QLD sets up border business support hub in Coolangatta

QLD sets up border business support hub in Coolangatta

As communities in Coolangatta and the Tweed Shire continue to struggle with strict restrictions for crossing the border, the Queensland Government has established a pop-up business hub to let residents know about available support schemes.

With no end in sight until lockdowns are eased in NSW, and amidst an impasse between the two state governments over the establishment of a border bubble or a temporary redrawing of the border further south, Queensland's Minister for Employment and Small Business Di Farmer visited Coolangatta last week to take stock of the situation.

"We know that COVID-19 is having a huge impact on small businesses, and for those close to the border it’s especially difficult right now," Minister Farmer said.

"I went to Coolangatta last week to speak with small businesses and listen to what they’re going through.

"A number of businesses weren’t aware of the support that’s available, so we’ve organised for Business Queensland to set up a pop-up Support Hub and proactively go and speak to small businesses in the area."

She said staff from Business Queensland have been in Coolangatta since Monday, and the Business Support Hub formally opened today.

"Their job is to make sure local businesses can get access to every single bit of government support for which they’re eligible," the Minister said.

"They’re going door to door to businesses too, to make sure people know the Hub is there.

"We will also have someone there from the Queensland Small Business Commissioner’s office, who will be able to help with leasing issues."

The Hub is at Kirra Hill Community and Cultural Centre on Garrick Street.

Minister for Communities and Housing Leeanne Enoch said a range of face-to-face support was available at the Hub to help small business owners navigate the current challenges, including access to information, referrals, and available grants.

"We want to make sure that small businesses have access to the support and information they need,” Minister Enoch said.

"As part of this service, counsellors from Lifeline are on hand to talk to those who need emotional support or financial counselling services.

"A representative from Centrelink is also at the hub to provide information and assist with applications for Australian Government grants and financial aid.

Minister for Youth Affairs and Member for Gaven, Meaghan Scanlon, said a range of support was available, including grants of up to $30,000 and a nearly $50 million package for tourism and hospitality businesses.

"That’s on top of more than 400 $5,000 Business Basics grants recently announced for small businesses on the Gold Coast, as well as major infrastructure projects creating jobs like the M1 upgrade to the border,” Minister Scanlon said.

"Coolangatta and Tweed Heads might be in different states, but they’re essentially the same community. Businesses have staff and shops - and even family - either side of the border.

"Talking to businesses, the fall in foot traffic and the staffing and business management issues stemming from the border are the number one issue right now."

Scanlon said she was hearing the message "loud and clear" about how hard the impacts of the border closure have been.

"I want businesses to know we are working hard to find a solution," she said.

"We reached out to the New South Wales government a while ago and were told no, but now the Queensland Deputy Police Commissioner and the New South Wales Border Commissioner are meeting to see how the two governments can work together so we can reduce the impact on the community.

"I really welcome this change and want us all to work together so we can help those small businesses on the border doing it tough, while still protecting the health of Queenslanders."


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COVID-19: The Swiss cheese infographic that went viral

COVID-19: The Swiss cheese infographic that went viral

A visual representation of how to prevent transmission of SARS-CoV-2 struck a chord with many in 2020. I won’t rehash all that has already been written about the Swiss cheese infographic but this is a small timeline, some links and some of the thinking that went on. Much of the detail is already on the New York Times piece along with a very sun-gazing photo of yours truly if you need content for the office dartboard.

Professor James T Reason proposed a layered approach to reducing the risk of accidents due to human error.

I really liked this approach for communicating risk reduction. Adapting it creates a simple way to get across that no single intervention (layer) is perfect, Each layer has its failings (holes) that can come and go and be made worse. Using lots of layers provides a better chance of preventing transmission of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19.

By the way, in Reason’s 1990 publication, this model wasn’t associated with cheese.

No Swiss cheese here – but a hole (limited window of accident opportunity) is apparent in an inadequate defence. Reason intended the order of these layers to be relevant, but for the COVID-19 Swiss cheese defence model version I put together, I moved away from the order of layers being important in favour of the package of layers (risk-reducing interventions) being key to preventing transmission SARS-CoV-2. 
This is Figure 1 copied from J Reason, “The contribution of latent human failures to the breakdown of complex systems”, Phil. Trans. R. Soc. Lond. B. 327, 475-484 (1990) [1]

Swiss cheese model (SCM)

In 2000, Prof Reason nicely illustrated his concept for a Swiss cheese model to describe a system approach to overcome innate human fallibilities.[3]

Figure copied from James Reason’s “Human error: models and management”, BMJ 2000; 320: 768-70. [3]

Holy thinking

Where do these holes come from? Let’s look at masks. We know they are good for preventing the wearer from spreading their virus-laden aerosols to others and into the air. They also serve some role in preventing a wearer from inhaling those aerosols. So what causes holes in this imperfect layer of risk reduction? Here are some ideas…

  • The mask is not worn properly (under the nose, on the chin, too loose)
  • Not disposing of the mask properly, putting others at risk of handling it
  • Not sanitising your hands after handling the mask
  • Fiddling with the outside of the mask while wearing it without sanitising your hands before touching your face or someone else
  • Not cleaning your mask properly or often enough
  • Sharing masks
  • Not using the right type of fabric or enough layers for your mask
  • Overconfidence that wearing a mask will be highly protective and thus engaging in risky behaviours as a result of that confidence

And those are just some of the holes in one layer! 

You can see how sometimes there might be more or fewer holes, or bigger or smaller holes, at some times compared to others, depending on the behaviour of the mask-wearer. And if the holes in one layer line up with the holes in another layer – a virus can get through. 

Prof Reason proposed this model as a way to layer multiple imperfect defences so as to maximise the chance of preventing catastrophic failure – the aviation industry has used it a lot. But catastrophe can also arise from acquiring SARS-CoV-2 infection. As we now know too well. Reason said while speaking about the model in an interview in Australia in 2005 …

…when you build defences against known hazards, you try to do the best you can but you build them in layers, but they’re never perfect. They’re like Emmenthal, they’re like Swiss cheese, they’ve got holes in. And so you can have several layers of cheese.

and

It’s like Sod or Murphy and the malign furies with the knitting needle trying to find the way through, and very rarely they do, but of course the holes opening and shutting and moving around, they’re not actually like Swiss cheese, and they’re being opened or shut by people at the sharp end who maybe making errors or by designers who fail to anticipate this particular trajectory of accident.

I also found it interesting that Prof Reason noted..

he had in his head these two notions: the biological or medical metaphor of pathogens, and the central role played by defences, barriers, controls and safeguards (analogous to the body’s auto-immune system) 

 

Leadership pressure to “get back to normal” or “live with the virus”

Something else noted by Reason, which I think we’ve seen a lot of, is the impact of leadership pressure (he highlights this in terms of management [1]) as a cause of big failures or aligned holes.

Pressures that include needing to meet deadlines and to cut costs. In the case of COVID-19, I’d argue a driving pressure was to get back to making profits and to restore individual freedoms at the expense of societal safety and protecting those who made our current lives possible; our parents.

Wherever restrictions were dropped while lots of cases still circulated (I don’t know where the percentage came from that suggested a level of safety at which opening was fine, but it was far too open to variability and interpretation), a surge was sure to follow. It usually only took a holiday or a seasonal change or life as usual to fan those embers into another bushfire (aka “Wave”).

One early COVID-19 failure was the inability to accept that it was the pandemic itself that could create economic hardship through a range of its impacts on our communities. When not reined in, it kept doing so.

This failure was fuelled by a narrative that the required (shorter period of) harsher restrictions to contain pandemic virus transmission was unachievable because it would cause too much harm. Instead, we have watched considerable longer-term harm befall many regions and regions that underwent the short-term pain, start bouncing back to a border restricted life-as-usual.

If 2020 taught us anything, it was that we were capable of a lot more than we knew. We could even eliminate transmission of an efficiently transmitting respiratory virus – something I didn’t think we could do up until this year. 

My first view of Swiss cheese related to COVID-19

I first saw a version of this via @sketchplanator on Twitter sometime around October 4th (their image also links to a different version for the Cleveland Clinic, below).

 

I loved this version but it felt like it missed some specifics that would be useful to add for a broader understanding of what the public could do, and should expect to have done, to prevent the spread of SARS-CoV-2. 

I tend to overload my own graphics and was conscious of that habit, but still thought more would be better. So I drew up my own version and tweeted it out.

My first version 

I was sure I’d missed important bits out. And of course, the first version had a typo. Evolution ensued. 

I next went to my wife and to specific people (thanks Jody!) and to Twitter as a whole, seeking thoughts and advice (which I sometimes did take, and sometimes didn’t). That can be a…hard process sometimes. But very worthwhile.

The red arrow was enhanced to highlight that when the holes (failings in any given layer/intervention) aligned, the virus could possibly get through multiple defences – so the more layers the merrier. And the tone of the text under the cheese was flipped from negative to positive.

Prof Reason further described the many holes…

though unlike in the cheese, these holes are continually opening, shutting, and shifting their location.

Version 2 added a layer

October 15th saw a vaccine slice and combined contact tracing with fast and sensitive testing as well as hand and surface cleaning. 

One of the freed-up layers was used to introduce isolation and quarantine and a new government Comms and financial support slice. This layer should include education in its messaging, to make sure everyone is on the same page in understanding what’s happening and why. 

Government support should include the measures necessary to support workers who have to be away from work to prevent spread and who will thus lose vital income. It also includes support for those paying and collecting (to prevent eviction or rises) rent and support for business.

The suggestion was raised that there be a break glass “lockdown” button. It wasn’t added then but see version 4 below).

 

 

Version 3

October 24th saw the third version emerge. Its arguably greatest addition - "the misinformation mouse” – a symbol of the erosion caused by niggly sowers of lies or simply non-expert opinion they feel must be shared with or shouted at the world. The unfortunate consequence is that these “mice” while being completely wrong, provide often a sort of comforting wrongness that rings true for those who are simply overwhelmed by the scope and complexity of a pandemic’s many facets.

These poisonous pests can undermine actions needed to save lives and protect health and livelihoods. They are not your friends. In some instances, those views are held by national leaders and the consequences are many more preventable deaths than might otherwise have been attributed to the less influential but usually louder individuals or groups.

 

Version 3 also added two more slices including limiting time inside, the need for ventilation, preferring outdoors to indoors and the introduction of air filtration; all to combat an aerosol-borne virus. It also added the need to stay home if sick to the physical distancing slice.

