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New national restrictions could lock down Britain
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson is considering imposing new national lockdown measures next week amid concerns hospitals are overwhelmed by a resurgence in COVID-19 cases, The Times newspaper reported on Friday.
The new restrictions could be introduced on Wednesday and remain in place until December 1, The Times said.
Johnson is expected to hold a news conference on Monday to announce the new measures, under which everything could be closed except essential shops and "educational settings," the newspaper said.
However, the new measures were still under discussion, and no final decision had been made, The Times added, citing a senior government source.
Cabinet Office officials did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The United Kingdom on Friday reported 24,405 new cases of COVID-19 and a further 274 deaths within 28 days of a positive test, according to government data.
It has now recorded more than 20,000 new coronavirus cases a day on average over the last week.
Reuters
'They deserve a dead rubber': Blues boss slams Queensland Premier
By Christian Nicolussi
NSWRL powerbrokers hope Origin III at Suncorp Stadium becomes a "dead rubber" after Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk yesterday announced the sunshine state's borders would remain closed.
Premier Palaszczuk's decision – which many suspected was made with today's Queensland election in mind – has wrecked Sydneysiders' hopes of heading north for the November 18 Brisbane blockbuster. Maroons supporters face the same dilemma trying to return from Sydney for Origin II on November 11.
The last thing the Blues want is a potential series decider in Brisbane, especially if they are confronted by a sea of 39,000 Maroons fans and next to no Blues supporters.
NSWRL boss Dave Trodden was disappointed Palaszczuk's decision had robbed the Sydney and Brisbane games of the all-important "tribalism" that exists at any given Origin game, especially given COVID cases had remained so low.
Trodden fears fans who are in the habit of attending big games may not return at all once the restrictions are lifted.
"I really hope we give them a dead rubber now,'' Trodden said. "They almost deserve for it to be a dead rubber up there, don't they?
Queensland records no new COVID-19 cases
By Lydia Lynch
Queensland has recorded another day of zero new COVID-19 cases.
Speaking outside a polling booth in a marginal north Brisbane seat on Queensland's election day, Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk announced another "zero day".
"Can I thank Queensland for the great job that they are doing," she said.
"Everyone is keeping Queensland safe and that is the best news I have heard today."
No Daily Dan: Victorian Health Minister to face the press at noon
The much-anticipated Victorian daily coronavirus notification has just gone out. Today, Health Minister Martin Foley will front the press pack, accompanied by Chief Health Officer Brett Sutton.
After answering journalists' questions at 120 consecutive daily press conferences, Premier Daniel Andrews signed off yesterday with these words: "I will not see you tomorrow. The Minister for Health will conduct the daily briefing. I'm sure you're all very pleased to hear that news."
We'll bring you Martin Foley's first solo appearance live at noon.
Trump's election night party plans nixed by COVID safety rules
US President Donald Trump says he isn't sure where he will mark election night after District of Columbia officials signalled that a party planned for his luxury hotel in Washington could be in violation of rules limiting mass gatherings during the coronavirus pandemic.
Trump told reporters that he may stay at the White House or pick another location to hold his campaign’s party as he expressed frustration with the city's coronavirus protocol.
"I think it’s crazy Washington DC is shut down," Trump told reporters at the White House before departing for a day of campaigning in the Midwest.
Donald Trump campaigning in Michigan on Saturday AEDT.Credit:AP
DC Mayor Muriel Bowser's office earlier this week sent a notice to operators of the Trump International Hotel, located in the historic Old Post Office building, reminding them of the city’s coronavirus rules, according to a Bowser administration official. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorised to comment publicly on the matter.
The city’s current guidelines prohibit gatherings of more than 50 people and dictate that restaurants, hotels and other commercial venues operate at 50 per cent of capacity or less. The Trump Hotel did not respond to the Bowser administration’s notice.
The Trump campaign has pushed out fundraising emails in the president’s name offering donors the chance to enter a drawing "to join Team Trump at the Election Night Party in my favourite hotel", in Washington, suggesting he would use his hotel as the backdrop for reacting to election results.
"November 3rd will go down in history as the night we won FOUR MORE YEARS. It will be absolutely EPIC, and the only thing that could make it better is having YOU there," Trump said in one of the fundraising solicitations.
The hotel faced a city inspection in July and was found to be in compliance with the District's coronavirus rules at that time.
Trump held his 2016 election party in his then-hometown of New York. But he booked his victory party at New York’s Hilton in Midtown Manhattan because his own nearby Trump International Hotel and Tower didn’t have a big enough room.
It’s unclear how much of a presence Trump himself will be in any election night festivities this time. With a significant portion of the electorate opting to mail in their ballots, that could delay tabulation of results. AP
You can follow our live US election coverage here.
Cashed-up Australians squirrel away $100 billion
By Shane Wright
Cashed-up Australians have squirrelled away $100 billion in their bank accounts since the start of the coronavirus recession as they remain fearful the pandemic will weigh on the economy and their own finances well into the future.
Data from the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority on Friday showed another surge in bank deposits held by households with the nation's lenders, jumping by $16.5 billion through September.
The authority noted the increase was likely due to JobKeeper payments and tax refunds flowing into accounts in the month. Deposits have also been boosted by increased government payments, mortgage repayment deferrals and the withdrawal of $34.5 billion from superannuation accounts.
