Latest updates
Sutton thanks 'all those nostrils'
By Roy Ward
Victoria's chief health officer Professor Brett Sutton has congratulated the 13,479 people who undertook COVID-19 tests in the past 24 hours.
The state recorded its sixth consecutive day of no new cases when health officials released Thursday's update.
Professor Sutton added via Twitter his thanks for those still taking tests which help confirm that the virus isn't silently spreading in the community.
Victoria earns sixth donut in a row with no new cases, no deaths for today
Victoria has recorded its sixth consecutive day of no new COVID-19 cases and no new deaths following the reporting of today's case numbers.
More to come.
Praise for hospitality venues doing the right thing as NSW Health works to control outbreaks
By Laura Chung
NSW Health is working day and night to control the outbreaks in south-west Sydney, but the Premier remains disappointed that some establishments haven’t followed their COVID-safe plans.
Ms Berejiklian said from November 23, all hospitality venues will be required to use QR codes to ensure people can trace contacts should an outbreak occur.
“We know the system works when we have the information. But if you don't have the information, you can't chase people down, you can't interview them,” she told the Today Show.
“That is what really concerns us the most: once you track everybody down and you obviously communicate to them what needs to happen, that is a manageable situation.
“But when you don't have the ability to chase people down, that is extremely concerning.”
Hunt says first vaccine doses could begin in March
By Roy Ward
Health Minister Greg Hunt predicts the first COVID-19 vaccine doses could be administered in March or the first quarter of 2021.
Mr Hunt has announced two new vaccine agreements with Novavax and Pfizer which will secure 50 million vaccine doses to add to those which could be produced by CSL in Australia.
Mr Hunt said healthcare workers and the elderly would be first in line for any vaccine once it is approved.
“We've already achieved incredible results when we look around the world, today will be either the second highest or the highest day of tragedy in terms of loss over the course of the entire virus,” Mr Hunt told The Today Show on Thursday.
“And in Australia by comparison, we are seeing only a handful of cases a day or zero and the early news that I have today is very positive. I don't have any news from Victoria yet. But it's looking very positive for the country.
“So we're already at a massive advantage globally but these vaccines will help give real protection right across the country.
“The most likely date for the health workers and the earliest vaccinations of elderly, if it's approved for them, will be in March and then progressively we will roll out through the year.
“But as soon as they approved and safe and available, then we will make sure that they're available for the entire Australian population.”
Mr Hunt added that the Pfizer vaccine would be an innovation.
“They complement the two that we already have which will be overwhelmingly manufactured in Australia,” Mr Hunt told The Today Show.
“That means we are now in a very strong position with the portfolio of four different vaccines, two protein, one viral vector and one mRNA which is the Pfizer vaccine and that's innovative, the world hasn't had an mRNA vaccine before.
“All of these put us in a strong position for a range of eventualities and it means that during the course of 2021, beginning in the first quarter most likely, we will be able to provide that vaccination option to all Australians.”
Mr Hunt later told Sunrise he was 'cautiously hopeful' of a March or first-quarter 2021 date for the vaccine to start being administered.
"The guidance at this stage is not a guarantee," Mr Hunt told Sunrise.
"If they were available earlier they would be made available earlier, if it takes a little bit longer that would be the case. But that remains the guidance and that would start, not surprisingly, with health workers. And also the elderly, if there are approvals within the particular vaccine categories following the tests for the elderly.
"It is absolutely clear that we are on a path to having vaccines for all Australians during the course of 2021".
QLD premier 'doesn't want to have that conversation': border restrictions
By Laura Chung
NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian said she had texted Queensland’s Premier about her recent election win and raised the possibility of reopening borders.
But Ms Berejiklian said Annastacia Palaszczuk "doesn’t want to have that conversation."
"At the end of the day, it is the citizens that hurt," Ms Berejiklian told the Today Show.
"Both hers and mine and citizens across Australia.
"I don't want to see that any more than is necessary."
She urged all her colleagues across Australia to consider reopening their borders, particularly as the Christmas and New Year period approaches.
"All I can do is keep pushing the case, which I will," she said.
"But the economic devastation which will be caused unnecessarily is not worth the pain.
"Both she [Ms Palaszczuk] and the WA Premier really need to sit up and think about Australia. Think about their citizens and the citizens across Australia who are suffering because of their decisions."
'Just not viable': Hospitality operators push Premier to pick up pace of rule easing
By Clay Lucas and Michael Fowler
Fitzroy's Panama Dining Room could have been up and running last week, but it simply wasn't worth it for owner Luke Stepsys.
He will open the doors later this month, but, even then, COVID-19 restrictions on patron numbers mean the 200-capacity converted textile factory will "reopen to a great loss," Mr Stepsys said.
Luke Stepsys in his sprawling 520-square-metre Panama Dining Room in Fitzroy.Credit:Jason South
He is among the many Melbourne hospitality operators who want Premier Daniel Andrews to speed up the relaxation of restrictions on Sunday, when he is due to announce the latest version of Victoria's coronavirus rules.
