17 September 2021.
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Queensland reinstates border restrictions with Lismore
The restrictions mean anyone who has been in the local government area (LGA) of Lismore in the last 14 days cannot enter Queensland.
“It is critically important that anyone who has been in the City of Lismore in the last 14 days does not enter Queensland,” Dr Young said.
“Those currently in Queensland who have been in the Lismore area in the last 14 days should come forward, get tested and isolate until they receive a negative result.
“We know the situation can quickly escalate with this virus, which is why it is important we respond appropriately.”
Only limited groups of people will be able to enter Queensland if they have been in a COVID-19 hotspot. This includes people accessing essential health care, complying with court orders, fulfilling child custody arrangements, or those people endorsed to enter as specialist workers.
Because of lockdown restrictions in Lismore, Southern Cross University yesterday announced its campus in the city would close until at least 24 September.
Updated at 9.25pm AEST on 17 September 2021.
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Albury and Lismore to go back into lockdown tonight for one week
The local government areas (LGAs) of Lismore and Albury will go back into lockdown from 6pm today for seven days due to an increased COVID-19 public health risk according to NSW Deputy Premier John Barilaro.
Meanwhile, the LGAs of Bega, Blayney, Bogan, Cabonne, Dungog, Forbes, Muswellbrook, Narrabri, Parkes, Singleton, Snowy Monaro and Upper Hunter will have lockdown restrictions lifted from 1pm today.
The Deputy Premier said the seven day lockdown for Albury and Lismore is because three cases have been detected in the border region which NSW Health cannot identify sources for.
“I know residents in these areas just had stay-at-home orders lifted and having to go back into lockdown is beyond frustrating, but this action is necessary due to positive COVID cases,” Barilaro said.
“Everyone in the Albury and Lismore 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.”
Albury and Lismore residents who are fully vaccinated can attend an outdoor gathering of up to five people for exercise or outdoor recreation so long as all of those gathering are aged 16 or older.
The update comes as NSW recorded 1,351 new locally acquired COVID-19 cases and 12 deaths, one of which will be investigated by the coroner.
Health Minister Brad Hazzard said there are now more than 15,000 people with COVID-19 who are being cared for in the State’s health system.
The announcement comes two days after the State Government extended support payments to assist workers and vulnerable communities in metropolitan, regional and rural NSW.
The additional funding will see the COVID-19 emergency hardship payments, test and isolate support payments and community empowerment grants expanded across all of NSW.
Deputy Premier John Barilaro said the funds will assist workers and vulnerable people under financial strain due to the COVID-19 restrictions across the State.
“The expansion and extension of the emergency hardship payment will provide assistance to people across all of NSW who are under severe financial strain but are not eligible for other support payments and grants,” Barilaro said.
“The test and isolate payment will help people to test early and isolate if they have COVID symptoms. This payment will help take the pressure off if an individual does not have access to leave entitlements or other support payments.
“Grants for culturally and linguistically diverse groups have also been expanded to connect multicultural communities with essential services throughout the pandemic.”
Updated at 11.48am AEST on 16 September 2021.
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Ballarat back in lockdown tonight over concerns virus widespread in community
The Victorian Government has ordered the City of Ballarat to go back into lockdown from tonight over concerns COVID-19 is more widespread in the community than positive cases indicate.
The City today has four new positive cases, but it is wastewater detections and multiple exposure sites that have the Victorian Government concerned.
“There are a growing number of signals in Ballarat that are of real concern to our public health officials, of particular concern are the multiple waste-water detections in the Ballarat area that are not accounted for by the current positive cases,” the Victorian Government said.
“Those detections have been identified across the city.”
As such, from 11.59pm tonight the City of Ballarat will have the same restrictions (except for the curfew) in place as metropolitan Melbourne. The lockdown is expected to last for seven days until 11.59pm on Wednesday 22 September.
Meanwhile, the regional hub of Shepparton will exit lockdown from 11.59pm, with settings being downgraded to match the rest of regional Victoria.
“We know this will be disappointing for the Ballarat community, but we’d rather get on top of these cases, open up again as quickly as possible, than let cases get out of control in the area,” Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews said.
“It’s so important that people in these LGAs continue to check for exposure sites near them, get tested if they have any symptoms at all and most important – get vaccinated if you haven’t already.”
In total, Victoria reported 423 new locally acquired cases of COVID-19 today, while two people have died from the virus.
Updated at 2.08pm AEST on 15 September 2021.
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Northern Australian businesses set to receive $111.9 million boost
A $111.9 million boost will be delivered to Northern Australian businesses via two new business development grant programs, with applications to open in early November.
Covering to up 50 per cent of the total cost of individual projects, the Northern Australia Development Program will be separated into two streams.
Stream one will target small to medium entities with business expansion and diversification grants between $50,000 to $2 million.
Stream two will offer corporations between $3 million and $10 million to establish a new industry or grow an existing one.
Minister for Agriculture and Northern Australia David Littleproud said the investment is needed to drive the development of diverse and profitable businesses and create jobs in the region.
“These grants will help businesses to fund new capital expenditure investments like the construction of infrastructure or assets, or to undertake business planning and feasibility studies,” Littleproud said.
“Growing existing, emerging, and new industries in the north will contribute to transformational change and make it a more attractive place to invest and do business.”
Grants are anticipated to be awarded in February 2022, with the eligibility guidelines to be released at the end of this month.
Townsville-based Senator Susan McDonald said she is committed to driving the vision of a stronger and diversified northern Australian economy.
“Northern Australia has more than 96,000 businesses, 1,100 of which are Indigenous-owned,” said McDonald.
"It is a great place to work, live and do business and I am excited about the unique prospects this program can deliver”.
Updated at 2pm AEST on 15 September 2021.
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NSW hits 80 per cent for first vaccinations, curfew restrictions to ease
New South Wales has today hit a major milestone with 80 per cent of the population aged 16 and over having received one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, giving the State confidence to ease some local restrictions.
While it will still be some weeks until 80 per cent of the State’s population are fully vaccinated with two doses of a COVID-19 vaccine, 47.5 per cent have received two jabs.
The news has given Premier Gladys Berejiklian reason to ease the curfew restrictions currently imposed on local government areas (LGAs) of concern in Sydney from tonight, but all other restrictions will remain until more people get the immunisation.
“Pleasingly, today, our state hits the milestone of 80 per cent first dose vaccination - an incredible milestone given the journey we’ve all been on,” Berejiklian said.
“I can’t thank the community enough for responding in such a positive way for our calls to get vaccinated.
“We know that if this trend continues, once we open up at 70 per cent double dose, that first dose rate will be high enough for us to feel confident that we won’t overload the hospital system and that we will enjoy those freedoms we’re all looking forward to.”
The Premier also mentioned some communities in Western and South Western Sydney have vaccination rates close to 90 per cent.
“Just an outstanding result compared to where we’ve been and where we are today,” she said.
It comes as NSW reported 1,259 cases of locally acquired COVID-19 and 12 deaths.
While curfew restrictions will ease in LGAs of concern, the Premier urged residents to continue abiding by the remaining rules.
“We can’t move on anything else just now. We need everybody to hold the line,” the Premier said.
“Please make sure that if you do live in those local government areas of concern that you’ll stick to every other rule that’s in place.
“We’ve seen a stabilisation in the last few days and we don’t want that trend to go the wrong way. We still have work to do, we can all see the light at the end of the tunnel.”
Meanwhile, Queensland has today announced anyone over the age of 60 will be allowed to receive a Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine as part of its "super Pfizer weekend".
As part of the vaccine blitz, vaccine hubs across the state will allow walk-ins.
It comes after Western Australia expanded Pfizer eligibility to the same age group, while South Australia expanded Pfizer access to all of those aged 12 and over last Saturday.
