By: Clare Bruce
This article provides you with information released up until Tuesday 24th March in regards to COVID-19
- As at 6am on 24 March 2020, there have been 1,823 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Australia. There have been 344 new cases since 6am 23rd March.
- 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
- 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
- State and Federal leaders have agreed to keep schools open until the end of the term, however some states are asking parents to keep their children at home if possible while plans to move education to online learning are underway
- Federal Government has said all Australians must comply with social distancing rules to slow the spread of coronavirus — new measures came into effect at midday Monday 23rd March, 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
Coronavirus Health Information Line
Call this line if you are seeking information on novel coronavirus. The line operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
1800 020 080
Article supplied with thanks to Hope Media
- About the Author: Clare is a digital journalist for the Broadcast Industry.