This coronavirus article is unlocked and free to read in the interest of community health and safety. Get full digital access to trusted news from the Herald Sun and Leader for just $1 for the first 28 days.
Tough stay-at-home rules will be eased from Monday, with Victorians expected to be given more freedom for outdoor activities and gatherings of up to 10 people.
A crucial National Cabinet meeting on Friday should pave the way for the nation to move from “staying home” to “staying safe”, as the states and territories agree to a three-stage approach for lifting coronavirus restrictions.
Outdoor activities such as sport and recreation can be prioritised, according to the national pandemic intelligence plan, which also suggests shops, cafes and indoor spaces could face ventilation and cleaning requirements as well as customer limits to maintain social distancing.
Victoria’s state of emergency ends on Monday, and while Premier Daniel Andrews has flagged a safe and staged relaxation of restrictions, the next round of rules will still be enforced by police.
Small backyard barbecues and birthday parties are expected to be back on next week, but Mr Andrews said he would not relax the rules before Mother’s Day on Sunday.
The Herald Sun understands each stage of changes will be in place for about a month — giving health authorities time to assess the impact on the spread of the virus — as the National Cabinet aims for a COVID-safe economy by July.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison is keeping the pressure on Victoria to bring kids back into classrooms, arguing reopening schools is crucial to restarting the economy so parents can go to work.
Virus outbreaks are expected when restrictions are eased but authorities are confident they have bolstered tracing, testing and containment capabilities, as more Australians are urged to join the 5.2 million people who have already downloaded the COVIDSafe tracing app.
Mr Andrews said 106,000 tests had been carried out in a two-week blitz, and while the government was waiting on results from about 30 per cent, it now had options for a “staged relaxation of some but not all of the restrictions we’ve put in place”.
Victoria has recorded 1454 cases, 105 of which are active, with eight people in hospital.
“We will do what is safe, we will do what is appropriate,” Mr Andrews said.
“We have to stay the course and we cannot let our frustration get the better of us.
“We would all like to get back to something much closer to normal, and we will get there faster if we follow the evidence.”
The Federal Government is subsidising the wages of five million workers across 767,808 businesses, and while the JobKeeper scheme is in place for six months, Mr Morrison wants to reopen the economy and rebuild confidence.
Banks have deferred $160 billion worth of loan, including about 6 per cent of mortgages and 13 per cent of loans taken out by small and medium businesses.
But Mr Morrison has indicated that lifting restrictions could not be rushed, which Mr Andrews agreed with on Thursday, saying it would be “almost unbearable” if businesses burnt through their savings to reopen and were then forced to close again.
Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt said staying 1.5m apart, washing hands and coughing carefully were “lifesaving, necessary measures” that were here to stay.
The National Cabinet would produce “a clear road map out with clear stages” that would enable the states to “make their judgments of their own circumstances”, he said.
“Australians will now be at the forefront of beginning to regain their lives as the world looks on, and that’s an extraordinary step,” Mr Hunt said.
Confirmed COVID-19 Cases in VIC
Source: Vic DHSSMORE NEWS
AUSSIES TO SEE THREE-STAGE PLAN TO REOPEN ECONOMY
WHAT VICTORIANS CAN DO WHEN RESTRICTIONS ARE EASED
CEDAR MEATS OUTBREAK HITS 62 CASES
https://news.google.com/__i/rss/rd/articles/CBMiigFodHRwczovL3d3dy5oZXJhbGRzdW4uY29tLmF1L2Nvcm9uYXZpcnVzL2ZpcnN0LXN0ZXBzLXRvLXJlY292ZXJ5LWFzLWVhc2luZy1vZi1pc29sYXRpb24tYmVnaW5zL25ld3Mtc3RvcnkvMjM2MWExODE5MWI5ZTgzZWYzMzFiMWI1ZTQzZjBlNWbSAQA?oc=5
2020-05-07 13:07:45Z
52780770538985
Bagikan Berita Ini
0 Response to "First steps to recovery as easing of isolation begins - Herald Sun"
Post a Comment