And thanks to the University of Queensland crew, who had already adapted a version for internal communication with students, I added their rough groupings of personal and shared responsibilities.

Using Swiss cheese: a concept not dogma

As with all aspects of this infographic, the groupings are not a mandate (there is overlap between layers and groups) just as the layers are not in a specific order of importance nor are the number of holes representative of the degree of dodginess of any given layer. 

The overall idea is to convey a concept. Which it seems to have succeeded in doing.

Version 4

This is newly made for this blog – it includes a layer called border controls – because, without this, it’s almost impossible to imagine seriously getting a pandemic under meaningful and long-lasting control in a given region – if that’s your aim. 

We’ve seen the world over that when borders are open there is a constant incoming source of new virus (including novel variants which create further headlines and fear) and it, along with the clusters they trigger, can easily overwhelm contact tracing and laboratory testing capacity. Once those have gone under, it’s the wild west of transmission.

What worked well for Australia and New Zealand?

If I was pushed to create a personal (this is my opinion), ranked, Top 10 of what was needed to prevent the spread of this or any future – perhaps more severe – respiratory virus pathogen, then my current list would include the need for:

  1. Early communication
  2. Regular communication (look to Victoria, Australia for its example of daily loooong briefings)
  3. Authentic communication (look to Victoria & Queensland)
  4. Anti-misinformation communication – flexible, nimble, animated and relatable
  5. External border controls
  6. Internal border controls
  7. Lockdowns (adequately financially supported and with good mental health support as well as constant reminders to see to normal health issues – cancers, heart disease, you name it)
  8. Testing capacity must meet turnaround times of <48 hours and have in place additional surge capacity
  9. Contact tracing
  10. Quarantine and isolation that is backed up by public health direction supported by law (protocols should be in place before they’re needed)

Making the cheese accessible to all

Apart from tweeting the image and it being picked up by media all over the world, I quickly placed the image (.png format) and an editable vector graphic (.svg format) version of it onto my Figshare page

This page includes a CC BY 4.0 open-access license which lets you share and adapt the image and only asks for credit for the source and an indication of any changes you make. [4] Thanks to a number of people – but especially Dr Prital Patel – for creating over two dozen different language variants that you can grab from that site and share among your own communities. 

Plus a graphical/icon version and a mug-sized version in case you want to make your own version to have in the office (see my how-to on Twitter, if the Redbubble mug doesn’t do it for you).

References

  1. The contribution of latent human failures to the breakdown of complex systems
    https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/rstb.1990.0090
  2. Absent-mindedness/Risk Management
    https://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/healthreport/absent-mindednessrisk-management/3452526
  3. Human error: models and management
    https://www.bmj.com/content/320/7237/768
  4. The Swiss Cheese Respiratory Virus Defence
    https://figshare.com/articles/figure/The_Swiss_Cheese_Respiratory_Virus_Defence/1308261
  5. Swiss Cheese Respiratory Virus Pandemic Defence by VirolDownUnder
    https://www.redbubble.com/shop/ap/65034354

This article was originally published on Virology Down Under, a blog run by renowned infectious diseases expert Associate Professor Ian Mackay. Business News Australia republished the piece with permission from Mackay.


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Australia secures 500,000 early Pfizer doses in vaccine swap with Singapore

Australia secures 500,000 early Pfizer doses in vaccine swap with Singapore

With 35 per cent of Australian residents aged 16 and older now vaccinated with two doses, the Federal Government will be able to expedite the vaccine roll-out after a swap deal was reached with Singapore.

Australia will receive 500,000 Pfizer doses through the agreement this week and will return the favour to the city state in December.

"That comes on top of some 4.5 million that we already have planned for September, and the one million Moderna doses, and the many other millions of doses that are available from our AstraZeneca production," Prime Minister Scott Morrison said today.

"That means there are 500,000 doses extra that will happen in September that otherwise would have had to wait for several months from now, accelerating our vaccination program at this critical time as we work towards those 70 per cent and 80 per cent targets," he said.

"This will greatly assist the national vaccination program that brings in two important age groups...16 to 29s which have already begun this week, and of course the 12 to 15-year-olds who there's 1.2 million of...they start bookings from 13 September."

The announcement comes a fortnight after the Commonwealth Government reached a deal to source an additional one million Pfizer vaccines from Poland, while the PM emphasised Australia's vaccination rates had recently  been higher on a per capita basis than "the best of weeks" in the US and UK.

"Tasmania is leading the charge with the highest double-dose vaccination rate in the country, and New South Wales is running first when it comes to first dose vaccinations around the country, and others are close behind," Morrison said.

58.7 per cent of eligible Australians have had their first dose, which is up by more than 18 percentage points compared to a month ago, while the share of fully vaccinated Australians has almost doubled.

Updated at 1:16pm AEST on 31 August 2021.


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COVID restrictions hammer retail again in July as turnover falls nearly 3 per cent

COVID restrictions hammer retail again in July as turnover falls nearly 3 per cent

Australian retail turnover fell 2.7 per cent in July 2021 according to the latest figures released today by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) - the largest monthly dip this year.

New South Wales saw the biggest drop in retail trade out of all the states and territories, with sales down 8.9 per cent in July compared to the previous months, followed by South Australia (down 3.3 per cent) and Queensland (down 0.9 per cent).

All other states and territories experienced rises with the strongest in Victoria (up 1.3 per cent). Victorian turnover rose as some restrictions from the prior month were eased further in early July, however, sales remained subdued due to a twelve-day lockdown from mid to late July.

“Lockdowns and stay-at-home orders in many parts of Australia continued to impact retail trade in July, with many non-essential retail businesses closing their physical stores,” ABS director of quarterly economy wide surveys Ben James said.

“In particular, the first full month of lockdown in New South Wales, following the Delta outbreak in June, saw retail turnover in the state fall 8.9 per cent.

“This was the largest fall of any state and territory since August 2020."

By industry, the largest falls were in cafes, restaurants and takeaway food services (down 12.3 per cent), clothing, footwear and personal accessory retailing (down 15.4 per cent), and department stores (down 11.4 per cent).

Food retailing saw a rise in sales of 2.3 per cent as COVID restrictions kept people at home, limiting their mobility.

Australian Retailers Association CEO Paul Zahra said the lockdowns are taking a heavy toll on small businesses in particular, and the impacts are likely to be felt for many more months.

“Businesses have been left reeling from the Delta devastation and today’s figures confirm the severity of the lockdowns and the impacts they have on retail spending,” Zahra said.

“Consumer and business confidence has been shattered by the recent outbreaks in multiple states, and the state and federal supports just haven’t been enough to save a number of businesses from closing their doors permanently.

“The lockdowns are also having an impact on employment, with payroll jobs falling by nearly 9 per cent in Greater Sydney since the stay-at-home orders were introduced in late June, and a significant proportion of those losses were in the retail industry.”

Updated at 2.49pm AEST on 27 August 2021.


ACT to remain in lockdown but click & collect services to restart from midnight

ACT to remain in lockdown but click & collect services to restart from midnight

Small retailers in the Australian Capital Territory will be permitted to operate local delivery and click & collect services from midnight tonight, but the Territory will remain in lockdown after 21 new locally acquired COVID-19 cases were reported.

The ACT’s Chief Minister Andrew Barr outlined the changes for small retailers, which will be in place until at least Thursday, 2 September.

The new public health directions will allow small retail businesses to have a maximum of two people at the premises to operate local contactless delivery services or a click & collect service.

To counterbalance this, some of the large essential businesses will also be required to move to a similar contactless delivery or click & collect service, including hardware, pet supply and office supply stores.

“These stores will of course remain open for Canberrans to access the essential items they need, but that access will be via contactless means,” Barr said.

“These small amendments to the public health directions allow a small amount of additional activity at a small business level that counterbalance that with addressing what has been a major issue of the most checked-in places in Canberra in the last two weeks.”

Barr also mentioned the ACT Government has been engaging with the construction industry to develop strict COVID-safe arrangements to enable a staged reopening of the sector from 3 September.

“Subject to the public health situation not deteriorating over the next week, the Government is targeting a gradual re-commencement of construction from Friday, the third of September,” Barr said.

“This gradual recommencement would start with civil construction, new roads and suburban infrastructure for example. It would also include the manufacturing, fabrication, testing and equipment supply that will enable construction projects to recommence.”

Of the ACT’s 21 new COVID-19 cases, 15 are linked to known outbreaks and six are still under investigation.

11 people are currently hospitalised with COVID-19, and one person remains in intensive care in a critical condition.

Updated at 12.11pm AEST on 27 August 2021.


"Dancing is back": QLD to lift restrictions today

"Dancing is back": QLD to lift restrictions today

After 20 days of no known COVID-19 cases active in the community, Queenslanders will have more freedoms from 4pm today including 100 per cent capacity at stadiums, permission to dance, and relaxed density limits of one person per two square metres at hospitality venues.

There are now just 30 active cases in the Sunshine State, where 48.25 per cent of eligible people have received their first vaccine dose and 29.45 per cent have had two doses.  This compares to 62 per cent of the population having received their first jab in locked-down NSW.

QLD Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said people would be allowed to have up to 100 visitors in their homes, and 200 people would be able to attend weddings or funerals.

"For the young people, dancing is back," she said, although dancing will be allowed for all ages.

"Stadiums can have 100 per cent capacity, but patrons must wear a mask going in. They must wear a mask seated unless they're having a drink or they're eating at their seat.

"Indoor events like theatres, university lectures, can have 100 per cent capacity, and of course community sport is well and truly back."

However, the Premier noted masks would still be really important.

"Of course, if you're outside that's not a problem, but of course going into cafes and restaurants you need to wear your mask. You must also check in," she said.

"Our high school students will also still need to wear these masks, but what I'm going to do is we will review these mask requirements every two weeks.

"This is an added protection for us. I really want to make sure that we're doing everything we can in case we do get that outbreak. We do know it's on our doorstep in New South Wales, that there are still flights that come in."

Deputy Premier Steven Miles also revealed encouraging signs towards improving the lot of QLD-NSW border communities whose lives have been upended by the limits on movement.

"We do though acknowledge that the border restrictions have an impact - a disproportionate impact - on those that live on the border," he said.

"I'm really pleased to report that we've had an approach from the Deputy Premier of NSW to work with them to collaborate on border arrangements so that we can reduce the impacts of them on their community.

"You'll recall that not long ago the Premier wrote to the Premier of NSW and asked for that collaboration. At that stage it was declined, however we certainly welcome this change of heart."

