Updated 22 May — Coronavirus: Call for Calm — Latest Important Information

Friday 1 May

• Nine new cases were confirmed in NSW in the past 24 hours, from 8000 tests
• Another resident of the Newmarch aged care facility near Penrith has died after testing positive to COVID-19 — a code of conduct for the aged care industry will be discussed at a National Cabinet meeting today
• Easing restrictions, sport and mental health are all on the National Cabinet meeting agenda, as well
• Up to two adults and their children are now allowed to visit another household in NSW from today, adhering to social distancing measures
• Five Defence Force personnel who have been in the Middle East have contracted the virus — four are undergoing initial assessments in a Darwin hospital while the fifth is under quarantine in QLD
• Health authorities are calling for more people to come forward and be tested — especially in the Penrith area
• UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson has said his country is past the peak in his first press conference since recovering from the virus
• A top US spy agency has for the first time declared it believes COVID-19 did originate in China but it was neither man-made or genetically modified

Thursday 30 April

• Australia’s health officials are praising the ACT for becoming the first jurisdiction to have no active coronavirus cases — just over 100 people tested positive for the disease in Canberra, with three deaths since the outbreak began
• There were only two new confirmed cases in NSW in the past 24 hours
• NSW Premier says she’s not surprised more students have turned up to school at the start of the new term — 13 per cent of students attended school yesterday, up from around six percent at the end of term one
• Families of residents at a coronavirus-affected aged care facility in Sydney’s west are being able to visit their loved ones at a distance — visits are being scheduled at Newmarch House, allowing them to see each other through a window and talk via mobile phone
• More than 3.3 million Australians have now downloaded the Federal Government’s tracing app, COVIDSafe — the Government is aiming for 10 million people to download the software on their smart phones

Wednesday 29 April

• NSW Government has reached out to the Federal Minister for Aging to express concern over the lack of communication over coronavirus at a western Sydney nursing home — 11 residents of Newmarch House near Penrith have died after contracting the virus, the families of residents say there’s been a lack of communication from the home’s operator, Anglicare
• 11 new cases have been confirmed in NSW in the past 24 hours — one of those was a staff worker at Newmarch House who health officials say had been wearing Personal Protective Equipment
• Christian Schools say getting teachers back into the classrooms will be challenge because of ongoing concerns over the spread of coronavirus — the Federal Education Minister has asked Catholic and independent schools to re-open by June if they want early access to federal funding to help them through this crisis
• Term Two for State schools resumes today
• School principals say they’re expecting more parents will send their children back to school today despite the State Government recommending a phased return
• Australian Government says it’s standing by its push for an independent investigation into the coronavirus pandemic, despite threats from China — China’s ambassador in Canberra has threatened to boycott Australia’s education, tourism and agriculture sectors

Tuesday 28 April

• There has been another death at a Western Sydney aged care home
• Restrictions in NSW will be relaxed slightly from this Friday — groups of two adults will be allowed to visit anybody within their households
• Five new cases have been confirmed in NSW in the past 24 hours, taking the State’s number to 3009
• Swimmers and surfers are heading into the water at Bondi Beach today after it was reopened for exercise — council rangers will monitor the arrival of crowds between 7am and 5pm

Monday 27 April

• Only two new cases diagnosed in NSW in the past 24 hours from 4400 tests
• Doctors identified new ‘hot spot’ areas — Hornsby, Northern Beaches, Lane Cove, the Blue Mountains and Lithgow
• Teachers have returned to school today with students starting online classes on Wednesday, with the aim to have full classrooms in Term 3
• Police are warning online child sexual abuse is on the rise since the coronavirus outbreak — it’s important for everyone to know how to be safe online
• 1.3 million Australians have downloaded the Government’s tracing app in 12 hours of its release — COVIDSafe
  is voluntary and will play a key role in easing restrictions along with increased testing
• The numbers to date: 83 Australians have died from the virus, more than 67,000 have been infected, 80% of people who have caught the disease have fully recovered
• In Spain: children are allowed to leave their homes for one hour after 45 days in lockdown, after its lowest recorded daily death toll
• UK has also recorded its lowest toll since March but is yet to ease restrictions

