crikey--2020-05-15--Coronavirus statistics | When will the lockdown end?

How long will the coronavirus lockdown last ?
It ’ s the question at the back of all our minds .
Today , Crikey presents the coronavirus statistics that may be help predict when lockdowns will be a thing of the past .
Brendan Murphy has expressed optimism that Australians will continue to flatten the curve if social distancing rules are observed , particularly this Easter weekend .
The latest coronavirus statistics may help us to answer two popular questions that we find ourselves asking this week .
• Are we actually flattening the curve ?
Are we flattening the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of COVID-19 continues to grow across Australia , the rate of growth has slowed .
Here are the coronavirus statistics you need to know right now .
( These statistics will be updated on a daily basis to keep you informed . )
• There are 7,000 confirmed coronavirus cases across Australia • 6,301 people have recovered from the virus to date • The current death toll of coronavirus is 98 When will the coronavirus lockdown end ?
How long will the coronavirus lockdown last in Australia ?
It ’ s the question @ @ @ @ @ @ @ minds .
Here ’ s what we know : • The coronavirus lockdown may last for an average of 10 weeks , based on the only real example we have : Wuhan , China • To date , China is the only country that has taken hold of the rapidly rising number of COVID-19 cases in its population , with lockdown restrictions now being lifted and life reportedly returning to normal • Thirty-one provinces across China have been affected by coronavirus , with lockdowns ranging from four to 10 weeks .
According to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ two-part formula for predicting a potential reduction in COVID-19 cases : • On average , it takes approximately seven days to see a change in the daily number of coronavirus cases .
The seven-day period starts from day one of each individual correctly self-isolating • Those who are carrying the virus but are nonsymptomatic require an extended period of time between recognising their symptoms , to getting tested and receiving their results .
For individuals who are critically unwell , it takes approximately 11 days between diagnosis and treatment to see a potential @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spread of the coronavirus is slowing across Australia , and this is largely due to the travel restrictions and closure of non-essential business implemented by the federal and state governments .
An end to the lockdowns will largely depend on Australians following guidelines as put forward by medical professionals and governments .
While cases of COVID-19 may be slowing right now , there is concern around the possibility of local transmission , and public non-adherence to social distancing rules .
The latest coronavirus statistics as cited above will determine when lockdown will end @ @ @ @ @ @ @ life may slowly return to normal and lockdown restrictions may loosen .
New South Wales Police Commissioner Mick Fuller says current enforcement laws are set to expire this coming June , and as it stands , he will not seek to expand them .
Health Minister Greg Hunt has reportedly said the lockdown , or some restrictions that are currently in place , could stand for at least six months .
With the majority of Australian states now in stage three lockdowns this week , it is only natural we are asking ourselves @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will I be able to return to work ?
• When will restaurants , bars and hairdressers open once again ?
• When can I go to the supermarket without worry ?
When will Australia ’ s coronavirus lockdown end ?
At this point , the answer is not clear .
It took 10 weeks for the epicentre of the virus to reportedly recover , and that may be the number we need to use to manage our expectations .
Read : What are the symptoms of coronavirus ?

Brendan Murphy has expressed optimism that Australians will continue to flatten the curve if social distancing rules are observed, particularly this Easter weekend. The latest coronavirus statistics may help us to answer two popular questions that we find ourselves asking this week.
Are we actually flattening the curve? When will coronavirus lockdown end?
Are we flattening the curve?
While the number of cases of COVID-19 continues to grow across Australia, the rate of growth has slowed.
Here are the coronavirus statistics you need to know right now. (These statistics will be updated on a daily basis to keep you informed.)


crikey--2020-05-15--Politics as usual is back — and don’t you just hate it

We 've had a break from politics as usual , but now they 're back at it , reminding us of what we did n't miss .
As Australia begins to stir from hibernation , there is one thing that could have stayed dormant for much longer .
Now that we ’ re back to politics as usual , it only serves to remind us what we really didn ’ t miss during the lockdown .
During the hiatus , the only visible pollies were a small group which included the prime minister , the treasurer and the health minister @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Few really missed hearing from the rest of the Morrison government , particularly those weeks when the home affairs minister was felled by coronavirus .
The opposition figured out early on it was best to keep their heads down too .
The opposition leader popped up occasionally for some appropriate contributions on vital issues which was a good reminder that he had not been confined to a bunker like poor Joe Biden in the US .
And virtually nothing from the National Party with their federal leaders ’ invisibility now working in his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the duration .
Pauline Hanson ’ s efforts to draw attention included threatening to lay down in her paddock and daring the cops to fine her .
No word on what happened .
Obviously no one cared — even the cops .
Could this be why ratings for the nightly television news almost doubled ?
Suddenly it was safe for viewers to turn on their sets and watch real news for a change instead of the usual banality .
It seemed the only ones that missed it all were the rabid right wing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the George Pell High Court decision in early April .
That allowed for some much needed ranting and culture war outpourings that they had obviously been forced to curtail during those damned “ we ’ re all in it together ” weeks .
The pollie void was filled by the state premiers which might be why the first polling showed their approval at stratospheric levels .
There was novelty value to seeing Labor and Liberal state leaders all working together .
Not so much internally .
When NSW arts minister Don Harwin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he was breaking lockdown laws .
It did allow Sydney ’ s The Daily Telegraph to ramp up its campaign against the NSW premier under the cover of COVID-19 .
There were still tensions between Canberra and Macquarie Street with the PM reportedly warmer to the Labor premiers of Victoria , WA and Queensland than to his NSW Liberal counterpart during national cabinet meetings .
Perhaps the starkest sign things had changed came the Sunday federal Education Minister Dan Tehan criticised Victorian Premier Dan Andrews ’ lack of leadership on school openings and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an embarrassing apology that he had “ overstepped the mark ” .
Given the usual insults hurled from Canberra it was a seminal moment in the new civil politics .
It didn ’ t last long .
Peter Dutton ’ s pent-up bile was sprayed at the “ corrupt and chaotic ” Queensland Government for daring to try and help rescue the collapsed Virgin Airlines , comments even the PM refused to endorse .
It has been unravelling at a great pace .
In the past week the Queensland premier has lost her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ NSW premier probably wishes hers had gone too .
After the NSW deputy premier sprayed everyone , Barnaby quickly popped up with a view , and then Matt Canavan was back , along with a strange photo of himself in high vis in front of a Hills Hoist .
The opposition stirred too .
Kristina Keneally was obviously suffering limelight deprivation so penned an anti-immigration piece that infuriated her colleagues and gave Pauline Hanson the chance to claim she was stealing One Nation policies .
And when a press gallery journalist dared to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ week the old smirky , snarky Scott was back .
Political leaders often talk disingenuously of keeping politics off the front page but when the pandemic meant they didn ’ t have a choice , it actually seemed to work .
Cancelling parliament is a high price to pay but for the first time I appreciate why some oppressed peoples actually welcome a dictatorship after democracy becomes too chaotic .
It ’ s obviously a welcome respite from all those damn pollies , everywhere , all the time .
Have you enjoyed the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ us know your thoughts by writing to [ email protected ] .
Please include your full name to be considered for publication in Crikey ’ s Your Say column .

As Australia begins to stir from hibernation, there is one thing that could have stayed dormant for much longer.
Numpties. Sorry, politicians.
Now that we’re back to politics as usual, it only serves to remind us what we really didn’t miss during the lockdown.


crikey--2020-05-19--Supercharged conspiracy theorists are no longer a laughing matter

Conspiracy theorists are becoming more globalised , more extreme and more violent .
Is the current generation of conspiracy theorists @ @ @ @ @ yesteryear ?

Is the current generation of conspiracy theorists any different to those of yesteryear?
Are the virus hoaxers, who think COVID-19 is a Bill Gates plot, or anti-vaxxers, with whom they’re linked, or QAnon adherents, or “replacement theory” white supremacists, or incels, any different to previous generations of anti-Semites (who still blight society, of course) or anti-Communists convinced that Moscow controlled the world, or anti-Catholics who saw all Catholics as agents of the Vatican, or anti-Masons… on and on the list goes.
There have always been conspiracy theorists, a minority of the population who are characterised by, in the words of Norman Cohn, “the megalomaniac view of oneself as the Elect, wholly good, abominably persecuted, yet assured of ultimate triumph; the attribution of gigantic and demonic powers to the adversary; the refusal to accept the ineluctable limitations and imperfections of human existence…”


crikey--2020-05-18--Immune to evidence: how to spot and talk to a COVID-19 conspiracy theorist

