Coronavirus Australia live update: Victoria premier Dan Andrews holds press conference on cases and Melbourne lockdown
Victoria records 165 new cases, with 30 linked to outbreaks and 135 under investigation. Follow live news and updates
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8.00am BST
Neville ends by thanking the volunteers, and residents.
Can I thank all those volunteer, SES, lifesaving Victoria, forest management Victoria, we have 210 people there just delivering food. I thank them. I thank the local community, AMSA for putting their hand up around food delivery. That will be such a big difference. Can I particularly thank the residents. This has been really tough. And, you know, you have done this, not just nor your own health, but to help the rest of Victoria. So, I thank you again.
7.59am BST
Those in the six towers being opened from midnight that have tested positive or are a close contact, they can move to a hotel if they want, Neville says. This is available immediately.
7.57am BST
Those in Alfred Street will be able to exercise and get fresh air outside, Victoria's police minister, Lisa Neville, says.
For the six towers, they will move to stage 3 from midnight. Neville says this is being done to avoid a rush of people leaving the towers.
7.51am BST
The Melrose and Pampas street towers move to stage 3 like the rest of metropolitan Melbourne, Daniel Andrews says.
For six other towers aside from Alfred Street, they also move to stage 3, but those who test positive or are a close contact will be required to isolate.
7.48am BST
For the tower at 33 Alfred Street, Victoria's chief health officer, Brett Sutton, says it will be treated like quarantine for an aged-care facility. That means lockdown for another nine days. People can leave for medical reasons.
Sutton indicates other towers could open up soon, with some people moved out if it is difficult to isolate:
For all of the other towers, and we will have new cases emerge over coming days, but the numbers are relatively less.
For some, just a few cases. For others, several. We really need to have an intensive monitoring program.
7.44am BST
There have been 2,515 tests conducted in the nine public housing towers in Flemington and Kensington, with 159 positive cases and a number of close contacts.
The towers at 9 Pampas Street and 159 Melrose Street will be reopened subject to stage 3 restrictions.
7.41am BST
The Victorian premier, Daniel Andrews, says there are 3,098 cases of coronavirus, with 165 new cases today.
There are 30 connected with outbreaks and 135 under investigation. There are 477 cases of community transmission.
7.28am BST
In response to Scott Morrison's announcement about the extradition treaty with Hong Kong and the move to extend visas for people coming to Australia from Hong Kong, the Chinese embassy has released this statement:
China strongly deplores and opposes the groundless accusations and measures announced by the Australian government with regard to Hong Kong, which is a serious violation of international law and basic norms governing international relations, and a gross interference in China's internal affairs.
As we have repeatedly stated that the Law on Safeguarding National Security in the HKSAR will strengthen Hong Kong's legal framework, ensure social order, improve business environment, contribute to Hong Kong's long-term prosperity and stability and the steady implementation of one country, two systems" principle. It will not affect the legitimate rights and interests enjoyed by Hong Kong residents and foreign institutions and personnel in the HKSAR.
7.23am BST
Nick Coatsworth says the AHPPC didn't give specific advice about cancelling the Australian National University pilot for bringing international students to Australia but says it is the right decision given hotel quarantine is under review, and the outbreak in Victoria not only diverting resources, but also putting more pressure on hotel quarantine in other states.
He says the timing on when it could be recommenced will depend on when Victoria's numbers start to get under control.
7.14am BST
A resident from one of the public housing towers in North Melbourne is anxiously awaiting the press conference from the Victorian premier, Daniel Andrews, at 4.30pm today, because he says he has no information of when the hard lockdown the towers are subject to will officially end.
Residents were told they would move to a similar lockdown as metropolitan Melbourne once the residents had all been tested and results collected.
7.10am BST
Nick Coatsworth says mask use in Melbourne and the Mitchell shire is recommended in situations where you cannot maintain 1.5 metres distance from people.
Masks do not replace social distancing, he says.
7.09am BST
The deputy chief medical officer, Dr Nick Coatsworth, is providing a national update. He comments on the letter signed by 200 scientists to the WHO about the potential for Covid-19 to be airborne (that is spread through the air, not through contact or droplets from coughing and sneezing).
He says the primary transmission is through droplet or contact, but it is still being researched.
7.03am BST
The Victorian premier, Daniel Andrews, will hold a press conference at 4.30pm.
7.02am BST
Calls from Victorians to mental health support services have doubled in the past fortnight as Melburnians re-enter a six-week lockdown, the chief executive of Beyond Blue has said. Victorians now make up half of all calls to the organisation, evidence that residents are under increased strain as Covid-19 case numbers rise.