Friday 24 April

• NSW Health officials are increasing testing for coronavirus to include everyone across the State — anyone who has symptoms or is concerned they may have it, and those who work with vulnerable people are urged to get tested
• The Premier says the number being tested needs to increase before any restrictions can be lifted
• Seven new cases have been confirmed in the NSW in the past 24 hours from over 7000 tests
• Families of residents at a nursing home in Sydney’s west have been warned that the effects of a coronavirus outbreak could stretch on for almost two months — four people at Anglicare Newmarch House have died after testing positive to cononavirus
• The big banks are promising to fast-track applications from businesses asking for support while the JobKeeper scheme is rolled out — business groups say some workers have lost their jobs because companies couldn’t afford to wait for the government payments
• NSW government has announced $73 million to support mental wellness during the pandemic — more than 180 mental health workers will be deployed across the State
• 40 Ruby Princess crew members remain in Sydney healthcare facilities following the cruise ship’s departure from Port Kembla yesterday — the vessel is linked to 21 deaths and hundreds of the nation’s cases, officers boarded the vessel yesterday, before its departure, and seized more evidence for the criminal investigation

Thursday 23 April

• Two more people associated with a nursing home in Sydney’s west have been diagnosed with coronavirus — one resident and one staff at Newmarch House are among five new cases of the virus in the state in the past 24 hours
• The Ruby Princess is due to leave Australian waters today, five weeks after it was allowed to dock in Sydney, triggering hundreds of COVID-19 cases and 21 deaths — the Special Commission of Inquiry into the Ruby Princess will continue this morning — a doctor onboard the vessel told the inquiry yesterday that she was surprised passengers were allowed to disembark before coronavirus tests results were confirmed
• Australia is leading a global call for research into the health risks of wildlife wet markets, believed to be the source of the Covid-19 pandemic
• The first public hearing of a Senate inquiry into Australia’s Covid-19 response will be held today — the National Cabinet is also expected to meet later today to discuss the next stages of Australia’s coronavirus response
• The World Health Organization is warning the world has a long way to go in the battle with coronavirus
• Face masks will be made compulsory in Germany to combat the spread
• The British government says restrictions on everyday life will need to be in place until a coronavirus vaccine can be developed
• And, Two cats in New York have become the first pets in the US infected with Covid-19

Wednesday 22 April

• The number of people with coronavirus around the world has passed 2.5 million, more than 175,000 people have died
• Anglicare is asking for prayers as it deals with a cluster of coronavirus cases at an aged care home in Sydney’s west — 41 residents and staff at Newmarch House in Caddens have tested positive to Covid-19
• Three more people have died of coronavirus in NSW — Anglicare says it’s saddened by the loss of a 92-year-old woman at Newmarch House in Sydney’s west; Health officials also have confirmed the deaths of a 75-year-old man in St George Hospital and an 80-year-old woman in Gosford Hospital
• Five new cases of coronavirus have been confirmed in the state in the past 24 hours — it’s the lowest number of new cases in 24 hours since 10 March
• NSW Premier says the state is looking to expand its coronavirus testing regime to include everybody in hot spots where there are a lot of cases
• More of Sydney’s beaches will re-open for exercise next week — Waverley Council has voted in favour of a plan to give people access to the water at Bondi, Bronte and Tamarama for exercise

Monday 20 April

• NSW cases continue to drop — just six new cases in the past 24 hours
• Beaches in Randwick are now open again but only for exercise — Coogee, Clovelly, Maroubra — but people must still observe social distancing rules
• Virgin Australia and NSW Government are in discussions about a potential lifeline in an effort to attract new jobs to the State — in exchange for a bail out, Virgin would agree to set up its headquarters as the new Western Sydney airport at Badgerys Creek
• Agriculture, horticulture and forestry industries are being given a $140 million boost from the State Government

Friday 17 April

• Anglicare has deployed a specially-trained team to care for residents who have been diagnosed with coronavirus
• Police are appealing for help from Ruby Princess cruise ship passengers, they are contacting more than 5500 passengers from across the globe to fill in an online questionnaire — hundreds of cases of the virus have been linked to the ship and 20 people have died
• Parents are being advised that children will only be allowed to return to school part-time in Term 2 in NSW
• PM Scott Morrison said current social distancing measures will remain in place until there’s improved contact tracing, more testing and faster reactions to coronavirus outbreaks
• Latest modelling shows that for every 10 people diagnosed, it is being spread to five others