As COVID-19 conspiracy theories spreading around the globe at an alarming rate , how do we battle the spread of disinformation ?
This story was originally published by ProPublica .
Stephan Lewandowsky studies the way people think , and in particular , why they engage in conspiracy theories .
So when the cognitive scientist from England ’ s University of Bristol observes wild speculation related to the COVID-19 pandemic , he sees how it fits into the historical pattern of misinformation and fake news .
I recently wrote about the viral video “ Plandemic ” as an investigative reporter assessing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ forth by a controversial researcher .
Lewandowsky comes at the video and others like it from a science-based perspective .
He is one of the authors of “ The Conspiracy Theory Handbook , ” which explains the traits of conspiratorial thinking .
Conspiracy theories related to the COVID-19 pandemic seem to be proliferating , and some may even be taking root .
So I asked Lewandowsky to share how he identifies and understands them , and what we can do to sort through the confusion .
The interview has been condensed for clarity @ @ @ @ @ @ @ difference between a real conspiracy and a conspiracy theory ?
A real conspiracy actually exists , and it is usually uncovered by journalists , whistleblowers , document dumps from a corporation or government , or it ’ s discovered by a government agency .
The Volkswagen emissions scandal , for example , was discovered by conventional ways when some engineers discovered an anomaly in a report .
It was all mundane — normal people having normal observations based on data .
They said , “ Hang on , something ’ s funny here @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The same is true for the Iran-contra scandal .
That broke via a newspaper in Lebanon .
True conspiracies are often uncovered through the media .
In Watergate , it was journalists not taking “ no ” for an answer .
A conspiracy theory , on the other hand , is discussed at length on the internet by people who are not bona fide journalists or government officials or whistleblowers in an organization or investigative committees of regulators .
They ’ re completely independent sources , individuals who self-nominate and put themselves forward @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In principle , that could be true .
But then if you look at the way these people think and talk and communicate , you discover their cognition is different from what I would call conventional cognition .
What are some differences between conventional and conspiratorial thinking ?
You can start with healthy skepticism vs. overriding suspicion .
As a scientist , I ’ m obviously skeptical .
I ’ m questioning anything people say .
I look at my own data and other people ’ s data with a skeptical eye @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , they are quite capable of accepting evidence .
Once something has withstood scrutiny , you accept it .
Otherwise you ’ re in a state of complete nihilism and you can ’ t believe anything .
That crucial second step of acceptance is absent in conspiracy theorists .
That is where conspiracy theorists are different .
Their skepticism is a bottomless , never-ending pit of skepticism about anything related to the official account .
And that skepticism is accompanied by extreme gullibility to anything related to the conspiracy .
It ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ official may say and complete gullibility for something some random dude on the internet will tweet out .
It ’ s that imbalance that differentiates conspiracy thinking from standard cognition .
Conspiracy thinking is immune to evidence .
In the “ Plandemic ” video , the absence of evidence is twisted to be seen to be as evidence for the theory .
They say the cover-up is so perfect that you will never find out about it .
That ’ s the opposite of rational thinking .
Usually when you think of a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
And if there ’ s zero evidence , you give it up or say there is no evidence for it .
Conspiracy theorists may also simultaneously believe things that are contradictory .
In the “ Plandemic ” video , for example , they say COVID-19 both came from a Wuhan lab and that we ’ re all infected with the disease from vaccinations .
They ’ re making both claims , and they don ’ t hang together .
More generally , conspiracy theorists show this contradictory thinking by presenting themselves as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ themselves as these heroes in possession of the truth .
But they also see themselves as victims .
They feel they are being persecuted by this evil establishment or the deep state or whatever it is .
Why do you think some conspiracy theories are so popular ?
Some people find comfort in resorting to a conspiracy theory whenever they have a sense of a loss of control or they ’ re confronted with a major adverse event that no one has control over .
So every time there ’ s a mass @ @ @ @ @ @ @ guarantee you ahead of time that there will be a conspiracy theory about it .
So you would expect conspiracy theories related to the pandemic .
That doesn ’ t make them any less harmful .
Here in the United Kingdom , people are burning 5G cell towers because of this extreme idea that 5G has something to do with causing COVID-19 .
More than 70 cell towers have gone up in flames because of this conspiracy theory .
Is conspiracy thinking at an all time high ?
Historical records show that there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Middle Ages when the plague hit Europe .
It was anti-Semitism at the time .
That tends to be part and parcel of pandemics .
People engage in conspiracies that involve some sort of “ othering ” of people .
During previous pandemics , people chased doctors down the street because they thought they were responsible for the pandemic .
In Europe , now a lot of antagonism is directed at Asians , because the pandemic started in China .
The internet is helping the spread of conspiracy theories .
It ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 30 years ago .
But it ’ s difficult to say we have more now .
Are conservatives or liberals any more likely to engage in conspiracy thinking ?
There is a lot of research on this and political conspiracy theories tend to be most associated with extreme political views , on the right or the left .
But if you quantify it , you frequently find more on the right than the left .
How do we talk to the conspiracy theorists in our lives ?
It ’ s extremely difficult .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ people to talk to are people who are not conspiracy theorists .
The vast majority of people are grateful for the debunking and responsive to it .
That should be your target of communication if you have a choice .
The hardcore conspiracy theorists are unlikely to change their minds .
They will take what you say and display considerable ingenuity in twisting it and using it against you .
On Twitter , I block them immediately because I ’ m concerned about my ability to have a rational conversation and I don @ @ @ @ @ @ @ right .
How do we prevent the spread of conspiracy theories ?
By trying to inoculate the public against them .
Telling the public ahead of time : Look , there are people who believe these conspiracy theories .
They invent this stuff .
When they invent it they exhibit these characteristics of misguided cognition .
You can go through the traits we mention in our handbook , like incoherence , immunity to evidence , overriding suspicion and connecting random dots into a pattern .
The best thing to do is tell the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and how they can protect themselves .
Are you aware of any cases where the conspiracy theorists turned out to be right ?
There are tens of thousands of conspiracy theories out there , so I haven ’ t checked them all .
But if you look at actual conspiracies , Volkswagen , Iran-contra , Watergate — the real conspiracies — they were uncovered by conventional cognition .
There weren ’ t people there who took the absence of evidence to be evidence for the theory , or who reinterpreted contrary evidence to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ m not aware of any conspiracy theorists discovering something where they turn out to be correct .

This story was originally published by ProPublica.
Stephan Lewandowsky studies the way people think, and in particular, why they engage in conspiracy theories.
So when the cognitive scientist from England’s University of Bristol observes wild speculation related to the COVID-19 pandemic, he sees how it fits into the historical pattern of misinformation and fake news.


crikey--2020-05-18--Phone ban push gives Border Force new powers, treats detainees as criminals

Phone ban push gives Border Force new powers , treats detainees as criminals Immigration detention centres are not prisons .
@ @ @ @ @ 's how it 's meant to be in theory .
According to the government , @ @ @ @ @ people currently held in immigration detention centres in Australia have a criminal history ( which @ @ @ @ @ ) .
So , 40 % of immigration detainees have no criminal history at all @

According to the government, 60% of the 1400 people currently held in immigration detention centres in Australia have a criminal history (which could include unpaid parking fines). So, 40% of immigration detainees have no criminal history at all.
The government is keen that these people not have access to mobile phones. It has been trying to achieve that since 2017, when it first introduced proposed amendments to the Migration Act accordingly but failed to get them through the Senate.
In 2018, they tried a different tack, imposing an
administrative ban on mobile phones in detention centres, however that was declared
illegal by the Federal Court.


crikey--2020-05-18--Hindsight is 20/20: how false narratives could hurt us going forward

Australia has been relatively successful in the fight against COVID-19 .
What comes next is the fight for the narrative .
As Australia prepares to gradually relax the non-pharmaceutical interventions ( NPIs ) that have led to our success in containing COVID-19 — from locking down the border and mandatory quarantining of returning citizens , to social-distancing and the shuttering of pubs and restaurants — it is crucial that we have the correct narrative about what is behind us , and what lies ahead .
Narratives — stories , really — are important because they help us make sense of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ continue to battle COVID-19 , there is another battle taking place : for the narrative describing our response to the pandemic .
In light of our success various commentators that were “ lockdown sceptics ” from the start — like Adam Creighton , Henry Ergas and Janet Albrechsten — have suggested we could go “ too far ” or even reinterpreted the success of NPIs in Australia as evidence that we may never have needed lockdowns at all , in the case of Creighton .
Some have said that epidemiological models are “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on .
Their preferred narrative is that we , as a nation , panicked and caused additional economic harm for no reason .
These claims are clearly false given what we have seen overseas , everywhere from Italy and Spain to the UK and US .
Looking at the relatively “ good ” observed outcomes in Australia , 7054 cases and 99 deaths to date , and concluding that NPIs were unnecessary is a rookie error .
It ’ s akin to looking at a community with lots of police on the beat @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that if all police were removed the crime rate would stay low .
Australia ’ s relatively good COVID-19 outcomes are precisely because of our interventions .
And countries with bad outcomes are due to their interventions coming too late .
As leading epidemiologist Jodie McVernon told The Australian ’ s Paul Kelly : “ I think in Australia we really don ’ t appreciate what we have been spared .
We have not lived in a situation where we ’ ve used ice rinks as makeshift morgues or seen refrigerated trucks outside @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other high-income countries.
” Whether we adopt the “ McVernon narrative ” or the “ Murdoch narrative ” remains to be seen .
But that choice will affect how we respond to the remainder of this crisis , and to the next one .
And that choice of narrative depends on how we understand the path of the pandemic in Australia to date .
One good way to do so is by reference to epidemiological models that predict various health outcomes like infections , hospitalisations , and deaths depending on what containment measures @ @ @ @ @ @ @ estimate the probabilities of different outcomes and report statistics like the “ expected ” ( or average ) outcome , but also what might happen with a 5 % or 10 % probability .
This is because of the inherent uncertainty about key features of the virus such as the proportion of infections severe enough to require hospitalisation , and how containment measures reduce the replication rate of the virus .
So if we see better-than-expected health outcomes , we should not view that as inconsistent with a good model .
Similarly , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tell us that things might have been a lot worse than how they turned out .
That is particularly important in the case of a deadly virus that can grow exponentially , like the one we currently face .
Avoiding relatively low-probability but catastrophic events is the right policy response , even if , by their very nature , we don ’ t often see those horrible events occur .
We need to remember that low-probability events actually happen .
The famous US election forecaster Nate Silver gave Donald Trump a 30 % @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , compared to Hillary Clinton ’ s 70 % .
We all know what happened .
But just because Trump is president , it doesn ’ t mean that Silver ’ s model was wrong .
Similarly , a professional golfer has a 19 % chance of missing a five-foot putt .
So you would bet that , faced with such a putt , they will make it .
But if they miss that doesn ’ t mean your model is wrong .
The key is to remember your assessment of the probabilities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ long-recognised reason that we are bad at doing this is what social psychologists call “ hindsight bias ” — a concept first demonstrated by Baruch Fischhoff when he was a PhD student of the celebrated psychologists Daniel Kahneman and Amos Tversky , who pioneered the study of heuristics and biases .
A key flaw in most people ’ s reasoning is that we perceive events that occurred in the past as being more predictable than they actually were .
Often it is relatively easy to construct a narrative that rationalises events after the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t articulate before the fact .
In The Undoing Project , Michael Lewis recounts Tversky telling an audience in 1972 : And it is this belief in a more deterministic world that is so dangerous , as it can lead us to not take appropriate precautions against dangerous future events .
Other recent viruses like SARS and MERS killed fewer people than many models predicted , perhaps leading to a sense of complacency .
No lesser figure than Bill Gates warned about a deadly global pandemic in 2015 , but few of his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We will have other pandemics in the coming decades , and we may yet face a second wave of this pandemic in Australia .
Epidemiologists worry about things like an avian flu with a 60 % fatality rate .
And rightly so .
Australia ’ s story so far is one of catastrophe avoided , not overreaction .
Richard Holden and Bruce Preston are professors of economics at UNSW Business School and the University of Melbourne , respectively .

