Where we're at on Saturday evening
To recap, this afternoon there were 6,929 Covid-19 cases in Australia, with the death toll at 97.
There had been 16 new cases in the last 24 hours, four of which were related to the Cedar Meats cluster in Victoria.
The deputy chief medical officer, Paul Kelly, pleaded with Australians to resist any urges “to cuddle our mums” ahead of Mother’s Day on Sunday, urging people to be cautious as coronavirus restrictions begin to be eased.
Here’s our summary of today’s major developments.
That concludes our coverage for the day. We’ll be back tomorrow, but in the meantime follow the Guardian’s global live coverage here. Thanks for reading and stay safe.
Updated
South Australia reports no new cases
There are just two people in South Australia considered to be active cases of Covid-19.
No further cases were recorded when the state health department released updated statistics on Saturday, with South Australia’s total tally remaining at 439.
It comes as the state is set to loosen restrictions from Monday, with leaders keen to encourage South Australians to travel within their state.
The premier, Steven Marshall, has reassured South Australians regional travel is safe because the state is “one of the safest places in the world at the moment”.
We want people to get out and explore our fabulous regions. It is safe for regional travel in South Australia.
AAP reports that from Monday, all country accommodation can reopen, including caravan parks, hotels, motels and Airbnb services.
Other restrictions to be lifted in SA include the return of alcohol-free outdoor dining at cafes and restaurants and the resumption of outdoor sports training.
Universities and Tafe colleges will be allowed to resume face-to-face learning, public swimming pools, places of worship and libraries can reopen, and open house inspections and home auctions will be permitted.
In almost all cases, numbers will be limited to 10 people at a time and all social distancing provisions will still apply.
However, SA will allow up to 20 people to attend a funeral indoors and up to 30 people outdoors.
Updated
AAP is reporting that the Cronulla captain, Wade Graham, has called on those NRL players who are refusing to get a flu shot to remember they have chosen to compete in a team sport.
The NRL’s restart on 28 May has hit a hiccup with around 20 players refusing to be vaccinated for various reasons, including past adverse reactions to the flu shot and religious reasons.
However, speaking on Triple M on Saturday, Graham said getting the flu shot was a “no brainer”, and refusing to do so based on just personal preference goes against a team-first mentality.
If it was a pure personal preference, I’d say it’s a team sport boys. It’s not an individual sport and you need to do things sometimes that are not in your comfort zone, or that are not in your best interests, for the greater good of the team.
That’s what great teams are built on ... I think in this situation, you have to not think about your own personal situation and think about the rest of the playing group.
On Friday, the Gold Coast Titans confirmed Bryce Cartwright and Brian Kelly were both stood down for refusing the vaccination after an intervention by the Queensland government. Fellow Titan Nathan Peats and Manly’s Marty Taupau both hesitated to get the shot due to past adverse reactions, but eventually had the injection.
As of Saturday afternoon, the Titans were still awaiting confirmation from Cartwright and Kelly over whether they would agree to be immunised and resume training.
It’s understood Dylan Walker, Addin Fonua-Blake, Josh Papalii, Joseph Tapine, Iosia Soliola and Canterbury’s Sione Katoa all signed a waiver to remain compliant under the NRL’s guidelines and continue training.
It has sparked confusion over how different states and territories will enforce the NRL’s return to training protocols, and casts doubt over whether unimmunised players will be allowed to play in Queensland.
Graham, who sits on the RLPA’s board of directors, said the confusion was always a risk as the game rushed to resume training. He believes players and clubs could have sacrificed another week of training as a team to ensure these loose ends in the biosecurity guidelines were tied up.
Should the NRL decide to bow to government pressure and enact a ‘no jab, no play’ policy, Graham says players will need to consider the strength of their convictions against their livelihoods.
I know for me, if I don’t like a flu jab, if it puts my livelihood at risk preventing me from making some money to feed my family, I’m getting the flu jab.
It’s simple in my eyes ... It depends on how strong their convictions are on an individual level. If they want to sacrifice their rugby league game for their personal preference not to get a flu shot, that’s their prerogative.
Updated
The deputy chief medical officer, Paul Kelly, has also doubt on the chances of fans attending finals footy this year – another rubbing of salt into an already heavily seasoned wound.
There are some iconic moments in Australian sport coming up in that period – the last weekend in September is dear to many of us. I must admit I am doubtful that we will be able to fill the MCG by that time, but let’s see how we go on this road.
