Coronavirus Australia live news: New South Wales clusters put border re-opening with South Australia at risk – ABC News

Victorian authorities have warned that “at least a couple of hundred individuals” will require hospitalisation as active case numbers climbed by 270 to 1,800.
Stay up-to-date on the coronavirus outbreak
Follow today’s events as they unfold.
Live updates
4mminutes agoTueTuesday14JulJuly2020 at 4:45amBy Sophie Meixner
Peter has vacated the building
Sophie, it looks like it’s time for a victory GIF for knocking Peter down from the helm!-Han
So with Peter leaving, Sophie I think that deserves a GIF showing how that makes you feel!-Sophie In Charge
 
Some might say Peter was driven out of the ABC building by my superior journalistic skills and general wit and intelligence. Others might say his shift was over and he had things to do at home. Who knows where the truth lies.
17mminutes agoTueTuesday14JulJuly2020 at 4:32amBy Peter Marsh
That’s it for me today folks!   
Peter – so either you defeat Sophie, or she defeats you but in doing so you become even more powerful? Seems fair.-Old Ben
Of course Old Ben some say this is what happened to Bridget. But I want this to be CLEAR that this is NOT me admitting defeat here. I’m not about to become a Force Ghost juuuuust yet (my shift is just done for the day and I need to go walk my dog). But of course, Sophie’s going to be here all afternoon to keep you company and as much as I might not like to admit it, y’all are in excellent hands with her at the helm. So don’t go anywhere!
31mminutes agoTueTuesday14JulJuly2020 at 4:18amBy Sophie Meixner
What does Stage 4 look like?
I’ve heard rumours that Victoria are headed to Stage 4 lockdown… what would this mean?-NB
My Doc says we are heading for stage 4. Any ideas what that entails?-Exit stage left
I have a restaurant currently doing takeaway.. what does stage 4 mean for us? Is there any indication? Also how long would stage 4 need to be to be effective?-Jim
We’ve had a lot of questions on what Stage 4 would look like, since both Daniel Andrews and Brett Sutton flagged further restrictions were on the table if the Stage 3 lockdown directions in Victoria weren’t followed or weren’t yielding results. 
The problem is, we really don’t know what ‘Stage 4’ means in Australia. We’ve actually already asked this question before. There is no nationwide roadmap that outlines it. It likely varies with the individual circumstances of the state and territory it’s imposed in.

• People instructed to stay at home
• Educational facilities closed
• Businesses closed except for essential services (e.g. supermarkets, pharmacies, clinics, lifeline services)
• Rationing of supplies and requisitioning of facilities
• Travel severely limited
• Major reprioritisation of healthcare services

As you can see, we’re not there yet. Victorian CHO Brett Sutton said if further restrictions were necessary, they would do “the minimum possible”:
“They are all on the table. Further restrictions need to be considered. We can’t rule anything out if there aren’t sufficient mechanisms to drive down transmission. We would do the minimum required, because we know how much of an imposition it is on businesses and people’s lives but if it’s required to reduce transmission, then it has to be in play.”
36mminutes agoTueTuesday14JulJuly2020 at 4:13amBy Peter Marsh
It. is. on   
Sophie vs Peter. Let the battle of the gifs begin -Chris Log
What actually happens when Peter and Sophie are in the same place at the same time? Is there lead shielding involved?-Worlds collide!
Just to be clear as the one with the beard I am clearly Obi-Wan in this scenario.
Hey Sophie, Hooray!!! The long awaited, much anticipated *Return of the Beef*. Got a feeling this is in the same league as Godfather 2.-Team Sophie
We were actually just talking (begrudgingly, of course) about whether we’d steered the blog ship as a duo before, and we’re pretty sure one of Sophie’s first-ever blogs was with yours truly. Which just furthers the Obi-Wan analogy here of being the creator of my eventual demise….
43mminutes agoTueTuesday14JulJuly2020 at 4:06amBy Sophie Meixner
No visitors not even your gentlemen friends
    
Am I allowed to have gentleman friends over for a game of cards? Is there any time limit in terms of what time they have to leave so that we aren’t breaking current metro Melbourne legislation?-Gwyneth
Not if you’re in a lockdown area, Gwyneth. You can no longer have social visitors to your home and you can no longer make social visits to your friends and family. There’s no curfew if you’re leaving the home for permitted reasons, but that’s not one of them.
With the metro Melbourne restrictions, are we able to go on dates if it’s to someone else’s house? I’m a 75 year old single lass, so I don’t have time to waste.-Wanda
You can visit an intimate partner at their home and vice versa. But if you’re not at that stage yet, you could try a socially-distanced walk, or why not jump on the apps until you can get out on the town again?
1hhour agoTueTuesday14JulJuly2020 at 3:49amBy Peter Marsh
A note on learner drivers   
Sorry, but practising your driving is not ok during lockdown. Not unless you and a fully licensed household member is leaving your home anyway, for one of the 4 “essential” reasons.-Stay Well Stay Home
Did I miss something, or has one of the 4 essential reasons for leaving home during lockdown been changed to “must practise driving”?-Clary
Just to set the record straight here fam, here’s what Victoria’s Department of Health and Human Services website says about taking a driving lesson:
“Driving for practice is allowed, with a driving instructor or a member of your household.”
1hhour agoTueTuesday14JulJuly2020 at 3:45amBy Sophie Meixner
Hello there! 
I’m Sophie and I’m joining Peter on the blog this afternoon. People who’ve been following the blog for a while will understand why my face looks like this right now.
While I get over that, ask us some more coronavirus questions and I’ll try to do some research for you.
1hhour agoTueTuesday14JulJuly2020 at 3:42amBy Peter Marsh
You can travel for exercise, within reason
I’m here in Sicktoria (Metro Melbourne), wondering if you are allowed to travel to exercise? ie. Drive from Home to a park to run or walk.Thanks Marshy!-Frank Frankson
You absolutely can Frank! You’re allowed to pop down to your local park, or go hiking, bike riding or surfing. You can’t leave Metro Melbourne or Mitchell Shire though, and the guidelines say that you should try and stay close to home if you can.
Hello there! Im meant to be moving house next week and was just wondering what the rules were when it comes to getting family/friends to help with the move? Originally was meant to have my uncle help with the heavy lifting (I am a tiny female) and transport of furniture as he has a trailer but we dont live together – would that be considered against the rules?-confused mover
Urrghhh I’m sorry Confused Mover. Moving house is already THE WORST, let alone trying to do it and stay across restrictions. You are allowed to move house if you’re under the restrictions in Metro Melbourne or Mitchell Shire. And members of your house or one other friend or family member can help you move. But you’ve gotta stay 1.5m apart, wash your hands, not share food/drink etc. Good luck!
I read theres a vaccine being trialled in Australia. Do you know how long it will take to find out if its effective?-Lisa
There are actually a couple being tested right now Lisa! One began in Queensland just yesterday. We’ve all gotta be patient for those results though. Preliminary results from the one that started yesterday won’t be released until the end of September. Which, sitting here in July under lockdowns feels like FOREVER away. But every possible measure to fast track the testing and of potential vaccines is being taken, it’s just that it takes a while to make sure everything is safe.
Im missing night time good, long communication. Pandemics are rude to the single among us!-Open for communication
1hhour agoTueTuesday14JulJuly2020 at 3:19amBy Peter Marsh
House inspections can still happen
Hi there.Given your earlier answer to “buying”, what is the go with attending a private real estate inspection in Melb (eastern suburbs)? They are advertised, and you can register to attend, yet it doesn’t meet the criteria for the 4 reasons for leaving home.Hoping you can shed light on this.-Wondering
Private real estate inspections are still allowed to happen under Melbourne’s current restrictions, but they’re to be done by private appointment only, so open homes are off the cards. Auctions are still happening, but only remotely.
1hhour agoTueTuesday14JulJuly2020 at 3:15amBy Peter Marsh
Set your watches
We’re expecting to hear from Federal Deputy Chief Medical Officer Michael Kidd at 3:30pm AEST.
Of course, y’all know where you can stay across it all……………….it’s right here. That’s where.
1hhour agoTueTuesday14JulJuly2020 at 3:13amBy Peter Marsh
Lightning round of questions
Any news on what time Dan the man and the PM are speaking today?-Here we go again
It’s not a press conference, so stand down. Dan Andrews said a joint statement from the two would be released later today and it’s expected to cover off on a bunch of smaller developments from a “good, long communication” the pair had last night.
Hi guys,Love the blog. Just wondering if I can do some driving practise as a learner driver during the lockdown? Can’t find any information on this anywhere!-Confused
If you’re in the current lockdown in Victoria Confused, then yes you can. You’re allowed to go for some practice with a member of your household or a driving instructor. But you won’t be able to sit for the test until the stage 3 restrictions are over.
Just to clarify, and apologies if you have already done so over the past few days, but I live in regional Victoria and my partner lives in Metro Melbourne. Can in travel in and out of Metro Melbourne from Regional Vic just to see them?-Regional Victorian