He said both governments would work together to to put in place whatever measures they can to keep the border safe but also minimise impacts to the extent that it is possible.

Deputy Premier Miles also welcomed the news that the Commonwealth Government has appointed a contractor to construct its national quarantine facility at Pinkenba.

"This is welcome progress and we certainly look forward to them finally constructing this facility," he said.

Updated at 12:03pm AEST on 27 August 2021.

 


Pfizer bookings for children aged 12 to 15 opening from 13 September

Pfizer bookings for children aged 12 to 15 opening from 13 September

Following updated advice from Australia’s immunisation advisory group, the Federal Government has announced children aged 12 to 15 will be able to book an appointment for the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine from 13 September.

The Pfizer vaccine is currently the only jab recommended for use in Australia for this age group by the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) after it expanded its advice this morning.

In a statement released today, ATAGI says the benefits of offering COVID-19 vaccination to all younger adolescents outweigh the known or potential risks of the jab.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison today said ATAGI’s latest advice gives the Government confidence to expand vaccine eligibility from 13 September.

“We’ll allow that to commence, and then on the 13th of September people will be able to make those bookings,” Morrison said.

“Principally I’ll see that happening through the GP network, and that provides the opportunity for family vaccinations - for the family to go along together across those age groups.”

ATAGI recently recommended vaccination using Pfizer for adolescents with specific medical conditions, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders and those in remote communities, but today’s decision expands it to the balance of the population.

The Group says there is high-level evidence indicating strong immunogenicity and vaccine efficacy against symptomatic COVID-19 in adolescents from clinical trials of Comirnaty (Pfizer) and Spikevax (Moderna).

In results of an ongoing phase III Comirnaty trial with over 2,000 participants aged 12-15 years, vaccine efficacy against symptomatic COVID-19 from seven days after dose two was 100 per cent.

After dose one and before dose two, there were three COVID-19 cases (within 11 days after dose one) among Comirnaty recipients compared with 12 cases in the placebo group resulting in vaccine efficacy of 75 per cent.

“Vaccinating adolescents is anticipated to prevent SARS-CoV-2 infections, hospitalisations and deaths due to COVID-19, and other complications such as Paediatric Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome Temporally associated with SARS-CoV-2 (PIMS-TS) and long COVID-19,” ATAGI said.

“Although the severity of COVID-19 is less in adolescents (with approximately 4-7 per cent experiencing severe outcomes) compared with adults, adolescents appear to have infection rates similar to adults.

“The SARS-CoV-2 Delta Variant of Concern (VoC) has demonstrated increased transmissibility across all age groups and is associated with an increased risk of developing COVID-19 for adolescents in the absence of vaccination. Potential new VoCs may also pose a greater risk to non-immune children and adolescents in the future.”

In addition, ATAGI anticipates vaccinating adolescents will contribute to a reduction in SARS-CoV-2 transmission in the broader population.

“Once a large proportion of adults are vaccinated, susceptible children and adolescents will account for a higher proportion of continued infections in the community contributing to transmission. This has been seen in countries such as Israel and the USA,” ATAGI said.

“While there is some uncertainty regarding the relative contribution by adolescents to the transmission of SARS-CoV-2 in the wider community, studies published in 2020 exploring SARS-CoV-2 spread within family clusters have reported children as index cases in about 4 per cent of households.”

ATAGI says other benefits of vaccination include reduced disruption to education by preventing transmission and outbreaks in schools, as well as less disruption to sports and other organised activities.

NSW reports 882 new COVID-19 cases

The announcement comes as NSW today reported 882 new locally acquired COVID-19 cases, of which more than 80 per cent were in Western and Southwestern Sydney.

Two more deaths were also recorded - both men with underlying health conditions who had received one vaccine dose.

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian welcomed the announcement from the Federal Government about expanding Pfizer eligibility to 12 to 15-year-olds.

"We're really looking forward to transitioning children back to face-to-face learning,” Berejiklian said.

“We know what a difficult time this is, and we thank everybody - all the community groups and stakeholders who have been working with Education and Health to ensure the safety of our students, teaching staff and parents during this difficult time.”

NSW Health authorities also reported there are more cases than they would like to see in the LGA of Camden and the rest of the Penrith LGA where tighter restrictions are not already in place.

"There could be a chance that those areas could be designated local government areas of concern," Berejiklian said.

Currently there are 12 Penrith suburbs - Caddens, Claremont Meadows, Colyton, Erskine Park, Kemps Creek, Kingswood, Mount Vernon, North St Marys, Orchard Hills, Oxley Park, St Clair, and St Mary’s - that are listed as areas of concern.

“We're just asking everybody in Camden, and the rest of the Penrith local government area just to be extra careful, just to continue to do the right thing, make sure you come forward and get vaccinated to ensure that you can continue the way you are in the foreseeable future," the Premier said.

Meanwhile, Victoria today reported 79 new locally acquired COVID-19 cases, of which at least 19 were in quarantine during their infectious period.

The State also announced today that it will implement a new departing hotel quarantine permit for those who completed hotel quarantine interstate, with a requirement they be tested on day 17 and a strong recommendation for testing on day 21.

Updated at 11.22am AEST on 27 August 2021.


Regional NSW lockdown extended until 10 September as state records 1,029 COVID-19 cases

Regional NSW lockdown extended until 10 September as state records 1,029 COVID-19 cases

Regional New South Wales will remain in lockdown until at least Friday, 10 September due to concerns over the continuous rise of case numbers in the state's west.

However, those living in NSW can look forward to restrictions being eased slightly from the middle of next month as the state’s vaccine roll-out has been progressing well under the circumstances.

Today's announcements from Premier Gladys Berejiklian comes after NSW reported a new daily record of case numbers today, with 1,029 infections reported in the 24 hours to 8pm last night.

Three more deaths were also reported, bringing the number of deaths related to this latest COVID-19 outbreak in the state to 79.

Deputy Premier John Barilaro said the Western Health District was on a “knife’s edge” today, with the region reporting 35 new cases.

“We’re sitting on a knife’s edge - it’s a tinder box ready to explode,” the Deputy Premier said.

“I do apologise for those communities that don’t have any cases today, but I put it this way: the reason you may not have cases is because of the restrictions in place.

“Now is the time to stay united.”

Barilaro said he was particularly concerned about a case in the country town of Parkes.

“The case in Parkes concerns us because we can’t identify the source,” Barilaro said.

NSW Health's ongoing sewage surveillance program has recently detected fragments of the virus that causes COVID-19 at the sewage treatment plants in Tamworth, Merimbula, Cooma and Brewarrina. These detections are a concern as there are no known cases in these areas.

Premier offers a slice of hope for vaccinated population

After NSW achieved 6 million jabs earlier this week, the state’s Premier has offered vaccinated citizens a sign of things to come with restrictions to ease somewhat in mid-September.

From 13 September, households and families in the local government areas (LGAs) of concern will be permitted to leave the house for an hour of recreation, on top of the hour of exercise already permitted.

Families will be allowed to sit in the park for one hour, so long as all of the adults in the group are vaccinated.

Similarly, in areas outside of the LGAs of concern (the rest of Greater Sydney and regional NSW), five people will be allowed to gather outdoors as long as all are vaccinated from 13 September.

The changes to the lockdown restrictions will not impact any of the other rules currently in place, meaning the 5km radius travel rule still applies.

“We know that people coming together is what people miss the most,” Premier Gladys Berejiklian said.

“And whilst there are various options that we looked at, that was the option that met the mental health needs and wellbeing of our community but also provided the lowest risk setting.”

Berejiklian reiterated that once the state hits the 70 per cent mark of its population fully vaccinated, which could come as early as mid-October, she will be in a position to ease restrictions further.

“We’re asking industry to dust off their COVID safety plans, get the QR codes in check,” she said.

“We’re also working on an app in New South Wales that will allow you to sign into the venue but also have proof of your vax all in one, to make it as simple as possible.”

Updated at 11.44am AEST on 26 August 2021.


QLD to go ahead with Toowoomba quarantine facility modelled on Howard Springs

QLD to go ahead with Toowoomba quarantine facility modelled on Howard Springs

The Queensland Government has today announced a partnership with the Wagner Corporation to build a 1,000-bed quarantine facility adjacent to the Toowoomba airport, with expectations 500 beds should be operational by the end of 2021.

Modelled on the Howard Springs facility in the Northern Territory, the cabin-style accommodation is aimed at alleviating a hotel quarantine system that is currently stretched and not fit-for-purpose.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk says the facility in Wellcamp, Toowoomba will have 1,000-bed capacity by the first quarter of next year.

"This is a commitment by the Wagner family working with the Queensland Government to say to the people of Queensland 'we want to keep you safe', and the best way to keep you safe and to keep Delta out of Queensland is to build, as quickly as possible, a regional quarantine facility," she says.

The announcement follows the news last week that the Federal Government would proceed with a purpose-built quarantine facility in the Brisbane suburb of Pinkenba, which is expected to be ready by mid-2022.

"The Queensland Government will continue to work collaboratively to progress the Commonwealth’s Pinkenba facility, but we need more options to get returning Australians home safer," says Deputy Premier Steven Miles.

"Following countless leaks from the nation’s hotel quarantine system, it’s clear there is an urgent need for alternative facilities in Australia.

Miles highlights the facility will be built at a greenfield location that is ready for construction.

"In fact early works are underway as we speak, and it is adjacent to an airport. It will be the first facility after Howard springs to be completed and be accommodating returning travelers," Miles says.

He says there will be a mix of single, double and family accommodation in cabin style with balconies, and importantly, no hallways adjoining rooms which have been vectors for virus transmission.

"COVID-positive patients who require hospital care will be treated in one of the five COVID hospitals that we currently use that we currently transfer people to," Miles says.

"By funding this facility ourselves and building this facility ourselves, we can ensure that it replaces current hotel quarantine usage that will allow us to take travellers who are currently within the cap and put them into this facility, reducing the need for hotel quarantine."

The facility will be built by the Wagner Corporation with accommodation modules to be manufactured in Queensland. Once the facility is up and running it will be operated by the state government, which has a one-year lease with options that can be extended to two or three years.

"When you consider that the last lockdown alone cost more than $1 billion in economic impact and compensation, you can see just what fantastic value it will be if we can avoid just one lockdown, let alone  more with this new facility," Miles says.

"The work has started now. It's time for the politics to end, the facility will be built."

John Wagner has thanked the Queensland Government for having the confidence in his family to go ahead with the facility, and for keeping the state's residents safe.

