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Coronavirus updates LIVE: NSW lifts COVID-19 restrictions on gyms, junior sport; Palaszczuk issues apology over Nathan Turner death as Australian death toll stands at 102 - The Sydney Morning Herald

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Summary

  • NSW gyms, yoga classes, dance studios, indoor pools, and barre studios, will be allowed to reopen from June 13. Six new cases have been confirmed in the state, all returned travellers in quarantine.
  • A Melbourne nursing home is in lockdown after a staff member tested positive, while a kindergarten teacher has also been diagnosed with the virus. They are among 10 new cases confirmed in Victoria.
  • Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has apologised to the family of Nathan Turner who was thought to be Australia's youngest COVID-19 victim, but tested negative for the virus after his death.
  • New Australian research suggests coronavirus could become a seasonal disease, with people at greater risk of contracting it during winter, as the humidity drops. 
  • The global death toll from coronavirus has passed 373,000 and there are more than 6.2 million known cases of infection. More than 2.6 million people have recovered, according to Johns Hopkins University.

Latest updates

Handing over and looking forward

Thank you for following our rolling coverage of the coronavirus crisis so far today. Nicole Precel will helm our coverage this afternoon and into the night.

The Reserve Bank is meeting this afternoon to discuss the progress of Australia's economic recovery from the pandemic. It will almost certainly keep rates on hold at a record-low 0.25 per cent. We will bring you its decision shortly, so do stay with us.

If you're just joining us, here are some of the key developments of the day so far:

  • Barre is back! Gyms, yoga classes, dance studios, indoor pools, and, yes, barre studios, will be allowed to reopen in NSW from June 13.
  • At least 12 kindergarten children and eight staff in Melbourne are in self-isolation after a kinder teacher at Macleod Preschool tested positive for coronavirus.
  • Embracia Aged Care in Melbourne's north is in lockdown after a staff member tested positive. The employee is among 10 new cases recorded in Victoria overnight, including four linked to an outbreak at a Rydges hotel in Melbourne’s CBD.
  • Six new cases have been confirmed in NSW, all of whom are returned travellers in hotel quarantine.
  • New Australian research suggests coronavirus could become a seasonal disease, like the winter flu.
  • There are two numbers to smile about today, according to federal Health Minister Greg Hunt. Australia is expecting to reach 1.5 million coronavirus tests. And, 6.175 million Australians now have the government's COVIDSafe tracing app on their mobile phones.
  • Tasmania is relaxing coronavirus restrictions ahead of schedule, meaning intrastate travel is on the cards this weekend.
  • Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has apologised to the family of 30-year-old Blackwater man Nathan Turner who was wrongly identified as a coronavirus victim after his sudden death.
  • One new case of COVID-19 was detected in Queensland overnight, while five cases remain active across the state.

And, readers are telling us their bank balances have improved during the coronavirus lockdown as they reduced spending on dining out, public transport and childcare.

"It makes me think, if only we could save more in the good times, we could retire 10 years earlier," reader Michael said.

Will you go back to the gym as soon as they reopen?

With the announcement that gyms will reopen in NSW on June 13, and in Victoria from June 22, we're asking whether you intend to go back immediately. Or, will you wait a little longer?

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On a lighter note: Today's cartoons

Here is cartoonist Matt Golding's take on the easing of restrictions across the country yesterday:

Illustration.

Illustration.Credit:Matt Golding

Illustration.

Illustration.Credit:Matt Golding

The 10 overseas countries Australians will most likely be able to visit

While the government looks at how to get foreigners (international students, specifically) into the country, our travel writer Ben Groundwater is looking at how Australians can travel abroad.

Where are you going in the next 12 months? That's not the open-ended, dream-big question it used to be. The world is not your oyster right now. It's barely even your mussel, he writes.

The destinations Australian travellers choose to visit in the next year will more than likely be governed by availability, by the countries we are and are not allowed to enter, and the various quarantine restrictions applied to each.

A dream holiday on the idyllic islands of Fiji might be on the cards.

A dream holiday on the idyllic islands of Fiji might be on the cards.

The first country to open to tourism is the most important: our own. Australians are already allowed to travel intrastate, and within the next few months the entire nation is very likely to be open to residents.

The likes of Fiji, Vanuatu and the Cook Islands have been almost entirely spared from the coronavirus pandemic, and these nations, which depend so heavily on the tourism industry, are likely to join the trans-Tasman bubble before the end of the year.

Vietnam, Japan, Taiwan, Greece, Norway and Thailand also make the list.

Read about the pros and cons of each destination, here. 

Unis must help quarantine returning students, warns Victorian Premier

Let's look back to Victoria, where Premier Daniel Andrews says he is hopeful of getting "international education back on its feet soon" but that it will have to be subject to some form of quarantine for overseas students.