You’re allowed to visit your partner, but you have to abide by the current Stay at Home restrictions. For example, the DHHS website uses the example of someone living in Altona going to visit a partner in Ballarat. You’d have to stay in their home in Ballarat and can’t go out for dinner or a drink there.
How about a few more Mr Bean gifs to lighten the mood briefly? Or just one really, really good one to thank everyone in VIC (and NSW) currently doing all the right things by getting tested (and waiting in such long lines to do it), staying home and gearing up for Round 2 of remote schooling. #virtualcheers-Mr Beans Buddy
I live to serve. Keep up the hard work you wonderful lot! The rest of Australia thanks you for it.
1hhour agoTueTuesday14JulJuly2020 at 2:58amBy Peter Marsh
WA to test all Victorians who fly to Perth
There aren’t lots of them, because you can only travel to WA with an exemption at the moment.
But any Victorians who do will be tested for coronavirus before they collect their luggage.
That’s in addition to the requirement for all Victorian arrivals to be tested on Day 11 of their mandatory quarantine in WA.
1hhour agoTueTuesday14JulJuly2020 at 2:52amBy Peter Marsh
What’s the go with international arrivals in Melbourne?
Will the Melbourne airport be closed to international arrivals after today? The original announcement was that it would be closed through July 14 but that the date could be extended.-Elizabeth
 You’re not the only one to ask Elizabeth, and we now know that international flights to Melbourne have been suspended indefinitely. Premier Daniel Andrews said none will arriving for “the foreseeable future” so that the state could focus on contract tracing and testing its current outbreak.
So if you’re on the way back to Australia, get ready to be diverted elsewhere.
2hhours agoTueTuesday14JulJuly2020 at 2:45amBy Peter Marsh
Got questions? I got answers
Hi! I have hot staff! More specifically, I have staff who live in Campbelltown and Liverpool in NSW. As they are in ‘hot spots’ should I consider asking them to work from home if possible? I obviously don’t want them or the rest of my staff to catch COVID-19.-Hot staff
You’re on the money! If it’s possible, it’s a good idea for those *gorgeous* staff of yours to work from home if they can. The extra restrictions on them as “hotspots” have only come from Queensland at the moment, but any steps you can take to protect them, and the rest of your staff, would certainly be wise.
Apologies if already answered, but was wondering about when todays positive test results were actually taken. 2 days ago? 3?? Or just a mix depending on process site etc?Keep on blogging x-Number Scruncher
I’m more of a folder myself….but no, we don’t get any details of when the tests were taken. You’re right that it depends on how busy an individual site is. It’s also partly why we’ve got to wait a little while before we’ll know if these new restrictions in Victoria are having an impact. A good rule of thumb I’ve been working on during this pandemic is that the data is roughly two weeks behind where we actually are now. Hopefully there’ll be some good news on the horizon.
Hi, I’m based in Frankston, i’m interested in purchasing something off buy swap sell who is based in Cranbourne. Is it ok for me to travel that distance?-buying
 Nope. It doesn’t matter that you’re both in the lockdown area Buying. The fact is you’re only supposed to be leaving your home for four reasons shopping for food or essential items, work or study, to provide care or for exercise.  Unless what you’re buying is “essential” (think food, medication etc), it’s probably best to organise the purchase then arrange pickup in once the current phase of restrictions are over.
2hhours agoTueTuesday14JulJuly2020 at 2:27amBy Daniel Miller
Why not make COVIDsafe compulsory?
Would it be a good time to use the Covid App download as a compulsory obligation to enter a venue for future cross referencing with group gatherings and register the names and contact details if needed. Use the available technology to sort things out!-Alex
Everyone wants coronavirus case numbers to go down but good luck making government tracking compulsory. It’s actually illegal as it stands in the legislation that passed Federal Parliament earlier this year.
94H Requiring the use of COVIDSafe(1) A person commits an offence if the person requires another person to:(a) download COVIDSafe to a communication device; or(b) have COVIDSafe in operation on a communication device; or(c) consent to uploading COVID app data from a communication device to the National COVIDSafe Data Store.Penalty: Imprisonment for 5 years or 300 penalty units, or both.(2) A person commits an offence if the person:(a) refuses to enter into, or continue, a contract or arrangement with another person (including a contract of employment); or(b) takes adverse action (within the meaning of the Fair Work Act 2009) against another person; or(c) refuses to allow another person to enter:(i) premises that are otherwise accessible to the public; or(ii) premises that the other person has a right to enter; or(d) refuses to allow another person to participate in an activity; or(e) refuses to receive goods or services from another person, or insists on providing less monetary consideration for the goods or services; or(f) refuses to provide goods or services to another person, or insists on receiving more monetary consideration for the goods or services;
Adding to that, the app still hasn’t detected any contacts of a confirmed case that manual contact tracing hasn’t, despite more than 6 million downloads. We’ll see if that changes with case numbers now much higher than in months past and the app receiving a number of updates.
Show more posts

Click here to view the original article.