The state recorded a fifth consecutive day of zero new coronavirus cases on Wednesday. Mr Andrews said Victorians, who had "all built this together", could not let their guards down. "If we don’t all value it and play our part," he said, "then this won’t last."
Thousands took to Melbourne beaches on Cup Day, with many openly flouting compulsory mask rules, although police fined just 34 people across Victoria outside of anti-lockdown protests on Tuesday.
Up to 5000 people to be allowed at rural outdoor events for New Year
By Angus Thompson
Up to 5000 people will be allowed to gather at country events in NSW during New Year in a further rollback of restrictions to boost the economies of regional areas hit by the pandemic.
Aside from the NRL grand final, which accommodated 40,000 seated fans, the new measures would see the largest allowance of people able to attend an outdoor event since social distancing restrictions were put in place.
"I encourage everyone from the city to get out there and immerse yourself in a country show": Deputy Premier John Barilaro.Credit:Janie Barrett
Before this, the Bathurst 1000 was the largest, with 4000 spectators allowed per day during the October event.
Deputy Premier John Barilaro, who is also the Minister for Regional NSW, said country shows would be given the green light from January 9, beginning with that Bowral Show which is scheduled to begin on that date.
"This is really exciting news for regional communities because country shows play a vital role in promoting agriculture and injecting money into local economies," Mr Barilaro said.
Australia signs two more COVID-19 vaccine agreements
By Rob Harris
Australia has secured 50 million more potential coronavirus vaccine doses through two new agreements that will boost federal government funding of its immunisation plan to more than $3.2 billion.
Under the new deals, to be announced on Wednesday, Novavax will supply 40 million vaccine doses and Pfizer/BioNTech will provide 10 million, should the vaccines be proven safe and effective through advanced clinical trials.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison (right) and Health Minister Greg Hunt say Australia has secured two new agreements on potential vaccines.Credit:Alex Ellinghausen
Both vaccines, which will likely require two doses, are expected to be available in Australia during the first half of next year, subject to approval by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) for use in Australia.
Novavax, a protein type vaccine, is undergoing late-stage testing in a British trial that started in September, with the company gearing up for a large phase three trial in the United States and Mexico later this month.
The other vaccine, developed by Pfizer and Germany company BioNTech, contains genetic material messenger called mRNA. It injects people with the genetic material necessary to grow the "spike protein" of SARS-CoV-2 inside their own cells, eliciting an immune response the body will remember when it encounters the real virus.
Victorians may be clear to travel nationwide by early December
By Paul Sakkal and Michael Fowler
Victorians could be free to travel anywhere in Australia by early December as state premiers acknowledge low daily case numbers, paving the way for a tourism boom over the summer holidays.
The NSW border will reopen to Victorians from November 23, joining Western Australia and South Australia as states set to open the door this month.
Premier Daniel Andrews at Werribee Zoo on Wednesday, announcing funding to make it "Australia’s leading open-range zoo".Credit:Eddie Jim
As no coronavirus cases were recorded in Victoria for a fifth consecutive day, Premier Daniel Andrews said NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian's decision demonstrated her confidence in Victoria's ability to suppress outbreaks and contact trace effectively, putting pressure on other state leaders to reopen to Victoria.
"The Premier of NSW would not be opening her border if she did not have confidence in a couple of important things – the public health response in our state but most importantly confidence in the people of Victoria to stay the course," he said.
"This is very good news for not only those close to the border, but indeed for all Victorians. I would urge Victorians – don't be going to Sydney for Christmas unless you absolutely have to. You want a summer holiday, [then] we've got lots of opportunities here, lots of things on offer. Stay in Victoria."
Last orders as pubs, restaurants and shops across England lock down
By Pan Pylas
London: Drinkers were enjoying their final freshly poured pints in pubs across England on Wednesday, while shoppers were stocking up on non-essentials as the country prepared to lock down as part of intensified efforts to contain a resurgent coronavirus.
Pubs, restaurants, hairdressers and other retail outlets in England were preparing to close their doors from midnight on Thursday local time (11am AEDT) until at least December 2 following a sudden change of course by the British government.
Last orders: Pubs and restaurants across England were on Wednesday preparing to close.Credit:Getty Images
Prime Minister Boris Johnson had for weeks argued in favour of more regional strategies to contain the virus, but said he had to be “humble in the face of nature.”
“I don’t think any government would want to impose these measures lightly, or any Parliament would want to impose these measures lightly on the people of this country,” Johnson said.
England’s lockdown follows similar restrictions elsewhere in the UK and across Europe, as nations grapple with mounting new COVID-19 infections and clear signals that the number of people being hospitalised – and dying – from the virus are increasing.
AP
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https://news.google.com/__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?oc=5
2020-11-04 19:48:00Z
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