Victorians wake to grim life under stage four lockdown 04/08/2020 Melbourne - M E Times Int'l: More than 200,000 Victorians are waking up to life without a job for at least the next six weeks, as the Andrews government again shuts down the state's economy in a desperate attempt to stem the tide of the pandemic. The list of businesses allowed to remain open through stage four includes supermarkets, bottle shops, pharmacies, banks, newsagencies and petrol stations. All retail stores will be shut from 11:59pm on Wednesday, as well as hairdressers, cleaners and car washes for at least the next six weeks, and construction work will be significantly pared back. 
PM announces $1500 disaster payment Canberra: Prime Minister Scott Morrison has urged Australians to lend an "elbow of support" to Victorians, describing the stage four lockdown as "heartbreaking". Mr Morrison unveiled a $1500 disaster payment for Victorian workers forced to self-isolate who did not have enough sick leave left or didn't qualify for other government subsidies, ensuring they had no financial incentive to break isolation. The Prime Minister acknowledged new measures would take a heavy toll on Victorian workers, business owners and families. 
Mayor Steve Christou was shocked over Auburn Gallipoli Mosque Sydney: A western Sydney mayor has slammed the state government for allowing 400 Muslim worshippers to gather last week. Cumberland Mayor Steve Christou said he was shocked to learn the state government granted Auburn Gallipoli Mosque an exemption for Eid al-Adha prayers on Friday. Mayor Christou said his local government council was not forewarned about the gathering and said he was “absolutely livid” as it could put thousands of lives at risk. “This kind of behavior from the state is inexcusable and I am absolutely livid that they would potentially jeopardise the health and wellbeing of our residents and the health of greater Sydney residents,” he said. 
Albanese insists govt cannot cancel next parliamentary sitting Canberra: Labor leader Anthony Albanese says the government must ensure parliament on August 24 will go ahead because “there’s a range of questions that need answers”. Prime Minister Scott Morrison agreed to cancel the August 4 sitting fortnight over increasing coronavirus concerns, a move Mr Albanese argued could not be repeated. “We are prepared to be flexible on these matters, but we do need to meet because there’s a range of questions that need answers, and the first is aged care,” he said. 
Pauline Hanson to table petition to curb foreign ownership Canberra: One Nation Leader Pauline Hanson says she is planning to table a petition to the Senate to curb foreign ownership because Australia cannot afford foreigners "to buy up our businesses." “We’ve now got 7,500 signatures on that petition," Ms Hanson said. “As I’ve always said, no one should own our gas, water, electricity, telecommunications and any part of our defense by any foreign interest at all, they should be in the hands of the government for the people, at a cost price plus a bit more to cover maintenance costs. “We’ve allowed these assets to be bought up, especially by China – and I think it’s wrong, and China is not just Chinese investment, but we’re talking about the Chinese government that has bought up a lot of our assets.” Ms Hanson said foreign investment is costing Australia jobs and money. 
Donald Trump vows not to order Americans to wear masks US President Donald Trump has vowed not to order Americans to wear masks to contain the spread of coronavirus. His comments came after the country's top infectious disease expert, Dr Anthony Fauci, urged state and local leaders to be "as forceful as possible" in getting people to wear masks. Wearing face coverings, Dr Fauci added, is "really important" and "we should be using them, everyone". The wearing of face coverings has become highly politicised in the US. The majority of state governors have now ordered that the wearing of masks outdoors be mandatory, rather than a personal choice. 
Kmart ‘strongly recommending’ customers wear masks in NSW stores Sydney: Kmart has become the latest in a string of stores to ask its NSW customers to begin wearing masks while they shop. The new directive is not mandatory but is “strongly encouraged” for customers and staff. “This week, to help keep our teams, customers and community safe, we’re strongly encouraging team members and customers to wear face coverings when working with or visiting us in store,” an email sent to customers on Monday read. 
Hundreds to isolate after students test positive for COVID-19 at two Sydney schools Sydney: Contact tracing is under way after two students from a school in Sydney’s southwest and another at a school in western Sydney tested positive for COVID-19, sending hundreds of staff and students into isolation. Greenway Park Public School in Carnes Hill, west of Casula, is closed for deep cleaning. The before-and-after-school care program has been cancelled. Bonnyrigg High School, in Sydney’s west, has also closed after a student returned a positive test. 
Woman dies in stabbing at unit in Oatlands, man arrested Sydney: A woman has died after suffering multiple stab injuries at a home in Sydney's north-west. Paramedics performed CPR on the woman, aged in her 30s, at the Oatlands unit on Ingleby Street. She was taken to Westmead Hospital but has since died. A 25-year-old man who was known to the woman was arrested at the scene and has been taken to Granville Police Station for questioning. NSW Police Chief Inspector Adam Philipps described the woman's injuries as "significant". 
Melbourne construction industry to be drastically scaled back Melbourne: Victoria's construction industry will not shut down completely, but will be drastically scaled back when tough lockdown restrictions come into effect. Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews announced sections of the construction industry would operate at a reduced capacity as the state grappled to overcome the spread of COVID-19. Mr Andrews announced new widescale stage four lockdowns would come into effect in Metropolitan Melbourne from midnight Wednesday. The Premier said while the construction industry was in many respects "the lifeblood of the Victorian economy," the sector would be impacted by the lockdowns. |