Updated
Don't cuddle your mum, deputy chief medical officer says
The deputy chief medical officer, Paul Kelly, has also pleaded with Australians to resist any urges “to cuddle our mums” ahead of Mother’s Day on Sunday.
Absolutely if you are feeling sick yourself, do not go and visit your mum. Please don’t. If you are feeling well and you really want to see your mum, I’m sure it is fine. But for elderly mums, just be a little bit cautious and probably keep that 1.5-metre distance for now.
I know it is hard and we all want to cuddle our mums on Mother’s Day and a big shout out to all of the mums out there, but let’s just wait a little bit longer.
He also reiterated that Australians over 70 should be more cautious about rushing back into normal life as lockdowns are eased in some states.
For people over the age of 70, I would just say be cautious over these next couple of weeks. Even if things are opening up and people are gathering, shops, cafes and so forth are now available. But for people over the age of 70, I would just urge caution about your own health and consider that, including having people over to your house.
Updated
Deputy chief medical officer defends roadmap as states cautious to ease restrictions
The deputy chief medical officer, Paul Kelly, has defended the government’s roadmap out of Covid-19 restrictions unveiled by Scott Morrison on Friday, as NSW and Victoria indicate they will keep current restrictions in place for the time being.
This is a roadmap, we are all on the same road across Australia. It is just that different states and territories have had different starting points and they will be using that same roadmap, but at slightly different speeds. I want to really be clear there are no roadblocks in this roadmap.
Kelly also revealed there are 6,929 cases in Australia as of Saturday afternoon, with the death toll at 97. There have been 16 new cases in the last 24 hours, four of which are related to the Cedar Meats cluster in Victoria.
He also said the testing positivity rate is now under 1%, and said of the 900 Australians who are sick with Covid-19, 51 are currently being treated in hospital, with 19 of them in intensive care and 15 of those cases relying on ventilators.
Those figures are way less than what we were having even a couple of weeks ago and this is all very good news.
Kelly also said there had been “extraordinarily good uptake” of the CovidSafe tracing app, with 5.4 million downloads as of Friday.
Updated
Roy Horn, of Siegfried and Roy, dies after contracting Covid-19
Over on the Guardian global live blog my colleague Rebecca Ratcliffe reports that Roy Horn, of the double act Siegfried and Roy, has died after contracting Covid-19.
He died in Las Vegas on Friday, aged 75.
The duo’s performances – in which the illusionists would ride on elephants, cavort with tigers and make animals disappear – became one of Las Vegas’s biggest attractions.
In 2003, Horn was left in critical condition after being mauled by an albino tiger during their stage act. He eventually recovered and was able to return to the stage.
The cause of his death was complications from Covid-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus, Horn’s publicist, Dave Kirvin told the New York Times.
Updated
Victorian authorities announce 10 new cases
Another 10 cases of Covid-19 were reported Saturday morning in Victoria, with four linked to an outbreak at the Cedar Meats facility, AAP reports.
Victoria’s coronavirus tally is a 1,477, with just over 100 of those being active cases.
My colleague Matilda Boseley has been covering the Cedar Meats outbreak, and you can read her latest piece here.
Updated
WA records no new cases.
The WA health department has released updated Covid-19 statistics, with the state’s tally not rising above its previous total of 552.
There are now seven active cases across the state, with just one in regional WA.
Four people are being treated for Covid-19 in Perth hospitals, with one in intensive care.
The state has performed 54,563 Covid-19 tests, 490 of which were conducted yesterday.
So far 536 people in the state have recovered from the virus.
Updated
Just to further clarify the death on Friday night of 92-year-old Fay Rendoth at Newmarch House that was announced this morning.
AAP reports that NSW Health’s Dr Jeremy McAnulty said the infectious disease doctor looking after the Newmarch residents does not believe her death was related to Covid-19.
The doctor is in the best place to understand what the illness was and the cause of death.
Without going into personal details, we understand that the person had Covid, had recovered, had other illnesses and was elderly and died.
He acknowledged Covid-19, like any other illness, could influence the person’s stamina and ability to recover.
The Guardian has sought clarification from Anglicare, the operator of Newmarch House.
The 17th resident to die since the outbreak was declared at Newmarch, Rendoth’s granddaughter, Savannah Robinson, believes her death was Covid-19 related.
It was the confinement in her room and the by-product of Covid-19 social, physical isolation that had detrimental impacts on her health and led to her passing.