As Australia prepares to gradually relax the non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) that have led to our success in containing COVID-19 — from locking down the border and mandatory quarantining of returning citizens, to social-distancing and the shuttering of pubs and restaurants — it is crucial that we have the correct narrative about what is behind us, and what lies ahead.
Narratives — stories, really — are important because they help us make sense of complicated fact patterns. And as we continue to battle COVID-19, there is another battle taking place: for the narrative describing our response to the pandemic.


crikey--2020-05-18--COVID-19 won’t help young people buy homes — unless we democratise the suburbs

Sadly , house prices and housing affordability are two very different things .
Last week the Commonwealth Bank released a @ @ @ @ @ could drop by up to a third due to the economic fallout of the pandemic @

Last week the Commonwealth Bank released a report suggesting that house prices could drop by up to a third due to the economic fallout of the pandemic.
Such reports have some young people hopeful of a silver lining — they might finally own a home before their hair greys! Those lucky enough to still be earning and saving are praying that fewer, poorer and less eager rival buyers might allow them to finally snag an otherwise unreachable property.
I even briefly contemplated it. Pandemic restrictions enforced the kind of austere, savings-conducive lifestyle that boomers incensed by pricey smashed avo have long implored we youth adopt.


crikey--2020-05-17--Childchare chaos, second guessing the second wave,  and is Cedar Meats an essential business?

Adam Schwab is a commentator , business director , and the co-founder of LuxuryEscapes.com .
He is also the author @ @ @ @ @ : Lessons from Australia ’ s Decade of Corporate Greed .

One man’s essential service is another man’s EBITDA
The COVID-19 pandemic has been especially challenging for governments around the globe because it requires two very different steps. Some leaders have risen to the challenge (Ardern, Merkel, Tsai Ing-wen of Taiwan), whereas others have unsurprisingly failed (Bolsonaro, Boris, Trump).
In Australia we have seen governments handle the lockdown reasonably well. The problem is, leaders who see their popularity rise seem to find it difficult to switch course. The unwillingness of South Australia, Western Australia and Queensland to open their borders up domestically (despite relying significantly on tourism) is one such example.
Dan Andrews’ Victoria appears to be the poster child of letting popularity guide decision-making. Victoria has belatedly re-allowed outdoor activities like golf and fishing last week, while some school children will have to wait until June 9 to get back to the classroom. By contrast, shopping malls remained open, and the source of Australia’s largest home-grown outbreak, Cedar Meats, was allowed to operate for a month after its first case was detected in early April.


crikey--2020-05-19--Coronavirus travel ban | When will international flights re-open in Australia?

When will the coronavirus travel ban be lifted ?
When will we be allowed to work and holiday overseas ?
We share the latest schools of thought on when we are likely to be boarding a plane again .
The majority of us have felt the after-effects of the coronavirus travel ban .
Whether you had to cancel flights , or found yourself unable to return to your home country , it is very unlikely you have been totally unscathed by the lack of international travel we expect to face for the foreseeable future .
Most of us are chomping @ @ @ @ @ @ @ flights will be open again , for a variety of reasons .
Here ’ s what we ’ re hearing when it comes to international travel .
Australia ’ s borders are currently closed for the foreseeable future .
This means that only Australian citizens , residents and immediate family members ( spouses , de facto partners , dependent children , legal guardians ) can travel to Australia .
Citizens of New Zealand who reside in Australia may also re-enter the country .
Travellers who have compassionate or compelling reasons to enter Australia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ returning to Australia , travellers will need to be quarantined for 14 days , and more vigorous health screening on arrival may also apply .
Since March 25 , all overseas travel by Australian citizens and permanent residents has been banned .
Australian citizens and permanent residents who wish to depart from Australia will need to apply for an exemption to do so .
The limited exceptions to the travel bans in place include : • Your travel is of national interest • Your travel is on compassionate or humanitarian grounds • Your @ @ @ @ @ @ @ • Your travel is due to a need to access medical care that is not available in Australia • Your travel is for essential/critical industries and/or businesses • Your travel is part of the COVID-19 response , including the provision of aid .
Those who need to depart from Australia for the above reasons may apply for a travel exemption here .
International visitors have been encouraged to leave the country , with the knowledge that they may be able to re-enter Australia in the future if certain entry conditions allow them to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ travel ban be lifted ?
There is no set date as to when the coronavirus travel ban will be lifted .
There was no information about when international travel will re-open included in Prime Minister Scott Morrison ’ s three-stage roadmap to recovery .
As it stands , Scott Morrison says the government is not even considering international travel .
First borders within Australia will be re-opening , and then travel to and from New Zealand will be considered for citizens and permanent residents of Australia .
In a press conference on May @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the International Air Transport Association ( IATA ) said that : “ International travel can not restart under the current conditions .
In a recent survey that we did in 11 markets , • 84 % of travellers said that quarantine measures were one of their top concerns ; and • 69 % essentially said that they would not return to travel under such conditions.
” Further , de Junaic said it may take until 2023 for air travel to return to 2019 levels , however , he also said that by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ industry could be back to 50-55 % capacity .
At this point , there is no solid evidence or data to back this claim up .
Furthermore , it is almost impossible to determine when travel will re-open globally , when the severity of the COVID-19 crisis is existing in such stark contrasts across the globe .
It is unlikely that international travel to and from Europe , the UK and the US will all kick off on the same dates .
In contrast to de Juniac ’ s guesstimation of when travel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Turner told the ABC he believes travel will be back to pre-coronavirus pandemic levels by this coming August , September or October .
Something tells me this is unlikely .
Unfortunately , we do not have a final , or accurate , estimate as to when the coronavirus travel ban will be lifted , or when we will be able to take international flights once again .
When we do , we will make sure this article is updated to keep you informed on movements as they happen .
Read : Can you @ @ @ @

The majority of us have felt the after-effects of the coronavirus travel ban.
Most of us are chomping at the bit to know when international flights will be open again, for a variety of reasons. Here’s what we’re hearing when it comes to international travel.
Current restrictions on international travel
Arriving in Australia


crikey--2020-05-19--When will gyms open in Australia?

When will gyms open in Australia?

When will you be able to go back to the gym ?
Here are the latest details on when gyms will be opening in each state and territory .
When will gyms open in Australia ?
At this point , the majority of us are sick of wine on the couch , scrolling through social media , and the tightening of our waistbands that potentially shrunk in the wash but probably actually shrunk because you ’ ve been having a median of 16 slices of banana bread per week .
At this point , we might even go as far @ @ @ @ @ @ @ So , when will gyms open in Australia ?
Here ’ s a state-by-state and territory-by-territory update on when gyms will be open again across Australia .
Gyms in New South Wales are expected to re-open during stage two of the three-stage roadmap to recovery , however , there is no hard date for when residents of NSW can expect their gym doors to re-open .
At this point , public beaches have begun to open again so residents can resume swimming and surfing for exercise .
Outdoor boot camps with 10 people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ areas .
Non-contact sports with up to 10 people are also permitted as long as social distancing rules are adhered to .
Gyms in Victoria are expected to re-open during stage two of the three stage roadmap to recovery , however , as with New South Wales , there is no hard date for when Victorians can expect to return to the gym .
Currently , Victorians are allowed to partake in outdoor sports such as golf , athletics , hiking , fishing and playing football with up to 10 players , so @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the social distancing rules in place .
Bootcamps with up to 10 people in outdoor public areas will now also be allowed for residents of Victoria .
Professional training for NRL and AFL has resumed .
Gyms in Queensland are expected to re-open on June 13 , the date when the state is expected to enter stage two of the federal government ’ s recovery plan .
From June 13 , gyms are expected to allow up to 20 patrons in at a time .
Gyms will need to ensure thorough sanitisation of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ distancing during sweat sessions .
Currently , Queenslanders are allowed to partake in outdoor activities .
Up to 10 people can play non-contact sports , attend out-door boot camps and group training sessions .
Gyms in Western Australia were expected to re-open from May 18 , as the state enters stage two of the recovery plan .
Gyms in Western Australia will be allowed to open for 20 people .
During this preliminary stage , patrons will be asked to bring as much of their own equipment as they can , such as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will be avoiding the use of shared equipment during work-out sessions where possible and each business has been instructed to follow strict cleaning schedules to ensure that adequate disinfection is in place .
Ten people can now meet in Western Australia for recreational purposes , including outdoor boot camps and non-contact sports , as long as social distancing is in place .
Gyms , as well as swimming pools and other indoor sporting venues , in Tasmania are expected to open on June 15 , as the state commences stage two of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ allowed to gather in groups of 10 for outdoor , socially safe recreational activities , such as exercising horses , boating , fishing and group fitness in outdoor areas , following the 1.5-metre rule .
Gyms in South Australia are expected to open on June 8 as the state enters stage two of the recovery plan .
Gyms in South Australia will be allowed to open their doors to 20 patrons at a time .
Currently , 10 people are allowed to gather in groups for outdoor activities and a limited number of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Gyms in the Northern Territory are open .
Local gyms have been open since May 15 , with strict cleaning and social distancing rules in place .
Gyms in the Australian Capital Territory are expected to open during stage two of recovery , however , a date has not yet be specified .
As it stands , 10 people can gather in public places , and non-contact sports can take place outdoors .
Read : Can you have sex during the coronavirus pandemic ?