"As the landlord of this facility to the Queensland Government we are working through the final design criteria to make sure we have the best fit-for-purpose regional  accommodation facility for return travellers that there is in country or in fact the world," he says.

"This is going to be a great economic boost for Toowoomba. It will create a lot of local employment. Our local producers, just by the fact that we have to produce 3,000 meals a day, will really benefit from this and it will help get Queensland out of COVID and on the road to economic recovery, which we desperately need."

Health Minister Yvette D'Ath also points to the ongoing need for quarantine measures even once vaccine targets have been reached, in line with the Doherty Institute's findings that have formed the basis for discussions around the loosening of measures.

"Their own report says we will need to keep some public health measures in place - test, trace, isolate and quarantine. So even with high vaccination rates, we must continue these public health measures, which means we will continue to need quarantine facilities and we will need to make sure they're purpose built and they're keeping our community safe."

Updated at 11am AEST on 26 August 2021.


Further rent relief for Victorian commercial tenants secured

Further rent relief for Victorian commercial tenants secured

Further relief for commercial tenants struggling with rent payments in Victoria is on its way after the State Government finalised new regulations as part of the Commercial Tenancy Relief Scheme.

The Scheme will help small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) with an annual turnover of less than $50 million that have experienced a loss in turnover of more than 30 per cent during the pandemic.

Eligibility for rent relief has also been broadened, with tenants now able to choose three consecutive months between 1 April and 30 September 2021 to compare to their turnover in the same three months in 2019.

Eligible SMEs will get financial relief in the form of a proportionate reduction in rent. For example, a business with a turnover of 40 per cent of pre-pandemic levels can only be charged 40 per cent of its rent. Of the balance, at least half must be waived, with the remainder to be deferred.

The Victorian Small Business Commissioner will support tenants and landlords with information to negotiate an agreement and free mediation for those who need assistance.

The scheme will apply retrospectively from 28 July 2021 and will run until 15 January 2022.

Landlords found to be doing the right thing by tenants will not be left out in the cold either; land tax relief of up to 25 per cent will be provided by the Victorian Government, in addition to any previous relief, with the support worth up to $100 million.

Further, small landlords who can demonstrate acute hardship will be eligible to apply for payments as part of a $20 million hardship fund.

“We know businesses are doing it tough – that’s why it’s important that we continue to back them with practical measures, including rent relief,” Victorian Minister for Small Business Jaala Pulford said.

“We want everyone to get a fair outcome – the Victorian Small Business Commission will provide free support to businesses to help them negotiate an agreement with landlords, if they’re unable to reach agreement themselves.”

Further information about the Commercial Tenancy Relief Scheme can be found at vsbc.vic.gov.au.

Updated at 2.27pm AEST on 25 August 2021.


Federal SME Recovery Loan Scheme expanded

Federal SME Recovery Loan Scheme expanded

More small and medium businesses (SMEs) will be able to receive funds under the Federal Government’s ‘SME Recovery Loan Scheme’ following changes to eligibility criteria announced today.

The Federal Government says, in recognition of the ongoing economic impacts caused by COVID-19 restrictions, requirements will be removed for SMEs to have received JobKeeper during the March quarter of 2021 or to have been a flood-affected business in order to be eligible under the Scheme.

As with the existing scheme, SMEs who are dealing with the economic impacts of the coronavirus with a turnover of less than $250 million will be able to access loans of up to $5 million over a term of up to 10 years.

In addition:

  • The Government guarantee will be 80 per cent of the loan amount.
  • Lenders are allowed to offer borrowers a repayment holiday of up to 24 months.
  • Loans can be used for a broad range of business purposes, including to support investment.
  • Loans may be used to refinance any pre-existing debt of an eligible borrower, including those from the SME Guarantee Scheme.
  • Loans can be either unsecured or secured (excluding residential property).

The loans will be available through participating lenders until 31 December 2021.

More information about the SME Recovery Loan Scheme can be accessed via the Federal Treasury website.

Updated at 2.23pm AEST on 25 August 2021.


WA reopens to SA, introduces hard border with New Zealand

WA reopens to SA, introduces hard border with New Zealand

Western Australia’s border arrangements with South Australia, Queensland, New South Wales and New Zealand will be adjusted from midnight tonight (AWST) following the latest COVID-19 updates in Australia and across the ditch.

The changes will see WA reopen to SA entirely and a hard border imposed with New Zealand, reflecting the ever-changing COVID-19 situation.

South Australia will transition from 'low risk' to 'very low risk'. Under the 'very low risk' settings, safe travel is permitted into WA subject to the following conditions:

  • completion of a G2G Pass declaration, stipulating the traveller does not have any COVID-19 symptoms and which jurisdictions they have visited in the previous 14 days;
  • all Perth Airport arrivals to undergo a health screening and temperature test;
  • travellers to be prepared to take a COVID-19 test, if deemed necessary by a health clinician (voluntary asymptomatic testing also available); and
  • land arrivals to be met at the border checkpoint for a health screening and to have their G2G Pass declaration checked.   

"In promising news, after 34 days of no community cases, safe travel from South Australia is now permitted after tough lockdown measures enabled them to crush its local outbreak,” WA Premier Mark McGowan said.

With New Zealand’s COVID-19 outbreak now reaching 148 cases, WA will impose a hard border with the country, elevating it from ‘low risk’ to ‘medium risk’.

As such, travel from New Zealand will no longer be permitted except for approved travellers.

Approved travellers arriving in Western Australia from New Zealand must:

  • self-quarantine in a suitable premise for 14 days;
  • present for an initial COVID-19 test within 48 hours;
  • present for a COVID-19 test if any symptoms develop during quarantine; and
  • present for a COVID-19 test on day 12 after arrival in WA (if still in WA).    

"With growing case numbers in New Zealand, WA will be putting in place a hard border with New Zealand from midnight tonight,” McGowan said.

"The various outbreaks in Australia and in New Zealand are heartbreaking and our thoughts are with everyone impacted."

Also from midnight, Queensland will transition from 'medium risk' to 'low risk'. This means travel is permitted from Queensland with the following strict conditions: 

  • present for a COVID-19 test on arrival (within 48 hours) and on day 12;
  • self-quarantine for 14 days in a suitable premise;
  • complete a G2G Pass declaration prior to arrival, stipulating they do not have any COVID-19 symptoms and which jurisdictions they have visited in the previous 14 days;
  • land arrivals to be met at the border checkpoint for a health screening and to have their G2G Pass declaration checked before proceeding to their self-quarantine. 

As previously announced, from midnight tonight New South Wales will be elevated to 'extreme risk'. Under the new 'extreme risk' category, travel from New South Wales to Western Australia will not be permitted.

"Western Australia's border controls have been our best defence in eliminating COVID-19 within our community, protecting our health and our economy,” WA Health Minister Roger Cook said.

"We need to stay vigilant with outbreaks growing as the deadly Delta strain continues to wreak havoc.

"It's so important that we continue to listen to the health advice. Please stay home if you're unwell, get tested if you develop symptoms and get the COVID-19 vaccine if you're eligible."

Updated at 2.06pm AEST on 25 August 2021.


NSW reports 919 new locally acquired COVID-19 cases

NSW reports 919 new locally acquired COVID-19 cases

COVID-19 case numbers in New South Wales have hit a new daily record today, with the state reporting 919 new locally acquired cases in the 24 hours to 8pm last night.

Of the new cases, 178 are linked to a known case or cluster while the remaining 741 are under investigation.

106 were in isolation throughout their infectious period and 18 were in isolation for part of their infectious period. 37 cases were infectious in the community, and the isolation status of 758 cases remains under investigation.

This takes active case numbers in NSW to around 12,000.

Health authorities today reported the deaths of two people who had COVID-19 - a woman in her 30s who died in her Western Sydney home and a man in his 80s who acquired his infection at the Greenwood Aged Care facility in Normanhurst.

This brings the state’s number of COVID-related deaths to 76 since 16 June 2021, and the number of lives lost due to the virus in NSW to 132 since the beginning of the pandemic.

The state’s vaccine rollout has been progressing well, with more than 45,000 vaccines administrated in the 24 hours to 8pm last night by NSW Health. The total number of vaccines administered in NSW is now 6,143,824.

NSW Health's ongoing sewage surveillance program has recently detected fragments of the virus that causes COVID-19 at the sewage treatment plants in Bateau Bay, Toukley and Merimbula, which serve around 39,000, 29,000 and 15,500 people respectively.

Meanwhile Victoria today reported 45 local cases. 36 are linked to current outbreaks and 17 have been in quarantine throughout their infectious period.

The ACT has confirmed its lockdown will still last until at least 2 September after nine new cases were reported today, of which all but one are linked to current cases or clusters.

Of the cases in the Territory, 48 per cent are aged 18 to 44, and 38 per cent are aged zero to 18.

Updated at 11.31am AEST on 25 August 2021.


QLD relocation spike prompts two-week pause on interstate hotel quarantine arrivals

QLD relocation spike prompts two-week pause on interstate hotel quarantine arrivals

"We are scrambling for hotels, and this has got to stop. It's too much pressure so we have to put a pause," Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said.

After recording no new COVID-19 cases overnight and declassifying the cases of two truck drivers whose status was under investigation, the Queensland Government is now taking steps to slow down the influx of Australians from locked-down areas relocating to the Sunshine State.

"Starting from noon today we are pausing arrivals into hotel quarantine for a period of two weeks," the Premier said.

Health Minister Yvette D'Ath said this meant anyone who is not already on a flight at midday will not be able to arrive in Queensland on a right of entry pass, although people with exemptions including compassionate or end-of-life reasons, or to attend funerals, will still have rooms made available.

"We are seeing a lot of people wanting to relocate to Queensland. We understand that, it’s a beautiful state, why wouldn’t you want to live here? But we just need a pause on that," D'Ath said.

"About 85 per cent of the people who have come under right of entry passes over the last two weeks of domestic travel are simply relocating to Queensland.

"Everybody who's got a right of entry pass who is a Queensland resident or is seeking to relocate will need to reapply for their pass, and over the next fortnight we will then issue passes but we will be allocating a time period that people will be able to arrive in Queensland."

The Premier said as of yesterday there were 5,114 people in hotel quarantine in Queensland across 22 hotels.

"That's a lot of people – 3,257 are domestic arrivals, 1,857 are from overseas," she said.

"Between August the 9th and 20th, 2,750 people got border passes to relocate to Queensland. That includes 1,983 people in just one week.

