There’s more optimism this morning on Australia’s efforts to limit the spread of coronavirus.
For the first time since the pandemic began there’ve been no new reported cases in a 24 hour period in Australia’s worst affected state New South Wales
The news comes while there are more announcements about restrictions gradually being lifted in different states and territories. So while there’ve been close to 100 deaths here in Australia, there is this growing sense of hope about a managed transition back to some form of normality.
In this update:
0:45 The government is predicting a quarter of a million jobs could return within weeks, as the country slowly eases restrictions.At midday eastern standard time – the Treasurer, Josh Frydenberg, will outline the full economic impact of the pandemic.
0:58 In Victoria, face to face classes will resume for the youngest and oldest students on May 26. All other pupils will return on June 9. Children of essential workers can all still attend classes.
1:10 The aged care sector has drawn up a new code to govern visits to residential care homes. The aim is to create a nationally consistent approach.
1:20 Russian President Vladimir Putin has ended the nationwide lockdown saying his country must get back to work. Russia has the third-highest number of cases in the world with 221,000 infections and more than 1,800 deaths.
1:35 In France, people are able to walk outside for the first time in eight weeks without a permit. Selected businesses have also reopened. Many hairdressers opened their doors seconds after midnight for customers desperate for a trim.
1:49 The AFL will soon announce its plans to resume the 2020 season. A number of obstacles have been cleared, but plenty still remain before a ball can be bounced.
In more detail:
2:00 Reporter Lara Hyams has more information about the situation in NSW.
6:27 Political reporter Nour Haydar from Canberra – Treasurer Josh Frydenberg says state economies could lose hundreds of millions of dollars a week if harsh restrictions need to be reimposed. Parliament is sitting again for the first time in a month, and the treasurer will give a speech outlining the toll the coronavirus is having on the Nations economy.
11:08 Russia’s President Vladimir Putin wants his country to get back to work despite the number of coronavirus infections continuing to rise. President Putin has called on the regions to ease restrictions and says construction, agriculture and energy sectors should be the first to reopen. Russia has registered its highest daily increase in cases and is now the fourth-most affected country in the world by number of infections.
11:34 India has reported its largest daily increase in coronavirus cases since the outbreak began. More than 4,200 new cases have been detected in the past day, taking the country’s total more than 67,000. The increase comes as India’s vast rail network, which transports more than 8-billion passengers a year, begins gradually resuming service. Passengers must wear masks and pass health screenings before being allowed to board and trains will make fewer stops than usual.
12:06 James Glenday reports – US President Donald Trump insists his administration is in control, as coronavirus cases appear in the White House. Staff in the West Wing are being directed to wear face masks at work after an aide to the Vice President, Mike Pence tested positive for COVID-19.
14:20 France has cautiously begun to lift its lockdown with millions back at work after eight weeks of restrictions. Shops have reopened pupils are returning to primary schools and people can leave home without a permit. But some parts of the country including Paris remain under tighter controls, with the country split into green and red zones.
14:42 The world health organisation has again cautioned against lifting restrictions too soon. Many countries are beginning to ease lockdowns but some such as South Korea and Germany have seen jumps in new cases following the changes.
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