Thursday 16 April

• Five more residents of an aged care home in Sydney’s west have tested positive — nine residents and six staff are confirmed to have the virus at the Anglicare Newmarch House in Caddens. Police have investigated the source of the outbreak and say no action will be taken against a health care worker at the facility
• 11 new cases have been recorded in NSW in the past 24 hours
• Globally, the number of people with COVID-19 has passed 2 million, with more than 133,000 deaths
• The Premier says the NSW Government is working to get children back to school some time during Term 2 — National Cabinet will today discuss how to handle the return of students during the coronavirus crisis
• National Cabinet will will also discuss a timetable for lifting coronavirus restrictions
• Australian Government has given its strongest signal yet that it will now offer any money to help Virgin Airlines through the crisis — Treasurer Josh Frydenberg says it’s up to the company’s major shareholders to offer a cash injection to save the company from falling into administration

Wednesday 15 April

• A special commission of inquiry will be carried out into events surrounding the Ruby Princess cruise ship, running alongside a police investigation — at least 18 deaths and several hundred cases of COVID-19 have been linked to the ship
• The Prime Minister is urging teachers and parents to work together to ensure schools are open for Term 2 during the current pandemic
• A global economic body is forecasting the Australian economy will struggle this year, shrinking by almost 7% this year, but is expected to rebound in 2021
• A top advisor to Donald Trumps said the US President will make an important announcement in the next couple of days about the reopening of the US economy — Mr Trump is insisting he has the ultimate authority to end shutdowns across the country
• The Australian Government is being urged to commit almost $1.3 billion to help the aged care sector deal with the virus — half of the funds proposed would go towards boosting existing resources in home and residential care

Tuesday 14 April

• Those who test negative in NSW will soon be able to get their test results by text message on the same day, those who test positive will need to wait a little longer to give Health Officials time to check on their condition and do contact tracing
• NSW has seen just 7 new cases in the past 24 hours with testing being expanded in more Sydney suburbs considerd at risk from community transmission — those with mild cold symptoms in coronavirus hot spots are being urged to get tested including Penrith, Inner west, Liverpool, Randwick, Waverley, Woollahra, Blacktown, Cumberland, Westmead, Ryde, Manning and Lake Macquarie
• A renowned immunologist has said most younger people won’t even know they’ve had coronavirus
• The Federal Government has revealed Australia’s unemployment rate is expected to climb to 10% over the months ahead — double the current jobless rate. The $130 billion job keeper package is helping stem some of the economic carnage
• Head of World Health Organization has warned against early-lifting of restrictions put in place to slow the virus — public health should be the main priority

Easter break, Friday 10–Monday 13 April

Thursday 9 April

• NSW has seen its lowest increase in cases in almost a month — 39 new patients have been diagnosed in the past 24 hours, despite an increase in testing
• NSW Premier said it is still vital people still to social distancing restrictions over Easter
• The State Government has announced free pre-school across NSW for the next six-months as part of a $50 million package — Education Minister said it’s about ensuring young children are educated despite financial strains
• Double demerit points are now in place for the long weekend as well as social distancing restrictions, police will be out in force ensuring people are adhering to the road rules and Public Health orders
• Australians are warned of the long road ahead after Federal Government passed the $130 billion wage subsidy package — eligible businesses will be able to access $1500 a fortnight to pay employees
• The Federal Government is confident medical equipment coming from China is safe to use, a flight from Wuhan has arrived under a veil of secrecy — Health Minister Greg Hunt says the equipment is vital
• Federal and State leaders will thrash out a uniformed approach to Year 12 students as schools prepare to move to online learning

Wednesday 8 April

• • NSW Premier says the number of cases of coronavirus is stabilising but
    any ease or move to remove restrictions will be based on medical advice
  • 48 new cases in NSW have been diagnosed in the past 24 hours, down from 49 the previous day — NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian said social distancing measures will be reviewed on a month-by-month basis
  • 250 people quarantined in a Sydney hotel during the coronavirus crisis are leaving this morning — passengers from the Norwegian Jewel have spent 14 days in isolation
  • Three children in quarantine in another Sydney hotel have been taken to hospital after displaying symptoms of the virus, at least one of the children and one parent have tested positive
  • Officials are again urging people not to travel during the Easter weekend, police will be out in force on country roads
  • A $130 billion wage package will pass through Federal Parliament, allowing eligible businesses to access $1500 a fortnight to pay staff wages over the next six months — Labor will pass the Government’s package even though it has some reservations