BREAKING: From this weekend, Pfizer will be made available for Queenslanders aged 60 and over. pic.twitter.com/xGQWAkBWLr
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Queensland border bubble businesses to receive funding boost
Queensland Businesses suffering due to border restrictions with New South Wales will receive $52.8 million in funding from an emergency support package delivered by the State and Commonwealth governments.
The multi-million-dollar funding injection will provide targeted support to tourism and hospitality businesses still facing significant hardship as a result of border closures.
"Tourism and hospitality businesses on the Queensland and New South Wales border have done it particularly tough as they feel the impact of lockdowns and border restrictions,” Federal Treasurer Josh Frydenberg said.
"But there is light at the end of the tunnel. By sticking to the National Plan, agreed to by State and Territory leaders, we can safely ease restrictions and open up our economy.
“We will continue to work with the Palaszczuk Government to ensure the Queensland economy bounces back.”
Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said the Government recognised the communities and businesses reliant on regular cross border trade were suffering.
“The impact on Queensland businesses along the border with NSW has been devastating,” the Premier said.
“This package will provide a lifeline for a number of businesses doing it tough right now.
“With the Delta variant continuing to rage in Sydney, we’re investing in our economic recovery in Queensland to support local businesses to make it through the pandemic.”
The package will see $14.55 million in Border Business Zone Support delivered to businesses along the border region in the areas of Coolangatta, Currumbin – Tugun, and Currumbin Waters and the towns of Wallangarra, Goondiwindi and Mungindi.
The joint Federal-State package includes:
$40 million for the Tourism and Hospitality Sector Hardship Program to deliver one off grants of $15,000, $25,000 and $50,000 for small, medium and large employing businesses across the state that have experienced a reduction in turnover of at least 70 per cent for at least seven consecutive days between 1 July and 30 September.
$6.3 million to extend the existing COVID-19 Business Support Grants program
$6.5 million to provide one-off Hardship Scheme grants of $5000 for employing businesses and $1000 for non-employing sole traders to recipients of the COVID-19 Business Support Grants in the border zone in the event of an extended border closure
State elements include:
Up to $1 million to match City of the Gold Coast Council and Destination Gold Coast’s ‘Play Money’ campaign, encouraging Gold Coasters to patronise border businesses
$50,000 support for marketing campaigns in Coolangatta
$700,000 for additional mental health support for business owners and their families in the border zone
The Premier said businesses within the border zone that were recipients of the COVID-19 Business Support Grants and had been significantly impacted by any possible extended border closure would be able to apply for one-off hardship grants of up to $5,000 for an employing business and $1,000 for a non-employing sole-trader.
These special hardship grants will be available from mid-October 2021.
“This package will help. But it’s also vital that we encourage more Queenslanders to support businesses on the border – particularly in communities like Coolangatta,” the Premier said.
“Through today’s package, we’ll also supporting local marketing campaigns, starting with the Essentially Cooly initiative.”
For business support and assistance visit the Queensland Business website at www.business.qld.gov.au or call the Small Business Hotline 24/7 on 1300 654 687.
Updated at 12.41pm AEST on 14 September 2021.
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ACT lockdown extended by one month, business support incoming
Australian Capital Territory Chief Minister Andrew Barr has announced the jurisdiction will remain in lockdown for an additional month until 15 October after recording 22 new COVID-19 cases today, of which only two were in isolation for their entire infectious period.
However, the Territory, which has been in lockdown since 12 August, will see some restrictions eased somewhat during that period, and business support is incoming.
According to Barr, the previously announced land tax and commercial rates relief will be doubled and extended until 31 December, and the utility concession will be increased to $1,000 in the current fiscal year.
Businesses will be receiving further financial support too, details of which will be announced in the coming days once a package jointly funded with the Commonwealth is finalised.
“The ACT Government is currently finalising agreements with the Commonwealth Treasurer to extend the jointly funded financial support programs for local businesses and the COVID disaster payments," Barr said.
"We anticipate being able to make joint announcements with the Commonwealth Treasurer shortly."
Barr said the ACT would be in a position to ease lockdown restrictions once COVID-19 vaccination targets were hit. Currently around 50 per cent of the Territory’s eligible population has been fully vaccinated.
“This next month is a period of uncertainty, and the next few weeks will be challenging,” Barr said.
“What we are certain of though is that a highly vaccinated Canberra is a safer Canberra. That is the safest path forward.”
Updated at 12.11pm AEST on 14 September 2021.
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Victoria's construction sector on notice, “zero tolerance” for
non-compliance
With Victoria’s construction sector now considered a major source of COVID-19 transmission in the state, a compliance blitz will be enforced by the Government to ensure the industry remains open.
According to Victorian Treasurer Tim Pallas, the industry is at a higher risk of spreading the virus, and many workers are not complying with current COVID-19 rules.
“[The] construction industry is young, it is mobile, as a workforce, they often visit multiple sites in any given week, and they return home to all areas of metropolitan Melbourne, particularly I might say in the north and western suburbs of Melbourne,” he said.
"And that represents a higher risk of spread of the virus.”
As such, a four-week blitz will be carried out by the Victorian Industry Enforcement and Engagement Operation in partnership with Workforce and the Victorian Building Authority.
The joint operation will have a ‘zero tolerance’ approach and will apply fines and prohibition notices to fix any serious non-compliance.
According to Pallas, the majority of constructions workers are complying with COVID-19 rules, but the few who aren't are taking the virus home with them to their families and communities.
"The nature of this workforce means that we have to go above and beyond the requirements for normal COVID compliance," Pallas said.
"This is not about special provision and exceptions for the construction industry, it's about recognising that they have an obligation to go that little bit further, given the opportunities that they have as permitted workers to continue to apply their trade.
"This industry needs to take these responsibilities seriously. They need to recognise that the rights and opportunities that they get as permitted workers come with considerable obligations to the community."
Further, to ensure the industry remains operational during the COVID-19 outbreak, construction workers will receive prioritised vaccinations.
The State is opening the doors of four major vaccination centres to walk-ups without a booking every day from today until 26 September.
Thousands of further priority Pfizer appointments will be released to construction workers too, as well as unlimited access to AstraZeneca.
Anyone who works at a site where civil works, building or construction activities take place, including contractors and architects working on site, will be eligible.
Our construction industry is critical to our state, but what is even more important is vaccinating each and every Victorian so we can slow the spread of the virus,” Pallas said.
“The construction sector’s ability to remain open is on a knife’s edge, and to ensure they can keep building, people need to get vaccinated and follow the rules.”
Victoria today reported 473 new locally acquired COVID-19 cases; the highest daily tally since the latest outbreak began.
Updated at 1.47pm AEST on 13 September 2021.
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Further support on the way for South Australian SMEs
Two new business grants have been announced today for small and medium businesses in South Australia, with the programs to deliver an additional $15 million in financial support to an estimated 3,500 local companies.
The new COVID-19 Tourism and Hospitality Support Grant will provide support for numerous sectors, including the performing arts, creative artists, taxis and car rentals.
The COVID-19 Business Hardship Grant has been introduced for businesses that have been significantly impacted by restrictions but were not deemed eligible for previous small business grants provided since July’s one-week lockdown.
Funding will be split evenly between the Commonwealth and SA governments, with the grant programs to offer:
$3,000 for employing businesses with a turnover of less than $2 million
$10,000 for employing businesses with a turnover of greater than $2 million
$20,000 for employing businesses with a turnover of greater than $5 million
$1,000 for non-employing businesses
Businesses in eligible tourism and hospitality sectors that have already received the COVID-19 Additional Business Support Grant will also receive $3,000 (employing businesses) and $1,000 (non-employing businesses). It is expected that the grants will automatically be paid within a week.
A COVID-19 Small Business Hardship Grant will also be introduced for businesses that have been significantly impacted by COVID-19 restrictions but have not been eligible for previous small business grants provided since SA's seven-day lockdown in July.
