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Watch live: Victorian COVID-19 update
Victorian Health Minister Martin Foley and Department of Health deputy secretary Kate Matson are providing a coronavirus update at noon.
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Ride-sharing banned through Sydney CBD ahead of protests
By Angus Thompson
Ride-share service Uber is warning Sydney customers that NSW Police have issued orders banning ride-share vehicles and taxis from picking up, dropping off or even transiting customers through the Sydney CBD between 9am and 3pm today.
Mounted police patrol Sydney Park in Sydney’s inner-west ahead of planned protests.Credit:James Brickwood
Uber says people who arranged medical appointments are allowed to travel but “must be prepared to provide proof of exemption”.
“These restrictions are likely to cause significant disruption and we urge you to consider alternatives for any essential travel to and from these areas during this period,” the company told users in a statement.
Police arrive at Bass Hill Shopping centre in preparation for a possible protest.Credit:Nick Moir
Meanwhile, police are arriving at Bass Hill shopping centre ahead of a planned protest there, while police and mounted police patrol Sydney Park in Alexandria in large groups to prevent anti-lockdown protesters rallying.
NSW records 1331 new COVID-19 cases and six deaths
By Angus Thompson
NSW has recorded 1,331 new locally acquired COVID-19 cases and six deaths in the 24 hours to 8pm last night.
Of the people who died, there were four women and two men from western and south-western Sydney, with one person in their 40s, one in their 60s, two in their 70s, and two aged in their 80s.
According to information released by NSW Health, three of the six people who died were not vaccinated and three had received one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine.
One person, a man in his 70s from western Sydney, acquired his infection overseas.
The total number of cases in NSW since the beginning of the pandemic has now reached 50,730.
There were 120,954 COVID-19 tests reported to 8pm last night, compared with the previous day’s
total of 155,334.
NSW Deputy Chief Health Officer Jeremy McAnulty said 81.2 per cent of people aged over 16 have received their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, and 50.6 per cent are fully vaccinated.
“This is fantastic news, thank you so much for coming feared to get vaccinated and helping us to get out of this pandemic,” Dr McAnulty said.
The total number of vaccines administered in NSW is now 8,720,728.
‘Blindsided an international partner’: Labor says government must outline steps to repair relationship with France
By James Massola
Following France’s withdrawal of its ambassador from Australia, Labor foreign affairs spokeswoman Penny Wong said this was not the first time Prime Minister Scott Morrison had “blindsided an international partner or failed to do the diplomatic leg work before an announcement”.
Labor foreign affairs spokeswoman Penny Wong.Credit:Alex Ellinghausen
“It’s about time Mr Morrison learnt to prioritise Australia’s relationships and national interest over photo ops. France is a country with shared interest in our region. The Morrison-Joyce Government must outline what steps it is taking to repair this important relationship.”
The recall of Jean-Pierre Thebault, the French ambassador to Australia, and Philippe Etienne, the ambassador to the US, for “consultations” is understood to be the first in a rolling series of protests from Paris, which is furious at Australia for abandoning the contract and the US for benefiting from the switch.
Lowy Institute foreign policy expert Herve Lemahieu said the decision to dump the French boats would “take years to repair and will leave a lasting legacy of mistrust” between Australia and France.
Read the full update here
Police arrive en masse at Sydney park to prevent protest
By Angus Thompson
Police have begun arriving en masse at Sydney Park, in Sydney’s inner west, in preparation for a scheduled anti-lockdown protest due to take place at midday.
Witnesses say there are several buses reserved for a police operation that are parked along Sydney Park Road, with the car park to the area sealed off, and officers manning each entry point to the park.
There are also police patrolling the park on bicycles, as well as speaking to people sitting down in the park.
We’ll bring you more detail on the operation as it unfolds.
‘Australia understands France’s deep disappointment’: Foreign Minister’s office responds to France recalling ambassador
A spokesperson for Foreign Affairs Minister Maris Payne says the government “understands France’s deep disappointment” following the European nation’s decision to recall its ambassador following Australia’s nuclear submarines deal with the US and UK.
“We note with regret France’s decision to recall its Ambassador to Australia for consultations following the decision on the Attack Class project,” the spokesperson said in a statement this morning.
Australian Foreign Minister Marise Payne speaking in Washington this week.Credit:AP
“Australia understands France’s deep disappointment with our decision, which was taken in accordance with our clear and communicated national security interests.
“Australia values its relationship with France, which is an important partner and a vital contributor to stability, particularly in the Indo-Pacific. This will not change.”