Thousands of renters have signed a pledge to stop paying landlords, as tensions continue over living costs — there’s a six month ban on evicting people who can’t pay rent because of the economic impacts of Covid-19

Tuesday 7 April

• Three more people have died of coronavirus in NSW:
  • An 87-year-old woman who was a passenger of the Ruby Princess cruise ship has become the fifth person in the state, associated with the ship, to die
  • Two 90-year-old men also have died — one was a resident of the Opal Care Bankstown and the other from Dorothy Henderson Lodge in Macquarie Park
  • 21 people in NSW have now died of the virus
  • There have been 49 new cases of the virus confirmed in the state in the past day
• UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson has been moved to an intensive care unit to aid his recovery, Downing Street have stated he is currently
  conscious
• Australian Health officials say there are early signs that the curve is flattening — still 41 people have died with the virus
• PM Scott Morrison said he’s thinking of Boris Johnson and his family, tweeting ‘Get well soon’
• $60 million is being set aside for accommodation for frontline healthcare workers in NSW
• Swimming is banned at more Sydney beaches from this morning — Northern Beaches council has formally shut Manly, Dee Why, Shelley, North Steyne and Queenscliff until at least the end of Easter
• Charities are working around the clock to help the homeless during the pandemic
• About 400 Australians have registered interest in two flights out of South America
• Talks are also underway about rescue flights out of India

Monday 6 April

• Two more people have died of coronavirus in NSW — an 86-year-old man and an 85-year-old man succumbed to the virus yesterday
• 57 new cases have been confirmed in the state
• Health officials are encouraging more people with symptoms to get tested in communities where there have been local transmission — including Waverley, Woollahra, Ryde, Macquarie Park, Dee Why and Manly
• The Queen says she is praying for Australian and calling for resolve during the coronavirus pandemic
• The coronavirus-hit Ruby Princess is docking at Port Kembla with more than 1000 crew on board — up to 200 of them are showing coronavirus symptoms
  • A criminal investigation has been launched into the circumstances around the ship’s docking in Sydney last month, allowing passengers to disembark
  • More than 600 people with links to the ship have contracted covid-19

Friday 3 April

• The Premier said she can’t put a timeline on when the coronavirus restrictions will be lifted despite NSW recording its lowest numbers in more than a week
• Rental relief will be a key focus as National Cabinet meets today — state governments have to decide on tenancy issues that help both renters and landlords
• Our PM has said parents are being given free childcare for the benefit of our economy
• Small businesses are being offered more relief — $10,000 grants from the State Government

Thursday 2 April

• NSW’s tough lock down laws are set to be in place for the next three months — the Police Commissioner has said they will be lifted in 90 days and three tickets have been issued so far
• State Government put a call out yesterday for manufacturers to re-tool and start making desperately-needed medical supplies and the Premier says the response has been promising
• NSW has recorded 116 new cases in the past 24 hours, down slightly from Tuesday — 43 patients are in intensive care; 10 people have died in the State including a man in Orange which is the first death outside of Sydney
• World Health Organization has said it’s deeply concerned about the rapid acceleration and spread of coronavirus — more than 900,000 people around the world have been confirmed to have the virus (44,000 have died)
• CSIRO has begun the first stage of testing on a vaccine, it’s expected to take at least three months, with the total process taking 18 months
• Wimbledon has officially been cancelled for 2020

Wednesday 1 April

• A ninth person has died of coronavirus in NSW — a 95-year-old resident from the Dorothy Henderson Lodge in Macquarie Park
• 150 new cases were confirmed in the state yesterday
• Pop-up testing facilities are beginning today in Bondi, where there’s been a cluster of coronavirus cases among backpackers
• NSW Government is calling on manufacturing businesses to re-tool to produce medical products and equipment that are in short supply — the Premier says overseas sources of medical equipment have been disrupted and she’s calling on local businesses to step-in to fill the breach
• Police Commissioner Mick Fuller says officers are using their discretion when enforcing new health rules, designed to stop the spread, and ‘safe’ is being at home unless you have to work or go to medical appointments — no tickets for breaching the new laws have been issued as yet
• Two Border Force officers have tested positive — in NSW and QLD — contact tracing is being carried out