Employing businesses with payrolls below $10 million will be eligible to access $6,000, with $2,000 for non-employing businesses who have experienced a minimum 50 per cent reduction in turnover during the eligible period and have not been eligible for previous grant support since July.
Treasurer Josh Frydenberg said this package comes on top of the Morrison Government's $9.5 billion in direct economic support to South Australian households and businesses since the start of the pandemic.
"Already, the Commonwealth has provided $50 million in COVID-19 disaster payments to South Australia, supporting the incomes of around 86,000 individuals and in partnership with the State Government, committed more than $36 million to small and medium-sized businesses over course of the recent lockdowns," said Frydenberg.
"But there is light at the end of the tunnel. By sticking to the National Plan, agreed to by State and Territory leaders, we can safely ease restrictions and open up our economy."
The State Government is also increasing its Major Events Support Grant, with up to $100,000 available for large cancelled or postponed events where the event was expected to host 10,000 attendees or more.
For eligible events that already applied for the $25,000 grant in July, a top-up of $75,000 will be provided.
“We have recently been recognised as the most liveable place in the nation and our COVID recovery plan is focussed on standing shoulder-to-shoulder with small businesses as we navigate our way out of the global pandemic,” says Premier Steven Marshall.
“While we have more South Australians employed than ever before in the history of the state, there is no doubt many businesses have been doing it tough during the global pandemic.
"These new grants will further support our hardworking small businesses who are the backbone of the state’s economy.”
Applications for both new grant programs open on 17 September and close on 31 October.
“South Australian businesses have shown incredible resilience throughout this crisis,” Federal Finance Minister Simon Birmingham said.
“We’ve been with them every step of the way with unprecedented levels of support and continue to provide targeted assistance to those businesses still doing it tough.
“As we move towards vaccination rates that will allow us to further open up, this support will ensure businesses are there on the other side to employ more South Australians and contribute to our ongoing economic recovery.”
Pfizer bookings are now open to children aged 12 and over in SA
From today everyone aged 12 and older in South Australia will be eligible to book an appointment for a Pfizer vaccine in the State’s clinics.
SA Health has made an additional 60,000 appointment slots available, with capacity at Wayville vaccination clinic to be doubled.
Pfizer appointments at state-run clinics are also open to over 60s from today.
The expansion comes as SA nears 60 per cents of the population over the age of 16 having received at least one dose of the vaccine.
SA has recorded no new cases of COVID-19 overnight.
Updated at 10.11am AEST on 13 September 2021.
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Australia secures one million extra Moderna doses from EU
The Federal government has secured an additional one million Moderna doses from numerous European Union (EU) member states, with the stock to go to local community pharmacies across Australia.
It is expected the doses will arrive in the next week and will be delivered to 3,600 community pharmacies, alongside the first shipment of already contracted vaccines.
1,800 pharmacies will receive doses through the week of 20 September, with the remaining half to follow shortly after.
Doses were sourced from surplus vaccines destined for Spain, Czech Republic, Portugal, and Bulgaria.
“Families will now be able to go along together to their pharmacy to get their vaccinations,” Prime Minister Scott Morrison said.
“In October we’re going to have enough vaccines in the country to have offered everyone a jab meaning we’ll be able to take the next steps in our plan to safely reopen Australia.
“First thing’s first to take the steps to safely reopening – get vaccinated. The next few weeks are going to be critical to encourage your friends, family and colleagues to get the vaccine.”
The announcement comes as the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisations (ATAGI) is now recommending Moderna for people aged 12 years or older.
Minister for Health and Aged Care Greg Hunt says local community pharmacies will begin to receive Moderna doses within the next fortnight.
“These doses are adding additional capacity and will further ramp up the vaccination rate of young Australians,” says Hunt.
“Australia’s vaccine rollout is continuing to hit record levels every day, with 22.4 million doses delivered nationally.
"Some 13.6 million people have had one dose, and over 41 per cent of the eligible population are now fully vaccinated.”
Morrison thanked the European Commission and partnering countries for their cooperation – specifically mentioning Sweden and Norway for their assistance.
The additional one million Moderna doses builds on the four million Pfizer doses sourced from the UK, one million from Poland, and 500,000 from Singapore.
“This agreement further demonstrates the important role our diplomats play and the strength of Australia’s bonds with European nations and the European Union,” said Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Women, Marise Payne.
“Australia is committed to working with all partners across the world because our shared recovery from COVID-19 depends on it.”
National President of the Pharmacy Guild of Australia Trent Twomey said pharmacies across the country were ready to help even more Australians to be vaccinated.
“Community pharmacies are now stepping up to vaccinate Australian families against COVID-19," Twomey said.
“I encourage all Australians to visit their local community pharmacy and roll up their sleeves to get vaccinated."
Updated at 11.46am AEST on 13 September 2021.
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QLD reinstates NSW border bubble, positive COVID case sees students at Brisbane school sent home
Queensland announced its border bubble with New South Wales will be reinstated from 1.00am this coming Monday in line with the easing of lockdown restrictions for some regional areas south of the border.
It comes as students at the Sir Thomas Moore College in Sunnybank, Brisbane have been sent home and ordered into quarantine along with their families for 14 days after a pupil tested positive for COVID-19 today.
With a number of regional NSW local government areas (LGAs) set to emerge from lockdown on Saturday, border bubble communities will be permitted to enter Queensland from 1am on Monday 13 September.
Only students and essential workers from the 12 border bubble LGAs will be allowed to cross into Queensland at that time, but the Premier says it is great news for the local communities.
“This is going to be great news for those local communities, and we’ll be monitoring it very closely because I think, as they said yesterday, if they do have any positives that come into those local LGAs they will actually put them back into lockdown,” Palaszczuk said.
“So it’s basically going back to that border bubble that we’ve had previously, so that’s great news for those communities and will ease some of the pressures along our border.”
The change has also been welcomed by NSW Deputy Premier John Barilaro.
“We know how seamless and invisible that border is but unfortunately communities do get impacted at times when borders are closed," he said.
"Good news today for the people in the north of the state and especially for New South Wales, for the Tweed community in the Northern Rivers community, and fingers crossed we can keep the new arrangements in place to support those communities."
Meanwhile, NSW today reported 1,542 new cases and nine deaths in the 24 hours to 8.00pm yesterday.
The state has now hit 76.4 per cent of its adult population vaccinated with one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, and 43.6 per cent fully jabbed.
The NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian also announced she will no longer be doing daily COVID-19 press conferences from Monday, and will instead only front the media when required.
Sir Thomas Moore College students sent into quarantine
QLD Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said sending all of the students at Sir Thomas Moore College home was just a “precaution”, and would give the state’s health authorities time to investigate the latest case.
“As a precaution, as this is a student who is around 13 years of age…we’ve actually asked the school to send the students home today,” Palaszczuk said.
“They are to stay at home until we get more information.”
The State’s chief health officer Dr Jeanette Young said the student attended the school over the last few days.
“We’ve asked the Principal to advise all children in that school to immediately be picked up and taken home and to go into quarantine for the next 14 days unless we get other information that would change the advice,” Dr Young said.
“Their whole family needs to go into quarantine for 14 days while we just work that one through.”
In addition, Dr Young released a number of public health alerts relating to another COVID-19 case that was active in Queensland while infectious.
The case, a man in his 20s who worked as a truck driver and lives in NSW, was tested in NSW on 5 September.
The test came back positive today and Dr Young says he was infectious in the community on the 5th and 6th of September.
He visited a number of venues including a BP service station at Archfield on 5 September and the Westfield Garden City shopping centre on 5 and 6 September.
“So please, could anyone who’s been to the Westfield Garden City shopping centre at any time on the Sunday or Monday go on our website and have a look at those specific venues and get tested,” Dr Young said.
“That’s really important.”
Updated at 12.02pm AEST on 10 September 2012.