When will gyms open in Australia? At this point, the majority of us are sick of wine on the couch, scrolling through social media, and the tightening of our waistbands that potentially shrunk in the wash but probably actually shrunk because you’ve been having a median of 16 slices of banana bread per week.
At this point, we might even go as far as saying we miss the gym.
So, when will gyms open in Australia?
Here’s a state-by-state and territory-by-territory update on when gyms will be open again across Australia.


crikey--2020-05-19--Carbon capture and storage a dud but fossil fuel industry’s cash capture working well

Carbon capture and storage a dud but fossil fuel industry ’ s cash capture working well The government wants to @ @ @ @ @ to pay fossil fuel companies to increase emissions .
Who came up with that idea @ @ @ @ @ Here 's how power works in an openly corrupt outfit like the Morrison government .

Here’s how power works in an openly corrupt outfit like the Morrison government.
An “Emissions Reduction Fund” (ERF), dreamt up as political cover for the Coalition’s climate denialism, was so spectacularly unsuccessful at reducing emissions that the Coalition was embarrassed into reviewing it, tasking two former fossil fuel company executives to report back on ways it could be improved.
They’ve recommended that the scheme be further expanded for fossil fuel donors to the Coalition to receive more funding and produce more greenhouse emissions.


crikey--2020-05-19--Denial of torture allegations opens new front in the push to free Australian academic

Denial of torture allegations opens new front in the push to free Australian academic As negotiations continue for the release @ @ @ @ @ an Iranian prison , her family has denied claims that she has been tortured by @ @ @ @ @ torture , solitary confinement and suicide attempts by Kylie Moore-Gilbert have quickly been shut down @ @ @ @ @ Australian-British academic faces her 20th month in prison .

Allegations of torture, solitary confinement and suicide attempts by Kylie Moore-Gilbert have quickly been shut down by her family as the Australian-British academic faces her 20th month in prison.
Convicted of espionage in a secret trial, Moore-Gilbert has been sentenced to 10 years in Evin prison.
Both her family and the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFAT) have kept quiet about her case amid speculation of a potential prisoner swap.


crikey--2020-05-18--How to spot and talk to a COVID-19 conspiracy theorist


crikey--2020-05-20--Australia’s COVID commission faces questions over gas conflicts

Before joining Crikey in 2018 , Kishor was an editor of the University of Sydney ’ s student paper Honi @ @ @ @ @ The Sydney Morning Herald on the state news beat , a casual legal reporter for @ @ @ @ @ Law and Journalism , and a research assistant at the Australian Human Rights Commission .
@ @ @ @ @ he is completing a law degree at the University of Sydney .
Kishor will be @ @ @ @ @ immigration , race and religion .

It’s been nearly two months since Scott Morrison unveiled his National COVID-19 Coordination Commission, a body staffed largely by business, public service and former political leaders, that was intended to plan Australia’s pandemic recovery.
But since then, it’s not entirely clear what the commission has actually done. Instead, it’s faced scrutiny over a lack of transparency, and apparent promotion of business interests.
Who’s on the commission?
Lots of well-connected people from the corporate sector, but very little health experience. The commissioners are:


crikey--2020-05-20--Government procured itself a serious problem when it signed up to trade treaty

Government procured itself a serious problem when it signed up to trade treaty The Coalition will use government procurement to @ @ @ @ @ Only problem is it 's given foreign firms access to government contracts and let them @ @ @ @ @ .
Government procurement will be the key tool for onshoring more manufacturing , Industry Minister @ @ @ @ @ a major speech today .

Government procurement will be the key tool for onshoring more manufacturing, Industry Minister Karen Andrews will say in a major speech today.
That speech was, as is now standard practice, handed to newspaper journalists ahead of delivery to get some morning coverage. As is also now standard practice, the speech won’t get proper analysis because it will be old news by the time it is delivered.
Still, a little analysis wouldn’t go astray, given how crucial the issue of onshoring manufacturing and securing supply chains is going to be in post-pandemic Australia.


crikey--2020-05-19--Coronavirus travel ban | When will international flights reopen in Australia?


crikey--2020-05-21--Enhanced cleaning, lounge restrictions: what it all means for air travellers

In its rush to restart engines , Qantas is bucking a few international trends .
What will travelling on the @ @ @ @ @ the COVID-19 era ?
Just like schools and beauty salons , aircraft are now one @ @ @ @ @ the need for social distancing does not apply .
The Qantas `` Fly Well '' @ @ @ @ @ aircraft seats act as a natural barrier to the spread of COVID-19 .
That ’ @ @ @ @ @ bus and train operators should look to borrow .
So , assuming that the seats @ @ @ @ @ what other changes can we expect ?

Just like schools and beauty salons, aircraft are now one of those magical places where the need for social distancing does not apply.
The Qantas “Fly Well” program measures tell us that aircraft seats act as a natural barrier to the spread of COVID-19. That’s a phrase that our bus and train operators should look to borrow.
So,
assuming that the seats will work their magic, what other changes can we expect?


crikey--2020-05-21--Party donors win big from government roadmap to more fossil fuel use

The government 's energy plan involves gas and discredited carbon capture and storage — both coincidentally the raison d'être of its major donors .
The Coalition ’ s proposed “ technology investment roadmap ” will retain and expand the role of fossil fuels at the centre of the Australian economy , delivering big wins for major Coalition donors Santos and Origin Energy .
A discussion paper for the roadmap , released this morning by the scandal-plagued Energy Minister Angus Taylor elevates gas to the centre of Australia ’ s energy strategy , while also endorsing discredited carbon capture and storage @ @ @ @ @ @ @ devotes a section to what it calls “ the increasing importance of LNG ” , where it argues “ switching from coal to gas can provide ‘ quick wins ’ for global emissions reductions and has the potential to reduce electricity sector emissions by 10 % ” , echoing claims by Prime Minister Scott Morrison earlier this year that : “ There is no credible energy transition plan for an economy like Australia in particular that does not involve the greater use of gas as an important transition fuel.
” In fact gas @ @ @ @ @ @ @ climate damage via emissions such as methane that are much more dangerous than CO2 .
And Morrison ’ s claim that gas is central to Australia ’ s “ energy transition plan ” ( if such a plan exists ) has been repeatedly discredited , including by the Australian Energy Market Operator .
The role of gas in energy generation has been declining — and fast — in Australia .
Taylor ’ s paper makes much of South Australia ’ s use of gas , but South Australia ’ s Liberal government has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over the next decade as it moves to 100 % net renewable energy .
However , gas companies Santos and Origin Energy have given more than $ 1 million and $ 486,000 respectively to Coalition branches over the past decade , and have maintained strong links with Coalition governments via exchanges of staff members and executives .
Despite a flat start to the trading day for the ASX200 , Santos and Origin both opened strongly in the wake of Taylor ’ s paper .
Near noon , Santos was up 3.6 % and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ week Taylor announced the government was accepting most recommendations from a review of its failed emissions reduction fund by Grant King , former head of Origin Energy and the Business Council of Australia .
The BCA , of which Origin and a number of global fossil-fuel companies are members , has also strongly pushed for policies to reverse gas ’ s declining role in Australian energy production .
King ’ s review recommended that carbon capture and storage , which has been pushed by Santos , Origin and other fossil-fuel companies , be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ requiring greater energy production .
Taylor ’ s discussion paper also embraces carbon capture and storage , not merely in energy generation but as part of the future of Australian manufacturing .
CCS , Taylor says falsely , “ is a proven technology ” , but then contradicts that elsewhere by noting “ government will need to make strategic investments in R & D and demonstration activities ” for it .
The Australia Institute calculates more than $ 1.3 billion has been spent trying and failing to prove CCS in Australia in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said yesterday , CCS has also proven to be highly expensive , much more so than renewables combined with storage .
Taylor also opens the way for nuclear power — a proven technology subject to prohibitive delays and cost blowouts that is uncommercial in Australia without a carbon price , according to a major report commissioned by the Howard government .
Taylor pushed for an inquiry into nuclear power last year and says : “ Small modular reactors … have potential but require R & D and identified deployment pathways.
” Small reactors @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for decades to address the inherent problems of larger reactors , but have yet to be proven commercially viable .
The paper also does a U-turn on the Coalition ’ s demonisation of electric vehicles during last year ’ s election campaign .
Taylor led the attacks on electric vehicles , including posting a notoriously faked Top Gear segment .
Now his discussion paper says : “ In the transport sector , hybrids , alternative fuels and electric vehicles present opportunities to improve road transport efficiency and reduce emissions.
” Indeed Taylor now @ @ @ @ @ @ @ technology ” .
Outside the context of attacking former opposition leader Bill Shorten , the Coalition has been relatively neutral , even occasionally supportive , of electric vehicles .
Its re-embrace reflects the government ’ s need to be doing something about its lack of serious climate action .
But as the central arguments of the paper show , the Coalition ’ s primary agenda is to protect and reward major fossil-fuel donors .
What do you make of the relationship between the Coalition ’ s energy plan and its donors ?
Let @ @ @ @ @ @ @ [ email protected ] .
Please include your full name to be considered for publication in Crikey ’ s Your Say column .