What people are contacting us talking about is this sense of frustration and exhaustion," the chief executive, Georgie Harman, said. People are feeling incredibly worried and anxious, they're feeling very overwhelmed."
Mental health services had already been experiencing extremely high demand during the pandemic. [These numbers] come off the back of contacts to our support services being 60% higher in April and May compared to the same period in 2019 and then 47% higher in June ... so we're building off a really high basis," Harman said.
The reintroduction of stage three restrictions in Victoria [is] just really exacerbating this and I think there is a really low mood and a sense of real uncertainty ... There's a lot of concern, stress, worry, anxiety, and that's really having a toll on people's mental health and wellbeing."
6.54am BST
Labor's foreign affairs spokeswoman, Penny Wong, earlier responded to the government's announcement on Hong Kong.
Wong said no Hong Kong citizen in Australia should be involuntarily deported, and all Australians have been deeply disturbed by the developments in Hong Kong, and we want to make sure that we have appropriate arrangements in place".
6.42am BST
Prof Rinaldo Bellomo is the director of intensive care research at Austin Health and said because his hospital is outside of hotspot zones, staff there feel prepared and equipped. But he said there was a significant difference between increasing cases at the beginning of the pandemic compared to the increasing cases now, namely that a higher proportion of cases previously came from returned travellers. That meant levels of community transmission were lower previously than they are now.
On 22 March, just before Australia's national lockdown, there were 67 new cases of Covid-19 cases in Victoria and a total number of 296 cases. Three cases were thought to have been acquired through community transmission. However, 191 cases were announced in Victoria on Tuesday 7 July, the highest increase throughout the pandemic, and all of those were a result of community transmission.
6.38am BST
The state of emergency in WA is extended for another 14 days, but it's probably going to be extended again after that.
6.36am BST
Western Australia's health minister, Roger Cook, has announced WA will prevent people who have been in Victoria for the past 14 days from entering the state, except for a very limited number of reasons.
He says there is a 98% reduction in people from eastern states coming to WA already but they've decided to go further now.
6.16am BST
Victoria's public hospitals have been advised to remain at 75% levels of elective surgery as senior doctors warn that there are not enough hospital beds to meet a surge in demand, and that conditions are placing health workers at a higher risk of contracting Covid-19.
Guardian Australia understands work is under way to deliver equipment needed to treat extra coronavirus patients in hospitals, and it is hoped a further 400 ICU and critical care beds can be added throughout the state.
Almost two dozen healthcare workers and patients have been diagnosed with Covid-19 in recent weeks in Victoria, including doctors, nurses and paramedics. During the first wave" of the virus that prompted a national lockdown in March, non-urgent elective surgery was put on hold to make room for suspected and known Covid-19 patients.
Now, a senior doctor working in one Victorian hospital has told Guardian Australia that there is no free, or surge bed capacity, at the moment".
Just yesterday on my shift we had no cubicles in the emergency department and we had patients waiting for 24 hours to go to the ward and doctors were having to see people in waiting rooms again, which is where we were six months ago in the first few weeks in the pandemic," said the doctor. We only had three beds available for Covid or suspected Covid patients. That's scary. The Australian hospital system is always at 100% capacity. There aren't a lot of spare beds."
Related: Covid-19 Victoria: hospitals advised to reduce elective surgery as doctors warn of overcrowding
6.02am BST
And on that note, I am going to hand you over to Josh Taylor for the rest of the afternoon.
You have the national Covid-19 update coming in about 30 minutes and, of course, national cabinet is being held tomorrow where you can expect changes to how Australia is accepting Australians returning home. That is going to be challenging - if we stagger flights, put caps on arrivals and charge returning Australians for their own quarantine, we are making it very difficult for our citizens to return to their country. That's not a change for the better.
5.56am BST
The Independent National Security Legislation Monitor has had a look at Australia's encryption legislation and given his recommendations to the government. The unclassified report makes for interesting reading:
Christian Porter sent out this release:
5.51am BST
Not sure who puts mustard on a Bunnings sausage sizzle, but here we are:
BREAKING NEWS - Bunnings sausage sizzles are BACK this weekend in NT & Tasmania!
QLD, NSW, ACT, SA and WA stores will ignite the BBQ later this month. https://t.co/OOXaPGrjFY
(Sorry Victoria.)