Updated
Albanese says the Morrison government has no post-Covid economic plan
Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese has accused the federal government of lacking an economic plan to go with its road map to lift coronavirus-related restrictions.
AAP reports:
“We have said there needs to be a full release of the budget outlook, something the government is ducking at this stage,” Mr Albanese told reporters in Queanbeyan on Saturday, campaigning in the Eden-Monaro electorate ahead of the by-election.
He said the government’s promise of a “snap back” in the economy once the crisis has passed is nothing more than “a marketing slogan from the prime minister who doesn’t have economic plan”.
“We will be calling for the government to outline its economic plan.”
Albanese said there is a “big threat” to the economy if people suddenly get cut off from their jobkeeper and jobseeker payments on some arbitrary date.
Prime minister Scott Morrison and state and territory leaders agreed on Friday to a three-step plan to restart business and community activities.
However, the states and territories are set to move through the three stages at different speeds, depending on their health situation and local conditions.
Treasury says it is possible to restore 851,000 jobs in coming months if things go to plan.
The Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry said regional and interstate travel restrictions need to be lifted as soon as is practicable to breathe life back into regional and urban economies.
“Australian businesses depend on operating as seamlessly as possible between states and territories, as many supply services and source goods interstate,” ACCI CEO, James Pearson, said in a statement.
“We recognise state and territory-specific timetables for the three-stage plan will be based on the current pandemic impact trend and will be subject to any change in health outcomes and ongoing reviews. We hope there are no significant detours or U-turns on the road to recovery.
The Business Council of Australia has set up a series of expert working groups, headed by some of the country’s top executives, to identify practical and achievable solutions to create jobs and boost the economy.
The groups will not only look at how to restart business and industry but put in place structural reforms to drive growth and higher wages.
Updated
Good afternoon, it’s Elias Visontay here. Thanks to my colleague Ben Doherty for taking us through the morning.
Foreign affairs minister Marise Payne has announced a government-organised evacuation flight for Australians stranded in India that will leave Delhi tonight:
Our high commission in India has so far assisted over 3,500 Australians to leave, with another Qantas flight departing Delhi this evening. The government has arranged four additional Qantas flights to Delhi, Mumbai and Chennai in the coming fortnight.
More than 300,000 Australians and permanent residents have returned from overseas since the government recommended that people reconsider the need to travel abroad.
We have facilitated the return of 16,500 of those Australians, including around 6,500 from cruise ships around the world.
This has been one of the largest consular challenges Australia has dealt with. Dfat staff in Canberra and at posts abroad have been committed to providing Australians with practical solutions to return to Australia.
Updated
Five new cases in NSW
The NSW Health department has released updated Covid-19 statistics, which are current up to 8pm on Friday.
There have been five new cases recorded in NSW, bringing the state’s total to 3,051.
NSW has also set a new record for a single day, with 13,692 tests conducted in the previous 24 hours. The state has tested 294,949 people since the declaration of the pandemic.
No new deaths have been reported in the state as of Friday evening, but this doesn’t include the recent death announced at Newmarch House. However this is not so straightforward because while the resident who died did have Covid-19, it has been reported they recovered before passing away.
There are now 2,504 people who have recovered from Covid-19 in NSW, while 110 cases are being treated in hospital. Eight of those people are in intensive care, with seven of them requiring ventilators.
On Saturday, NSW health minister Brad Hazzard also announced a $12.7m initiative to employ final year medical students in NSW to work in hospitals across the state. If the students opt in to the program and are deemed to have the required skills, they will be supervised in roles including admitting and reviewing patients and performing procedures including taking blood.
Updated
Thank you all for your company and correspondence. Ben Doherty signing off now. I’m handing you over to my charming, brilliant, and incorrigibly handsome colleague Elias Visontay.
Be well. Stay safe, and look after each other.
Zero new cases in the ACT
The ACT government has updated its Covid-19 statistics.
There have been zero new cases of Covid-19 recorded in the ACT in the past 24 hours. The ACT’s total is still 107.
A total of 103 cases have recovered from Covid-19 and have been released from self-isolation.
The ACT has recorded three deaths.
The number of negative tests in the ACT is now 11,167.
The ACT has further eased Covid-19 restrictions to support families and our economy.
From today, all indoor and outdoor gatherings can have a maximum of 10 people (including children). This includes gatherings at a person’s home.
Many public spaces are closed across the territory, but parks, reserves and sports grounds are open. Cafes, restaurants and bars are closed for dining, but open for take-away and home delivery.