Tuesday 31 March

• Police say they won’t hesitate to fine people breaking new coronavirus restrictions — since last night, it’s been illegal to be out with more than one other person who isn’t from your household
• Premier is urging people to act as though they could have coronavirus and not go out in public, unnecessarily
• A cluster of virus cases in Sydney’s east has prompted health officials to call for an increase in testing in areas of community transmission
• 114 new cases have been confirmed in NSW in the past 24 hours
• Police say it’s OK to go to the shops for basic food or go to the GP — anyone acting outside of that face fines or put before the courts for a possible jail sentence
• Deputy Premier is urging Sydney residents to stay away from the bush in order to stop the spread of COVID-19. There are concerns about cheap accommodation offers being marketed as a way to get out of the city during the pandemic.
• Businesses are rushing to sign up to the Federal Government’s $130 billion plan to subsidise wages during the pandemic
• Medical experts say the coronavirus is mutating, as viruses do, and eight strains are now making the round globally — a researcher at the University of Washington says the good news is that the mutations are not more lethal
• Virgin is seeking $1.4 billion loan from the Government to ensure the company’s survival through the pandemic
• 145 million surgical masks will be pumped out by a South Australian company in the coming months

Monday 30 March

• NSW Premier has confirmed a public gathering limit of two people will come into force tonight including fines of $1000 for those who disobey the new limit
• 127 new cases of coronavirus have reported in the State over the last 24 hours:
  • Health Minister Greg Hunt says more ventilators are being made to ensure there are enough to cope with the growing cases
  • About 40 people are in intensive care units across Australia
  • The Government is working to ensure doctors and nurses have enough protective equipment including 800,000 new masks going to GPs today
• 70-year-olds and over are being urged to stay at home unless absolutely necessary to venture out
• 1400 passengers arrived in Sydney from overseas yesterday and have been put into quarantine in Sydney hotels for 14 days — 40 have been isolate due to concerns they may have the virus — 1200 more travellers are due in Sydney today
• Three Ruby Princess crew members have been taken to a Sydney hospital, requiring medical care, the cruise ship has been linked to hundreds of coronavirus cases
• States and territories are moving to make sure tenants left out of work by the pandemic can’t be evicted for the next six months — tenants, landlords and banks are being urged to work together on the issue

Friday 27 March

• 186 new cases have been diagnosed in NSW in the past day, taking the number of confirmed cases 1405:
  • the majority were acquired overseas
  • 53 people are in hospital
  • 19 are in intensive care
• Globally, the number of infections has passed half a million
• Hundreds of Australians stranded in Peru and Uruguay will be brought home on commercial flights organised by the Federal Government
• PM has spoken to world leaders about ways to shore up the global economy during the virus outbreak — third stimulus package is being considered in Aus, focusing on debt and rent relief
• National cabinet will meet again today to discuss whether tougher measures are needed to slow the spread in the worst hit states
• Labor leader Jodi McKay is calling for a total lockdown
• The first on-the-spot fines have been issued for people failing to obey coronavirus restrictions including a woman in Lake Macquarie for failing to self-isolate after returning from Bali
• Woolworths says there are up to 20,000 jobs available, to help their stores keep up supplies during the coronavirus outbreak

Thursday 26 March

• Australia is now under level 2 restrictions:
  • Police will now be able to issue on the spot fines for those caught breaking coronavirus restrictions — $1000 for individuals and $5000 for businesses
• There will be more testing in high risk settings such as aged care, boarding schools and jails
• A 68-year-old Queensland man is ninth Australian to die from COVID-19
• Queensland’s borders are closed for the first time in more than a century
• Over 3000 Australians are stranded on more than 30 cruise ships around the world as countries close their borders
• 71-year-old Prince Charles has tested positive for COVID-19 and displaying mild symptoms and is in isolation in Scotland; the Queen is in good health in Windsor Castle