5.35am BST
Nick Evershed has updated the Covid-19 charts:
5.34am BST
Given the Victorian announcement on temperature tests for school students, this article from The Conversation is worth a read:
Recent research indicates that many people who test positive for Covid-19, and especially children, never have any detectable sign of illness, including fever.
... not all patients with symptoms will have a fever, at least on the basis of once-off measurement. Only 31% of patients presenting at New York state hospitals with Covid-19 had fevers.
5.30am BST
The official announcement, regarding the Hong Kong visas, is out:
Australia and Hong Kong have always shared a close relationship.
5.24am BST
There is one more case of Covid-19 in the ACT.
A man in his 20s has been diagnosed - he is a close contact of a previously confirmed case.
5.22am BST
The Victorian local government areas with the biggest active caseload are:
Hume: 143
5.21am BST
So that is 111 people in the public housing towers diagnosed with Covid-19 and 113 linked to the Al-Taqwa College outbreak.
477 of the 932 Covid-19 cases in Victoria may indicate community transmission.
5.18am BST
Victoria Health:
Of yesterday's new cases that have already been linked to outbreaks, the breakdown includes:
5.17am BST
We have that breakdown of the new cases now - once again, the community transmission number is very high, accounting for most of the new cases:
Victoria has recorded 165 new cases of coronavirus since yesterday, with the total number of cases now at 3,098.
The overall total has increased by 156, after nine cases were reclassified - largely due to duplication.
5.16am BST
New data out today paints a disturbing picture of how hard borrowers have been hit by the coronavirus-inspired economic shutdown.
Repayments have been deferred on almost one in five small business loans, worth $56bn, figures from the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority show.
5.15am BST
We don't have the break down as yet
#BREAKING 165 new coronavirus cases in Victoria today
5.15am BST
The international student program the ACT was hoping to set up as been delayed:
The international student Safe Passage' pilot program developed by the Australian National University and the University of Canberra in consultation with the ACT and federal governments has been postponed.
Given the recent Covid developments, the universities have decided to postpone the well-advanced pilot plan to return 350 continuing students to Canberra campuses in late July until there is a clearer picture around the Covid trajectory.
4.57am BST
In the other big Australian news today:
Palace letters: Queen's secret correspondence surrounding Gough Whitlam's dismissal to be released on 14 July https://t.co/7HCeGUFW6b
4.56am BST
AAP has put together this handy explainer:
4.54am BST
The NSW police who have been drawn from all over, including many from Sydney, to man the border closure are pretty cold in Albury. So Mick Fuller says they are getting some cold climate clothing and some shelter:
We've sent down 2,000 pieces of warm underclothing, and we've got hats and beanies.
All the officers have been given those. The officers that were out on the point in the first 24 hours, they did an amazing job with, you know, Sydney-type clothing.
4.52am BST
Asked how long the border lockdown is in place for, Mick Fuller says there is no time limit:
It really does come back to Victoria's performance. And although I do speak to the premier daily at the moment in relation to the border closure, the hotel operations and other aspects of the Covid-19 operation, but the reality is, you know, from my mind, is that whilst ever Victoria or whilst ever Melbourne ...
4.50am BST
On whether or not there will be a border point further away from the actual border, Mick Fuller says:
There is the border operation that you've seen here today, that rolls out right across the length of the border.
Then we have highway patrol and other vehicles sweeping the 20km, 30km, 40km mark north of here, looking for non-NSW plates. So there already is a two-tiered operation.
4.44am BST
Mick Fuller, the NSW police commissioner, is giving an update now on how the border closure is working:
The permit system is still working. There have been tens of thousands of permits issued.
There's really been a small percentage of people who have been turned around, and we're still working very closely with local communities.
4.37am BST
Asked about claims that unions were one of the reason Victoria went with private security guards in its hotel quarantine, Scott Morrison says:
Well, as my practice in relation to what's been happening in Victoria is the same that I've applied in other states when they've had troubles.
I haven't seen myself as a commentator on those state governments.
4.34am BST
On the advice Australia has issued for travellers in China and Hong Kong, Scott Morrison says:
I'll let the travel advice speak for itself, rather than it be editorialised on.
And those are matters entirely for the Chinese Communist party government.
4.33am BST
Alan Tudge speaks a little more on the numbers he expects by the changes and the offer to skilled workers:
In a typical financial year, we would have about 4,000 people from Hong Kong who would arrive, and about 3,000 of those would be students, and about a thousand who would be in the temporary skilled or graduate visa - or temporary skilled categories. Is this going to change markedly?