“We hope that by easing the restrictions we can support the mental and physical wellbeing of Canberrans,” ACT chief health officer Dr Kerryn Coleman said.
“We still want families to be able to visit each other, and two households that come together resulting in a gathering of more than 10 people is allowed. However, this is not an invitation to bring together people from multiple households for parties.
“We still need Canberrans to play their part to prevent a new wave of Covid-19 cases in the ACT.”
Updated
This is beautiful and profound. A vital piece.
17th resident of Newmarch House dies
A 17th resident of Sydney’s beleaguered Newmarch House has died overnight.
92-year-old great-grandmother Fay Rendoth died late yesterday.
Rendoth, who grew up in the Blue Mountains and only recently moved to Newmarch, leaves behind three daughters, eight grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
Her granddaughter, Savannah Robinson, said she was somewhat comforted that her grandmother would no longer be missing her husband of more than 70 years, who died five years ago.
“We don’t want my grandmother to be another Covid-19 statistic, there is a person and a family behind the news,” she said.
Rendoth tested positive to Covid-19 three weeks ago but initially showed only mild symptoms.
Robinson said the physical isolation and lack of interaction had been difficult for her grandmother, who had previously been healthy for her age.
“In her final days we couldn’t be there by her bed, couldn’t sit there and talk to her,” Robinson said, thanking the staff at Newmarch House who kept her company.
“We were somewhat comforted by knowing Newmarch staff went in and sang to her, read the bible to her.
“The hard thing about this virus is it’s so isolating.”
Sixty-nine people associated with Newmarch House have now tested positive for Covid-19: 32 staff and 37 residents. An independent external adviser was appointed yesterday to oversee operations at the aged care facility.
In a statement, Anglicare Sydney, which runs Newmarch House has issued a statement:
Tragically, a resident of Newmarch House passed away last night. The family and all relevant authorities have been contacted.
We are devastated at the passing and extend our deepest sympathies to the family as they grieve the loss of their loved one.
Saturday, 9 May – coronavirus cases in Queensland:
— Annastacia Palaszczuk (@AnnastaciaMP) May 9, 2020
• 0 new confirmed cases
• 20 active cases
• 1,045 total confirmed cases
• 133,016 tests conducted
Sadly, six Queenslanders have died from coronavirus. 1,019 patients have recovered.#COVID19Aus pic.twitter.com/6uRTVvoarL
The incomparable Murpharoo. Do read. Such a fine mind.
We’ve entered the second phase of Covid-19, which is a live social experiment called living with a virus you can’t eradicate. There are big risks. My weekend column 👇#auspol https://t.co/dKQCd5UatJ
— Katharine Murphy (@murpharoo) May 8, 2020
Just to dig into the “Covid kills fewer people than flu” argument that has been posited by some government members of parliament.
This is an excellent (and very accessible) article in the Lancet comparing fatality rates of Covid-19, Sars, and influenza.
The authors, led by Dimple D Rajgor from the department of paediatrics, Yong Loo Lin school of medicine at the National University of Singapore, examined the delimited situation of passengers on board the Diamond Princess cruise ship. As articulately explained here:
A unique situation has arisen for quite an accurate estimate of the case fatality rate (CFR) of Covid-19.
Among individuals onboard the Diamond Princess cruise ship, data on the denominator are fairly robust.
The outbreak of Covid-19 led passengers to be quarantined between 20 January and 29 February 2020.
This scenario provided a population living in a defined territory without most other confounders, such as imported cases, defaulters of screening, or lack of testing capability.
3,711 passengers and crew were onboard, of whom 705 became sick and tested positive for Covid-19 and seven died, giving a CFR of 0·99%. If the passengers onboard were generally of an older age, the CFR in a healthy, younger population could be lower.
Although highly transmissible, the CFR of Covid-19 appears to be lower than that of SARS (9.5%) and Middle East respiratory syndrome (34.4%), but higher than that of influenza (0.1%).
So, acknowledging the careful caveat in those figures, Covid-19 has a case fatality rate ten times that of seasonal flu.
* An addendum to this post, following some (constructive and supremely helpful) correspondence with readers, and further research into the Covid-19 outbreak on board the Diamond Princess.
Since the publication of the Lancet piece quoted above, there have been more deaths of former Diamond Princess passengers from Covid-19.
The case fatality rate of 0.99% was calculated on seven deaths from 712 cases. That total has since risen to 13 deaths. The CFR, based on those 13 deaths, is 1.83%. Fifty-four cases are still active, with four are classed as serious/critical.