Wednesday 25 March

• Coronavirus cases in NSW has climbed above 1000 — 211 new cases were reported in the last 24 hours; half were acquired overseas; the number of cases hospitalised are relatively small and that’s how we want to keep it, NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian said
• Virgin Australia has announced it’s cutting 90% of all its flights —125 aircraft are grounded; Tigerair is being suspended immediately and 80% of their work force are being stood down affecting 8000 people
• A ban on Australians travelling overseas will come into force today
• From midnight, further restrictions to slow the spread of COVID-19 include:
  • 5 people allowed to attend a wedding, and they must practice social distancing
  • 10 mourners will be allowed to attend a funeral
  • Family gatherings like birthdays need to be limited
  • Food courts will only be able to serve take away
  • Auctions and open house inspections are banned
  • Beauty, nail, tanning and tattoo parlours must close
  • Hairdressers can provide a limited service
• Hundreds of nurses will be offered free online training to return to allow them to return to the front line in the fight against the coronavirus — the Government will spend up to $1 million to enable eligible RNs to do a refresher course
• World Health Organization is warning the US could become the new epicentre of the virus with more than 50,000 people catching it
• US stock market has rebounded more than 11%
• Confirmed: Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics will begin on July 2021, after UK, Canada and Australia said they will not be sending athletes this year

Tuesday 24 March

• 149 new cases have been reported in NSW, taking the State’s total to 818 — Premier Gladys Berejiklian said she is not afraid to take tough measures to do what is ‘right for our people’
• the myGov website crashed under the weight of requests yesterday but is back online today
• Students and those on Youth Allowance will now have access to the Governments coronavirus welfare payment after amendments to the economic stimulus package were passed last night — political divisions have been set aside to pass the most significant set of economic measures since war time
• NSW Teachers’ Union is calling for strict safety measures in the State’s schools — the Premier is encouraging parents to keep their children home where possible but says schools will be open
• A rapid diagnostic test has been approved for use in Australia — the antibodies test can give results in as little as 15 minutes but might not detect all cases
• UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson has introduced tough new measures to tackle the spread of the virus, ordering all Britons to stay home from today. They will only be able to leave their homes for groceries, medical needs, exercise or when when necessary. Public gatherings of more than two people is banned
• In US, a multi-trillion dollar rescue fund has stalled as lawmakers are unable to reach an agreement on the package
• 2020 Tokyo Olympics has been postponed until next year

Monday 23 March

• State and Federal leaders have agreed to keep schools open until the end of the term
• NSW Premier has asked parents to keep their children at home if possible while plans to move education to online learning are underway
• Normanhurst West Public School will be closed today and tomorrow after a staff member tested positive
• Federal Government has said all Australians must comply with social distancing rules to slow the spread of coronavirus — new measures come into effect at midday today forcing “registered and licensed clubs, licensed premises in hotels and pubs, entertainment venues, cinemas, casinos, nightclubs, indoor sporting venues, gyms and places of worship will be closed across the country”
• Essential services including supermarkets, pharmacies, petrol stations will be able to operate
• A handful of politicians are back in Canberra to pass the Federal Government’s coronavirus stimulus package — so far $189 billion has been injected into the economy. The focus is on income protection and helping as many businesses as possible stay afloat
• Medication will be delivered to vulnerable Australians to protect them against COVID-19 — $25 million has been set aside by the Government to deliver PBS medicines to the elderly and sick
• Australian city dwellers are being urged to stay away from country and region towns to avoid spreading the virus
• There are concerns for those who are sleeping rough about how they can protect themselves from the outbreak, as homelessness services are stretched and under prepared
• German Chancellor Angela Merkel has been placed in isolation after being treated by a doctor who tested positive
• US President Trump has ordered car makers to start producing ventilators
• AFL season has been postponed until May 31