It's difficult to say. But obviously the limit is still going to be on the quarantining arrangements here. I mean, the students aren't coming into the country until we've got those situations opened up. We've had the pilots, et cetera. But it also points out that these aren't things which will happen overnight, because you have to put in your application, that needs to be processed, you need to get your affairs in order.
4.32am BST
Scott Morrison:
I shouldn't draw any, I suspect, parallels between what Australia is announcing here than with what you would have seen announced in the UK, for example.
The UK has a very special relationship with Hong Kong and a very special set of responsibilities.
4.23am BST
Scott Morrison:
Our decision to suspend the extradition agreement with Hong Kong represents an acknowledgement of the fundamental change of circumstances in relation to Hong Kong because of the new security law.
Which, in our view - and this is not just our view, this is, I'd say, a shared view of many countries - that it undermines the one country, two systems framework, and Hong Kong's own basic law and the high degree of autonomy guaranteed in the Sino-British joint declaration that was set out there.
4.13am BST
Scott Morrison:
Now, I want to stress that we are not expecting large numbers of applicants any time soon.
What we have in place is the normal application mechanisms for these visas. The same rules apply to getting a student visa, the same rules apply to getting a temporary work visa.
4.11am BST
There will also be an opening up of visas for people currently in Hong Kong:
Scott Morrison:
We will also provide a five-year visa with a pathway to permanent residency for future Hong Kong applicants for temporary skilled visas, subject to meeting an updated skills list and appropriate market testing.
We will also put arrangements in place to ensure we focus on Hong Kong applicants to study and work in regional areas, to help address skills shortages in those areas, with express pathways to permanent residency, as already applies after three years.
4.10am BST
Scott Morrison says Australia has suspended its extradition policy with Hong Kong, given the changes in the security laws:
Firstly, let me say that our government, together with other governments around the world, have been very consistent in expressing our concerns about the imposition of the national security law on Hong Kong.
And today we have agreed to announce that that national security law constitutes a fundamental change of circumstances in respect to our extradition agreement with Hong Kong. And so Australia today has taken steps to suspend our extradition agreement. We have formally notified Hong Kong and advised the Chinese authorities. I also note that our travel advice for Hong Kong has been updated, and we'd encourage Australians to refer to that travel advice.
What we've agreed to do is we've agreed to adjust the policy settings to ensure that, for skilled and graduate visa holders, we will be extending visas by five years from today, with a pathway to permanent residency at the end of those five years.
Now, that means if you're a current or future student, you'll be able to stay for a total of five years once you've graduated with a pathway to permanent residency at the end of that period. If you're a temporary visa holder, your visa will be extended to an additional five years from today, in addition to the time you've already been in Australia with a pathway to permanent residency at the end of that period.
4.08am BST
Scott Morrison also makes the point that some people have been a bit lax with social distancing - which is a point Daniel Andrews also made, but was accused of blaming" Victorians for the outbreak:
But I do want to thank Victorians for how they're responding, and thank them for their continued patience.
They know the drill.
4.06am BST
The prime minister opens with a thank you to those in the Victorian lockdown, and also those in border towns affected by the NSW-Victoria border closure:
Again, I want to thank all Melburnians, all Victorians, for your patience. And those who live in the border towns along the New South Wales-Victoria border, I want to thank you for your patience in managing what has, I'm sure, been a very disruptive last few days.
What we're calling for across Victoria, particularly in Melbourne but along those border town areas as well, is continuing patience as issues settle in terms of the arrangements that are in place for movement of people necessarily across those borders, dealing with freight movements, things of that nature. I've spoken to the Victorian premier again today.
3.59am BST
Given the travel advisory, what we have heard from the prime minister previously, and timing, and the acting multicultural minister being part of the announcement, I think you can expect a Hong Kong announcement.
3.49am BST
Speaking of press conferences
The WA health minister, Roger Cook, will hold a press conference at 1pm local time with the police commissioner to talk about Covid-19, and presumably border controls.
No time yet for the Vic presser.@AmyRemeikis
3.47am BST
Scott Morrison will hold a press conference at 1pm - with Alan Tudge
3.42am BST
With lockdowns across Metropolitan Melbourne and the Mitchell Shire taking effect from today, Mornington Peninsula began trending on Twitter as people reported Victorians in areas facing eminent lockdown rushed to their holiday homes in the seaside area.
While the Peninsula is part of the latest lockdown, from Thursday people are only allowed to leave their homes for four key reasons including access to healthcare, essential services and for work, study or childcare.
There have been reports people in Metropolitan Melbourne with holiday homes on the Peninsula rushed to travel to the area before lockdown began so they could see out the next few weeks there.