Updated
One country, one direction, different speeds
Not the best strapline for a movie to be honest.
Greg Hunt, federal health minister, has spoken to the media (well, perhaps a medium, it appeared there was only one journalist at his press conference).
We have a clear three-step roadmap and plan for Australia. This has been adopted and embraced by all of the states and territories and, to just give an update, what we see is that in seven of the eight states and territories they have already indicated their date and commenced with particular steps.
The last state will start on Monday with their steps. In New South Wales, family visits are allowed. In the ACT there have already commenced hospitality. Northern Territory, hospitality changes. In WA, travel within state, a schools plan, playgrounds. In Tasmania, a clear timetable has been set out.
In South Australia, outdoor dining and regional tourism. In Queensland, a timetable for all three steps along that plan and in Victoria, commencing on Monday, they begin with outlining the steps.
So one country, one direction, different speeds, but all heading towards the common goal of keeping Australians safe but getting Australians back to work.
Hunt was invited to join the federal government pile-on onto Victorian Labor premier Dan Andrews, but sidestepped said invitation with balletic grace.
“I respectfully, wouldn’t categorise it that way,” he said of Tim Wilson’s comments (see earlier posts) this morning.
Updated
More federal government backbench MPs critical of Victorian premier Dan Andrews. This on Friday from Katie Allen, member for Higgins.
(Argument somewhat undermined by using “less” when it clearly should be “fewer”. Don’t @ me with “common usage”. It’s wrong.)
Why is Premier Andrews deferring the baby step of Step 1 when the National Cabinet has built a strong health safety net to trace, track and trap covid. Less deaths in Victoria from covid than annually from the flu. What evidence is he using to inform his policy? #COVID
— Katie Allen MP (@KatieAllenMP) May 8, 2020
Updated
A caravan-led recovery in South Australia.
Steven Marshall, the SA premier has praised the citizens of that state for their adherence to social distancing measures.
Yesterday, of course, we announced our road map back to a Covid-safe environment in Australia.I think it was very well received by the people of Australia. They have been asking for some certainty. They have been asking for hope. And what they received yesterday from the prime minister is a three-stage process on our way back to a Covid-safe environment. And we’ve all agreed, as members of the national cabinet, that we will get back to a Covid-safe environment in July of this year.
And he has made this declaration:
Today we’re announcing that caravans and camping will be available as of Monday next week. We’ll be the only jurisdiction in the entire country which will have this eased restrictions. We want people to get out and explore our fabulous regions in South Australia, but we also want people to get out from the country to come down to Adelaide.
We’ve got lots and lots of caravan parks in metropolitan Adelaide, so they are going to be open. The country caravan parks are going to be open. Our national parks are going to be open for camping again. And we want people to get out and explore our regions, our fabulous regions.
Updated
Speaking of events overseas. Donald Trump has named the White House staffer who has tested positive to Covid-19 as vice president Mike Pence’s press secretary Katie Miller.
The story is here:
My colleague Rebecca Ratcliffe in Bangkok is running a global coronavirus live-blog.
There you will find all of our international updates. Much happening around the world.
Queensland records its third day of zero new coronavirus cases this week
From our friends at AAP:
There have been only 11 new cases of Covid-19 this week and restrictions will be eased for Queenslanders from Mother’s Day, with the reopening of the state’s restaurants, libraries, pools and beauty salons to follow a week later.
“We now have just 20 active cases of Covid-19 in Queensland. Just 20. A figure that was unimaginable only five or six weeks ago,” said the state’s health minister, Steven Miles.
“Nine of those cases are currently in hospital. Three of them are in intensive care.
“Of course, all of those figures support the decisions that we’ve been making to ease restrictions.”
Up to five people from the same home will be allowed to visit another household from tomorrow.
From next Saturday, personal training sessions, retail shopping, weddings with up to 10 people, and funerals of up to 20 inside or 30 outside, will be allowed.
Restaurants, libraries, pools and beauty salons can also reopen. Open home inspections and auctions will be allowed to go ahead.
Bars and gaming facilities will remain closed, but up to 10 people at a time will be allowed to dine in at restaurants, pubs, licensed clubs, RSL clubs and hotels.
Recreational travel for day trips up to 150km from home will be allowed.
In the outback, where there have been no Covid-19 cases, locals can travel up to 500km from home and up to 20 will be allowed to dine in at outback pubs and cafes.