Friday 20 March

• Concern is growing among Australians stranded in various countries around the world — Peru is a particularly difficult situation where rules changes without notice, more than 170 Australians are currently trapped there. Foreign Minister says they are doing everything they can to bring Australians home
• The Government is working with the US Government to bring back 280 Australians stranded on the Norwegian Jewel cruise ship in the South Pacific after being turned away from multiple ports
• NSW Health Minister says new faster testing is on its way — 100,000 first point of care tests are in Australia and will be rolled out as soon as possible
• Australia will close its borders to non-residents from tonight, in an unprecedented move to slow the spread — most Australian cases have been from returning travellers. NZ has also announced a similar travel ban
• More people have died (3400 recorded) due to coronavirus in Italy than in any other part of the world
• NSW Premier is pleading with people to stop panic buying as restrictions on supermarket deliveries are lifted

The time for unnecessary panic buying is over. Immediately, the NSW Government is overriding local council restrictions on semi-trailers delivering stock to supermarkets. They will be able to deliver any time of the day or night. Coles, Woolworths and Aldi insist they DO have supplies in warehouses.

Thursday 19 March

• New protective measures for people in aged-care are being communicated to all residents, relatives and staff — residents will be allowed 1 visit per day with no more than 2 people in that visit
• The Reserve Bank is meeting today ahead of schedule, its tipped to slash interest rates again to help the economy deal with the coronavirus downturn — the official cash rate is already at a record low at just 0.5%
• World Health Organization has assured the world the cancellations of mass gatherings will help curb the spread of COVID-19, more than 200,000 cases have been confirmed worldwide. The Director-General has said isolation is key
• Italy has recorded the highest jump of coronavirus deaths of any nation since the coronavirus began
• French Government has announced a new State of Emergency for health to manage the spread
• For the first time since WWII, Anglican Cathedrals in Sydney and Parramatta will lead public prayer in response to the pandemic — Cathedral bells will ring out at midday each Thursday and Monday, calling on people to stop and pray

Wednesday 18 March

• The Federal Government has increased restrictions on indoor non-essential gatherings to no more than 100 people as part of efforts to slow the spread of COVID-19
• All Australian-led ANZAC Day gatherings including at Gallipoli have been cancelled
• All Australians who are overseas have been urged to return home — Foreign Affairs has issued an advice warning that travellers might not be able to return as more countries close their borders
• Europe Union will ban travellers from outside of the EU for 30 days in an unprecedented move to seal its borders
• Virgin Australia will suspend all international flights from March 30, read the full report

Tuesday 17 March

• NSW State Government has announced a $2.3 billion stimulus package including NSW Health receiving an extra $700 million to boost a range of services, while $1.6 billion will be dedicated to economic stimulus measures designed to keep people in jobs
• Some Sydney schools saw a 25 per cent drop in student attendance yesterday
• Canada and Russia have closed their borders to any non-citizen
• French President Emmanuel Macron said his country was at war against COVID-19 and has introduced further restrictions including forbidding people to leave home except for essential reasons
• US President is urging restrictions on gatherings of more than 10 people
• The US stock market has taken a battering with the Dow Jones closing down 13 per cent — it’s the worst day for Wall Street in more than 30 years

Monday 16 March

• NSW Premier says action can be taken on those who breach new rules about self-isolation, designed to control the outbreak of coronavirus — anyone now arriving into Australia from overseas must now isolate themselves for 14 days, and a ban on gatherings of more than 500 people is now enforceable
• Health Minister says the safest place for children during this pandemic is inside the school gates — a suite of social distancing measures will be taken such as cancelling assemblies, excursions and major sporting events
• Victoria and ACT have now declared a State of Emergency — PM Scott Morrison expects all states and territories will do the same
• 5 people have now died in Australia as a result of COVID-19 after a result of 2 more women in NSW passed away
• US Federal Reserve has slashed interest rates in an emergency action to support the US economy
• The Pope has ventured into a deserted Rome to pray for the end of the coronavirus

“I want to assure all the citizens of NSW that we are taking every measure to ensure public safety is protected at all times but also to give clear direction on what we think is the best way forward for our community,” NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian

Sunday 15 March, 3.04pm: NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian announced the Health Minister through the Public Health Act has the authority to enforce the provisions on self isolation and mass gatherings.