I live on the Mornington Peninsula and work in retail here. Not only is it filling up with city people, they're in the shops filling trolleys with just in case" supplies
Mornington Peninsula local here. We are being inundated by people from Melbourne coming to their holiday homes. Locals are not happy, may get ugly. Do something.
3.10am BST
There will be another national Covid-19 briefing today, at 3.30pm, with one of the deputy chief medical officers - today, it is Dr Nick Coatsworth
3.09am BST
Here's the official announcement from the Victorian government:
Following the advice of Victoria's chief health officer, the Victorian government has today announced that students at government schools in metropolitan Melbourne and Mitchell Shire will receive a temperature check every morning, with thermometers also provided to all non-government schools.
3.07am BST
Melissa Davey has an update on school students for those in Melbourne:
If a student has a temperature of 37.5 degrees Celsius or above, schools will be required to contact parents or carers to arrange for students to return home. Families will then be encouraged to get testing. https://t.co/gTzndGW9Zo
3.05am BST
Australia is expected to offer safe haven to a number of Hong Kong residents.
3.03am BST
Two days after the updated travel advisory for Australians in China, comes this update for Australians in Hong Kong:
Still current at: 9 July 2020
2.53am BST
The residents of the public housing towers are not allowed out of their flats (and into the city-wide lockdown conditions) until testing is complete.
Today's Vic press conference likely to be after lunch mid-arvo as the gov awaits test results from the Public Housing flats which were completed last night. @abcmelbourne
2.50am BST
The ABS has reported a drop in home loans:
The value of new loan commitments for housing fell sharply in May, down 11.6 per cent, seasonally adjusted, according to the latest Australian Bureau of Statistics figures released today.
2.48am BST
South Australians are being asked to get tested, if they have been to Victoria, within 24 hours of their arrival and then again on day 12.
2.45am BST
South Australia is putting mobile testing vans on the road, to aid in the testing blitz.
Anyone who has been in Victoria in the past few weeks is being asked to come get tested.
2.42am BST
You will also need a facemask in South Australia. Steven Marshall:
Can I say also that as people come across the borders, whether it be the road border or whether it be the airports, they will be presented with three facemasks which they must wear when they are coming into contact with any other people here in South Australia.
But also pre-signed referral forms so they do not need to go to their local GP.
2.41am BST
The South Australian premier, Steven Marshall, has announced a testing blitz across the state, in response to the Victorian outbreak. SA is also increasing its compliance checks:
Today the first of our announcements is we will be starting a testing blitz in South Australia effective immediately.
We are asking all people who have been into Victoria in recent weeks to present themselves immediately for testing for the COVID-19.
2.26am BST
Given aliens could land tomorrow and we would all probably just shrug and tell them to stop gathering in such large numbers and to wash their hands, it's nice to hear from some peeps who have lived through their own insane times, about some of the simple pleasures we should all indulge in (maybe not the flying one though - I'm terrified of heights and also not a great traveller, but everyone dreams differently).
Gotta love the beautiful messages from Orbost Waratah Lodge' residents. They've lived through wars and seen plenty of good and hard times... nice perspectives on things you should do at least once in your lifetime. Send a camera? @LisaMillar #lovegippsland pic.twitter.com/MFAIdekcpw
2.20am BST
With the Queensland news today, that essentially bans Victorians from travelling outside of their state.
I am really, really sorry. It must feel strange and awful and isolating and alienating.
2.14am BST
Indi MP Helen Haines is keeping a very close eye on the NSW-Victorian border situation, given her electorate.
You can find out what she wants, here.
2.13am BST
Tasmania has extended its state of emergency - but is yet to make a decision on its borders, Peter Gutwein says (borders will be decided after national cabinet tomorrow):
While our island status is our best defence, we need to ensure that we do everything that we can.
And that's why we put in place yesterday the additional border measures to strengthen our safety.
2.11am BST
If you have applied for a Queensland border pass, or have looked at applying for one, you may have noticed the recreational travel" option is missing.
I am assured that option will be there by this afternoon.
2.08am BST
We've got some more news this morning about the Covid-19 tests procured for Australia by the Minderoo Foundation, Andrew Forrest's philanthropic arm.
Australia has committed to taking 10m of tests from the Shenzhen-headquartered Beijing Genomics Institute, a massive global biotech company.
2.04am BST
The states are fairly on the same page when it comes to a cap.
And there have been noises about people paying for their own hotel quarantine upon arrival now, for at least two weeks.