Birdsville Hotel general manager Ben Fullagar said the announcement was great news for the tiny border town, known for its annual racing carnival.
“Everyone has done really well social distancing and staying clear of each other … It will be nice for them to come in and catch up in the dining room and enjoy a meal and a cold drink.”
Further restrictions will be eased next month.
“All things going well, from June school holidays, Queenslanders will be able to drive and stay at accommodation for the first time since the pandemic hit,” the premier, Annastacia Palaszczuk, said on Friday.
The announcement has been welcomed by the tourism sector.
“The only thing that will save us is to get businesses back to work,” Queensland Tourism Industry Council chief executive Daniel Gschwind said.
Updated
Federal member for Goldstein Tim Wilson has had some strong words for Victorian premier Dan Andrews that have not gone unnoticed. (Cognisant that last week the federal education minister Dan Tehan similarly attacked Andrews – over school closures – and then was forced to rapidly apologise).
I’m going to run Wilson’s quote in full so readers can make up their own minds. He was speaking on ABC TV with WA Labor member Josh Wilson (the member for Fremantle, no relation (at least I don’t think so!) about different states easing restrictions at different times.
Tim Wilson:
I’m a federalist and I believe that we should have local laws reflecting local conditions. But the other reason is because it puts the burden and responsibility on the states to actually explain why they’ve taken the different approaches. Now, they’re taking the point that Josh [Wilson] has just raised – you know, WA has done things differently. They let kids go back to school earlier, whereas Victoria is saying no. The burden and the responsibility then has to be on Dan Andrews, when other states are allowing people to go and visit their mums on Mother’s Day, why can’t we go and visit in Victoria, our mums on Mother’s Day? Why can’t we send our kids to school? Why are businesses being unnecessarily punished longer than in other states? And he has to come out and articulate that case and take responsibility for it.
I’ve just outlined some serious questions I think that Dan Andrews needs to answer for Victorians, if he wants to maintain public confidence. Because I think ... and there is actually now a narrative that’s building in parts of Victoria where people are increasingly concerned that he’s probably enjoying the clampdown too much in terms of the authority and power it’s given him, and he’s not as enthusiastic to roll it back.
So, people will have their own opinions.
Wilson later went on to say he was reflecting the sentiments expressed on the front page of the Herald Sun as evidence of the “narrative” he was referring to.
I made the observation of what’s in the Victorian press, and you need to actually go and read the Victorian press. I understand in WA that may not be the case, but the front page of the Herald Sun today is very clear, wanting to understand the rationale, the reasoning, behind why Dan Andrews is not reopening Victoria as other states are doing.
But there are three words at the beginning of that key sentence: “Because I think.”
Victoria has the second-highest total of Covid-19 cases in the country (1,468) behind only NSW.
Andrews said on Thursday:
Nobody is enjoying these settings, I understand that, but it is ... important to stay the course on this, not just to do what we want to do, but to do what is ... in the interests of every single Victorian family, every single Victorian business.
And yesterday:
I can tell you what I will be doing on Mother’s Day, I will not be visiting my mum. She is in good health, but has underlying health issues. I just wouldn’t do it. I would very much like to.
These are unprecedented times. We are all doing things very differently. Many of us are making all sorts of different changes in our lives.
Updated
More than 120 asylum seekers and refugees are being held in the Kangaroo Point Central Hotel in inner-city Brisbane.
They are forced to live in close proximity to each other, sharing rooms for sleeping as well as communal spaces for eating and recreation. They are not allowed out, but are exposed to security guards and other workers coming in and out of their confined space.
A steadily building protest movement is urging the government to release people into the community – a significant number have families living in Australia, other friends – where they could more easily practice social distancing.
The Australian government’s health department has warned that people held in detention are at greater risk of contracting Covid-19, and at greater risk of having serious illness from it.
On Friday, supporters who came to protest the ongoing detention of asylum seekers and refugees, by having picnics and by exercising along the footpath next to the hotel, were fined by police – at least six were fined $1,334 Guardian Australia understands – while others were told by officers to move on.
Some people laid down rugs on the edge of the footpath to have a picnic – legal in Queensland as long as social distancing is observed – but were forced to move on.
Refugees and asylum seekers protesting on the balconies of the hotel unfurled a two-storey banner from the hotel’s balcony reading “no crime, 7 years in detention” while police officers issued fines and move-on orders.