"International arrivals are sometimes double and we don't find out until the day, and we often don't know from day to day, how many people are coming into Queensland from other states – they just turn up."

There are currently 37 active cases in Queensland and the number of people still in home quarantine has been reduced to 762.

Updated at 10:41am AEST on 25 August 2021.


Retail sales fall as 'for lease' signs become more common in Sydney, Melbourne

Retail sales fall as 'for lease' signs become more common in Sydney, Melbourne

Retail sales across the country dipped by 5.6 per cent in July month-on-month as lockdowns continued to impact the sector, according to new data released by MasterCard.

The MasterCard SpendingPulse report, which measures in-store and online sales across all forms of payment, also demonstrated retail sales were down 6.3 per cent in July compared to the same time last year.

However, when compared to July 2019, sales were actually up 6 per cent.

There were month-on-month falls in the retail categories of clothing (down 19.9 per cent), department stores (down 5.4 per cent) and food retailing (down 1.2 per cent). Household goods increased 0.8 per cent in July compared to the previous month (seasonally adjusted), however there were year-on-year falls across all retail categories.

Australian Retailers Association CEO Paul Zahra says lockdowns have a direct impact on retail sales and the pandemic pain will continue to be felt over the coming months.

“Delta is continuing to cause damage to businesses and livelihoods, in particular for our economic capital Sydney, where a nine-week lockdown is confirmed with no guarantee that restrictions will ease at the end of the month,” Zahra says.

“‘For lease’ signs are becoming a more common feature on CBD shop fronts in Sydney and Melbourne where the Delta devastation has been more severe and state and federal supports haven’t been enough to save businesses from closing their doors permanently.

“Lockdowns have a direct impact on retail sales as well as business and consumer confidence, and those impacts can be felt long after restrictions are eased, as it takes time for confidence and foot-traffic to build up again – it’s not an immediate snap back to the way things were.”

Updated at 12.25pm AEST on 23 August 2021.


Victoria unveils support package for lockdown-hit regional businesses

Victoria unveils support package for lockdown-hit regional businesses

A package of automatic cash grants jointly funded by the Commonwealth and Victorian Governments will support businesses in regional Victoria after lockdown restrictions were expanded to cover the whole state on Saturday.

The package comprises a $100.9 million allocation to the Business Costs Assistance Program, $34.5 million for regional premises that have previously received Licensed Hospitality Venue Fund grants, and $11.2 million for the Alpine Resorts Winter Support Program.

It comes after Victoria recorded 65 new cases yesterday, 21 of which were in the regional town of Shepparton where a cluster has been growing quickly.

Today the state has recorded 71 new locally acquired cases of COVID-19, of which 49 are linked to known outbreaks and 22 are under investigation.

The support programs are expected to assist 20,000 businesses throughout regional Victoria, joining more than 110,000 businesses in Melbourne.

Businesses in regional Victoria that do not qualify for this new support and have experienced a reduction in revenue of at least 70 per cent are encouraged to apply for the $252 million Small Business COVID Hardship Fund, which provides grants of $14,000 to successful applicants.

Commonwealth COVID-19 Disaster Payment support will apply to workers and eligible sole-trader businesses in regional areas, as they do in metropolitan areas. Since 1 July, almost $640 million in COVID-19 Disaster payments has flowed to Victoria supporting the incomes of more than 350,000 Victorians

Victorian Treasurer Tim Pallas said that this support package will provide assurance to businesses in the State’s regions when they need it most.

“No one wanted to be in this position, but the rapid spread of the Delta strain and the emergence of cases in regional Victoria meant there was no choice,” Pallas said.

“We are acting quickly, decisively and on public health advice to get ahead of this outbreak so we can start our return to conditions more like we remember them before the pandemic.

“This package is about helping regional businesses at a really tough time as we continue to battle this current outbreak.”

More information about the business support programs is available at business.vic.gov.au

Elsewhere in Australia New South Wales recorded 830 locally acquired COVID-19 cases yesterday after 825 on Saturday, and the Australian Capital Territory reported 19 new cases of which six were infectious in the community.

WA introduces tourism industry support package

Tourism businesses impacted by COVID-19 in Western Australia will soon be able to apply for funding under a new package backed by the State and Federal Governments valued at up to $16.8 million.

Businesses will be able to apply for grants of up to $10,000 if they can demonstrate at least a 30 per cent reduction in turnover by comparing the period 15 May - 25 June with 10 July - 30 August.

The following funding amounts will be made available to eligible businesses:

  • $2,000 grant for all sole traders and for employing businesses with an annual turnover between $50,000 and $100,000
  • $5,000 grant for employing businesses with an annual turnover between $100,000 and $1 million
  • $10,000 grant for employing businesses with an annual turnover between $1 million and $10 million

In order to be eligible, businesses must be:

  • registered with Tourism WA as a previous grant recipient or as part of the agency’s marketing campaigns in 2020 or 2021; or
  • a member of, or accredited through, a relevant tourism organisation (as of today); or
  • a travel agent that has been offering domestic product to travellers.

“The continued acceleration of community spread in many parts of the country – particularly New South Wales – is now so severe it is having impacts on some WA tourism businesses,” Premier Mark McGowan.

“Western Australia’s work to keep COVID-19 largely out of the community has kept the State safe and open – enabling our tourism sector to operate in a way much of the world has been unable to over the past 18 months and fuelling an intrastate visitation boom.”

“The Tourism Assistance Grants will provide targeted support to the Western Australian businesses which have become innocent victims of community spread over east, through no fault of their own.”

City of Melbourne to absorb fee increase for ratepayers

The City of Melbourne is discounting rates for all commercial and residential ratepayers across the municipality at a total cost of $4.8 million in response to the impacts of COVID-19.

The City was entitled to implement the Victorian Government’s 1.5 per cent rate cap but made the decision to apply a 1.5 per cent rates discount, cancelling out the rates increase this year.

“Rates are necessary to support vital community services and infrastructure and we are legally required to issue them at this time, but we also know that conditions are incredibly tough, so we're doing what we can to take some pressure off for the second year in a row,” Lord Mayor Sally Capp said.

"This year, we're keeping rates low while delivering historic levels of infrastructure and initiatives to create jobs, support businesses and ensure Melbourne remains a safe, clean and resilient city.”

Finance, Governance and Risk lead, Councillor Philip Le Liu, said the decision to apply a discount to the rate increase was made earlier in the year when councillors endorsed the 2021-22 budget.

“All of the city’s 128,000 commercial and residential ratepayers will receive a discount, totalling $4.8 million. Around half of ratepayers will receive a discount between $10 and $50, with an average discount of $37,” Le Liu said.

“The discount will be clearly identified on a rates bill, but the amount of the discount on individual bills will differ depending on the valuation of their property.

“Rates change every year as property values change, so some ratepayers may still see their total bill go up because their property value may have changed relative to others.”

Updated at 9.41am AEST on 23 August 2021.


Victoria "right on the edge" as majority of 57 new COVID cases were infectious in community

Victoria "right on the edge" as majority of 57 new COVID cases were infectious in community

"If we have a weekend this weekend like last weekend, well then next week it will be like Sydney. Simple as that. This will get away from us,"  Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews said.

Victoria may be facing its toughest challenge yet in 2021 as the state reports 55 new locally acquired COVID-19 cases of whom only 25 were in isolation for the entirety of their infectious period.

"That is a very significant challenge. That makes today a bad day," Premier Daniel Andrews said.

In the 24 hours to midnight last night there were also two new cases in hotel quarantine, and of all new cases 49 are linked to known outbreaks and six are currently mystery cases under investigation.

The Premier said the government could not have locked down any earlier than it did and is playing its part, but the rules are "only as good as the behaviour and the choices that each of us make".

"We've got too many mystery cases out there. We need people to come forward and get tested when they have symptom; not a day later, not three days later," he said.

"It's not about looking for every loophole, every exemption, every sort of blind corner where people can't see you, to do the wrong thing."

He said the Delta variant was so wildly infectious that it would find every breach of every rule and will potentially spread because of that.

"It's not just delicate, it's not just a tipping point. We are right on the edge of this getting away from us," he said.

"We all have to make choices that recognise how serious this is. There are 700 kids that have got COVID in NSW. There are kids that are in hospital in NSW that have got COVID - no children in our country are vaccinated.

"As a parent to every other parent, that should be motivation enough. We can't be certain what the impacts of this virus are on kids. We have got a substantial number of kids infected ourselves in this outbreak - it is spreading amongst younger people and it will continue to do that unless we all play our part."

There are currently 349 active cases of COVID-19 in the state.

In more positive news, there were almost 50,000 tests in Victoria yesterday and 28,601 vaccinations administered by state clinics.

"I thank all of those nearly 30,000 people who made an appointment, kept their appointment, turned up and got the jab. That's such an important thing or you to do," he said.

"There are appointments open as we speak. Thousands of them...if you go to the website you can book, and you can book with confidence."

Updated at 12:40pm AEST on 20 August 2021.


Greater Sydney lockdown extended until end of September, curfew from Monday in certain areas

Greater Sydney lockdown extended until end of September, curfew from Monday in certain areas

With case numbers in New South Wales only continuing to rise, the state’s Premier Gladys Berejiklian announced Greater Sydney’s lockdown has been extended until the end of September.

In addition, local government areas (LGAs) of concern will be under even stricter rules from Monday, with a curfew to come into effect, exercise limited to just one hour per day, and more retail premises to close.

Further, across the entire state, mask wearing while outdoors will become mandatory from 30 August to avoid instances of fleeting transmission and aid police with compliance, and vaccines will become mandatory for those working in childcare or disability support for those that live or work in LGAs of concern.

It comes as NSW reported 642 cases of community transmission today and four new deaths related to COVID-19.

The Premier also announced that the Central Coast and Shellharbour will no longer be classified as ‘Greater Sydney’, but will instead become part of regional/rural NSW, giving residents in these areas hope that lockdown may end sooner than their counterparts in the NSW capital.

Lockdown in regional NSW is expected to last until at least 28 August.

The curfew will come into effect for the 12 LGAs of concern from Monday, meaning residents cannot leave the house between 9pm and 5am.

“In terms of the local government areas of concern, I can’t stress enough that we feel for you, we’ve imposed a lot of restrictions on you already,” Premier Gladys Berejiklian said.

“But we don’t want to see more of you end up in hospital, we don’t want to see more of you lose loved ones, and it’s heartbreaking when you see disease rip through families - families who are unvaccinated and suffering the most.

