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Summary
- Australia’s death toll stands at 18, after the death of two women in their 80s in Tasmania and the ACT. As of 06.00am AEST, 4247 people across Australia have tested positive for COVID-19. There 1918 cases in NSW, 821 in Victoria, 689 in Queensland, 305 in South Australia, 355 in Western Australia, 15 in the Northern Territory, 66 in Tasmania and 78 in the ACT.
- As of 06.00am AEST there are more than 745,000 known cases of infection and 35,000 deaths, according to the Johns Hopkins University tally. More than 156,000 people have recovered
- Scott Morrison has announced $130 billion dollars in further support for the economy during the pandemic
- This morning, police will begin fining people in NSW and Victoria caught breaching new rules limiting public gatherings to two people, as well as leaving their homes 'without reasonable excuse'
- The IOC has announced new dates for the 2020 Tokyo Games to be held next year
Labor supports 'broad' and 'generous' wage subsidy
By Stephanie Peatling
Federal Opposition leader Anthony Albanese welcomed the wage subsidy announcement saying it was "a very positive initiative" which was "broad in its application".
"This is a generous package, it's targeted," Mr Albanese told ABC Radio National on Tuesday morning.
Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese has said the Labor party supports the wage subsidy.Credit:Alex Ellinghausen
Mr Albanese said although the cost of the wage subsidy and other stimulus measures would keep the budget in deficit for years to come it was necessary to protect people's connection to the workforce and bolster the long-term health of the economy.
"We need to make sure the economy comes out of this with strength."
Mr Albanese said although Labor wanted to see the details of the package it would pass the necessary legislation.
"We are all trying to meet this challenge in our own way," Mr Albanese said.
"What we all have to do is put our shoulder to the wheel. Now is the time to defend each other and come together and work in solidarity."
Businesses jumping at $130b wage subsidy plan: Frydenberg
Businesses are rushing to sign up to the federal government's $130 billion plan to subsidise wages during the coronavirus pandemic.
The treasurer says about 60,000 businesses had already signed up for the scheme announced on Monday, on the tax office website.
Josh Frydenberg expects the plan would help thousands of employers and six million Australians.
"Australia's never seen income support like this," Mr Frydenberg told Sky News on Tuesday.
"(We're) fighting a war on two fronts, a health crisis and and economic crisis."
In the unprecedented move, employees will receive a flat-rate payment of $1500 per fortnight through their employers in a bid to lessen the economic blow caused by coronavirus.
It applies to full and part-time workers, sole traders, as well as casuals who have been on the books for at least 12 months.
AAP
US orders 8000 more ventilators, navy hospital ship arrives in New York
The Pentagon has ordered an additional 8000 ventilators, with delivery of the first 1400 by early May.
The $84.4 million order was placed with several suppliers under existing Defense Logistics Agency contracts.
A Pentagon spokesman, Air Force Lt. Col. Michael Andrews, identified the four suppliers as Zoll, Combat Medical, Hamilton Medical, and VyAire.
Andrews said delivery locations will be prioritised by FEMA and the Department of Health and Human Services. These are in addition to the 2000 ventilators that the Pentagon previously said it would make available to FEMA from Defense Department stockpiles.
A 1000-bed US Navy hospital ship, USNS Comfort, arrived in New York Harbour and docked on Manhattan's west side on Monday after departing Norfolk, Virginia.
AP
Pope's vicar tests positive for COVID-19
Cardinal Angelo De Donatis, Pope Francis' vicar for the diocese of Rome, on Monday became the highest-ranking Catholic official known to test positive for coronavirus.
De Donatis' office said he was tested for the virus after feeling unwell and was admitted to a Rome hospital. His closest aides had gone into voluntary quarantine as a precaution, a statement said.
A pope is also the bishop of Rome but appoints someone to act as his vicar to administrate the vast diocese.
De Donatis, 66, is not believed to have had personal contact with Pope Francis recently.
The Vatican said on Saturday that the pope and his closest aides did not have the virus. Coronavirus has killed 11,591 people in Italy, about a third of the deaths around the world.
Reuters
Liquor purchasing restrictions in force from today
The country's liquor retailers have united to enforce purchasing restrictions from today.
Liquorland, Vintage Cellars, First Choice Liquor, Dan Murphy's BWS and Aldi have joined to create uniform restrictions, designed to stop panic-buying.
BWS and other liquor retailers have agreed on uniform purchasing restrictions.Credit:Peter Rae
The temporary rules restrict buyers to purchasing from two of these product categories in the one transaction, to the following limits: two cases of beer, two cases of cider, two cases of pre-mixed spirits, 12 bottles of wine, two casks of wine, or two bottles of spirits.
Dan Murphy's and BWS previously had purchasing restrictions in place.
'Better to die standing': Coronavirus denial still an issue in parts of Europe
The borders are open. People are still visiting their favourite cafes, and parks are full of families.
Seen as one of Europe's most restrictive countries, Belarus is taking a more laissez-faire approach to the spread of the deadly coronavirus.
Fans at a game in Zhodino, Belarus. Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko is proudly keeping soccer and hockey arenas open even though most sports around the world have shut down because of the coronavirus pandemic.Credit:AP
"It's better to die standing than to live on your knees," said President Alexander Lukashenko, 65, laughing in an interview with the state-owned ONT TV channel after playing an ice hockey match on Saturday.
Lukashenko, who's led the landlocked post-Soviet nation of 9.4 million people for more than quarter of a century, said playing sports, especially his favourite game of ice hockey, is the best medicine to fight the virus.
$11,000 fines for leaving home without 'reasonable excuse' in NSW
Good morning, this is Mary Ward taking over the blog, fresh from a pre-dawn reading of the NSW Gazette.
Around 10.30 last night, the Public Health Order to enforce new social distancing rules in NSW was published revealing that, in addition to the $1000 fine for individuals in a “public gathering” of more than two people (or a household) previously reported, NSW has also opted to enforce restrictions on people leaving their homes.
Under the Public Health Order, “a person must not, without reasonable excuse, leave the person’s place of residence”.
What’s a reasonable excuse? Purchasing food or other goods and services, attending work or education (“if the person cannot do it at home”), exercise and medical and caring reasons are the main ones. There’s a full list in Schedule 1.
Breach of the order is punishable by a fine of up to $11,000 or a jail term of up to six months.
The order came into effect at midnight this morning.
Based on the phrasing of the Prime Minister on Sunday night, and NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian at her press conference yesterday, it had been assumed that, while the rules about two-person gatherings would be enforced by law, the "advice" to stay at home would remain just that.
Similar legislation was passed in Victoria overnight, where breaches can be subject to a $20,000 fine (but, as is the case with their public gathering penalties) no jail time.
Recapping events overnight
Good morning, if you are just joining us here's what's happened overnight:
- New York's governor, Andrew Cuomo, reported a "staggering" new daily death toll, the state's highest yet, as a US Navy hospital ship sailed into New York City to free beds in the hard-hit city.
- Prince Charles finished his self-isolation after contracting the disease as the UK announced £75 million ($150 million) in charter flights to fly stranded Britons home.
- The International Olympic Committee set new dates for the 2020 Tokyo Games. Read more: IOC announces dates for Tokyo Olympics in 2021
- France recorded it's worst daily death toll as it joined Italy, Spain and Iran in passing 3000 deaths.
- Globally, the death toll passed 35,000 overnight. Australia’s death toll stands at 18, after the death of two women in their 80s in Tasmania and the ACT. A total 4247 people across Australia have tested positive for COVID-19. There 1918 cases in NSW, 821 in Victoria, 689 in Queensland, 305 in South Australia, 355 in Western Australia, 15 in the Northern Territory, 66 in Tasmania, 78 in the ACT.
And that's it from me, I'm handing over to Mary Ward in Sydney who will take you through developments throughout the day.
Plácido Domingo leaves hospital in Mexico saying he feels fine
By Latika Bourke
Spanish tenor Plácido Domingo says he has left hospital in Mexico and is continuing with "therapy and rest" after being treated for coronavirus.
Spanish opera singer Plácido Domingo has tested positive to COVID-19.Credit:AP
The 79-year-old was earlier reported to be in a stable condition in hospital. His spokesman told Opera News that the singer would "remain in the hospital as long as the doctors find it necessary until a hoped-for full recovery."
But in a statement released on his Facebook page a short time ago, Domingo said there had been "confusing" information circulated about his condition.
"I am at home and I feel fine," he said. "Fortunately from the very first symptom, I was, as usual, under medical supervision, given my age and my comorbidity, therefore the COVID19 infection was immediately suspected and this helped me a lot."
"Now I continue my therapy and rest. I thank everyone for your affection and once again I recommend everyone to stay safe at home. See you soon," he said.
Domingo confirmed one week ago that he had the disease.
China to start reporting asymptomatic cases
By Latika Bourke
China has signalled it will start including asymptomatic cases in its counts, amid growing scepticism around the world that the PRC is concealing the true number of cases and possibly deaths from coronavirus.
China claims the number of cases has stabilised around the 80,000 mark since the beginning of March, just three months after it acknowledged its first case from the virus, which began in Wuhan province.
Passengers on a train on March 28, 2020 in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China. Services are gradually resuming after the lockdown imposed to try and contain the disease where it originated, possibly from a wet market where wild animals are traded and slaughtered.Credit:Getty Images
But in a sign it is sensitive to the global criticism, Premier Li Keqiang ordered increased monitoring and reporting of asymptomatic cases.
"Once asymptomatic cases are detected, early reporting, diagnosis and treatment should be in place with a strict quarantine and medical observation," said an official statement.
"Meanwhile, information should be released in a transparent manner to prevent missed reports and close contacts should be under quarantine for medical observation."
South Korea, Japan and Singapore are among countries which count all positive tests in their official tallies of cases, regardless of whether the people have symptoms such as a fever or a cough.
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