1.59am BST
Gladys Berejiklian just got pretty tough on the paying for hotel quarantine issue.
Well, look, I think that's an extremely valid question and I want to make clear that the New South Wales government is seriously considering that.
Obviously I'd also welcome a lowering of the daily cap around the nation as to how many people are coming on board so I'm looking forward to that discussion tomorrow at national cabinet.
1.49am BST
On her warning yesterday, that people living on the NSW side of the Victorian border may be placed under lockdown, Gladys Berejiklian says:
As I said yesterday, we are monitoring the situation daily and I don't want anyone to feel they've been caught off guard if we happen to need to change something in the next few days and weeks, because it's still a possibility and I want to make that very clear.
But what we find comforting is that, in the last 24 hours, 18,500 people did come forward to get testing in those border communities.
1.41am BST
NSW has recorded 13 new cases of Covid-19 in the last 24 hours, 11 of which are from returned travellers.
The other two are Albury residents.
The two other additional cases were the probable cases that we identified in the media on the 3rd and 4th [of July] and they were Albury residents.
And whilst it's not included in our numbers today, I want to indicate that there's an additional family member that has tested positive and that family member has been in isolation for a number of days, when we first identified the cases in the initial indexed case.
1.40am BST
On returned travellers, Gladys Berejiklian says:
Can I also stress in relation to returning travellers, I was asked yesterday about what we're likely to impose, can I state quite stridently that we will be charging overseas visitors rather than charging New South Wales residents.
Our focus is with the travellers from overseas.
1.39am BST
But the NSW premier is still urging people who live in the NSW-Victoria border communities not to travel:
For some time, obviously, community transmission has been high in Melbourne and so what we are very alert to - especially given the number of people on those border communities coming back and forth - that we want to make sure that we're flushing out any potential seeding that occurred prior to that spike in cases becoming evident, to ensure that there's no trace of that level of community transmission, particularly in those border communities.
Can I please stress again what I said yesterday? Please, if you are living in those border communities, don't move out of your border communities at this time unless you absolutely have to. This is for your own safety and wellbeing but also for the safety and wellbeing of other residents across both states.
1.37am BST
NSW has issued 125,000 border permits in just over two days, Gladys Berejiklian says.
1.36am BST
Yesterday, Scott Morrison gave another we are all in this together" speech about Victoria, and the need to be united.
Today, Victorian Liberal MP Tim Wilson spoke on Sky News about what he thinks of Daniel Andrews' leadership:
Well essentially he's broken the contract between the people of Victoria and the state government. The contract between the people of Victoria and the state government is that we would, it was up to every Victorian to take responsibility, to make sure we didn't see a spread of the virus.
Only to find out that the group who was supposed to be responsible for enforcing the law and making sure there wasn't a spread was ultimately the key, I would say the key, participant in making sure it spread, and mostly because you have a state government who is more interested in making sure that companies that hire their union mates took precedence over the public health of Victorians. So frankly people are pissed off.
1.32am BST
The Jetstar CEO says things are moving very quickly, and that has meant that it hasn't always been a smooth process:
I think - we're working very, very hard ourselves, airports, government health authorities, to make sure that we work together to deal as these rules evolve and, you know, we had more rules today as Queenslanders made changes to their - their requirements for passengers arriving in Queensland.
It's a very dynamic environment and everybody is working as hard as possible to ensure that we screen and obey whatever rules and protocols are put in place.
1.30am BST
Gareth Evans continues:
We worked with the airport and NSW Health to identify those passengers, two-thirds of which were actually identified before they left the airport and were then subsequently screened.
The remaining third we provided the manifest to the authorities who followed those passengers up over the following 24 hours. We have now worked with the other airlines and Sydney airport and NSW Health to strengthen our procedures at Sydney Airport.
1.29am BST
Jetstar CEO Gareth Evans has addressed the issue of the passengers from Melbourne, who arrived in Sydney, and were allowed to disembark without screening:
As a result of the changing and evolving situation in Victoria over the past few days, health authorities and airports right around the country have implemented screening processes for customers, passengers, coming from Victoria. And we have moved quickly over the last few days to put those protocols and rules in place.
On Tuesday, passengers on a flight from Melbourne to Sydney were not screened properly on arrival in Sydney. They weren't met by an officer from New South Wales Health.
1.26am BST
Seems like there are still plenty of items keeping biosecurity workers busy:
Fewer passengers might be entering the country but Australia has had more biosecurity risks coming through the post - including one parcel with 40 eggs and another with a kilo of chicken feet. pic.twitter.com/nEXQ4Gl5f4
1.23am BST
It'll still be some time before there is an official result, but the chances of the Liberals catching up to Kristy McBain are very slim.