The Coalition’s proposed “technology investment roadmap” will retain and expand the role of fossil fuels at the centre of the Australian economy, delivering big wins for major Coalition donors Santos and Origin Energy.
A discussion paper for the roadmap, released this morning by the scandal-plagued Energy Minister Angus Taylor elevates gas to the centre of Australia’s energy strategy, while also endorsing discredited carbon capture and storage technology and nuclear power.
The paper devotes a section to what it calls “the increasing importance of LNG”, where it argues “switching from coal to gas can provide ‘quick wins’ for global emissions reductions and has the potential to reduce electricity sector emissions by 10%”, echoing claims by Prime Minister Scott Morrison earlier this year that: “There is no credible energy transition plan for an economy like Australia in particular that does not involve the greater use of gas as an important transition fuel.”


crikey--2020-05-21--Morrison is having a good pandemic. Why not the Coalition?

Scott Morrison has come off a bushfire-debacle to blitz the polls .
But the Coalition he leads is still picking @ @ @ @ @ latest Newspoll shows the prime minister 's approval rating at 66 % ; three months @ @ @ @ @ % .
He leads Anthony Albanese 56 % to 29 % as preferred prime minister @ @ @ @ @ by 39 % to 43 % .
Scotty from marketing has been reborn as the @ @ @ @ @ and belligerent bushfire victims are distant memories

Scott Morrison is having a great crisis.
The latest Newspoll shows the prime minister’s approval rating at 66%; three months ago it wallowed at 37%. He leads Anthony Albanese 56% to 29% as preferred prime minister; in January he trailed by 39% to 43%.
Scotty from marketing has been reborn as the Comeback Kid. Hawaiian holidays and belligerent bushfire victims are distant memories


crikey--2020-05-21--How to handle a long-distance relationship during lockdown

How do you maintain a long-distance relationship during the new normal ?
We share five tips to help you keep it human during a time when society is relying on technology more than ever .
A long-distance relationship can take on many forms .
While they are not always romantic , they can often be difficult to maintain .
The majority of us , in the face of the coronavirus pandemic , may find ourselves in a long-distance relationship with our partners , family and friends .
Maybe they are physically far away , or perhaps their health dictates that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ even if it ’ s for a 1.5-metre-social-distanced walk .
So how do you handle a long-distance relationship amid the stress we are all currently under ?
Here are five top tips from Crikey .
It is totally normal to feel like shutting yourself out from the outside world , even as coronavirus restrictions begin to ease in Australia .
A lack of routine and face-to-face human interaction may make it difficult to see the bright side , and the thought of a chaotic group call on Zoom may put you off having @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Nonetheless , maintaining some form of social life is important for your sense of wellbeing , so pick a handful of people you like talking to ( or more importantly , pick people who won ’ t want to talk solely about the c-word ) .
Set a time to talk to these people every week .
Setting a consistent time to chat will help you to punctuate your week , while also giving you and your loved one something to look forward to .
We may be living in a world that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that doesn ’ t mean you should only rely on a quick text to check in with the people you care about .
Make every call , FaceTime and text count .
Don ’ t multitask during phone calls .
Put distractions away and focus your energy on giving communication with the outside world the attention it deserves .
If it feels less overwhelming , choose a time during the day when you want to respond to your inbox .
If you are trying to keep a romantic relationship afloat , make a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ideas , such as watching a movie together , drinking the same wine , going through old photos , or simply doing a personalised quiz ( although I suspect the majority of us will never want to see another PowerPoint containing a quiz again after this ) .
Even in situations where you can ’ t physically be near your partner , you can make the most of it by getting creative and not sticking to a script of a quick daily catch-up .
Starting a project with loved ones is a great @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ask the dreaded questions , like “ any news ?
” , to which most of us do not have much of a response .
Your project can cover all genres or interests .
Start a virtual book club , order the same jigsaw online , have debriefs on your favourite podcasts and movies , or set a fitness goal and strive to complete it together .
There are plenty of ways to be part of distant one ’ s routines without being physically present , and a project can help focus your @ @ @ @ @ @ @ latest facts and stats — and when you are likely to see them again .
We all have different ways of showing love .
It could be buying your parents a newspaper on a Sunday , or flowers for your girlfriend on a Friday .
Maybe you travel to the house you grew up in once a month or once a year for a family shindig .
Cancelled plans and an inability to reach the ones you love can be both frustrating and upsetting , but there are creative ways you can maintain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bought someone the newspaper on a weekly basis , you can set up a subscription for them from afar .
( Crikey also has some fantastic subscriptions on offer , for those wondering . )
If you once bought someone flowers on the regular , get them delivered .
If you ’ re missing Sunday lunches with the family or you can ’ t make a family event , get all the ingredients you need for a great time sent to both homes and set up your devices so you can still share @ @ @ @ @ @ @ While it may feel like there is no light at the end of this tunnel , and the prospect of seeing the people you love seems slim , take solace in the fact technology is on our side — and there are ways we can use it to make us feel closer than ever before .
Read : Coronavirus travel ban | When will international flights re-open in Australia ?

A long-distance relationship can take on many forms. While they are not always romantic, they can often be difficult to maintain.
The majority of us, in the face of the coronavirus pandemic, may find ourselves in a long-distance relationship with our partners, family and friends.
Maybe they are physically far away, or perhaps their health dictates that they cannot leave their homes, even if it’s for a 1.5-metre-social-distanced walk.


crikey--2020-05-21--When will cinemas open in Australia?

When will cinemas open in Australia?

When will cinemas open again ?
Here ’ s the latest on when you will likely be able to go to the movies , as well as what a night at the cinema will now look like .
When will cinemas open in Australia ?
Cinemas will be allowed to re-open across Australia during stage two of the three-stage coronavirus roadmap to recovery , as laid out by Prime Minister Scott Morrison .
During stage two , cinemas will be allowed to open their doors to 20 patrons , as long as they follow social distancing rules ( i.e .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ of 1.5 metres from one another ) .
The exact date for cinemas opening across Australia will depend on when each state and territory enters stage two of the coronavirus recovery plan .
Here ’ s what we know .
Cinemas are not expected to open in New South Wales in the coming weeks .
There is no specified date for when cinemas will be re-opening .
Cinemas are not expected to open in Victoria in the coming weeks .
There is no specified date for when cinemas will be reopening .
Cinemas @ @ @ @ @ @ @ June 12 , when the state enters stage two of the recovery plan .
During this stage , groups of 20 people will be allowed to meet each other in public .
It is also expected that gyms , swimming pools , museums , libraries and camping areas will re-open during this stage .
Cinemas in Western Australia are expected to open during stage three of the recovery roadmap .
This date has not yet been finalised , but it is expected to take place four weeks from the commencement date of stage @ @ @ @ @ @ @ government .
During stage three , public playgrounds , outdoor gym equipment , skate parks , zoos , galleries , museums and concert venues are permitted to open , with gathering limits .
Cinemas in Tasmania are expected to open on June 15 , during stage two of the Tasmanian roadmap to recovery .
This date is subject to public health advice .
If stage two goes ahead as planned , 20 patrons at a time will be allowed to attend cinemas in Tasmania , as well as restaurants andcafes , museums , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ historic sites , religious gatherings and weddings .
Cinemas in South Australia are expected to open on June 8 , during stage two of the South Australian roadmap to recovery .
If stage two goes ahead as planned , 20 patrons at a time will also be allowed to visit restaurants , cafes , and beauty , nail , massage and tattoo parlours , following the one-person-per-four-square-metre rule .
Cinemas in Northern Territory are expected to open on June 5 , during stage three of the region ’ s recovery roadmap .
During @ @ @ @ @ @ @ patrons will be allowed to attend theatres , concert halls , music halls , dance halls , nightclubs or any other similar entertainment venue in approved configuration , according to the Northern Territory government .
There is no specified date for when cinemas in the Australian Capital Territory will re-open .
As it stands , ACT residents are still being asked to only leave their homes if it is essential they do so .
In an ACT government statement , Chief Health Officer , Dr Kerryn Coleman said : “ Although restrictions have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Be mindful when you leave the house and continue to maintain physical distance and good hand hygiene .
We need to behave as though we have COVID-19 and everyone around us has COVID-19.
” This article will be regularly updated to keep you updated about when cinemas are open in your area .
Read : When will gyms open in Australia ?

When will cinemas open in Australia? Cinemas will be allowed to re-open across Australia during stage two of the three-stage coronavirus roadmap to recovery, as laid out by Prime Minister Scott Morrison.
During stage two, cinemas will be allowed to open their doors to 20 patrons, as long as they follow social distancing rules (i.e. cinema-goers will need to maintain a distance of 1.5 metres from one another). The exact date for cinemas opening across Australia will depend on when each state and territory enters stage two of the coronavirus recovery plan.
Here’s what we know.


crikey--2020-05-21--Are surgical masks effective against coronavirus?

Are surgical masks effective against coronavirus ?
We share the latest insights from the experts .
Our journalism usually sits behind a paywall , but we believe this is the time to make more of our content freely available to as many readers as possible .
For more free coverage , sign up to COVID-19 Watch There is currently no evidence to suggest surgical masks are effective against protecting the ‘ healthy public ’ from coronavirus .
It is recommended , however , that those who are displaying symptoms of coronavirus wear a mask .
Those who are caring for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mask , as well as those working in clinical healthcare settings .
According to the World Health Organization , wearing a surgical mask to protect against coronavirus is not effective in the absence of thorough hand-washing and social distancing .
The World Health Organization advises only certain groups of people should wear face masks .
These groups include : • People who are looking after those who have coronavirus People who are showing symptoms of coronavirus should wear a mask if there is one available to them , and seek medical care .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ of coronavirus , you should not wear a face mask .
There is no evidence to suggest wearing a surgical mask will prevent the spread of coronavirus if you are healthy .
The World Health Organization recommends those who are healthy only wear face masks under two circumstances : • They are caring for someone who has , or may have , coronavirus • They are a healthcare professional working in a clinical setting .
The World Health Organization says masks can offer those who wear them a false sense of security .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ washing your hands , maintaining safe social distancing from others , and practising good domestic hygiene .
There is no evidence to suggest that wearing a mask will offer the public an increased level of safety or security .
Read : What are the signs and symptoms of coronavirus ?