“From Monday from 9pm to 5am you cannot leave your home, unless of course it is for authorised workers or emergencies.”

The Premier says the curfew is necessary based on police feedback that a small number of people are not doing the right thing at night, as well as the fact that the “overwhelming number” of cases are being reported in South and Southwest Sydney.

“As we said, Delta doesn’t leave any room for error,” Berejiklian said.

“I apologise deeply to the vast majority of people in those communities for doing the right thing, but for our own health and safety moving forward we need to make these difficult decisions.”

A number of retail premises must close except for click & collect services from Monday too, including garden centres, office supplies, hardware and building supplies, landscaping material supplies, rural supplies and pet supplies.

New rules for authorised workers living or working in the LGAs of concern will also be introduced, including for childcare and disability support workers, who must now have received their first COVID-19 vaccine dose by 30 August. 

The jump in case numbers follows reports of a gathering in Maroubra, an eastern suburb of Sydney, where 11 people have since tested positive to COVID-19.

"I understand why people are tired and fatigued, but we just can't have that occurring," NSW Chief Health Officer Dr Kerry Chant said.

NSW Deputy Premier John Barilaro also highlighted sewage detections in the state's regions which are giving authorities "advanced notice" of possible COVID-19 infection.

"We've touched on sewage detections and they're happening right across regional New South Wales," Barilaro said.

"But our concerns are in the areas of Cobar, Port Macquarie, Parkes and Coonamble and Bellambi down in the Illawarra.

"Clearly it's a tool that we use. Clearly it has shown us an advanced notice in areas of concern."

 

 

The news comes as the Queensland government today announced 120 Australian Defence Force (ADF) personnel will be deployed to police the NSW border from 25 August.

"We've also now had confirmed that the ADF will be assisting our police with the border," QLD Deputy Premier Steven Miles said.

"We welcome certainly welcome that support from the Commonwealth."

Updated at 11.22am AEST on 20 August 2021.


Lockdown lifted in Katherine as NT reports no new cases

Lockdown lifted in Katherine as NT reports no new cases

The Northern Territory Government has confirmed stay-at-home orders in Katherine lifted from midday (ACST) today, one day after a lockdown in Darwin ended.

It comes as the Territory reported no new cases of COVID-19 today, giving authorities the confidence to lift remaining lockdown restrictions.

Some restrictions for Darwin and Katherine will remain in place until 12pm on 26 August for high-risk categories to reduce the risk of COVID-19 spreading in the community.

People will still need to wear masks in indoor settings such as retail, but they can be taken off while seated and eating or drinking, and will not be necessary in offices when physical distancing can be maintained.

Updated at 12.24pm AEST on 20 August 2021.


57 new local cases for Victoria, but "advanced warning system" points to undetected circulation

57 new local cases for Victoria, but "advanced warning system" points to undetected circulation

Victoria has reported 57 new local COVID-19 cases of whom 44 were in isolation for the entirety of their infectious period, but an epidemiologist from the Royal Melbourne Hospital (RMH) explains how wastewater tests show signs the virus may be circulating under the radar.

Professor Benjamin Cowie of the RMH and the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity highlights continued "unexpected detections" of COVID-19 in the wastewater system.

"While the testing program isn't necessarily a smoking gun, it does provide a really good signal and another line of intelligence for us to follow," Cowie told a press conference this morning.

"So we began targeted wastewater surveillance in high rise public housing towers and then received a detection at a complex at 480 Lygon Street in Carlton several days ago," he said.

"Based on that signal alone, we made the entire complex effectively a tier two exposure site and encouraged all the residents to get tested, and we uncovered a case living inside the building."

As a result, Cowie said authorities were able to provide that person with care and treatment, and to prevent other transmission, which he said demonstrated the potential use of use of wastewater detection as an "advanced warning system".

Often it is a case of someone shedding while no longer infectious, or epidemiologists know of someone who has COVID-19 and is isolating in the area connected to the sewage result, but at times the source is a mystery.

"That's when we really pay close attention," Cowie said.

"We have a few of these signals alerting us right now. In regional Victoria, we've seen three detections in Shepparton with our period of concern being between the 9th and the 16th of August, and I know the community in Shepparton has come out - testing numbers have increased substantially over the last few days."

There have also been wastewater detections in Lakes Entrance with a period of concern from 8-11 August, in Ardeer from 11-16 August, and new detections in the suburbs of Albion, Braybrook, St Albans, Sunshine, Sunshine North, Sunshine West and Tottenham from 15-17 August.

"And we've had three detections in some southeastern suburbs, including Dingley Village, Keysborough, Noble Park, Springvale and Springvalue South, with a period of concern being between the 11th and the 17th of August."

Photo: Professor Benjamin Cowie of the RMH and the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity

But the expert said of possibly the greatest concern was the strong and repeated detections from an industrial precinct in Sunshine West.

"Now, that's an area where nobody resides, there's no one living there, but a lot of people work there," he said.

"We've been working with businesses in this precinct on surveillance testing for the last few days, and we haven't uncovered any cases at this point, but essentially we're at the point where based on these repeat, strong detections, it becomes more likely than not that someone who works in this area actually does have coronavirus infection.

"That is clearly of concern to get them tested so we can look after them and provide them appropriate treatment and care, but to protect their colleagues and indeed the entire community. So my message is that if you work in that industrial precinct come forward to be tested now, even if you don't have symptoms."

Of today's 57 new cases reported, 54 are linked to known outbreaks, mostly Al-Taqwa College students and close contacts from that school outbreak.

"So we might see further cases that are exactly the same as a result of day 13 testing," Premier Daniel Andrews said.

"There are some 296 active cases across the state, 16 people are in hospital, three of those in ICU and I'm told one of those is on a ventilator.

"There were just under 50,000 test results received overnight," Andrews said, adding this was a significant uplift on numbers which were low a few days ago.

More drive-through vaccination clinics for Victoria

The Premier said 27,581 Victorians were vaccinated yesterday, taking the number of doses in the state to 2,050,042 in state-run centres.

Following the opening of Australia's first drive-through vaccination hub in Melton there have been around 1,200 doses administered at the site, and now the government will be opening up three more centres in this format.

The Premier has announced the new drive through clinics will open at the Former Ford Factory in Broadmeadows, at Sandown Racecourse in Springvale and at the Eagle Stadium in Werribee.

The new site at the Ford Factory in Broadmeadows will be soft launched this Sunday by invitation only, and will open to the public for booked appointments from Monday 23 August.

The Sandown Racecourse clinic will be adjacent to the existing Sandown Racecourse indoor vaccination hub and will run an invitation-only soft launch on Friday. It will open to the public for booked appointments from Saturday 21 August.

Combined, these sites will have 36 bays for drive-through but have the capacity to be ramped up if needed. Victorians will be able to make bookings online or through the Coronavirus hotline, which the government says are essential.

The new site at the Eagle Stadium in Werribee will have room for both drive through and indoor vaccinations, with an expected opening towards the end of the week.

In addition, a pop-up vaccination centre opened yesterday at Peanut Farm Reserve in St Kilda. It is a walk-in, no-booking site designed for locals who are eligible for the vaccine. It administered 170 doses in its first two hours. It will operate 9am to 5pm daily for the next week. Primary Close Contacts or people with symptoms cannot attend.

There are 300,000 COVID-19 vaccine appointments available over the next four weeks and just over 80,000 Pfizer second dose appointments available. 

"There are 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," Premier Andrews said.

"We’re imploring every single Victorian to come forward and get vaccinated as soon as you can – there’s appointments available and we need you to fill them."

"Getting vaccinated is our way out of this pandemic. These new drive through clinics are convenient and easy to access – Victorians should take full advantage of them to get themselves and their loved ones vaccinated," Health Minister Martin Foley added.

Updated at 12:34pm AEST on 19 August 2021.


Regional NSW lockdown extended to 28 August

Regional NSW lockdown extended to 28 August

With COVID-19 cases still popping up in Western New South Wales, health authorities have ordered the state-wide lockdown be extended by another week until 28 August.

The decision comes as NSW reported 681 cases of community transmission today, of which at least 59 were in the community while infectious.

NSW Deputy Premier John Barilaro said the decision was made due to the relatively high number of cases being recorded in different parts of the state’s regions.

“The decision for that was based on the numbers that we’ve just heard - numbers like in Western New South Wales, 25 new cases overnight,” Barilaro said.

“We know that we’ve got more cases in Western News South Wales and Southern New South Wales, Hunter New England and the Central Coast so, therefore, it is starting to show clearly that there are still concerns in regional and rural New South Wales.”

“That is why we say it is right that we stay in front of the curve, that we stay in front of the spread, and we keep regional and rural New South Wales in lockdown.”

NSW yesterday hit a new daily vaccination record, with 110,000 people coming forward to get jabbed.

The state now has 53 per cent of the population vaccinated with one dose, and 28 per cent are fully vaccinated.

NSW also announced one death from COVID-18 today: a man in his 80s who died at the St George Hospital in the last 24 hours.

Meanwhile, the Australian Capital Territory recorded 16 new COVID-19 cases today, bringing the total number of active cases in the jurisdiction to 83.

The Territory's Chief Minister Andrew Barr said he is working with the Federal Government on developing a new support package for the tourism and hospitality sectors, as well as the potential expansion of the business hardship fund. Details of these financial packages are expected to be announced in the coming days.

Updated at 11.32am AEST on 19 August.


Greater Darwin lockdown to be lifted today, Katherine stay-at-home orders extended

Greater Darwin lockdown to be lifted today, Katherine stay-at-home orders extended

Lockdown orders for Greater Darwin will be lifted at noon today as planned, but people in Katherine will need to wait one more day as health authorities await testing results from casual contacts, most connected to the town's Woolworths.

There are still 12 casual contacts the territory government is trying to locate, and the town's wastewater continues to have traces of COVID-19. Detections of the virus are weak in Darwin.

"The lockdown for the Darwin-Palmerston and Darwin rural areas will end at noon today as scheduled," NT Chief Minister Michael Gunner said.

"The lockdown for Katherine is being extended for a further 24 hours and is on track to end tomorrow," he said.

In areas where the stay-at-home orders have been lifted, people will still need to wear masks in indoor settings such as retail, but they can be taken off while seated and eating or drinking, and will not be necessary in offices when physical distancing can be maintained.

"These are the exact same rules as last time. If you're going to the supermarket or to a shop, chuck on your mask," Gunner said.

"If you're heading out for dinner or drink, wear a mask but you can remove it while you were seated, eating and drinking."