• Read: Church Services and Other Gatherings Limited to 500 People Maximum, to Slow Coronavirus Spread by Hope 103.2 journalist Clare Bruce

Friday 13 March

• 2.10PM: from Monday, non essential gatherings over 500 will be banned on advice from the Chief Medical Officer. The Government will announce more details on Monday.
• The British and US stock markets have suffered their worst day since the 1987 crash
• Australian states and territories will be urged to outline their own stimulus packages – the issue will dominate the Prime Minister, Premiers and Chief Officials in Sydney today
• Scott Morrison will explain the $18 billion stimulus designed to help small business and low income earners

“We should just continue to conduct ourselves rationally and sensibly, supporting each other – that’s what I said last night in my address to the nation. We’re going to get through this, Australia, and we’re going to get through it together, and it takes all of us – neighbours, friends, doctors, nurses and teachers, Prime Ministers, radio broadcasters – all of us,” Prime Minster Scott Morrison

• Katoomba High School is closed for the day after a teacher tested positive
• Around the world: Disneyland’s flagship in California has just been closed; Catholic churches in Rome have been ordered shut as the death toll in Italy tops 1000 people; France is closing all schools and universities, and the President has urged employers to let staff work from home; In Iran, a top advisor to the country’s Supreme Leader has been infected

Thursday 12 March

• 12 more cases have been confirmed in NSW taking the State’s toll to 77 people
• NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian said “NSW has had all of our plans in place for a while, since the first week of February, we’ve had our State Emergency Operations Centre up and running…we have not had to escalate the plans we’ve had in place but we’re on standby as it’s an evolving situation and that could change…”

“I want to assure all of our citizens that if you take the precautions and you’re extra careful that there is nothing to be concerned about, the vast majority of people — the overwhelming majority of people who have even contracted the virus can be treated at home safely and don’t need any extreme medical intervention,” NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian

• The Prime Minister has welcomed a decision from the World Health Organization to declare coronavirus a global pandemic, in light of the cases growing and the Italian Government placing the whole country into lock down
• The majority of infections were acquired overseas
• The State Government will review its policies on going to large public events including the Sydney Royal Easter Show
• Australia declared the virus a pandemic a fortnight ago, which PM Scott Morrison said has allowed Australia to get ahead
• The Government will announced, today, a multi-billion dollar stimulus package to help small business keep people in work
• S&P ratings agency said Australia can weather a temporary economic shock and its AAA credit rating is not under immediate threat
• US share market has fallen sharply overnight after Tuesday’s strong gains
• Almost 200 students from St Patrick’s High School in Dundas will remain again at home today while the rest of the students return since the school closed on Monday

Wednesday 11 March

• Up to 100 respiratory “fever” clinics will be set up in various parts of the country as part of a $2 billion plan to deal with coronavirus – they’re expected to see up to 75 patients per day for up to six months
• The Government will also allocate money to Telehealth allowing people in self-isolation to access health services using Medicare
• Six more cases have been recorded in NSW

Tuesday 10 March

• Two Sydney schools are closed for the day as 3 students tested positive – Willoughby Girls High School and St Patrick’s Dundas
• New research shows that those affected with coronavirus are symptom free for a median of five days and begin to show signs within 12 days

Monday 9 March

• School authorities are preparing for the probability there will be more schools with cases of COVID-19
• Epping Boys High School has reopened today after Friday’s closure due to a student contracting the virus – 69 students and teachers have been asked to self-isolate at home
• Federal education minister Dan Tehan says the Government is planning for further cases

“It’s highly likely that there’ll be other school students or members of staff at schools who are impacted by the coronavirus but that’s why we’re putting the plans in place to be able to deal with it.”

• The Federal Government has said it’s trying to meet concerns over workers who have to stay at home, they’re preparing a multi-billion dollar stimulus package to offset the economic impact
• Unions are calling on the Government to include casual workers who don’t get paid sick leave in their plans
• Overseas, Italy has imposed a shut down of the north including Milan and Venice

Friday 6 March

• Epping Boys High School has been closed today as health officials try to determine who has come into contact with a student who has coronavirus
• 25 cases of the virus have now been confirmed in NSW
• NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard admits it’s getting harder to contain and told ABC that although the flu vaccine won’t combat COVID-19, it would help to reduce the severity and spread of seasonal influenza, which can lower a person’s immunity and make them susceptible to other illnesses.
• Tourism Industry has taken a billion dollar hit
• Australian Catholic Churches are looking to take a number of measures this weekend to stop the spread of the virus including not distributing the communion chalice