Are surgical masks effective against coronavirus disease?
There is currently no evidence to suggest surgical masks are effective against protecting the ‘healthy public’ from coronavirus. It is recommended, however, that those who are displaying symptoms of coronavirus wear a mask. Those who are caring for someone with coronavirus should also wear a mask, as well as those working in clinical healthcare settings.
According to the World Health Organization, wearing a surgical mask to protect against coronavirus is not effective in the absence of thorough hand-washing and social distancing.


crikey--2020-05-21--What happens to your body if you contract coronavirus disease?

What happens to your body if you contract coronavirus disease ?
Here 's what is likely to happen if you are infected with coronavirus .
Our journalism usually sits behind a paywall , but we believe this is the time to make more of our content freely available to as many readers as possible .
For more free coverage , sign up to COVID-19 Watch If you contract coronavirus disease , your lungs are likely to be the part of the body that is affected first .
Coronavirus is a respiratory condition and the symptoms of coronavirus will be largely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus enters the body , it begins attaching to cells , mostly in the lungs , in the same way that the common cold virus would .
The big difference is that coronavirus attacks the immune system , which is why it can be so detrimental for those living with autoimmune conditions , or for elderly people who have weaker immune systems .
When coronavirus begins to infect the body ’ s cells and tissues , the immune system sends out a defence response .
The purpose of that response is to stop @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to think of it is : • Coronavirus enters the body and begins attaching to host cells • The immune system mounts a counter-attack to this invasion • The fight between coronavirus and your immune system damages surrounding areas ( tissue ) in the same way that a battlefield would be damaged .
If a person is infected with a large viral load of coronavirus , their immune system will have to fight harder to ‘ clean ’ the infected cells .
The higher the viral load that enters the body , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
If a person is infected with coronavirus , there is no way to tell their body is mounting an immune response to this viral invasion .
However , the symptoms of coronavirus signal to the outside world that something is wrong .
If you have been infected with coronavirus disease , you are likely to experience the following symptoms : Less common symptoms of coronavirus disease , as reported by Mayo Clinic , include : Read : What are the signs and symptoms of coronavirus ?

If you contract coronavirus disease, your lungs are likely to be the part of the body that is affected first.
Coronavirus is a respiratory condition and the symptoms of coronavirus will be largely connected to your respiratory organs.
When coronavirus enters the body, it begins attaching to cells, mostly in the lungs, in the same way that the common cold virus would. The big difference is that coronavirus attacks the immune system, which is why it can be so detrimental for those living with autoimmune conditions, or for elderly people who have weaker immune systems.


crikey--2020-05-22--Social distancing in the Australian Capital Territory

Here is the latest on coronavirus social distancing rules in the Australian Capital Territory .
This article will be updated on a regular basis to keep you informed .
As of May 8 , social distancing in the Australian Capital territory is now defined as gatherings of up to 10 people indoors and outdoors .
Here is the latest update on : • What are the fines if you don ’ t follow the rules ?
Australian Capital Territory residents can now gather in groups of 10 indoors and outdoors while adhering to 1.5m spacing between each person .
Residents @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reasons which include : • Leaving the home to shop for essential items such as food and medicine • Leaving the home for medical or healthcare needs • Leaving the home to work or study , if those activities can not be carried out remotely • Leaving the house for recreational activities such as picnics , outdoor gym classes and auctions The ACT government is currently urging the public to : • Stay home whenever possible and only go out when it is essential • Keep a distance of 1.5 metres between yourself @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and go ’ payments instead of cash • Minimise visits to vulnerable people , such as those in aged care facilities or hospitals , elderly people , infants , or people with compromised immune systems .
Many facilities , including hospitals and aged care facilities , have specific rules and restrictions in place for visitors , so please check before you visit As it stands , children of essential workers or parents who can not work remotely will be offered supervision from teachers at nine designated public school sites .
A staged return @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the aim is for all schools to be re-opened by June .
During this staged return to school , parents and carers of students can decide whether or not to continue with remote learning .
By June 2 , the ACT government expects all students will be able to return to school .
Workers who can continue to work remotely are encouraged to do so .
The ACT government says : “ Canberrans can still go to work , however , the health advice on how to prevent the spread of germs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ good hand hygiene , practice social distancing , and if employees are unwell , they should stay home ” .
While it is expected the easing of restrictions , soon to be announced by the ACT government , may allow for groups of up to 10 people to gather , there is no indication on when workers will be able to fully return to their places of work .
The ACT government has not closed the region ’ s borders , however , if you are travelling from another state , you may @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seen delays and cancellations over the last few weeks but services are still operating .
The following businesses have been ordered to close since March 23 : • Play centres and outside playgrounds ( playgrounds on school grounds may be utilised by students of the school during the normal hours of operation of the school ) Since May 1 , the ACT has allowed for Canberrans to shop for non-essential items , which means a number of retail stores have been invited to reopen , although they are not obliged to do so @ @ @ @ @ @ @ services such as groceries , medical supplies and care are still operating .
What are the fines if you don ’ t follow the rules ?
On the spot fines for those breaching the two-person rule , and not following social distancing protocols , are $ 1,000 for individuals and $ 5,000 for businesses .
Read : Coronavirus statistics | When will the lockdown end ?

As of May 8, social distancing in the Australian Capital territory is now defined as gatherings of up to 10 people indoors and outdoors.
Here is the latest update on:
Social distancing in the Australian Capital Territory
Education
Work
Travel
What’s closed?
What are the fines if you don’t follow the rules?
(This article will be updated as new changes are implemented to keep you informed.)


crikey--2020-05-22--Social distancing update in Northern Territory

Here is the latest on coronavirus social distancing rules in the Northern Territory .
This article will be updated on a regular basis to keep you informed .
Social distancing in Northern Territory has been eased since May 1 .
As of May 15 , restrictions have been eased further with more businesses re-opening and residents of Northern Territory being able to enjoy much more of the activities they used to .
Here is the latest update on : • What are the fines if you don ’ t follow the rules ?
While safe social distancing has always been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ number of people who could gather in a social environment has also always been higher than other states and territories .
The Northern Territory originally had a 10-person rule in place .
Since May 8 , this rule has been lifted to allow for an unlimited number of people to attend weddings and funerals , while adhering to social distancing rules .
The region is now in stage one of the three-part plan to bring Northern Territory back to ‘ normal ’ , or as close to normal as we once knew it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the following : • Exercise outdoors with other people , such as doing yoga and boot camps • Participate in non-contact , non-collision outdoor sports such as athletics , golf , tennis , swimming , shooting , archery , badminton , geocaching , paddling and lawn bowls .
( Note : you can not use a clubhouse facility to consume food or drink ) • Meet up with people in outdoor areas , including gatherings such as markets , weddings and funerals • Visit parks and reserves , including campgrounds that are accessible @ @ @ @ @ @ @ enter a restricted area biosecurity zone • Swim in a lagoon at the waterfront , rivers and natural pools outside the biosecurity zones • Go fishing , boating , sailing with other people • Attend a public swimming pool , water park or recreational lake for swimming or water sports • Have visitors to your home From May 15 , North Territory residents have been allowed to : • Serve and consume food or beverages in a shopping centre food court .
• Operate and attend a bar , sports or RSL club @ @ @ @ @ @ @ food ) , excluding gaming activities ; • Participate in organised training activities for sporting clubs and teams ; • Operate or attend a beauty therapy salon for ( non-facial ) services , such as nails , massage and tanning ; • Operate or attend a studio that provides yoga , Pilates , Zumba , barre , dance classes ; • Operate or attend physical training activities indoors such as Cross Fit .
• Operate and attend a place used for religious worship ; and All students have been expected to attend face-to-face @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 5 , all businesses will be allowed to reopen under the condition that they have a COVID-19 plan in place .
Remote Indigenous communities currently have protections in place to stop non-essential visitors from crossing into these areas .
These restrictions will be assessed on June 18 .
Strict border controls are still in place on all access points to the Northern Territory , including road , rail , air and sea .
People who are not eligible for an exemption will need to complete 14 days of self-quarantine on arriving in Northern @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Australian Federal Police are manning border controls , and NT Police and public and environmental health officers will undertake quarantine compliance checks to ensure people are doing the right thing .
Fines will apply if you are not .
There are currently no plans in place to re-open borders , but NT Chief Minister Michael Gunner has said lifting those restrictions will be “ dead-last ” on the list .
• Cafes and restaurants , for takeaway only • Universities and TAFEs , although many have resorted to online lectures What are the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the rules ?
There are penalties of up to $ 62,800 for failure to comply with the directions .
Read more about the Chief Health Officer Directions .
Read : Coronavirus statistics | When will the lockdown end ?