Gunner said there were 232 negative results that authorities were matching back to the original casual contact list.

"I thank all of our close and casual contacts for their cooperation and their patience this week. People have been truly terrific," Gunner said.

"We need Katherine to hang tight another day, given that we know the man was more infectious while in the community, given the movement between Katherine and remote communities, and given the number of tests that we are doing there."

Updated at 11:38am AEST on 19 August 2021.

 


Qantas makes COVID-19 vaccine mandatory for all employees

Qantas makes COVID-19 vaccine mandatory for all employees

Australian airline Qantas (ASX: QAN) has today announced it will require all employees to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 by 31 March 2022.

The move means all frontline employees - cabin crew, pilots, and airport workers - will need to be fully vaccinated by 15 November 2021, and the remainder by the end of March next year.

There will be exemptions for those who are unable to be vaccinated for documented medical reasons.

"Having a fully vaccinated workforce will safeguard our people against the virus but also protect our customers and the communities we fly to," Qantas CEO Alan Joyce said.

"One crew member can fly into multiple cities and come into contact with thousands of people in a single day. Making sure they are vaccinated given the potential of this virus to spread is so important and I think it's the kind of safety leadership people would expect from us.

"We provide an essential service, so this will help guard against the disruptions that can be caused by just one positive COVID-case shutting down a freight facility or airport terminal."

The policy follows consultation with Qantas and Jetstar employees, including a survey sent to 22,000 people to seek their views on vaccination.

The results showed that of those who responded:

  • 89 per cent had already been vaccinated or are planning to be.
  • 4 per cent were unwilling or unable to get the jab.
  • Around three-quarters think it should be a requirement for all employees to be vaccinated and would be concerned if other employees in the workplace weren't vaccinated.

"It's clear that vaccinations are the only way to end the cycle of lockdowns and border closures and for a lot of Qantas and Jetstar employees that means getting back to work again. This was one of the largest responses to any survey we've conducted, even with thousands of our people stood down, which shows just how important this is for them," Joyce said.

"Since vaccines became available, we've strongly encouraged all of our people to get the jab and are offering paid time off to get it done. We were really pleased to see from the survey that more than three quarters of those who responded have already rolled up their sleeve at least once and 60 per cent have had both jabs.

"We understand there will be a very small number of people who decide not to get the vaccine, and that's their right, but it's our responsibility to provide the safest possible environment for our employees and for our customers."

The move from Qantas comes after a decision by SPC to make the COVID-19 vaccine mandatory for all staff before the end of 2021.

The decision mirrors moves made internationally by other companies like Microsoft, Google and Disney, with SPC stressing the decision will ensure the health and wellbeing of all staff and the broader community.

Shares in QAN are down 0.23 per cent to $4.41 per share at 11.49am AEST. 

Updated at 12.11pm AEST on 18 August 2021.


NSW reports 633 new locally acquired cases

NSW reports 633 new locally acquired cases

"What the data is telling us, in the last few days, is that we haven't seen the worst of it," New South Wales Premier Gladys Berejiklian said.

New South Wales health authorities are expecting case numbers in the state to get worse over the coming days after 633 new locally acquired cases were reported today - a new daily record for the state.

This sudden jump in case numbers, up from 452 yesterday, can be attributed to the exponential spread of the virus in NSW, according to Premier Gladys Berejiklian.

"According to the data that we have, every person who has the virus is spreading it to at least more than one person," Berejiklian said.

"Now for us to know that we've reached out peak - that can't continue.

"So what the data is telling us, in the last few days, is that we haven't seen the worst of it, and the way that we stop this is by everybody staying home."

Of today's new cases, 550 are from Southwestern or Western Sydney, but given the high viral load being detected in new cases the Premier says the next hotspot could be anywhere in the state.

"The vast majority of cases are in younger people in those areas of concern, and that is where our focus needs to remain," she said.

"Although given the high viral load, it could mean that there could be an outbreak anywhere if anyone from those communities moves to work in another community."

The state also reported three more deaths from COVID-19 today: one man in his 60s and two men in their 70s.

NSW Chief Health Officer Dr Kerry Chant expressed her fear that if numbers continue to rise the state will see more deaths.

"I can't express enough my level of concern at these rising numbers of cases," Dr Chant said.

"We will see more admissions and more deaths if these numbers continue to increase.

"We have a collective responsibility to do all we can to stop seeing those deaths and hospitalisations continue to increase."

NSW Health's ongoing sewage surveillance program has detected fragments of the virus that causes COVID-19 at the Yamba, Bathurst and Orange sewage treatment plants in recent days.

"These detections are of particular concern and everyone in these areas are urged to monitor for the onset of symptoms, and if they appear, to immediately be tested and isolate until a negative result is received," NSW Health said.

Dominello apologises for business grant backlog

With 15,000 business grant applications still to be approved by Service NSW that have been pending for more than two weeks the State's Minister for Customer Services has apologised for the slow processing times.

Victor Dominello today revealed more than 260,000 grants have been received so far, and of those 200,000 have been approved or paid.

However, there are 60,000 outstanding grants still to be approved, and of those 15,000 are more than two weeks old.

"Can I first begin by apologising to all the businesses that did not receive their grants on time or did not receive phone calls when they should have expected phone calls," Dominello said.

"The quality of service that we provided over the last month is not up to standard."

The Minister says the average waiting time for grant approvals is currently 7.5 working days, but some 15,000 grants are still not addressed despite having been lodged more than two weeks ago.

With 580 assessors attempting to clear the backlog currently, Dominello asked for patience as the Service NSW call centre has been seeing a 4,000 per cent increase in demand recently.

"When we were setting up this grant program in many ways we were flying and building the plane at the same time, but we are again making a lot of progress," Dominello said.

Updated at 11.48am AEST on 18 August 2021.


ACT extends support for COVID-impacted businesses

ACT extends support for COVID-impacted businesses

Businesses impacted by COVID-19 restrictions in the Australian Capital Territory will receive more financial support after the jurisdiction's lockdown was extended yesterday by two weeks to 2 September.

Business Support Grants will now deliver up to $10,000 for employing businesses and $4,000 for non-employing businesses over the three-week lockdown period if turnover has declined by 30 per cent or more as a result of the restrictions.

This is up from $3,000 for employing businesses and $1,000 for non-employing businesses as announced last week by the ACT government.

To receive the grants businesses must be registered in the ACT and able to demonstrate their primary operation in the ACT, have an annual turnover of more than $75,000, be registered for GST and have a total payroll of less than $10 million. They will also need to provide evidence of a 30 per cent reduction in their turnover.

The package will be split on a 50/50 basis between the Commonwealth and the ACT Governments, with the Territory government to administer the program.

Chief Minister Andrew Barr said the extended package would help keep people in jobs.

"We know that extended lockdowns are particularly hard for businesses, especially those who have been experiencing a downturn in trade for some months due to restrictions interstate," the Chief Minister said.

"The ACT Government will continue to work constructively with the Commonwealth Government to support businesses and keep people in jobs."

It comes as the ACT reported 17 new COVID-19 cases today, bringing the total number of cases in the Territory connected to the latest outbreak to 45.

Interstate, New South Wales reported 452 new locally acquired COVID-19 infections and Victoria reported 24 new cases. Queensland reported one locally acquired case - a person who was already in home quarantine.

Meanwhile, the Northern Territory reported no new COVID-19 cases today after the Territory Government sent Darwin and Katherine into a snap lockdown yesterday.

Updated at 2.33pm AEST on 17 August 2021.


Victoria "at a tipping point": lockdown extended by two weeks, curfew imposed

Victoria "at a tipping point": lockdown extended by two weeks, curfew imposed

"We are running alongside this virus at best, we are not in front of it," Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews said.

The Victorian Premier has today unloaded on Melburnians caught breaking COVID-19 restrictions over the weekend - behaviour that forced the state's health authorities to recommend strengthening the lockdown rules and extending it for another two weeks.

Those recommendations have been accepted by Premier Daniel Andrews who today announced a two-week extension of the state's lockdown until at least 2 September, the introduction of a curfew from midnight tonight as well as additional restrictions on workers and gatherings.

It comes as the state recorded 22 new locally acquired cases of COVID-19 in Victoria, with just 14 of those in isolation for their entire infectious period.

"We see too many cases, we see too many mystery cases, we now have 12 or 13 different chains of transmission - the origins of some are unknown to us," Andrews said.

"That means this is spreading in undetected way across the community.

"We are at a tipping point."

Victoria's Chief Health Officer has declared that from tonight the lockdown restrictions will be strengthened and extended in metropolitan Melbourne, until 11.59pm on Thursday, 2 September.

The strengthened settings will see a curfew imposed from 9pm to 5am every night. This will operate as it did last year, with very limited reasons to leave the home during this time.

In addition, at large scale construction sites, staffing must reduce to 25 per cent or five workers on site, whichever is higher.

Authorised workers will be required to carry permits when working, and when travelling for work, from 11:59pm on Tuesday August 17. The permits need to be certified by an employer. Permits will be available on the coronavirus website before these directions come into effect.

Permits will also need to be carried by higher education students who are on the Authorised Provider list.

The Premier also highlighted how a small number of people have been making "selfish choices" recently, including people going on pub crawls and gathering in large numbers in parks around Melbourne.

"Every time even a small number of people make really bad choices, selfish choices, it takes away from the hard work that so many millions more are doing, and it extends these lockdowns," Andrews said.

"We've seen people turning the footpath into an impromptu beer garden and doing pub crawls. We've seen people gathering in parks in large numbers. We've seen lots of people flouting these rules not doing as they should, making really poor choices.

"That's not good for anybody."

Andrews also highlighted a particular engagement party during which it has been confirmed there was transmission of COVID-19.

"I'm angry about that event," he said.

"What makes me really angry about it is that there were 69 people at that event. And no matter what you're told or what you read, the facts are these: there has been transmission.

"We'll have to spend literally thousands of hours dealing with hundreds and thousands of people connected to that engagement party. That is the work they must do. But it's all entirely preventable."

As a further strengthening of restrictions there will be a closure of playgrounds, basketball hoops, skate parks and outdoor exercise equipment.

People will not be able to remove their masks to drink alcoholic beverages in public.

Exercise will be limited to just two people from the same household, plus dependants if they can't be left at home.

To monitor compliance, police will be conducting a blitz this weekend with $5,500 fines per adult caught breaking the rules. At that rate, Police Commissioner Shane Patton expects the engagement party would have clocked up about $350,000 worth of fines.

"Last night I was made aware of an engagement party that occurred last week, whereby there was 69 people in attendance...I expect that every one of those people will be getting an infringement," Patton said.

"We've been trying to apply discretion, we've been trying to be fair, and we have been fair with a mixture of enforcement, infringements and warnings. If anyone gets a warning moving forward from here on in, they're going to be very lucky.

"The time for discretion is over. We will be issuing infringements. I am advising all of my officers today that that's an expectation where it's a deliberate and blatant breach."

Andrews reiterated that these restrictions are tough, but necessary to combat the spread of the virus in Victoria.

"This is a tough time, no one is enjoying this lockdown," Andrews said.

"I know people are weary. I know people are sick and tired fo this. But each of us have to find it in ourselves to make good choices for these next couple of weeks to drive down these case numbers and to be in a position that we can reopen."

Updated at 1.06pm AEST on 16 August 2021.


Snap lockdown for Darwin, Katherine after COVID case reported

Snap lockdown for Darwin, Katherine after COVID case reported

Northern Territory Chief Minister Michael Gunner has taken urgent action in response to a positive case of COVID-19, announcing a 72-hour lockdown that will start at midday in Darwin, the Palmerston-Darwin rural area and Katherine.

A $1,000 business lockdown payment will be brought back, which Gunner recognised was "not heaps" but government officials are in conversations with their Commonwealth counterparts about ways to provide further help.

"The best thing we can do is to lock down fast so it's as short as possible," Gunner said.

While the lockdown is in place until noon on Thursday there will only be five reasons people in affected areas can leave the home: 

  • Medical treatment, including COVID testing and vaccination;
  • To buy essential goods and services such as groceries and medicines;
  • For work that is considered essential and can't be done at home;
  • One hour of exercise per day with one other person or the people that you live with, and no further than 5km from your home; and
  • To provide care and support to a family member or person who cannot support themselves (including for separated families who can continue to share the care of their children, or for people who need to leave a location to protect their own safety).

The NT Government is adding an additional layer of restrictions when it comes to retail.

"For everything that isn't groceries, food or medicines, where possible you'll be required to use the click and collect service to get your essential goods," the Chief Minister said.

"For example, Bunnings will not be open for the purposes of entering the store and browsing. If you need goods from Bunnings, from other essential goods providers that aren't food, groceries or pharmacy outlets, you must order the goods online first. You are then permitted to visit the store and collect them.

"This measure has been introduced to further limit all unnecessary movements in direction."

As was the case for the region's last lockdown, masks will be required when leaving the home, and this includes during exercise.

"Don't tell me you need to do vigorous exercise without a mask. Take a break from the burpees and the springs for a couple of days," he said.

"Take a walk instead. Wear your mask, we should all know how this works, and if there is a deliberate non-compliance - if Nightcliff starts looking like Bondi, police will come down hard on it.

"Your ordinary place of residence is where you are now. If you own more than one house, your residence is the place that you are now in."

It is still not known which variant the new case has, and it is because of the many unknowns that the difficult decision to escalate the health response was made.

"The positive case is a man in his 30s who traveled to the territory for legitimate work purposes on Thursday, the 12th of August," Gunner said.

"As a recent international arrival, he had been in 14-day quarantine in Sydney, departing hotel quarantine on the 12th after returning a negative test on the 10th, prior to his exit.

"On Thursday he transited from Sydney to Darwin via Canberra Airport. The ACT was a declared COVID hotspot at the time, but as per usual policy, airports are not considered part of the hotspot."

It is understood the man wore a mask during his transit.

"He landed in Darwin very late Thursday night just before midnight, and travelled by a taxi to the Hilton Hotel on Mitchell Street. Later on Friday morning, he traveled back to the airport in an Uber car to collect a hire car.

"The man visited various locations in the Darwin CBD over the next few days for a limited period of time. There are a number of exposure sites because of this.

"On Sunday morning the man attended the Royal Darwin Hospital Pandemic Clinic for a COVID test. This is a requirement we have for everyone who arrives in the territory after exiting hotel quarantine. They are required to take a test on the third day."

After his test, the man drove the hire care to Katherine where he was required for work, arriving at his hotel in Knott's Crossing just after midday on Sunday.

"He then met a friend and they travelled together to the Woolworths and Catherine," Gunner said.

"Last night, we received his positive test result. He is in isolation in his hotel in Katherine with the assistance of health staff and police. He is asymptomatic. He is being transferred to the Centre for National Resilience today."

Updated at 12:09pm AEST on 16 August 2021.


NSW expands vaccine eligibility to more workers in Sydney LGAs of concern

NSW expands vaccine eligibility to more workers in Sydney LGAs of concern

Tens of thousands of eligible authorised workers in western and south-western Sydney local government areas (LGAs) of concern have today been offered priority COVID-19 vaccinations as the state expands its rollout of the jab.

Workers must fall into the following authorised categories:

  • health care, aged care and disability care
  • construction
  • freight and transport; including bus drivers
  • meat processing
  • food production/processing/retail
  • Primary, Secondary and Early Childhood school staff

They must also live in one of the LGAs of concern including: Blacktown, Campbelltown, Canterbury-Bankstown, Cumberland, Fairfield, Georges River, Liverpool, Parramatta, Bayside, Burwood, Strathfield, and Penrith for the following suburbs: Caddens, Claremont Meadows, Colyton, Erskine Park, Kemps Creek, Kingswood, Mount Vernon, North St Marys, Orchard Hills, Oxley Park, St Clair and St Marys.

Eligible workers will receive a unique link to book their vaccine appointment and will be required to bring photo ID as well as proof of their place of work to receive their vaccination.

It is anticipated that around 100,000 workers will receive a vaccination over the course of the week.

It comes after the Federal Government acquired an additional 1 million Pfizer vaccines from Poland over the weekend, of which 530,000 will be prioritised for express delivery to the 12 LGAs of concern in Sydney.

The total number of vaccines administered in NSW is now 5,009,457 with 1,840,778 doses administered by NSW Health to 8pm Saturday night August 14 and 3,168,679 administered by the GP network and other providers to 11.59pm on Friday 13th August 2021.

Regional NSW in lockdown

Over the weekend the entirety of regional NSW was sent into a one-week lockdown following updated advice from NSW Chief Health Officer Dr Kerry Chant.

The move, which was announced via a tweet on Saturday, means the whole of NSW is currently under stay-at-home restrictions.

Meanwhile in Queensland no new locally acquired cases were reported yesterday; a major milestone for the state considering concerns the Indooroopilly COVID-19 cluster had spread widely through the state's south east.

Victoria however is still in the midst of an outbreak, with 22 new locally acquired cases reported in the state today and 25 on Sunday.

Of today's 22 new locally acquired cases in VIC, 14 were in isolation during their infectious period.

Updated at 9.42am AEST on 16 August 2021.


QLD business support package more than doubles to $600m

QLD business support package more than doubles to $600m

The Federal and Queensland Governments have struck a deal to lift the latest business support package to $600 million for the Sunshine State in a bid to soften the blow from recent lockdowns.

The dollar-for-dollar agreement will see Queensland's contribution to the scheme rise from $260 million to $300 million - a figure that will be matched by the Commonwealth.

Businesses that report a 30 per cent decline in revenue will be able to apply for the package, including a $1,000 grant for non-employing sole traders across the state, a $5,000 grant for small businesses with payrolls below $1.3 million, and a $10,000 grant for those with payrolls of $1.3-10 million.

Large-sized tourism and hospitality operators with payrolls above $10 million can also apply for a $25,000 grant.

Earlier this week the Queensland Government announced other measures to help businesses, including $22 million to relieve liquor licence fees for the tourism and hospitality industry and a $20 million COVID cleaning rebate for businesses that become exposure sites.

Queensland Treasurer and Minister for Investment Cameron Dick said the agreement would boost support, not just for businesses that have been affected by recent lockdowns, but by those that continue to suffer because of lockdowns in other jurisdictions.

"We know that across Queensland, the lack of international and interstate visitors is affecting businesses every day, especially those in tourism and hospitality," the Queensland Treasurer said.

"From Monday 16 August, our $5000 COVID-19 Business Support Grants program will be open to businesses across Queensland, but this agreement with the Federal Government is in addition to that and means that we will be able to extend our support even further.

"It comes on top of the nearly $70 million in additional support and benefits for Queensland tourism and hospitality businesses that I announced earlier this week."

The Queensland Treasurer thanked his Federal counterpart Josh Frydenberg for his rapid response to the evolving impact that COVID-19 is having on businesses in the state.

"The Morrison Government recognises the impact that lockdowns across the country are having on businesses in Queensland," Treasurer Frydenberg said.

"This package will help to keep businesses in business and Queenslanders in jobs and builds on the almost $30 billion in economic support the Morrison Government has provided Queensland households and businesses during the pandemic.

"As we have done so throughout this crisis, we will continue to work with the Palaszczuk Government to ensure the Queensland economy continues to recover from the impact of COVID-19."

Updated at 3:44pm AEST on 13 August 2021.


WA introduces new 'extreme risk' border control category for New South Wales

WA introduces new 'extreme risk' border control category for New South Wales

The Western Australian Government has created a new border control category of 'extreme risk', strengthening restrictions on would-be travellers from New South Wales into the state.

The State's Premier Mark McGowan said the new category was created to further protect Western Australians from the sustained outbreaks of the COVID-19 Delta strain in the country's east.

Based on the latest health advice, the 'high risk' category has been upgraded and a new 'extreme risk' category has been added to WA's controlled border arrangements.

In addition to 14 days of self-quarantine and COVID-19 tests on days two and 12 for approved travellers only, additional conditions will be applied under the 'high risk' category:

  • 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. 

Additional conditions under the new 'extreme risk' category will include:

  • mandatory hotel quarantine for 14 days at a State quarantine facility;
  • exemptions restricted to Commonwealth, State and specialist functions only; and
  • COVID-19 tests on days one, five and 12. 

As a guide, the trigger point for the 'high risk' category will be an average of more than 50 new community cases per day and the trigger point for the 'extreme risk' category will be an average of more than 500 new community cases per day.

"The health advice is clear in that the Delta strain is significantly more contagious than previous strains of COVID-19 and there is emerging evidence that it leads to more severe outcomes," Premier Mark McGowan said.

"We only have to look to NSW to see the devastation that this strain can cause in people and to the economy.

"My Government's priority is to protect Western Australians' health and ensure we have one of the freest and open economies in the world."

Updated at 2.01pm AEST on 13 August 2021.