Farhad is a refugee currently held inside the hotel:
For the past seven years our dreams were taken from us, we were exiled to manus island, we were tortured mentally and we lost some of our friends at Manus. Last year some of us were taken here, thinking it was the end of the torture. Now we are locked up here in this situation, especially at this crazy time and it seems that no one in power that can make decisions about our future have any interest in taking action.
All of you are going through a tough time, somewhat locked up and I’m so sorry for that, hopefully now some Australians can begin to understand what we have gone through for the past seven years.
What we are asking for in this moment, is to forget about the political game that you [in government] have put us in. This is a dangerous situation, why are you not letting us be amongst those that care about us?
"But you're not having a 2 person picnic". Police end Friday 'public exercise' (#Week4) and 'picnic' in support of #refugees' peaceful protest (#Day38) in Brisbane. Move on orders and some #COVID19 fines #auspol #qldpol #coronavirus #APOD #Manus #Nauru #humanrights | @SBSNews pic.twitter.com/V7F0sFMT7m
— Stefan Armbruster (@StefArmbruster) May 8, 2020
(A democracy hey? Lucky that robotic dog from Singapore wasn’t around.)
Updated
The NT is open for business.
Good morning! It’s Saturday, return of the hugely popular Parap markets in Darwin and the queue for Mary’s Laksa is at least 30 people deep. It’s expected to get busier. @TheNTNews #Darwin pic.twitter.com/atz7x3MpNZ
— Madura McCormack (@MaduraMcCormack) May 8, 2020
I love the NT News. A newspaper that knows its audience so well (and knows they will love the phrase ‘peasant Southerners’).
TOMORROW’S FRONT PAGE#sorrypeasants #6daystogo 🍺🍷🍹 pic.twitter.com/FIGZSK8Ztx
— The NT News (@TheNTNews) May 8, 2020
Updated
New Zealand’s cabinet will meet on Monday to decide that country’s roadmap out of lockdown – but it will be too late for mums to be visited on Mother’s Day.
From AAP in NZ:
Hugs and visits to mums across New Zealand have been banned this Mother’s Day by prime minister Jacinda Ardern, seeking a final push from Kiwis to end the country’s lockdown.
Sunday could be the final day of New Zealand’s tough but effective lockdown, credited as one part of a world-leading response to the spread of Covid-19.
On Monday, Ardern’s government will plot a path back to something close to normality, meeting to decide a timetable for the removal of the social and business restrictions.
The prime minister has already outlined what level two restrictions will look like, including the reopening of restaurants, hairdressers, gyms, cinemas and public facilities like museums and libraries.
Social restrictions could end immediately, with provisions for schools, business and personal movement more likely to be phased in.
Any decision will come too late for mums to enjoy visits from sons and daughters not already in their household bubbles.
Ardern has banned socialising outside of existing households, with few exceptions, and told Kiwis this week to “stick to the plan” before Monday’s review.
“I know it’s Mother’s Day this weekend and the urge to reach out will be strong,” she said. “But we remain at level three. And so if your mum is not in your bubble, then reach out over the phone or video.
“Send a wee local present, and make plans to catch up when it’s safe to do so.”
New Zealand has recorded just five new cases in the past five days.
While the bubble restrictions will be removed when New Zealand makes the jump, a ban on gatherings over 100 people will be retained.
“We are still requiring people to play it safe,” Ardern said.
“That means not having large gatherings, cramming people into your home, and dispensing of all of the advice we’ve had over this period of time.
“Yes, do catch up with your family, do catch up with your friends, but large gatherings are still a no-no.”
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This is not Covid-19 related, but this story broke late last night, and it is outrageous.
(Five police watchdog reports were dropped on a Friday afternoon – amazing how often that happens with bad news).
A New South Wales police watchdog investigation into seven strip searches including one in which a 16-year-old Aboriginal boy was physically forced to remove his shorts and squat has found that all of them were unlawful.
Every search the Law Enforcement Conduct Commission examined was deemed unlawful and the commission repeated what has been previously revealed in hearings: many police don’t understand the law with regards to search powers.
But no disciplinary action was recorded against any officer.
My colleague Michael McGowan has been following this story.
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Deep recessions have long shadows, Wayne Swan writes today.
After the initial stimulus of 2008 and 2009 most advanced countries too quickly flicked the switch to austerity and then experienced half-a-dozen years of high and prolonged unemployment.
Exhibits A and B are the US and Great Britain.
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I have to say I find this, from a Singapore park, discomfiting.
