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Australian states tighten borders as community transmissions grow – as it happened

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Schools and aged care homes closed after two women who returned to Brisbane from Melbourne test positive. This blog is now closed

 Updated 
Wed 29 Jul 2020 05.31 EDTFirst published on Tue 28 Jul 2020 17.28 EDT
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We’ll leave it there for now. Thanks for reading. Stay safe, and see you tomorrow. (And if you’re in Melbourne, wear a mask!)

Summary

Let’s take a look at today’s main developments.

  • Victoria recorded nine new deaths and 295 new infections. The second figure is a reduction on previous days.
  • NSW recorded 19 new cases, with a cluster in the inner suburb of Potts Point growing.
  • Queensland closed its borders to greater Sydney, as the state recorded three new cases and closed all aged care homes to visitors for 48 hours.
  • The consumer price index fell 1.9% in the June quarter, the largest fall in its 70-year history.
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NRL boss Peter V’landys insists NSW’s Covid-19 contact tracing means NRL players can stay in the state long term after receiving confirmation they can continue flying into Queensland.

Queensland premier Annastacia Palaszczuk on Wednesday announced the state would close its borders to all residents of greater Sydney on Saturday from 1:00am.

However, the NRL received confirmation on Wednesday evening it would remain exempt from the changes.

It means the 10 Sydney-based teams will continue to be chartered to Queensland to play without staying overnight, reports AAP.

Queensland teams will also be able to make the same trip in reverse, with players on both sides of the Tweed still in their bubbles.

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In case you’ve been following this.

We have zero cases in Canberra. I followed every rule, as did every citizen that lives with me in the ACT. Maybe do some research you pelican.

— Nicholas Kyrgios (@NickKyrgios) July 29, 2020

Don't know what Health Dept did setting standards for the guards, training them. Inquiry will tell us. Crisis management worked with the Stamford. Systemic response failed. Cheap casuals shld never have been as poorly trained and as poorly supervised. #springst #COVIDVIC19
2/2

— Rafael Epstein (@Raf_Epstein) July 29, 2020

You may remember the viral social media video last week in which a woman called Eve refused to answer police questions at a Covid checkpoint.

Well, she has now been arrested.

At the time, Eve said she wanted to stand up for the rights of her “brothers and sisters here on earth”, and the officers at the time allowed her to pass through the checkpoint.

She went on to boast about the encounter on social media and police later said they wished to speak to her.

Today, Black was spotted driving through Carlton. Police say she once again refused to give her name or licence, or wind down her window or step out of the car. The officers broke her car window in the process of arresting her.

Channel Seven reports she has been released but is expected to be charged with traffic offences and breaching a Covid checkpoint.

The COVID-denier involved in a checkpoint stunt has been arrested. https://t.co/77dStEsB8m @tdolling #7NEWS pic.twitter.com/VhCvfzU5GX

— 7NEWS Melbourne (@7NewsMelbourne) July 29, 2020
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We welcome the Prime Minister asking the Attorney to discuss with us paid pandemic leave for all workers. This initiative is a key part of our defence against the spread of Covid19. It will save lives and jobs

— Sally McManus (@sallymcmanus) July 29, 2020

The prime minister, Scott Morrison, revealed today that he has asked the attorney general to discuss paid pandemic leave with unions and business.

This has been a key demand of unions for months.

Paul Karp has filed this report on the PM’s comments today – and what they could mean.

Prime minister Scott Morrison at a press conference in the PM’s courtyard of Parliament House in Canberra this morning. Photograph: Mike Bowers/The Guardian
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The Australian share market has closed lower as investors wait for a crucial meeting of the US Federal Reserve.

After climbing as much as 0.5% in early trading on the back of gains in banking stocks, the benchmark S&P/ASX200 index finished Wednesday down 14.1 points, or 0.23% lower, at 6,006.4 points.

The All Ordinaries index was dropped by 18.8 points, or 0.31%, at 6,128.

Traders were waiting for an announcement from the US central bank on interest rates, due to take place in the early hours of Thursday, Australian time, AAP reported.

The Australian Stock Exchange in Sydney. Photograph: Joel Carrett/AAP
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Victoria update: Stats and outbreaks

Here are some data points and other facts that caught my eye in today’s update from the Victorian Department of Health and Human Services.