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AMA warns NSW post-lockdown roadmap will put ICU capacity under "enormous strain"
According to the Australian Medical Association (AMA), the New South Wales Government’s plan released yesterday to leave lockdown once 70 per cent of residents are vaccinated lacked sufficient detail, including any modelling of future case numbers and health system impacts.
AMA President Dr Omar Khorshid said that although the NSW Government stated it was following the Doherty modelling prepared for National Cabinet, it seemed to have ignored warnings that easing restrictions when contact tracing systems were already overwhelmed would lead to higher case numbers and a greater burden on the health system.
“The Burnet modelling released by NSW recently was predicated on current restrictions remaining in place and did not include an assessment of what the changes announced today would mean for the health system,” Dr Khorshid said.
“The Burnet analysis shows that NSW is likely to ease restrictions at a time when there will still be more than 500 infections each day and with the health system under considerable stress. We already know it is beyond the capacity of the NSW health system to effectively trace contacts of many hundreds of cases a day.
“NSW needs to release the modelling it has used to inform today’s changes to either reassure the community that infection numbers will continue to come down to manageable levels or give the community an honest assessment of their impact on the health system.”
According to the Burnet modelling, during October, November and moving into December, ICU capacity in NSW would be under enormous strain.
The AMA said the public needed to know that the proposed changes would not make projected peaks worse or mean that they lasted even longer.
Dr Khorshid said high infection numbers put pressure on all parts of the health system - emergency departments, hospital wards, ICUs, and primary care - and diverted resources away from the day-to-day function of the health system.
“NSW is right to ease restrictions slowly and to limit changes to people who are fully vaccinated. However, the key problem facing NSW is that it is looking to ease restrictions when case numbers are likely to be too high,” Dr Khorshid said.
“NSW should look to achieve a higher vaccination rate in order to reduce pressure on the NSW health system and ensure that NSW could open up in a sustainable way.
“Unfortunately, [the] plan appears to leave NSW at considerable risk of having to return to lockdowns.”
Updated at 10.18am AEST on 10 September 2021.
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Qantas boss confirms only vaccinated passengers will be allowed on international flights
All unvaccinated passengers will be banned from flying internationally on Qantas (ASX: QAN) planes once overseas travel resumes according to the company’s CEO Alan Joyce.
Joyce’s comments were made at the Trans-Tasman Business Circle on Tuesday.
“Qantas will have a policy that internationally we’ll only be carrying vaccinated passengers,” Joyce said.
“Because we think that’s going to be one of the requirements to show that you’re flying safe and getting into those countries. We’re hoping that can happen by Christmas.”
The banning of unvaccinated flyers was first flagged by Joyce to ABC Radio in July 2020.
“Internationally we absolutely will [mandate vaccines] and that’s becoming a standard around the world,” he told ABC radio at the time.
The move comes in tandem with the New South Wales post-lockdown roadmap, which details how fully vaccinated people will have more freedoms than the unvaccinated in the state.
The roadmap says stay-at-home orders for adults who have received both doses of the COVID-19 vaccine will be lifted from the Monday after NSW passes the 70 per cent double vaccination target.
While no date has been given for when that freedom day will be reached, the state is anticipating it will be around the 25th of October 2021.
The State's Premier Gladys Berejiklian said the new post-lockdown restrictions will be policed by incorporating a vaccine passport into the state's QR check-in system.
Updated at 9.41am AEST on 10 September 2021.
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WA boasts COVID response makes economy one of the "strongest in the nation and the world"
Western Australia’s COVID-19 response has driven the State’s strong economic performance according to Premier Mark McGowan who this afternoon claimed it was “one of the strongest in the nation and the world”.
According to the State’s latest budget, WA domestic economic growth was the strongest of all Australian states for a second year running at 4.3 per cent in 2020-21.
Further, Gross State Product (GSP) is estimated to have grown by 3.25 per cent in the period, and is expected to accelerate to 3.5 per cent in 2021-22, driven largely by strong activity in housing construction.
Western Australia's exports grew to a record $223 billion in 2020-21, accounting for well over half of national exports.
Despite the global economic shock brought on by COVID-19, employment figures in WA are at the highest level on record, with 27,300 more people employed than prior to the pandemic.
The unemployment rate has fallen to 4.6 per cent - it is the lowest level in almost eight years - and is expected to average just 4.5 per cent from 2022-23.
"Our policy to crush and kill the virus means Western Australians are living in one of the freest and most open societies in the world,” WA Premier Mark McGowan said.
"There are more Western Australians employed now than ever before, with 107,000 jobs created since my Government came to office.
"Our booming economy and enviable freedoms have also driven up the number of people moving to Western Australia, with the first growth in interstate migration since 2013.”
Updated at 4.53pm AEST on 9 September 2021.
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NSW unveils freedom roadmap for vaccinated, some regional areas to leave lockdown
New South Wales is today making strides toward freedom for the state’s vaccinated population after unveiling a roadmap, while also announcing some regional areas are set to exit lockdown from Saturday.
The roadmap details how stay-at-home orders for adults who have received both doses of the COVID-19 vaccine will be lifted from the Monday after NSW passes the 70 per cent double vaccination target.
While no date has been given for when that freedom day will be reached, the state is anticipating it will be around the 25th of October 2021.
The State's Premier Gladys Berejiklian said the new post-lockdown restrictions will be policed by incorporating a vaccine passport into the state's QR check-in system.
"It's really easy to police venues because all retail outlets and other places of hospitality require QR codes, and that is why we have been speaking about the vaccine passport," Berejiklian said.
"If you want to go and buy something which is regarded as a non-essential shop, you will put up your QR code and if it's not a green light saying you've been vaccinated you won't be welcomed inside.
"So we're giving venues plenty of notice and businesses plenty of notice so they can prepare."
Under the roadmap, only fully vaccinated people and those with medical exemptions will have access to the freedoms which include:
Gatherings in the home and public spaces:
Up to five visitors will be allowed in a home where all adults are vaccinated (not including children 12 and under).
Up to 20 people can gather in outdoor settings.
Venues including hospitality, retail stores and gyms:
Hospitality venues can reopen subject to one person per 4sqm inside and one person per 2sqm outside, with standing while drinking permitted outside.
Retail stores can reopen under the one person per 4sqm rule (unvaccinated people will continue to only be able to access critical retail).
Personal services such as hairdressers and nail salons can open with one person per 4sqm, capped at five clients per premises.
Gyms and indoor recreation facilities can open under the one person per 4sqm rule and can offer classes for up to 20 people.
Sporting facilities including swimming pools can reopen.
Stadiums, theatres and major outdoor recreation facilities:
Major recreation outdoor facilities including stadiums, racecourses, theme parks and zoos can reopen with one person per 4sqm, capped at 5,000 people.
Up to 500 people can attend ticketed and seated outdoor events.
Indoor entertainment and information facilities including cinemas, theatres, music halls, museums and galleries can reopen with one person per 4sqm or 75 per cent fixed seated capacity.
Weddings, funerals and places of worship:
Up to 50 guests can attend weddings, with dancing permitted and eating and drinking only while seated.
Up to 50 guests can attend funerals, with eating and drinking while seated.
Churches and places of worship to open subject to one person per 4sqm rule, with no singing.
Travel:
Domestic travel, including trips to regional NSW, will be permitted.
Caravan parks and camping grounds can open.
Carpooling will be permitted.
Non-vaccinated young people aged under 16 will be able to access all outdoor settings but will only be able to visit indoor venues with members of their household.
In terms of masks, they will remain mandatory for all indoor public venues, including public transport, front-of-house hospitality, retail and business premises, on planes and at airports.
Meanwhile, the state says students will return to school on 25 October - the date it is expected 70 per cent of people will be fully vaccinated by.
“It’s really important for school communities, for students and teachers to have a fixed date they open to provide absolute certainty,” Berejiklian said.