My question is: okay, the four-legged zoomorphised robot mounted with cameras and security sensors is monitoring social distancing today, what’s it going to be monitoring tomorrow?
The robot’s name is Spot, by the way.
How do others feel about this?
The Straits Times has the story.
It’s a Saturday in Australia, so we must go “around the grounds”.
There have been significant developments overseas in the global effort to combat Covid-19. Grateful thanks to my colleague Molly Blackall who compiled this excellent global summary. (The story out of Italy is pretty extraordinary ...)
US unemployment reaches record heights
More than 20 million people in the US lost their jobs in April, more than trebling the unemployment rate. The pandemic has triggered a financial crisis in the US unseen since the Great Depression.
Hong Kong eases physical distancing measures
Hong Kong has begun to relax physical distancing measures, with bars, gyms, cinemas and beauty parlours opening today.
Denmark to relax lockdown
Denmark will reopen museums, theatres, cinemas, zoos and outdoor amusement parks on 8 June, the country’s government has announced.
‘Significant changes to lifestyle’ until vaccine found, WHO warns
People may have to live with a significant change to their lifestyles until a vaccine for coronavirus has been found, Dr Michael Ryan has warned at today’s World Health Organization briefing. He said that the WHO’s examination of global lockdown measures and their easing shows that a “careful and measured return of those kind of normal activities of work and school – especially when they are done with density reduction” seems to be effective, but mass gatherings are much more difficult.
South Africa to release 20,000 prisoners
Almost 20,000 prisoners will be released in attempt to halt the spread of coronavirus in South African prisons. The president, Cyril Ramaphosa, said the low-risk inmates would be freed.
Italian opposition file motion of no-confidence against justice minister
Opposition parties in Italy have filed a motion of no confidence in the justice minister, Alfonso Bonafede, who was criticised for releasing 376 top mafiosi because of the risk of coronavirus infection.
Israel’s confirmed coronavirus cases drop below 500
The number of confirmed cases of coronavirus in Israel has dropped below 500 for the first time since a strict eight-week lockdown was imposed. In recent days, the country has recorded fewer than 50 new cases a day.
South Korea fears anti-gay backlash
Fears of a homophobic backlash in South Korea are mounting after a man infected with coronavirus was reported to have visited clubs in Seoul’s gay district. The 31-year-old tested positive for the virus on Thursday, and by Friday, 14 of his contacts were also confirmed to have contracted the disease.
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Good morning beloved readers, I hope these missives find you well. Ben Doherty at Guardian HQ (this morning, the quietest room in my noisy, noisy house). I’ll be with you this morning.
Friday was a signal day in Australia’s fight against Sars-Cov-2. The federal and state governments outlined a three-stage roadmap to recovery.
Restrictions will be lifted in phases, over four-week blocks, with the final phase likely to be implemented by July. But different states will move at different times with some, at the moment notably the Northern Territory and Western Australia, significantly ahead of eastern seaboard states, NSW and Victoria in particular.
The decision when to move on easing restrictions rests with state premiers and territory chief ministers.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the plan would get 850,000 people back to work when fully implemented.
“You can stay under the doona forever and you’ll never face any danger. But we’ve got to get out from under the doona at some time,” he said.
“If not now, well, then when?”
Victorian premier DanAndrews will not lift any restrictions until at least Monday, refusing to apologise for his hardline approach.
“This is a pandemic, this is not a popularity contest,” he said.
NSW is also cautious, holding off on any announcements, while NT, WA and SA have moved to adopt many of the stage one measures from the national cabinet guidelines.
From this morning, gatherings of up to ten people are allowed in the ACT, Queensland and in South Australia.
Tasmania is easing restrictions gradually from next week, but Queensland is moving more rapidly to allow dining in pubs and clubs for 10 people at a time from May 16.
Queensland has also lifted restrictions around households visiting others - in time for Mothers’ Day – with up to five people from a single household visiting another household.
There have been 6,900 confirmed cases in Australia, 97 people have died.
Daily infection rates remain low and there are fewer than 1,000 active cases.
Chief medical officer Dr Brendan Murphy is urging people to maintain physical distancing and good hygiene to stop further outbreaks.
“Please, keep that distancing. We could lose the battle that we have won so well so far,” he said.
Please be in touch throughout the day, @BenDohertyCorro on twitter. I’ll endeavour to keep you updated on developments, here and abroad.
Be well, enjoy your weekends, but stay safe.
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