The Victorian opposition has proposed that the state government pay for hotel quarantine for international students, but the Premier said he expected a "partnership" between government and institutions.

Universities may have to pay to quarantine returning international students.

Universities may have to pay to quarantine returning international students.Credit:Eddie Jim

Mr Andrews said he could not put a date on the return of the economically vital sector.

Read more here.

In photos: Nurses protest wage freeze outside NSW Parliament

While the Deputy Premier addresses media inside, outside NSW Parliament House, nurses and midwives are rallying against the state government's proposed 12-month public sector wage freeze.

Our photographer Rhett Wyman brings us these images:

Nurses are holding placards outside Parliament.

Nurses are holding placards outside Parliament.Credit:Rhett Wyman

Nurses and midwives outside Parliament House.

Nurses and midwives outside Parliament House.Credit:Rhett Wyman

Read more on the escalating wage stoush here.

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Tasmania eases virus restrictions early

Tasmania is relaxing coronavirus restrictions ahead of schedule, meaning intrastate travel is on the cards this weekend.

Premier Peter Gutwein has announced the state will move from stage one to two of restrictions from 3pm on Friday, instead of an expected shift on June 15.

"I'm certain that this will be very welcome news ahead of the June long weekend," he said on Tuesday.

Something to smile about: Tasmanian Premier Peter Gutwein has eased restrictions early.

Something to smile about: Tasmanian Premier Peter Gutwein has eased restrictions early.Credit:AAP

Tasmanians will also be allowed to sit down for a drink at the pub for the first time since restrictions were implemented.

A cap on pub patrons is likely to be lifted to 40 people subject to advice from public health and industry consultation this week, Mr Gutwein said.

Camping and overnight stays will be permitted, while residents have been given the green light visit their holiday homes, or shacks, across the state.

The state hasn't recorded a COVID-19 case in 17 days and just four of a total 226 confirmed cases remain active.

"This isn't over yet, but we can start to move back to a better level of normality," he said.

Despite the early easing, Mr Gutwein remained firm on his decision to wait until early July before making a call on when to reopen the state's borders.

AAP

Barre is back: NSW gyms, dance studios, indoor pools to reopen

Gyms, yoga classes, dance studios, indoor pools, and, yes, barre studios, will be allowed to reopen in NSW from June 13, the Berejiklian government has just announced.

In more good news, children's sport will also be permitted to resume from July 1.

You can continue watching the Deputy Premier's announcement below.

Marcelo Alexander cleaning equipment at City Gym.

Marcelo Alexander cleaning equipment at City Gym.Credit:Louise Kennerley

Fitness facilities will be allowed to reopen with up to 10 people per class and 100 people in an indoor venue.

Tattoo and massage parlours will also be allowed to reopen with up to 10 clients.

Health Minister Brad Hazzard said there had been no cases of community transmission in NSW since last Wednesday, which had allowed the government to "open up more opportunities for the community to enjoy".

Deputy Premier John Barilaro said the government would continue to collect data on the impact of these measures with a view to further relaxing restrictions.

He also quipped: "You build up summer bodies in winter, and that's what we're doing."

It comes after six new COVID-19 cases were confirmed in NSW overnight, all of whom were returned travellers in hotel quarantine.

In Victoria, gyms are due to reopen from June 22.

The NSW government has been under increasing pressure from the fitness industry to reopen the state's 1500 gyms, with the peak fitness body calling it "totally illogical" for gyms to remain closed while restaurants, bars and beauty salons were permitted to reopen.

Fitness Australia helped kick off a major campaign this week, calling for trainers and gym lovers to take to social media with the hashtags #exerciseismedicine and #gymsaresafe.

WATCH LIVE: NSW coronavirus update

NSW Deputy Premier John Barilaro held a press conference, announcing gyms will be allowed to reopen on June 13.

As Mr Barilaro addressed the media, outside Parliament House nurses were protesting against the NSW government's proposed public sector wage freeze.

In case you missed it, you can watch the press conference below.

Australia approaching 1.5 million tests

There are two numbers to smile about today, federal Health Minister Greg Hunt says.

Australia is expecting to reach 1.5 million coronavirus tests. And, 6.175 million Australians now have the government's COVIDSafe tracing app on their mobile phones.

"Today is a day of hope and confidence - cautious hope and confidence," Mr Hunt said.

More than 6.1 million Australians now have the COVIDSafe app on their phones.

More than 6.1 million Australians now have the COVIDSafe app on their phones.Credit:Alex Ellinghausen

Mr Hunt said just 20 Australians with the virus remain in hospital, with three in intensive care and one on a ventilator.

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2020-06-02 03:31:00Z
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