Since the start of the pandemic in February, $100 billion has been put away by households waiting for a change in the economy.
The nation's biggest lender, the Commonwealth Bank, now has $295.1 billion in deposits from households, a near $31 billion increase on February. Between February and September last year, the bank's household deposits actually fell by $2.8 billion.
The cash is attracting next to no interest. Since the start of September, the big four major banks have cut their savings rates by an average 0.2 per cent. The base rate on flexible savings accounts offered by the four is now just 0.05 per cent.
Victoria's single daily case is 'a low positive'
Victoria's Chief Health Officer Brett Sutton says the state's single daily case is "a low positive" and will be considered by an expert panel today.
This means the infected person could have a very mild dose of the virus or could even have recovered from a previous bout of the illness but the virus is still in their system.
Which means... if it's reclassified, it could yet be another zero day of cases in Victoria.
How to safely trick or treat this COVID-19 Halloween
Halloween 2020 will be an event like no other. In a year of a pandemic, collecting lollies from strangers' hands doesn't seem like the brightest of ideas, especially in Melbourne as the city starts to emerge from a four-month lockdown.
But while Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews batted off questions about celebrating Halloween over several weeks, the state's health department eventually released a list of rules on how children could safely trick or treat.
NSW Health is also supportive of Halloween celebrations, subject to a range of conditions.
Josh Weier and Rhiannon Devine, pictured with their daughter Olwyn, love Halloween.Credit:Eddie Jim
Here are some tips on how to safely trick or treat this COVID-19 Halloween.
- Don’t use communal bowls for lollies or sweets. Putting lollies in a shared bowl will mean everyone is touching the same food and surfaces, which isn’t safe.
- Instead, put individually wrapped lollies or candy in bags for non-contact collection.
- Place bags on your fence, at your front gate or outside your home for collection.
- Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds before preparing the bags or individually wrapped lollies or candy.
Why the Queensland election matters beyond the state's borders
Queenslanders go to the polls today. And while state elections are generally parochial, this election has resonance beyond its borders.
Annastacia Palaszczuk's Labor Party is seeking a third term in government against Deb Frecklington and the LNP, which needs nine more seats to take power. The contest is close and a minority government is a possible result.
The Brisbane Times team of Danielle Cronin, Matt Dennien, Toby Crockford and Lydia Lynch have pulled together this piece to tell us why this particular election matters to Australians beyond the Sunshine State.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk, Opposition Leader Deb Frecklington, Clive Palmer, and Greens MP Michael Berkman.Credit:Alex Ellinghausen, Dan Peled, Supplied
Pandemic response referendum
The election will be the first referendum on a premier’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has conceded as much.
"If it means I have to lose the election, I will risk all that if it means keeping Queenslanders safe," she said when challenged on keeping borders closed.
While polls suggest a majority of Queenslanders are satisfied with the Premier’s handling of the health crisis, she has faced pressure from the NSW and federal governments, airlines, tourism operators, and some border businesses and residents to ease restrictions.
Ms Frecklington and members of her frontbench had called for Queensland's border to open on July 1 but she is now on a unity ticket with the premier, promising to listen to the health advice.
The states have asserted their role in the federation, and the election is a test of whether Palaszczuk's "Queensland first" approach is politically astute.
While the Northern Territory and ACT have held elections this year, Queensland is the first state off the electoral blocks since the pandemic hit.
Melbourne is open, but not back – we're still grieving
National science reporter Liam Mannix has probably spent more time talking about genomic sequencing and vaccines over the past six months than much else. But it looks like The Age editors gave him a brief breather this week, letting him off the leash to observe the mood of Melbourne's streets. It's a moving piece.
People take to Melbourne's streets on Wednesday. Credit:Darrian Traynor / Getty Images
It is easy to fool yourself into thinking Melbourne is back.
The grind-clack-clack of espresso machines carries out the open windows of cafes on St Kilda's Acland Street. People eat fried fish and lick ice-creams melting in the sun. Trams clank by, setting glasses of white wine trembling.
"This feels so different," a woman says as she sits down for lunch, beaming at the waiter. Her companion rubs tired eyes. He looks how everyone feels: utterly exhausted.
Behind the smiles, many hide scars.
"There is pain and hurt out there," Premier Daniel Andrews said on Friday. "There is grieving."
The city is open, but not yet whole.
Jayde Elliott and partner Craig Rose.Credit:Luis Enrique Ascui
Just ask Craig Rose, strolling along Bourke Street Mall enjoying the sun.
His solar panel company stood him down when the lockdown started. He'd only been working there for a couple of weeks, so he said did not qualify for JobKeeper. And because he still technically had a job, he did not qualify for JobSeeker either.
Without money coming in, he and partner Jayde Elliott were kicked out of their rented home, the eviction ban ignored. They had to move across the city to find somewhere to stay. But on Thursday, there was a sense the sun was starting to peek through the clouds. Mr Rose had his job back, for one.
"I just feel like we're part of it again," Ms Elliott says. Mr Rose adds: "We used to come into the city, there was no one, there was no atmosphere, there was nothing. Everyone is happier again."
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2020-10-30 23:15:00Z
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