The spokesperson for Ms Payne added Australia looked forward “to engaging with France again on our many issues of shared interest, based on shared values.”
Meanwhile, US State Department spokesman Ned Price said in a statement: “We have been in close contact with our French allies. We understand their position, and we are aware of their plans to recall Ambassador Etienne to Paris for consultations.
“France is a vital partner and our oldest ally, and we place the highest value on our relationship. We hope to continue our discussion on this issue at the senior level in coming days,” Mr Price said.
Travel into Melbourne blocked as police prepare for anti-lockdown protesters
By Tom Cowie and David Estcourt
Travel in and out of Melbourne by public transport and car has ground to a halt to prevent anti-lockdown protesters from gathering in the CBD.
Police have set up checkpoints on roads into the city to stop people from travelling into Melbourne without a reason ahead of a rally that was originally planned for 12pm on Saturday.
A police checkpoint set up for drivers entering the Melbourne CBD on Saturday morning. Credit:Asanka Ratnayake/Getty Images
Trains, trams and buses won’t run through the city from 8am to 2pm, with services terminating at suburban stations. Limited shuttle buses are running from key locations for those who are permitted to travel.
More than 2000 officers have been deployed as part of the anti-protest operation, with senior police stating they will do everything they can to prevent access to the city.
Chief Commissioner Shane Patton said earlier this week that intelligence suggested thousands more may be planning to attend Saturday’s protest in breach of lockdown restrictions.
Read the full coverage here
Victoria records one death, 535 new COVID cases
By Tom Cowie
There was one death and 535 new cases of coronavirus recorded in Victoria on Saturday, as restrictions were loosened in Melbourne allowing people to meet outdoors.
Of the new cases recorded in the 24 hours to midnight on Thursday, 62 have so far been linked to known clusters, according to Victoria’s health department.
Up to five fully vaccinated Melburnians from a maximum of two households can have picnics together from Saturday, however alcohol remains banned.Credit:Daniel Pockett/Getty Images
More than 45,537 vaccine doses were administered in Victoria on Thursday and an impressive 61,622 tests were processed.
From Saturday, fully vaccinated Melburnians can meet up outdoors with one other household in groups of up to five adults plus dependents. The five-kilometre restriction on movement from the home has also been widened to 10 kilometres.
Outdoor gyms and skate parks have also been reopened, with Melburnians now allowed to exercise for four hours per day, instead of two.
You can read more here
Australia Post urges consumers to start Christmas shopping early
By Henrietta Cook
The head of Australia Post is urging consumers to start thinking about their Christmas shopping now as the national postal service grapples with lengthy delays caused by a surge in online shopping.
Rodney Boys, the company’s acting chief executive, said parcel volumes were already at Christmas-like levels due to more than 15 million Australians living under lockdown.
Australia Post is taking on more staff to deal with the surge in home deliveries. Credit:Justin McManus
Posties and delivery drivers are delivering more than 10 million parcels every week, with more than 50 per cent of Australian households purchasing something online last month. It’s a trend set to continue, with no firm date for when bricks and mortar retail stores will reopen.
“This Christmas is certainly going to be the busiest we’ve ever seen,” Mr Boys told The Age and The Sydney Morning Herald.
“It is important shoppers start thinking about their Christmas shopping now and send gifts early, especially if they’re posting overseas.”
Read the full story here
NSW Police issue warning ahead of planned anti-lockdown protests
By Angus Thompson
NSW Police will conduct high-visibility operations across the state this morning to disrupt potential anti-lockdown protests scheduled for today.
Deputy Commissioner Mal Lanyon, Metropolitan Field Operations, said the operation would mirror previous operations, with police road blocks expected at inner-city locations, as well as trains not stopping at certain stations within the city.
An anti-lockdown protest at Victoria Park on Broadway, Sydney, on August 20.Credit:Brook Mitchell
“We are continuing to monitor online commentary ahead of tomorrow and have put in place an extremely mobile police operation with significant resources, to respond to whatever situation we are faced with,” Mr Lanyon said.
Minister for Police and Emergency Services David Elliott warned anyone thinking of protesting this weekend to stay at home, and not come into the city.
“There is no doubt that these protests are a risk to public health – for the community, for police as well as for the individual health of the protesters themselves,” Mr Elliott said.
“We’ve seen past protesters end up contracting COVID-19, so anyone who is still considering protesting needs take a good hard look at themselves.”
Mr Elliott’s warning follows news earlier this week a Sydney TikTok personality charged after speaking at an anti-lockdown protest in July was in hospital with COVID-19.
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2021-09-18 01:57:39Z
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