The Premier said the state is on its way to hitting the 70 per cent double dose target, but mentioned rates of vaccination have been falling recently.
“I cannot stress enough how important it is for people to get vaccinated – if you have not had both doses of the vaccine by the time we hit the 70 per cent milestone, you will not be able to take advantage of these freedoms,” Berejiklian said.
“However, we are seeing that rate slightly decline and we really need to call upon anybody who hasn’t had any doses to come forward and get the first dose.”
When NSW hits the 80 per cent double dose target, the government intends to open up further freedoms around international travel, community sport, major events and other areas.
A representative from Business NSW Daniel Hunter has welcomed the new roadmap.
“This roadmap is what the business community has been crying out for and I thank the NSW Government for providing the path forward,” Hunter said.
“Some certainty for businesses will be a massive boost.
“Businesses can start planning their re-opening right now, they can order stock, engage staff and re-engage with their loyal customers."
Australian Retailers Association (ARA) CEO Paul Zahra said the roadmap follows significant industry collaboration and is a huge relief for retailers.
“As well all know, the NSW lockdown is taking a significant toll on peoples financial, emotional and mental health, which is clearly not sustainable. At last, people and businesses have hope for the future and a clearer idea of what life will look like after lockdown. Importantly, some regional NSW businesses will have an immediate reprieve from lockdown restrictions,” Zahra said.
“The timing for reopening is incredibly important as we head into the busy Christmas shopping season, when most discretionary retailers make up to two-thirds of their profits for the year.
“Domestic travel to regional NSW will also be allowed under the reopening plan, which will provide a much-needed boost to regional businesses and tourism operators who’ve been severely impacted by the stay-at-home orders in Greater Sydney that have been in place for nearly three months."
The announcement comes as NSW reported 1,405 locally acquired cases of COVID-19 today, while six people lost their lives to the coronavirus.
Lockdown to lift in some regional NSW areas
Parts of regional NSW currently deemed low risk and which have seen zero cases of COVID-19 for at least 14 days will emerge from lockdown at 12.01 am Saturday 11 September, but will continue to operate under some restrictions.
The following freedoms will be available to all people in regional LGAs where stay-at-home orders have lifted:
Gatherings In the home and public spaces:
Up to five visitors will be allowed in a home (not including children 12 and under).
Up to 20 people can gather in outdoor settings.
Venues including hospitality, retail stores and gyms:
Hospitality venues can reopen subject to one person per 4sqm inside and one person
per 2sqm outside, with standing while drinking permitted outside.
Retail stores can reopen under the one person per 4sqm rule.
Personal services such as hairdressers and nail salons can open with one person per 4sqm, capped at five clients per premises.
Gyms and indoor recreation facilities can open under the one person per 4sqm rule and can offer classes for up to 20 people.
Sporting facilities including swimming pools can reopen.
Schools:
Schools will reopen with Level 3 COVIDSafe measures in place.
Stadiums, theatres and major outdoor recreation facilities:
Major recreation outdoor facilities including stadiums, racecourses, theme parks and zoos can reopen with one person per 4sqm, capped at 5,000 people.
Up to 500 people can attend ticketed and seated outdoor events.
Indoor entertainment and information facilities including cinemas, theatres, music halls, museums and galleries can reopen with one person per 4sqm or 75 per cent fixed seated capacity.
Weddings, funerals and places of worship:
Up to 50 guests can attend weddings, with dancing permitted and eating and drinking only while seated.
Up to 50 guests can attend funerals, with eating and drinking while seated.
Churches and places of worship to open subject to one person per 4sqm rule, with no singing.
Travel:
Caravan parks and camping grounds can open.
Carpooling will be permitted.
Masks:
Masks will remain mandatory for all indoor public venues, including public transport, front-of-house hospitality, retail and business premises, on planes and at airports.
Only hospitality staff will be required to wear a mask when outdoors.
Children aged under 12 will not need to wear a mask indoors.
“While unfortunately many regional LGAs will remain in lockdown due to COVID case numbers, for other parts of the state, stay-at-home orders will be lifted allowing more freedoms for those communities," NSW Deputy Premier John Barilaro said.
"This decision is based on NSW Health advice, and the LGAs which remain in lockdown will continue to be monitored and we will update those communities on a regular basis.
"My strong advice to everyone in regional NSW is to get vaccinated as soon as you can. Our communities need to continue to get vaccinated so that when NSW reaches 70 and 80 per cent, restrictions can ease significantly.”
The regional LGAs where lockdowns will remain in place are:
Bathurst
Bega
Blayney
Bogan
Bourke
Brewarrina
Broken Hill
Cabonne
Central Coast
Central Darling
Cessnock
Dubbo
Dungog
Eurobodalla
Forbes
Gilgandra
Goulburn Mulwarre
Snowy Monaro
Upper Hunter
Kiama
Lake Macquarie
Lithgow
Maitland
Mid-Coast
Mid-Western
Muswellbrook
Narrabri
Narromine
Newcastle
Orange
Parkes
Port Stephens
Queanbeyan-Palerang
Shellharbour
Shoalhaven
Singleton
Walgett
Wingecarribee
Updated at 11.37am AEST on 9 September 2021.
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Lockdown to lift in regional Victoria from midnight tomorrow
With the exception of Greater Shepparton, lockdown in regional Victoria will lift from 11.59 pm tomorrow, with low case numbers giving the State’s health officials the confidence to ease restrictions.
It comes as the state recorded 221 locally acquired COVID-19 cases today, bringing the total number of active cases in Victoria to 1,920.
As part of the easing of restrictions in regional Victoria, the five reasons to leave the home will be removed, and there will be no limit on the distance residents can travel from home - other than restrictions on entry to metropolitan Melbourne.
Metropolitan Melbourne and Shepparton will remain under strict lockdown restrictions as serious outbreaks of COVID-19 are ongoing.
Regional Victorians will return to the rule ‘if you can work from home, you should work from home’ but office workers will be able to return up to 25 per cent or up to 10 people, whichever is greater.
Regional schools will reopen for onsite learning for Prep to Grade 2 and Year 12 students who live in regional Victoria, while remote learning will remain for all other levels.
Funerals will be permitted for up to 20 people and weddings will be permitted for up to 10 people, plus those required to conduct the service. Stricter limits will be in place for both weddings and funerals with people from Melbourne in attendance.
Restaurants and cafes can reopen for seated service with patron caps.
Retail, hairdressing, entertainment venues and community facilities will also open in line with density limits and patron caps.
Masks will continue to be required indoors and outdoors, apart from private residences, unless an exception applies.
“While this is fantastic news for most of regional Victoria, we’re encouraging everyone in these areas to keep up all the COVIDSafe practices and most importantly, keep coming forward to get vaccinated,” Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews said.
“We thank every member of the Shepparton community who has worked so hard to bring the outbreak there under control.
“If everyone keeps getting tested and supporting their friends and family to isolate when needed, then we hope Shepparton will soon be able to join the rest of regional Victoria in easing restrictions.”
The Premier also reiterated that Greater Melbourne will need to hit the 70 per cent fully-vaccinated benchmark before restrictions in the capital can be eased.
Home quarantine trial to commence in Victoria
The Premier also announced today Victoria will begin trialling home-based quarantine for residents who have been stuck on the New South Wales side of the border to return home.
200 residents who have been residing in a NSW Local Government Border Area for at least 14 days from Wednesday, 25 August to Wednesday, 8 September will be able to apply for a new permit exemption category to come home.
Applications for exemptions will be open for seven days from midday on Friday 10 September, closing at 6.00 pm on Friday 17 September 2021.
“With the situation in New South Wales still so serious, we want to ensure all Victorians on the border are able to return home to their families – this home quarantine pilot scheme will allow them to do that safely, while still protecting the community,” Victorian Minister for Health Martin Foley said.
“We recognise these are strict quarantine requirements but while Victorians are doing the hard yards staying at home to keep case numbers down, we can’t risk bringing additional cases in from interstate.”
Updated at 12.13pm AEST on 8 September 2021.
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Good ventilation the key for safe return to the office, says OzSAGE
In a statement released yesterday, OzSAGE said safe, clean indoor air (not to be confused with ventilation of COVID-19 patients in intensive care units), must be prioritised in a post-COVID world.
“SARS-CoV-2 spreads through the air. The risk of COVID-19 infection is higher in indoor spaces, and it’s even higher when those indoor spaces are poorly ventilated,” OzSAGE said.
“Respiratory aerosols from breathing and speaking accumulate in indoor spaces, much like cigarette smoke but invisible. Risk of infection increases risk over time. Spending 10 minutes indoors in a poorly ventilated room is less of a risk than spending hours in there – so homes and workplaces are high risk.
“Good ventilation is one of the most effective ways to reduce the risk of COVID-19 infection, in concert with other mitigations, including density limits, the use of PPE and the use of air purifying devices.”
OzSAGE said high risk of COVID-19 transmission can be identified with the three V’s and T (any of these is a red flag, and more than one indicates a higher risk):
Venue: Multiple people indoors, where social distancing is often harder.
(Poor) Ventilation: Staying in one place with limited fresh air.
Vocalisation: Talking, shouting or singing will increase aerosolisation of the virus.
Time: The amount of time spent in the venue in relation to the risk. Less time is better.
In order to mitigate these risks, OzSAGE proffers the following solutions:
Test: Use a CO2 meter to check and to monitor ventilation in the space. This tells you how much of other people’s exhaled breath you are inhaling. If it is a public space, consider making the reading visible to the public. Don’t guess, test. CO2 meters are cheap and easily accessible.
Remediate: Act as required to improve ventilation to the target level of less than 800 ppm.
Ameliorate: If immediate ventilation improvements are impractical, ameliorate conditions using air purifying devices. At a minimum, these should have a HEPA filter and the size of the unit should be matched to the space. Alternatively, relocate activities outside or to a better-ventilated venue.
“Think of COVID as spreading like deadly cigarette smoke – it builds up and is removed in the same way, but you can’t see it. Just as workplaces must be free of smoke, we must provide fresh air and sometimes filters and masks to protect workers and visitors,” OzSAGE’s Professor Geoff Hanmer said.
“By ensuring we breathe fresh air, we can avoid most COVID transmission. Where we can’t freshen up rooms, we need good masks, filters to clean the air, and less people.
“Something as simple as opening windows and not recycling air inside vehicles can make a tremendous difference.”
Updated at 12.39pm AEST on 7 September 2021.
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Gold Coast tourism operators "hanging on by a thread"
Destination Gold Coast CEO Patricia O’Callaghan said the city is “in the fight of its life” after new research released today found tourism jobs in the Queensland hub have been cut by 20 per cent in 12 months.
The research, commissioned by the Tourism and Transport Forum (TFF), also forecast tourism employment on the Gold Coast will drop by another 4,000 full-time and part-time jobs from now until Christmas if current travel restrictions remain in place.
Destination Gold Coast chairman Paul Donovan said his heart goes out to the 4,600 tourism businesses suffering during this time.
“We are proudly Australia’s favourite holiday destination, but our operators are hanging on by a thread,” Donovan said.
“Our local tourism industry relies on people travelling to enjoy what the region has to offer and with more than half of Australia’s population under travel restrictions, the impact on the Gold Coast is significant.”
O’Callaghan said it was “heartbreaking” to watch tourism operators from mum and dad businesses right through to major hoteliers and theme parks struggle to hold on financially and retain a skilled workforce.
“These figures are heartbreaking,” O’Callaghan said.
“We know the industry will bounce back once people are able to travel again, but until that happens, the industry is requesting targeted financial support from the Government.
“Measures around business hardship grants and financial mechanisms that allow employers to retain skilled staff and keep them connected to the business until economic conditions improve will be critical.”
TTF CEO Margy Osmond said the sector is reeling having lost the critical Sydney and Melbourne visitors for the July school holiday period – the third peak holiday period in a row decimated by lockdowns. Similarly, the outlook for the upcoming September school holidays is looking bleak.
Kate Forrester, who runs family-owned operator Gold Coast Watersports, said her and her husband are nervous about the upcoming school holidays.
“We are currently running at 10 per cent, so the loss to our bottom line is enormous which has led to reducing staff hours just so we can retain our skilled jet ski tour guides, parasail and jet boat captains,” Forrester said.
“As a business owner, we are clinging on to see the light at the end of the tunnel, but at the end of the day we need urgent support to keep afloat.”
The research comes after Roy Morgan unveiled 1.36 million Australians were unemployed in August, down 60,000 in July, for an unemployment rate of 9.5 per cent.
The latest data represents a contraction in the Australian workforce driven by COVID-19 lockdowns, down more than 200,000 to 14.4 million, including the 1.36 million looking for work.
Roy Morgan’s unemployment figure of 9.5 per cent for August is nearly 5 percentage points higher than the current ABS estimate for July 2021 of 4.6 per cent.
However, the ABS figure for July counts as employed an additional 181,000 Australians who were working zero hours for ‘economic reasons’ and 207,000 Australians who were working zero hours for ‘other reasons’ – such as being forced out of work by mandatory lockdowns.
In addition to those who were unemployed, 1.18 million Australians (8.2 per cent of the workforce) were under-employed – working part-time but looking for more work, a drop of 159,000 (down 0.9 percentage points) from July.
Roy Morgan CEO Michele Levine says the lockdown of Australia’s two largest states throughout the month of August has led to drops across all key employment estimates including the workforce as a whole as well as employment and unemployment – all down on July.
“Although the latest Roy Morgan employment estimates for August show unemployment falling 0.2 percentage points to 9.5 per cent, the broader picture shows this is not due to increasing jobs but rather the impact of lockdowns directly impacting over half of the Australian population,” says Levine.
“Unfortunately, the lockdown of over 15 million Australians in NSW, Victoria and the ACT during August is set to continue throughout the current month of September. However, the ‘relatively’ positive news is that the vaccination program has significantly accelerated in recent weeks as locked down people in NSW and Victoria rush out to get vaccinated and the full vaccination targets of 70 per cent and 80 per cent of the population are set to be reached earlier than initially forecast.
“Despite the positive trends on vaccination the next two months are still set to be very hard for the retail, hospitality, recreational and personal businesses that rely on close personal contact. During this period it remains absolutely imperative that both Federal & State Governments offer businesses negatively impacted by the lockdowns a sufficient level of support to ensure business closures over this period are kept to a minimum.”
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Victorian Government boosts business support during extended lockdown
With Victoria expected to remain under some form of lockdown until at least October, the State’s Government has boosted financial support for small and medium-sized businesses impacted by the restrictions.
The package, jointly funded by the Commonwealth and Victorian Governments, is now worth around $4.3 billion, with businesses support payments now confirmed to cover the four-week period ending on 30 September.
The vast majority of payments will be deposited automatically into businesses’ bank accounts, while a new tiered payments system for the Business Costs Assistance Program will allow for higher payments to businesses with more workers.
Business Costs Assistance Program payments will be automatically made at rates of $2,800, $5,600 and $8,400 a week over September, depending on payroll size.
Eligible cafes, restaurants and bars will continue to receive Licensed Hospitality Venue Fund payments of between $5,000 and $20,000 per week.
A major boost to the Small Business COVID Hardship Fund will increase the grant amount to $20,000 for around 35,000 businesses, and the deadline for applications will be extended.
An Alpine Support Package will help sustain resorts through the remainder of the season and September school holidays with an automatic top-up payment of between $10,000 and $40,000, depending on business location and whether they employ staff.
Federal Treasurer Josh Frydenberg said the announcement builds on $45 billion in direct economic support delivered to Victorian households and businesses since the start of the pandemic.
“The Morrison Government understands the significant impact extended lockdowns have on individuals and businesses right across Victoria,” Frydenberg said.
"We will continue to support Victorians, with our ongoing economic assistance to meet the challenges of the Delta strain.”
"Already, the Commonwealth has provided $1.3 billion in COVID-19 disaster payments to Victorians, supporting the incomes of around 500,000 individuals and in partnership with the State Government, committed more than $4 billion to small and medium sized businesses over course of this lockdown.”
Details about Victorian business support payments is available at business.vic.gov.au.
Victoria today reported 246 new locally acquired cases of COVID-19, up from 183 cases on Sunday and 190 on Saturday.
Meanwhile, New South Wales recorded 1,485 new locally acquired cases of COVID-19 yesterday and three deaths, the Australian Capital Territory reported 15 new cases, and Queensland announced one new local case who was in home quarantine while infectious.
Updated at 9.53am AEST on 6 September 2021.
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"From Downing Street to Down Under": Australia secures 4 million Pfizer doses from the UK
Australia has “4 million reasons to be hopeful today” according to Prime Minister Scott Morrison, who today announced a swap deal with the UK which will see 4 million extra doses of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine arrive this month.
The deal will see Australia double the number of Pfizer doses available during September, with the jabs to be distributed across states and territories on a per capita basis.
It comes just a few days after the Federal Government secured an early procurement of 500,000 Pfizer doses through a swap deal with Singapore, building on an extra million vaccines from Poland acquired earlier in August.
“From Downing Street to Down Under we’re doubling down on what the Pfizer doses are here in Australia this month,” Prime Minister Scott Morrison said.
“This will enable us to bring forward significantly the opportunity for Australia to open up again under the national plan.
“The bringing forward of these doses, I think, should be a great cause for hope right around the country.”
The extra doses will build on Australia’s COVID-19 vaccine rollout which has so far seen 20.3 million doses delivered, of which more than 10 million have been AstraZeneca jabs.
Australia is also now at the point where 80 per cent of over 50s have had their first dose.
“Let’s keep this going Australia, because at these rates we are really going to be able to hit the marks that we all want to hit in the weeks and months ahead,” Morrison said.
“These 4 million doses of hope today I think will only give us further encouragement.”
Meanwhile, the COVID-19 situation is worsening in New South Wales, Victoria and the Australian Capital Territory.
NSW today reported 1,431 locally acquired cases of COVID-19 and 12 deaths as the State’s Premier Gladys Berejiklian warned case numbers are going to continue to increase before a peak.
"As I have said previously, the best health advice I have is that we anticipate a peak in cases in the next fortnight,” Berejiklian said.
In Victoria, 208 locally acquired cases were reported today and one death. Of the 208, 96 cases were linked to known outbreaks.
The ACT today recorded 18 new locally acquired COVID-19 cases, of which 15 were in the community while infectious.
Updated at 12.21pm AEST on 3 September 2021.
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Introducing OzSAGE, a source of expert advice for how to reopen Australia from COVID safely
Australia is in the middle of its worst COVID-19 outbreak. Our hospital system is under strain. Vulnerable communities are being hit hard. And more than half the nation is locked down.
There is an understandable desire to know when we can reopen. But there is also an even more important need to know how we can reopen.
The national plan endorsed by the prime minister and state and territory leaders goes part of the way to answering this question.
It sets thresholds for the proportion of the 16-plus population vaccinated beyond which it says certain restrictions can be less common.
But it doesn’t talk much about the other things we will have to do.
How we reopen is as important as when
It’s the big gap in the national approach. And it needs to be filled. Now.
That is what OzSAGE aims to do. OzSAGE is an additional expert resource for governments and business, health, education, community and non-government agencies in Australia.
Inspired by the UK Independent SAGE (Independent Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies), OzSAGE members have expertise in public health, infectious diseases, epidemiology, Aboriginal health, engineering, the built environment, occupational hygiene, behavioural and social science, multicultural engagement, communications, law, data science, public policy and economics.
Ventilation will become a priority
Our first piece of advice on how to best live with occasional outbreaks centres on ventilation and what we are calling vaccines-plus.
Ventilation (and filtration) is about providing safe air and limiting transmission in shared spaces. These include workplaces, health and aged care, schools, prisons, social venues and homes, especially where overcrowding is present. COVID is airborne, meaning prevention requires safe air.
Vaccines are essential to our pandemic exit strategy, but overseas experience shows current vaccines alone are not sufficient to fight the Delta variant.
“Plus” refers to testing, contact tracing, masks and other non-pharmaceutical strategies that will continue to be required in the medium term to fight Delta, and may need to be scaled up or down depending on severity of the epidemic.
Our first recommendations have been with politicians for a week.
One of the things that made Australia’s 2020 pandemic response world-leading was that we acted early to keep the virus under control. This gave us options other countries did not have.
As we reopen we should ensure we do so safely enough to retain what economists call “option value” — the ability to adapt to changing circumstances.
Our approach should entail the following elements.
1. Living with occasional outbreaks rather than widespread disease
COVID-19 is here to stay, but we don’t have to resign ourselves to losing all the gains won in 2020. We should aim to control COVID-19 in the same way we control measles, which is even more contagious.
Right now that requires ventilation and “vaccines-plus” to manage outbreaks. But the level of innovation in vaccines is extraordinary.
When boosters or vaccines matched to variants are available, herd immunity ought to be possible using a smart and agile vaccine strategy.
2. Leaving no-one behind
Vaccine targets should be met for all, not only for the population as a whole but also for subgroups, recognising structural and social disadvantage.
These include all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, residents of remote and regional Australia, and other vulnerable high-risk and disadvantaged groups.
While vaccination is not available yet for all children, we recommend additional steps to protect them and make schools safe.
3. Protecting the health system
Australia has one of the best healthcare systems in the world. Despite this, urgent non-COVID care is already suffering in NSW.
We plan to outline a range of strategies essential to preventing the loss of health workers and protecting hospitals and their patients in cities and in regional areas.
The best-laid plans to reopen will be disrupted if the capacity of the health system to deal with COVID and non-COVID care is exceeded by a surge.
I am proud to be part of an expert group that will provide independent, cross-disciplinary advice on how to open up safely.
What’s next?
Our advice will be informed by the best evidence, but will be practical. It will provide government, business, and community organisations with a series of tangible measures that can be taken to ensure we can reopen safely.
Nobody knows what 2022 will hold. But we need to ensure Australia is in a position to consolidate its successes and avoid repeating its recent mistakes.
Proper ventilation is a start. We will have more to say in coming weeks.
Click here to go to Employment Hero’s Covid-19 Resource Hub for essential resources to help employers, managers and HR specialists navigate the ongoing pandemic.
WA to tighten border restrictions with Victoria
Western Australia will reclassify Victoria as a ‘high risk’ jurisdiction from midnight on Monday, 6 September, as the COVID-19 situation in the eastern state worsens.
The adjustments mean from 12.01am on Monday, anyone entering WA from Victoria, or who has travelled through the state in the past 14 days, will be subject to the following conditions:
proof of a negative COVID-19 PCR test in the 72 hours prior to departure;
proof of receipt of at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine, where eligible;
a mandatory requirement to use the G2G Now app on arrival in WA; and
COVID-19 tests on days two and 12.
It comes as Victoria today reported 208 new locally acquired COVID-19 cases, 96 of whom have been linked to known cases and outbreaks.
In addition, WA’s chief health officer has recommended changes to the ‘medium risk’ settings under the state’s controlled border arrangements.
As such, effective Monday, approved travellers are required to undertake a pre-travel COVID-19 test 72 hours prior to departure to give greater certainty of the non-infectious status of travellers entering WA.
The state says the changes are in response to the escalating situation in the Australian Capital Territory and New South Wales.
Under WA's controlled border arrangements, South Australia, Northern Territory and Tasmania are currently classified as 'very low risk' jurisdictions, which means travellers from and through these jurisdictions are not subject to self-quarantine and regular COVID-19 testing requirements.
Queensland is currently at 'low risk' settings, the Australian Capital Territory is under 'medium risk' settings and New South Wales is classified as an 'extreme risk' jurisdiction.
"Our thoughts are with our friends in Victoria, the ACT and New South Wales as they battle through their growing outbreaks,” WA Premier Mark McGowan said.
"Upon the latest advice from the Chief Health Officer we are implementing some additional safeguards to give greater certainty to Western Australians that approved travellers entering from higher risk settings like Victoria and the ACT are doing so safely.
"These adjustments under our controlled border arrangements strengthen the requirements for approved travellers entering our State.”
Updated at 10.10am AEST on 3 September 2021.
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Australia Post to pause e-commerce parcel collections as 500 staff in isolation
With 500 Australia Post staff in self-isolation, the company has decided to temporarily pause Parcel Post collections from e-commerce retailers in New South Wales, Victoria and the Australian Capital Territory for three days from Saturday.
The pause, which will start at 7am on Saturday 4 September and last until 7am on Tuesday 7 September, will allow Australia Post to help manage record volumes in parts of the network to return them to a safe and manageable level.
“Australia Post currently has 500 people in necessary self-isolation, placing increased pressure on our network, while we also manage flight restrictions, temporary facility closures, and parcel volumes as high as our Christmas peak period,” Australia Post says.
“Only our standard Parcel Post service is impacted, with Express Post, Premium, Startrack Express and letters, to remain unchanged across our network.
“There is no impact on Post Offices, which remain open for all usual business including collecting carded parcels.”
Items lodged at post offices and standard post boxes will also continue to be collected for processing and collections in all other states and territories remain the same.
“Deliveries will continue across the weekend and parcel processing continues, as our people deliver record amounts of parcels to Australians,” Australia Post says.
“We sincerely apologise to our customers for the inconvenience.”
Updated at 11.11am AEST on 2 September 2021.
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Hospitals "ill prepared" for reopening, AMA says
Australian hospitals are not prepared to cope with plans for easing COVID-19 restrictions, according to the Australian Medical Association (AMA) which has today called for new modelling based on staffing capacity to guide reopening plans.
In a dire warning to leaders, the AMA has written to the Prime Minister, state premiers and chief ministers telling them hospitals, and the people who work in them, are in danger of being locked into a “permanent cycle of crisis”.
The letter, from AMA president Dr Omar Khorshid, said the hospital system would be overwhelmed with an easing of restrictions - even with increased vaccination rates.
“Even pre-COVID, emergency departments were full, ambulances ramped, and waiting times for elective surgery too long.” Dr Khorshid said.
“While National Cabinet is considering the cost of expanding intensive care capacity for an expected COVID surge, a funding top-up alone won’t cut it. The Commonwealth will need to address the longer-term public hospital funding crisis.
“We must urgently prepare our health system before opening up and to do that we need new modelling based on our hospitals’ ability to cope with the associated increase in caseload.”
Dr Khorshid said new modelling should be commissioned to contemplate all aspects of the impact of COVID-19 on Australian hospital’s and the primary care sector.
“Staffing, for instance, is already a significant problem right across the health sector, exacerbated by international border closures,” Dr Khorshid said.
“Modelling should also contemplate the cost, efficiency impact and supply of enhanced PPE and infection controls, and the inevitable reduction in patient throughput, especially where COVID-19 positive and negative patients are treated at the same facility.
“The practice of furloughing staff exposed to COVID-19 won’t be sustainable once caseloads increase and this is one of the reasons the AMA called for vaccination to be mandated for all employees and contractors in hospitals and community health settings.”
The president also said modelling may show a higher level of vaccination is required to ensure the hospital sector remains functional once restrictions are fully eased.
“The AMA believes a vaccination rate higher than 80 per cent of the adult population is likely to be required to avoid repeated lockdowns given the existing constraints on hospital capacity and staffing,” Dr Khorshid said.
“If we throw open the doors to COVID we risk seeing our public hospitals collapse and part of this stems from a long-term lack of investment in public hospital capacity by state and federal governments.
“Our hospitals are not starting from a position of strength. Far from it. As well as ambulance ramping, we have the lowest bed-to-patient ratio in decades, our emergency and elective performance continues to decline, and our doctors and nurses continue to barely cope with their workloads and the constraints of the system.”
Updated at 10.19am AEST on 2 September 2021.
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Victorian lockdown extended until vaccine target reached, but regions may open up earlier
With daily local case numbers now in triple digits, the Victorian Government has announced "almost all" of the current lockdown restrictions will remain in place until 70 per cent of the population has had at least one dose of the vaccine.
In mid-August the government extended lockdowns until at least 2 September, but back then the daily community infection numbers were around a sixth of the 120 recorded in the 24 hours to midnight last night.
The Premier has emphasised Victorians cannot afford to open up and let this virus run free, but he expects the first dose vaccine target will be reached around 23 September. Currently only 45 per cent of Victorians have received at least one jab.
"This is not where we wanted to be as a community, but we need to keep cases low so we can get more people vaccinated," the Premier said.
"So my message is: if you are over 18 and you want to keep you and your family safe, don’t wait. AstraZeneca is available now. Make a booking to get vaccinated."
However, there will be some small concessions with playgrounds to re-open from 11:59pm on 3 September, allowing for children with only one parent or carer. There will be QR codes for check-in, and adults should not remove their masks to eat or drink.
In-home care – like babysitters – will also be expanded to school aged children but only if both parents are authorised workers.
Epidemiological conditions and the health advice will also be reviewed to consider easing parts of regional Victoria next week.
Once the vaccine target has been hit there could be a further easing of restrictions, for example expanding the radius for exercise and shopping from 5km to 10km, a longer permissible period for exercise of up to three hours, allowing outdoor personal training with up to two people plus the trainer, and reopening communal gym equipment and skateparks.
At that point, private inspections of unoccupied premises for a new purchase or end of lease will be permitted but only one household may attend at a time, with the agent staying outdoors during the inspection.
Victoria’s construction workforce will also be able to increase to 50 per cent when 90 per cent of their workers have received at least one vaccine dose, subject to epidemiology at the time. Up to five staff will be able to work onsite at entertainment venues to broadcast performances.
"There’s a million things that we miss about life before the pandemic and a million things we’re looking forward to doing again once we’re through this outbreak – each of those is a reason to get vaccinated," Health Minister Martin Foley said.
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Queensland hotel quarantine pause to ease earlier than expected
A pause on permitting arrivals from interstate into Queensland's hotel quarantine system will ease from Saturday, 4 September, allowing residents to return from hotspots in limited numbers.
At the time, Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said the pause would last two weeks, but more room has been made available, allowing the restrictions to ease sooner than expected.
“The pause has only just begun so our quarantine remains under considerable strain,” the Premier said.
“But I have listened to those who are undergoing considerable hardship and ordered authorities to begin assisting as soon as possible.”
Starting Saturday, 4 September:
50 additional hotel rooms will become available
These additional rooms will be given to returning Queenslanders or people relocating to Queensland who have been prioritised for entry early
More will be offered as they become available
Officials will contact approved applicants.
From Monday, 6 September, the application process will reopen to those seeking to relocate to the State as well as returning Queenslanders. However, those wishing to relocate will have to prove they are genuine either with proof of employment or change of residential status.
Queensland reported no new cases of COVID-19 today, in contrast to the 1,116 new local cases in New South Wales, 120 in Victoria and 23 in the Australian Capital Territory.
Updated at 12.17pm AEST on 1 September 2021.
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