Social distancing in Northern Territory has been eased since May 1. As of May 15, restrictions have been eased further with more businesses re-opening and residents of Northern Territory being able to enjoy much more of the activities they used to.
Here is the latest update on:
Social distancing in Northern Territory
Education
Work
Travel
What’s open?
What are the fines if you don’t follow the rules?
(This article will be updated as new changes are implemented to keep you informed.)


crikey--2020-05-22--Social distancing in New South Wales

Social distancing in New South Wales

Here is the latest on social distancing in New South Wales .
This article will be updated on a regular basis to keep you informed .
As of May 15 , social distancing in New South Wales has begun to ease .
Residents of New South Wales can now welcome up to 5 guests into their homes and 10 people can now gather in public .
Here is the latest update on : • What are the fines if you don ’ t follow the rules ?
As of May 15 , residents of New South Wales can welcome up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a time .
Groups of 10 people are allowed to gather in public .
Social distancing precautions , such as staying at least 1.5 metres apart , still apply during visits to other people ’ s homes and when gathering in public .
Under the new easing of restrictions , the following is allowed : • Up to 5 visitors can visit a private home ; • Up to 10 people can gather in public places ; • Weddings can now include up to 10 guests , excluding the couple and those who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ photographers , videographers and celebrants ; • Funerals and memorial services may have up to 20 guests present for indoor services and 30 guests present for outdoor services ; • Religious gatherings and places of worship may have up to 10 worshippers • Food and drink premises such as cafes , restaurants , bars and nightclubs may now seat 10 people at any one time .
• Outdoor swimming pools may reopen as long as there is a COVID-19 safe plan in place .
• Outdoor playgrounds and gym equipment may be used @ @ @ @ @ @ @ students will begin to attend school one day per week .
The number of students attending school is expected to increase gradually over the coming weeks .
While there is still no clear indication as to when most workers in NSW will return to work , Premier Gladys Berejiklian said work restrictions would be assessed on a regular basis and new guidelines regarding work could be passed in May .
Berejiklian caveated this promise with a warning that “ every time you relax a restriction , more people will get sick , more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are travelling for an essential reason and are following social distancing rules , there are no limits on how far you can travel within NSW .
If you are using private modes of transport , social distancing rules apply and you should only travel with members of your household .
There are currently no restrictions on using public transport .
If you do need to use public transport , you should maintain a safe distance , avoid touching surfaces where possible and disinfect or wash your hands once you are off the mode @ @ @ @ @ @ @ restrictions on crossing the NSW border , however , the border rules of other states will apply to you if you cross them and you need to have a reasonable reason to travel .
From June 1 , residents of New South Wales will be allowed to travel to regional areas for holiday purposes .
• Places of work that involve tasks that can not be carried out remotely , such as construction sites , farms , and mines .
What are the fines if you don ’ t follow the rules ?
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Health ACT 2010 , a breach of social distancing laws and regulations could amount in the maximum penalty for an individual of $ 11,000 , or imprisonment for six months , or both .
A further $ 5,500 penalty may apply for each day the offence continues .
The NSW Police may also issue on-the-spot fines of $ 1,000 for an offence .
In the case of corporations , the maximum penalty is $ 55,000 and a further $ 27,500 penalty may apply for each day the offence continues .
Read : When @ @ @ @ @ @ @ WFH

As of May 15, social distancing in New South Wales has begun to ease. Residents of New South Wales can now welcome up to 5 guests into their homes and 10 people can now gather in public.
Here is the latest update on:
Social distancing in New South Wales
Education
Work
Travel
What’s open?
What are the fines if you don’t follow the rules?
(This article will be updated as new changes are implemented to keep you informed.)


crikey--2020-05-22--Social distancing in Queensland

Social distancing in Queensland

Here is the latest on coronavirus social distancing rules in Queensland .
This article will be updated regularly to keep you informed .
Social distancing in Queensland began to ease on May 15 with stage one of the recovery roadmap .
Here is the latest update on : • What businesses are allowed to reopen in Queensland ?
• What are the fines if you don ’ t follow the rules ?
As of May 15 , the following is allowed : • Up to 5 visitors can visit private homes ; • Up to 10 people can meet in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ personal training , hiking and other recreational activities ; • Up to 10 people can attend weddings ; and • Up to 20 people can attend indoor funerals and 30 people can attend outdoor funerals ; • Up to 10 people can now attend cafes and restaurants and pubs ; • Up to 10 people can now attend auctions and open houses ; and • Up to 10 people can now visit beauty and nail salons .
Despite changes to what people can do and how many people can do it at one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ public health rules still need to be maintained .
As of May 11 , Queensland state school students in kindergarten , prep , Year 1 , Year 11 and Year 12 , have been returning to school and community kindergartens .
Students in years two through to 10 will continue learning from home unless their circumstances mean that they can not .
These students will be allowed to return to school on May 25 if transmission rates remain low .
Social distancing will continue as restrictions and school closures begin to be eased @ @ @ @ @ @ @ locations or classrooms within the school • Stagger lunch breaks , start and finish times , and other activities to reduce the volume of movement .
The easing of restrictions in state schools will be closely assessed and changes will be implemented should there be any negative fallout from schools reopening .
While a number of non-essential businesses may begin to start re-opening , there isn ’ t a definitive answer on when most Queenslanders will return to work .
It has been hypothesised that workplaces will not all be open and fully @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The success of all schools reopening rests on low , or no , coronavirus transmission rates , so getting back to work will depend on how schools fare .
From March 25 , Queensland closed its borders and only Queensland residents , residents of border communities undertaking essential activities , and those considered an ‘ exempt person ’ , are allowed to enter Queensland via air , sea , rail or road from another state or territory .
These restrictions are still in place , however , Queensland residents can now travel 150 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Those living in the outback can travel 500 kilometres from home for recreational purposes .
What businesses are allowed to reopen in Queensland ?
• Spa and massage parlours ( provided by health practitioners registered under the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law ) What will stay the same ?
All businesses that remained open during the coronavirus lockdown , such as those that were deemed as essential services , will continue to do so , however , social distancing rules are still in place .
Weddings may still only be attended by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by 20 people indoors and 30 people outdoors .
Those in attendance of both will need to adhere to the one-person-per-four-square-metres rule .
What are the fines if you don ’ t follow the rules ?
Despite restrictions being eased in Queensland , police officers still have the power to issue on-the-spot-fines for a breach of the rules that are still in place .
Fines for individuals are $ 1,334.50 and fines for corporations are $ 6,672.50 .
Courts can issue maximum penalties that are ten times the fines cited .
Read : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of WFH

Social distancing in Queensland began to ease on May 15 with stage one of the recovery roadmap.
Here is the latest update on:
Social distancing in Queensland
Education
Work
Travel
What businesses are allowed to reopen in Queensland?
What are the fines if you don’t follow the rules?
Social distancing in Queensland
As of May 15, the following is allowed:


crikey--2020-05-22--Social distancing in Western Australia

Social distancing in Western Australia

Here is the latest on coronavirus social distancing rules in Western Australia .
This article will be updated on a regular basis to keep you informed .
Social distancing in Western Australia began to ease from April 27 , when the number of people allowed to attend indoor and outdoor gatherings has increased to 10 people from the previous two-person rule .
Western Australia is now in Phase 2 of the state ’ s roadmap to recovery .
Here is the latest update on : • What are the fines if you don ’ t follow the rules ?
Up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and outdoor spaces in Western Australia , as long as responsible social distancing is maintained .
Residents of Western Australia are allowed to leave the home for recreational activities such as picnics , camping , fishing and boating .
As of May 18 , the following is permitted : • Up to 20 people can gather for non-work related activities in indoor and outdoor settings ; • Up to 20 people can gather for indoor weddings and funerals ; • Up to 30 people can gather for outdoor weddings and funerals ; and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ meal service restaurants and bars , including those that exist within clubs , hotels , casinos , and pubs .
The Western Australian government says the public should continue to practice social distancing responsibly , including thorough hand washing , maintaining a safe distance from others and practising good domestic hygiene .
Public schools in Western Australia have been open since April 29 , with Years 11 and 12 strongly recommended to attend classes , although the decision for students to return to school is at the discretion of parents and carers at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are being made available for students who are continuing to learn from home .
The re-opening of schools , as well as distance education packages , will be accessed over the next three weeks , with necessary changes to be made depending on the outcome of sending students back to school .
To ensure safe social distancing is maintained , parents will be required to drop children at the school gate and not enter school grounds .
School canteens will only be providing takeaway services and school swimming pools will be closed .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ camps , excursions and inter-school activities will not be permitted .
All Western Australians are being urged to return to work unless they are unwell or vulnerable .
From March 31 , Western Australians have not been allowed to travel outside of their region .
Western Australian intrastate travel is defined as movement through the boundaries of the regions of Western Australia .
As of May 18 , travel is now allowed : • between the South West , Great Southern , Wheatbelt and Perth-Peel regions • between the Mid-West , Gascoyne and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) • within the Goldfields-Esperance region ( excluding the biosecurity zone ) • within Kimberley Local Government areas ( the Commonwealth ’ s biosecurity zone remains in place ) .
Travel exceptions are still required to cross the Western Australian border , as well as between the four regions .
Exceptions include travelling for work , seeking medical care , or returning to their place of residence .
There are also exceptions for people who need to travel on compassionate grounds , or who don ’ t have access to essential goods or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as for those who need to attend educational facilities outside of their region or who are transporting freight .
Currently , you can not enter Western Australia unless an exemption has been granted .
From April 29 , the free orange school bus service has been operating as before .
As of May 4 , public transport has been operating at 70 % of the normal weekday timetable .
What are the fines if you don ’ t follow the rules ?
Police officers can issue fines of $ 1,000 to individuals and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rules .
To date , drones have also been used to break up public social gatherings and social distancing messages have been played through speakers in public areas to encourage people to adhere to the rules .
Read : Coronavirus statistics | When will the lockdown end ?

Social distancing in Western Australia began to ease from April 27, when the number of people allowed to attend indoor and outdoor gatherings has increased to 10 people from the previous two-person rule.
Western Australia is now in Phase 2 of the state’s roadmap to recovery.
(Image: WA.gov.au)
Here is the latest update on:


crikey--2020-05-22--Coronavirus statistics | When will the lockdown end?