#EdenMonaro counting teams are nearing completion of fresh scrutiny requirements & have counted all postal votes to hand. Postal votes will continue to be received up until the legal deadline of Friday 17 July but at a slower rate
Media release - https://t.co/LjXB4Lydze pic.twitter.com/lPOBKK4IHi
1.22am BST
Part of the debate within the government is how to set jobseeker at a level high enough that unemployed people can support themselves but low enough that they are super motivated to go out and find work.
They're looking for a Goldilocks spot between jobseeker with the coronavirus supplement ($1,100 a fortnight), deemed too high by conservatives; and jobseeker on the old Newstart rate ($40 a day), deemed too low.
1.09am BST
What that means, is you can expect the number of flights returning to Australia each week, to be capped. There are still thousands of Australians overseas. It is their right, as citizens, to return home - but it is about to get harder.
States are also starting to make noises about having people pay for their own quarantine - we are seeing that happen domestically, so don't be surprised if it becomes something which is also applied to international travellers.
1.08am BST
Further to the earlier post about international arrivals, it is worth revisiting what the PM said yesterday, about slowing down the international flights:
Q: Prime Minister, given the breaches with hotel quarantine in Victoria, is there any case for slowing down the arrival of people into Australia at international airports? Is there a problem with the sheer load of, that's coming there? Should that be considered?
Well, the short answer to that is yes and I'll be taking a proposal to that end to national cabinet on Friday and I have been discussing that with premiers over the last sort of 24 hours. I had a good discussion with Premier McGowan about the same thing yesterday.
I mean the fact is that New South Wales has been bearing the largest burden of people returning to Australia and they're people, they're Queenslanders, they're Western Australians, they're Tasmanians and New South Wales has done the heavy-lifting on that and foot the bill for it too, I should say.
12.53am BST
Calla Wahlquist has spoken to people in Melbourne about why this second lockdown feels different.
It's a much needed human contribution to this issue. We may not all be Melburians or Victorians as the prime minister was espousing lately, but we can all understand the resignation, fear and anxiety this intervention has wrought.
Related: 'This lockdown seems different': second time around, Melbourne is on edge
12.34am BST
Oh dear lord. The chief health officer for Queensland, Dr Jeannette Young has just shared an update which strikes fear in this little-Queenslander-who-just-wants-to-get-home's heart:
Can I just share with you some figures that highlight that for you?
We've already seen 238,000, or over 238,000 border declaration passes filled out.
12.30am BST
There are also going to be some stricter rules for people coming back to Queensland - you will have to get a test if you get any symptoms and have been anywhere else:
In addition, for those returning to our state, travelling to our state from other parts of Australia, we will be introducing mandatory testing for anyone who develops symptoms within 14 days of arriving in Queensland.
That will apply to Queenslanders returning to Queensland, as well as people visiting from other parts of the state. It will be a condition of the Queensland border pass, the pass that you need to re-enter or enter Queensland, that you declare that if you have a symptom, develop a symptom, that you will go and get tested and if you fail to do so, the fine of up to $4,004 will apply.
12.28am BST
Steven Miles:
So first of all, for people who have been in Victoria, or live in Victoria, within 14 days, they will no longer be able to travel to Queensland.
We will strengthen, we will be much stricter, in applying the exemptions and allowing people to travel here.
12.25am BST
The Queensland health minister, Steven Miles, is explaining the new border rules for Victorians:
Victoria has now had seven times more cases known to be locally acquired than Queensland has had throughout this pandemic.
Globally, the number of cases also continues to rise, leaving Australia and Queensland as one of the few places that has managed to successfully suppress the virus so far.
12.18am BST
The Queensland premier has announced even harder border restrictions for Victorians - they will not even be allowed to quarantine in the state.
Queenslanders returning home from Victoria will have to quarantine in a hotel, at their own expense, for 14 days.
BREAKING: Given the developing situation in Victoria, Queensland is hardening its border.
From noon, July 10, visitors from Victoria will no longer gain access or be able to quarantine in Queensland.
They will be turned around.#COVID19Vic #Victoria #Queensland pic.twitter.com/GwsAW223t5
12.13am BST
We have had a few questions about the end date on the state of emergency declaration for Victoria - it is listed as 19 July, but the lockdown will go for six weeks, which takes you into August.
They renew the declaration every couple of weeks - so just before 19 July, you'll hear the state of emergency has been extended.
