Australia COVID LIVE updates Victorias record day of 1965 new local cases NSW records 580 new cases as health authorities investigate new Delta strain
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Residents of NSW will be greeted by heavy showers and wintry temperatures as they emerge from nearly four months of hard lockdown on Monday.
But the bleak weather outlook for so-called “freedom day†is unlikely to dampen spirits, with the reopening of hospitality venues, retail and gyms offering a wide variety of indoor entertainment options for the first time in 15 weeks.
A busy Bondi Beach on the last weekend before lockdown 2.0 ends. Credit:Brook Mitchell
According to the Bureau of Meteorology, a cold front approaching from the south will move across Sydney on Sunday afternoon, with showers becoming heavy in the evening and continuing into Monday.
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Queensland Health Minister Yvette D’Ath has read the riot act to three New South Wales men accused of illegally sneaking across the Queensland border to Suncorp Stadium to go the NRL grand final.
Ms D’Ath also confirmed no new local COVID-19 cases in Queensland on Saturday, however, three cases from overseas were recorded.
Health Minister Yvette D’Ath reads the riot act at three NSW men accused of illegally crossing the Queensland border from a COVID hotspot to see the NRL grand final.Credit:Matt Dennien
While the three NRL fans have so far tested negative for COVID-19, the Health Minister fumed at the lack of respect shown to Queensland, because of the high number of COVID-19 cases remaining in New South Wales.
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Our picture desk has collated some of the best pictures from around the world during the past week.
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A costumed attendee poses during New York Comic Con at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Centre on Saturday AEDT.Credit:AP
NSW has officially hit 90 per cent of the adult population with a first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, according to the federal government.
The state crashed through the barrier on Saturday according to fresh data released by the Department of Health, showing 90.14 per cent of NSW residents over the age of 16 have now had their first dose and 72.75 per cent have received two doses.
NSW has officially hit 90 per cent of the adult population with a first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.Credit:Dominic Lorrimer
The milestone means NSW has shot ahead from being a vaccine laggard to one of the most highly vaccinated populations in the world.
The globe’s most vaccinated nations are the United Arab Emirates (94 per cent first dose and 83 per cent double dose) and Portugal (88 per cent first dose and 85 per cent double dose) according to Our World in Data.
The theatre industry in Victoria will get a lockdown lift with the announcement that rehearsals for major productions can resume at the same time as the state government announced a new $15 million support package.
Creative Industries Minister Danny Pearson confirmed on Saturday that major productions would be able to start rehearsals so they would be ready to open their doors when restrictions eased.
The move came after some of Melbourne’s major performing arts companies warned they may not be able to reopen as anticipated by the state government’s road map because they could not rehearse or build sets in advance.
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G’day everyone.
It’s Roy Ward here and I’ll be taking over the blog for the rest of the day, thanks to Pallavi Singhal for yet another excellent shift to get us started.
We have had a big morning and there is plenty more going on this afternoon so please stay with us and keep up your comments and interactions.
Enjoy the afternoon to come.
A popular Melbourne deli owner has been remembered as ‘loving, generous and hard working’ after he died of coronavirus-related illnesses on Friday.
Soner Kurtoglu, 54, who owned Ni-SA Delicatessen on Bridge Road in Richmond, died after contracting COVID-19 several weeks ago.
Soner Kurtoglu.
The man’s family told The Age they were “deeply devastated†by the loss, noting that the beloved Turkish deli in Melbourne’s inner-east was his “pride and joyâ€.
“He touched the lives of every single person he met and if you ask anyone to describe him in three words it would be loving, generous and hard working,†Mr Kortoglu’s family said.
“His three children Kadir, Melissa and Salih along with his wife Ebru Kurtoglu want to thank everybody for their kind words, please keep Soner in your prayers.â€
According to a post from the local community Instagram account Richmond_3121, while Mr Kurtoglu had been recently cleared of the disease, it triggered other infections “which were too great to overcomeâ€.
The page said it had been inundated with messages asking about Mr Kurtoglu’s health after his deli was listed as an exposure site on September 23.
“Each message expressed that Soner was a wonderfully kind, and hugely generous man,†the account said.
“His impact on the Richmond community was immediate and will be sadly missed.â€
NSW Chief Health Officer Kerry Chant was asked at the morning press conference about whether her expertise had been sidelined in the changes to the 70 per cent road map that were introduced by Dominic Perrottet when he became Premier.
“No, not at all,†she said.
NSW Chief Health Officer Dr Kerry Chant today.Credit:Rhett Wyman
She had briefed Mr Perrottet for close to two hours before he decided upon the changes and they were formulated in the usual way, she said.
“I respect government’s decisions around multiple inputs, but I also note that some of the changes are very low risk,†she said.
“We sometimes use public health orders as a one size fits all, but there will be different capacities across different venues, for instance ... so we know there is a really practical element.â€
Victoria is poised to reach its next double dose vaccination goals earlier than expected, according to health authorities.
The state was expected to reach 70 per cent double doses on October 26 and 80 per cent full vaccination on November 5, with additional freedoms to be lifted at each stage.
Victoria will reach its double dose vaccination goals earlier than expected.Credit:Luis Enrique Ascui
Health Department deputy secretary Kate Matson confirmed the state was ahead of those targets, but could not confirm whether it would mean Melbourne’s lockdown would be lifted earlier than expected.
“I think it is possible that we hit the October 26 and November 5 dates earlier, if people do rush to their local vaccination sites, pharmacies and GPs,†she said.
“It’s in all our power to bring those dates forward and we’d love to see them as soon as we possibly can.â€
Creative Industries Minister Danny Pearson said the state would be watching the experience of NSW as they open up to help inform how Victoria exits lockdown.
Victoria will provide $15 million to support the creative industry through grants to workers and organisations as they cope with the state’s prolonged shutdown.
The funding is split into two packages.
Individual workers and micro-businesses can apply for one-off grants to develop new work, undertake professional development or reach new audiences.
Buskers entertain the crowd during White Night Melbourne in previous years.Credit:Chris Hopkins
Grants of up to $5000 will be available to individuals including sole traders and freelancers. Collectives, micro-organisations and business will be able to apply for grants of up to $10,000.
A further $10 million will be available for larger organisations of state significance.
These will include festivals, performing arts companies and others.
More information will be available at creative.vic.gov.au/grants-and-support
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