Active cases related to aged care increased to 804, up from 769 from yesterday. As my colleague Melissa Davey noted, health workers cases have also increased by 81 infections, to 502.

Of the top five aged care outbreaks:

  • 91 cases have been linked to Estia Aged Care Facility in Ardeer (+3 from yesterday).
  • 89 cases have been linked to St Basil’s Home for the Aged in Fawkner (+3).
  • 86 cases have been linked to Epping Gardens Aged Care in Epping (+4).
  • 79 cases have been linked to Kirkbrae Presbyterian Homes in Kilsyth (+3).
  • 62 cases have been linked to Menarock Life Aged Care Facility in Essendon (no change).
Estia Health Aged Care Facility. Photograph: Daniel Pockett/EPA

And other key outbreaks:

  • 100 cases have been linked to Somerville Retail Services in Tottenham (+1).
  • 100 cases have been linked to Bertocchi Smallgoods in Thomastown (+11).
  • 78 cases have been linked to JBS in Brooklyn (+2).
  • 51 cases have been linked to Australian Lamb Company in Colac (+1).
  • 29 cases have been linked to Woolworths Distribution Centre Mulgrave (no change).
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I thought it was worth recapping the commentary from Victorian and federal politicians about the situation in aged care. It is hard to overstate the difference in their positions on the question of whether residents are safe in aged care homes.

The commonwealth, through ministers Greg Hunt and Richard Colbeck, say families should have confidence their families will be safe in residents aged care.

The Victorian premier, Daniel Andrews, had a very different position on Tuesday. Asked if he would want his mother to live in an aged care facility in Victoria, he said.

Some of the stories we’ve seen are unacceptable and I wouldn’t want my mum in some of those places.

I would not let my mum be in some of these places. I just wouldn’t. But that’s not a decision I have to make at the moment because she’s living at home and she’s very happy to be at home.

Victorian premier Daniel Andrews speaks to the media during a press conference in Melbourne, 29 July, 2020. Photograph: Daniel Pockett/AAP

Asked the same question yesterday, federal health minister, Greg Hunt, said: “My father lived in one, yes.”

“It’s a difficult decision for any family and it’s a difficult time.”

And the idea that our carers, that our nurses are not providing that care, I think, is a dangerous statement to make. They are wonderful human beings and I won’t hear a word against them.

Aged care minister Richard Colbeck today added that families “can have confidence in the sector more broadly across Victoria”.

I wouldn’t agree with you that it is not safe to have a family member in an aged care facility in Victoria.

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Some nice moody shots from today’s Victorian press conference, featuring chief health officer, Brett Sutton, and the premier, Daniel Andrews.

These were taken by AAP’s Daniel Pockett.

Victorian Chief Health Officer Brett Sutton looks on as Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews speaks to the media during a press conference in Melbourne, Wednesday, July 29, 2020. Victoria has recorded 295 new cases of COVID-19 and nine more deaths, taking the national death toll to 176. (AAP Image/Daniel Pockett) Photograph: Daniel Pockett/AAP
Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews arrives to speak to the media during a press conference in Melbourne, Wednesday, July 29, 2020. Victoria has recorded another 295 cases of coronavirus and nine deaths, authorities have confirmed.. (AAP Image/Daniel Pockett) Photograph: Daniel Pockett/AAP

Tighter restrictions will be in place for gyms in NSW from Saturday, including the requirement of a permanent on-site hygiene marshal to ensure social distancing, equipment cleaning and hand sanitiser availability.

This includes 24/7 gyms that are otherwise unstaffed at certain periods, AAP reports.

A Fitness First gym in Kings Cross on Tuesday confirmed one person who attended the gym for a class on 20 July had tested positive.

Two infected Thai Rock Potts Point diners also visited the nearby Cruising Yacht Club Australia in Rushcutters Bay on 23 July, 24 July and 26 July.

The prestigious members-only club, which is the home of the annual Sydney-to-Hobart race, has closed until 1 August for deep cleaning.

New South Wales health workers carry out Covid-19 tests at a pop-up clinic at Rushcutters Bay in Sydney, Australia, 29 July 2020. Photograph: Dean Lewins/EPA
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