12.10am BST
Remember that ring of steel' the Victorian police commissioner was talking about yesterday, that VicPol were going to be putting around Melbourne?
And how there would be very limited discretion when it came to fining people for breaking social distancing orders because we should all know the rules now?
This is a little awkward..
Statement from VicPolice:
The 15 fines issued to an airbnb party on July 4 will be withdrawn. Turns out it wasn't a breach of the CHO's rules - which (currently) allow for 20 people to gather in tourist accom, including private holiday rentals.
12.03am BST
2020 motto: Please scream inside your heart.
Japan's theme parks have banned screaming on roller coasters because it spreads coronavirus. Please scream inside your heart." https://t.co/DJjC40H0Ap
12.02am BST
Just re-upping, because it seems relevant.
The Armchair Epidemiologist pic.twitter.com/t4CvJo3KCL
11.58pm BST
We have to wait until 23 July to find out what the plans are for the next stimulus package.
But the push to extend Jobkeeper and the Covid-19 supplement for the Jobseeker payment is on.
"This just adds to the hurt of 2020 for a lot of people." Kristy McBain on a Victorian tourist testing positive to COVID-19 wile in New South Wales on a holiday. #9Today pic.twitter.com/fYvXYyA0bE
11.23pm BST
The caps and the Melbourne pause on hotel quarantine has had a flow-on affect for some Australians who are still overseas, and were unable to travel home sooner, for one reason or another (health risk, pregnancies, money).
We've been contacted by people who are having flights cancelled because of the changes, and are scrambling to find flights which are going to one of the ports still available. Which obviously comes at a higher cost (there aren't that many flights to choose from).
11.19pm BST
South Australia and Western Australia have asked for caps on the number of international arrivals coming into their states now that Melbourne is taking a break from accepting international arrivals for hotel quarantine to concentrate on dealing with the outbreak.
We have the updated arrival numbers, by state from 7 June to 7 July:
11.16pm BST
We have been following the drama of the three Victorian A-League teams who have been unable to cross into NSW for games. There has been a lot of time spent on the tarmac and on buses.
Related: No escape from Victoria: A-League teams fail to reach Canberra from Melbourne - twice
11.11pm BST
Almost two dozen healthcare workers and patients have been diagnosed with Covid-19 in recent weeks in Victoria, with four patients and a staff member of Brunswick private hospital in Melbourne's north among the new cases announced on Wednesday.
A spokeswoman for Brunswick Private said thorough pandemic planning meant the situation was being handled appropriately and with immediacy". Guardian Australia also confirmed on Wednesday evening a second health worker at The Alfred had tested positive. Meanwhile eight health workers at the Northern Hospital in Epping have the virus.
Related: Australia coronavirus: almost two dozen healthcare workers and patients diagnosed with Covid-19
11.10pm BST
One of the questions being asked about the residents under hard lockdown in nine public housing towers in Victoria is how those who test positive will be able to isolate themselves if they live in small apartments with several family members.
I have been told that the Department of Health will make further announcements today about how quarantine is working for those people.
Since the beginning of the pandemic hand sanitiser has been available in specific areas across all high rises and there has been cleaning of touch points three times a day - this has now increased to five times a day.
These services have been ramped up with a schedule of complete deep sanitation cleans at all 44 high rise sites, three additional pandemic cleaning crews and updated coronavirus Infection Control Protocol for cleaners and training sessions have been running.
11.09pm BST
As we learnt yesterday, testing at the Melbourne public housing towers which are under a police-enforced lockdown - meaning residents can't leave their flats for any reason, including exercise or fresh air - should have finished testing yesterday.
10.59pm BST
The ACTU's Sally McManus wants the federal government to step up with a sick pay scheme for those who might not have enough days (or the award) to cover time off from Covid-19 self isolation.
Victoria and Queensland have state schemes, but it is set at minimum wage, meaning casuals on full time hours take a pay cut, which McManus says is disadvantaging people:
Well, we know definitely that people who are casual workers don't get sick leave, and we do know that people have gone to work when they have been sick," she told the ABC
We know that from some of the outbreaks. We also know that lots of people are refusing tests.
10.37pm BST
Melbourne is waking up under lockdown today, the first of 42 days under restricted social distancing rules.
That means last night was spent out at restaurants, bars and places which won't be able to host customers for at least another six weeks.
The probability of contagion in NSW given what's happened in Victoria is extremely high," she said.
... We are monitoring this situation every few hours ... we are in a high-risk situation.
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