How long will the coronavirus lockdown last ?
It ’ s the question at the back of all our minds .
Today , Crikey presents the coronavirus statistics that may be help predict when lockdowns will be a thing of the past .
Brendan Murphy has expressed optimism that Australians will continue to flatten the curve if social distancing rules are observed , particularly this Easter weekend .
The latest coronavirus statistics may help us to answer two popular questions that we find ourselves asking this week .
• Are we actually flattening the curve ?
Are we flattening the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of COVID-19 continues to grow across Australia , the rate of growth has slowed .
Here are the coronavirus statistics you need to know right now .
( These statistics will be updated on a daily basis to keep you informed . )
• There are 7,079 confirmed coronavirus cases across Australia • 6,444 people have recovered from the virus to date • The current death toll of coronavirus is 100 When will the coronavirus lockdown end ?
How long will the coronavirus lockdown last in Australia ?
It ’ s the question @ @ @ @ @ @ @ minds .
Here ’ s what we know : • The coronavirus lockdown may last for an average of 10 weeks , based on the only real example we have : Wuhan , China • To date , China is the only country that has taken hold of the rapidly rising number of COVID-19 cases in its population , with lockdown restrictions now being lifted and life reportedly returning to normal • Thirty-one provinces across China have been affected by coronavirus , with lockdowns ranging from four to 10 weeks .
According to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ two-part formula for predicting a potential reduction in COVID-19 cases : • On average , it takes approximately seven days to see a change in the daily number of coronavirus cases .
The seven-day period starts from day one of each individual correctly self-isolating • Those who are carrying the virus but are nonsymptomatic require an extended period of time between recognising their symptoms , to getting tested and receiving their results .
For individuals who are critically unwell , it takes approximately 11 days between diagnosis and treatment to see a potential @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spread of the coronavirus is slowing across Australia , and this is largely due to the travel restrictions and closure of non-essential business implemented by the federal and state governments .
An end to the lockdowns will largely depend on Australians following guidelines as put forward by medical professionals and governments .
While cases of COVID-19 may be slowing right now , there is concern around the possibility of local transmission , and public non-adherence to social distancing rules .
The latest coronavirus statistics as cited above will determine when lockdown will end @ @ @ @ @ @ @ life may slowly return to normal and lockdown restrictions may loosen .
New South Wales Police Commissioner Mick Fuller says current enforcement laws are set to expire this coming June , and as it stands , he will not seek to expand them .
Health Minister Greg Hunt has reportedly said the lockdown , or some restrictions that are currently in place , could stand for at least six months .
With the majority of Australian states now in stage three lockdowns this week , it is only natural we are asking ourselves @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will I be able to return to work ?
• When will restaurants , bars and hairdressers open once again ?
• When can I go to the supermarket without worry ?
When will Australia ’ s coronavirus lockdown end ?
At this point , the answer is not clear .
It took 10 weeks for the epicentre of the virus to reportedly recover , and that may be the number we need to use to manage our expectations .
Read : What are the symptoms of coronavirus ?

Brendan Murphy has expressed optimism that Australians will continue to flatten the curve if social distancing rules are observed, particularly this Easter weekend. The latest coronavirus statistics may help us to answer two popular questions that we find ourselves asking this week.
Are we actually flattening the curve? When will coronavirus lockdown end?
Are we flattening the curve?
While the number of cases of COVID-19 continues to grow across Australia, the rate of growth has slowed.
Here are the coronavirus statistics you need to know right now. (These statistics will be updated on a daily basis to keep you informed.)


crikey--2020-05-22--Social distancing in Victoria

Social distancing in Victoria

Here is the latest on coronavirus social distancing rules in Victoria .
This article will be updated on a regular basis to keep you informed .
As of May 12 , social distancing in Victoria has begun to ease , with up to 5 people being allowed to visit other households and up to 10 people being allowed to gather in public places .
Here is the latest update on : • What are the fines if you don ’ t follow the rules ?
The Victorian government says Victorians may leave the home for five reasons : • To @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and services • To access medical services or provide caregiving – for example , this includes shared parenting obligations or providing care and support to an unwell , disabled , elderly or pregnant friend or relative • To attend work or education where you can ’ t do those things from home • To exercise and participate in some recreational activities adhering to the rules • To visit friends , family and loved ones while adhering to the rules As of May 12 , Victorian residents are allowed to : • Welcome 5 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that can now have up to 10 guests • Attend funerals that can now have up to 20 guests if they are indoors or 30 guests if they are outdoors • Partake in outdoor sports such as golf , athletics , hiking , fishing and playing football with up to 10 players Additionally , professional training , particularly AFL and NRL will be allowed to resume from tomorrow at midnight .
Term two will see students continuing to learn from home .
At present 97 % of Victorian state schools are closed .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ face-to-face learning , Andrews says that the Victorian government is locking down a plan for a return to face to face learning by the end of term two .
There will be no clear indication of when workplaces will reopen .
In the latest announcement , Andrews says that people who can work remotely should continue to do so .
It is likely that there will be more answers on when Victorians can return to work by stage two of Morrison ’ s three-stage plan .
As it stands , non-essential businesses are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the work can be performed remotely .
If you are a business owner and unsure about where you stand , you can call the Business Victoria hotline on 13 22 15 .
The Business Victoria team will be able to provide you with the latest information and guidelines on which businesses can remain open and how to keep these workplaces safe .
There are no limits on how far you can travel within Victoria , however , you need to have an essential reason to be travelling , and Victorians are urged to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the home .
If you are using private modes of transport , social distancing rules apply and you should only travel with members of your household .
Public transport is still active , however , passengers are asked to avoid travelling during peak hours if they need to get to school or work .
While on public transport , passengers are asked to maintain social distancing and wash their hands thoroughly before and after using public transport .
There are no restrictions on crossing Victoria ’ s border , however , the border @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you if you cross them and you need to have a reasonable reason to travel .
• Cafes and restaurants for takeaway only • Universities and TAFEs , although many have resorted to online lectures Unlike other states , Victoria ’ s cafes and restaurants will continue to do takeaway only .
Andrews said that more details on cafes and restaurants will follow by stage two in June , following a “ testing blitz ” that is currently underway .
A number of national and state parks will also be re-opening in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if you don ’ t follow the rules ?
Victoria Police has been given the power to issue on the spot fines of up to $ 1,652 for individuals and up to $ 9,913 for businesses who refuse or fail to comply with the Chief Health Officer ’ s and Deputy Chief Health Officer ’ s emergency directions or public health risk directions .
On the spot fines are at the discretion of police officers .
Read : What is the unemployment rate in Australia ?

Victoria was supposed to be further reducing coronavirus restrictions today, June 22.
Following the latest outbreak throughout Victoria, the roll-out of fewer social distancing restrictions is being quickly rolled back in.
Here is the latest update on:


crikey--2020-05-22--Social distancing in Tasmania

Social distancing in Tasmania

Here is the latest on coronavirus social distancing rules in Tasmania .
This article will be updated regularly to keep you informed .
Social distancing in Tasmania began to ease on May 18 , on commencement of stage one of the recovery plan .
Since May 18 , up to 5 people can visit a household and 10 people can meet in public indoor and outdoor settings .
Here is the latest update on : • What businesses are closed in Tasmania ?
• What are the fines if you don ’ t follow the rules ?
As of May @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up to 5 visitors to their home .
Group gatherings of 10 people are also allowed in public indoor and outdoor venues , as long as physical distancing guidelines are observed such as maintaining a distance of 1.5 metres from one another .
Tasmanians may also leave their homes for the following reasons : • Facilitating shared parenting arrangements , guardianship or care arrangements for another person ; • Exercising , including the use of outdoor gyms , playgrounds and skate-parks ; • Attending work , volunteering , school and study , where @ @ @ @ @ @ @ • Taking a pet to a veterinarian or providing reasonable measures to ensure the welfare of an animal ; • Performing essential maintenance on other premises owned by them ; and • Launching a boat in the same municipal area as their primary residence .
The number of people who can attend funerals has increased from 10 to 20 .
30 people can attend funerals that are held outdoors .
Social distancing rules in Tasmania are similar to New South Wales and Victoria , although the state ’ s rules have been more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tasmanians are still allowed to legally sell their possessions on platforms such as Facebook Marketplace and Gumtree , provided they follow responsible social distancing guidelines , such as good personal hygiene and a physical distance of 1.5 metres from other people .
Tasmanians are also allowed to exercise horses , go boating , hunting , fishing and surfing , as long as the two-person rule is adhered to .
The Tasmanian government is urging students to continue learning from home unless they need to physically attend school .
Schools in Tasmania ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a three-week lockdown that came in the wake of a coronavirus outbreak at the North West Regional Hospital .
According to the Tasmanian government , “ keeping children at home and supporting their learning where possible is the best thing we can do to support Tasmania ’ s response to COVID-19 ” .
From May 25 , kindergarten to Year 6 students will return to school and Year 11 and 12 students at extension schools and colleges return to learning at school .
Currently , there are no updates on businesses reopening and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ outbreak in the north-west of Tasmania may lead to further delays in restrictions being lifted in Tasmania .
Tasmania , like Victoria , New South Wales and Australian Capital Territory , does not have border restrictions in place , however , those who cross the Tasmanian border will be subject to the restrictions of surrounding states .
If you are entering Tasmania from another state , you will need to self-isolate for 14 days .
Buses and coaches in Tasmania are still operating and are currently free of charge to limit physical contact @ @ @ @ @ @ @ distancing is required for those who need to use public transport , which includes staying 1.5 metres away from fellow passengers and washing your hands before and after your journey .
Greencards for the metro have been free of charge since March 26 , and will continue to be so until May 31 , to encourage cashless transactions .
School buses are also still in action while the number of students taking them is low .
What businesses are closed in Tasmania ?
The following businesses and facilities have been instructed to close @ @ @ @ @ @ @ venues where alcohol is sold for consumption on the premises • Community facilities , such as halls , clubs and RSLs • Food courts , except for delivery and takeaway • Local government non-essential facilities and services , such as libraries and pools What are the fines if you don ’ t follow the rules ?
The Tasmanian state emergency service , Australian defence members and fire service volunteers are currently carrying out spot checks across Tasmania .
On-the-spot penalties could be fines of up to $ 16,800 , or six months in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ When will the lockdown end ?

Social distancing in Tasmania began to ease on May 18, on commencement of stage one of the recovery plan.
Since May 18, up to 5 people can visit a household and 10 people can meet in public indoor and outdoor settings.
Here is the latest update on: