Restrictions lift for people entering NSW from ACT and QLD

October 15, 2021

(See Translation in Arabic Section)

Sydney-M E Times Int'l:  From 11.59pm today (Thursday 14 October), restrictions for people entering NSW from the ACT will be eased.

Under changes to the concerns notice, the ACT will no longer be considered an area of concern or affected area and people entering from the ACT will no longer need to complete a declaration form on entry into NSW or follow stay-at-home rules on arrival.

This change is in line with the ACT Government’s decision to lift its stay-at-home restrictions.

ACT residents will be subject to the same rules as people in NSW. People who live in regional LGAs can travel anywhere in regional NSW but cannot enter Greater Sydney without a reasonable excuse. People cannot leave Greater Sydney except with a reasonable excuse. Holidays and outdoor recreation are not reasonable excuses.

Additionally, due to low rates of community transmission, Queensland will no longer be considered an affected area and Queensland residents will no longer need to complete a declaration form on entry into NSW. People visiting from Queensland will also be subject to the same rules as people in NSW.

There are still places of high concern (close and casual contact venues) in Queensland and the ACT. People who have been to these venues at the relevant time and date must follow the rules for close and casual contacts.

The BOM has asked residents to prepare for hurricanes and hail in parts of NSW

Sydney: A Stormy Thursday awaits millions of Australians with the risk of Hail, Damaging Winds, Heavy rainfall and even Tornadoes.

A severe thunderstorm warning issued for parts of New South Wales has been updated with the Bureau of Meterology confirming the the wild conditions are "easing for now".

Residents of Western Sydney have taken to social media in droves to share pictures and videos of a violent storm hitting the area.

In a new tweet, BOM confirmed "Very Dangerous thunderstorm quickly moving off the coast, with conditions easing for now."

The Bureau of Meteorology, NSW issued an urgent weather warning on Twitter, writing "URGENT UPDATE: Multiple #thunderstorms are currently, or about to, impact major population centres, incl #Sydney".

VIC Premier Andrews: 'Case numbers today will not affect the state's roadmap to reopening'

Melbourne: Premier Daniel Andrews says Victoria remains on track to follow its roadmap out of lockdown next week, despite the state recording an all-time high of 2,297 new COVID-19 cases and 11 deaths.

It is the highest single-day total recorded by an Australian state or territory during the pandemic.

There are now 20,505 active cases of the virus in Victoria, and 125 people have died during the current Delta outbreak.

The new cases were identified from 82,762 test results received by health authorities yesterday.

They take the state's seven-day case average to about 1,806, which remains within the Burnet Institute's modelled peak of between 1,400 to 2,900 towards the end of this month.

But the figure dampens hopes of a turning point which were raised earlier this week after the state saw three consecutive days of declining daily case tallies.

Chief Health Officer Brett Sutton said on Wednesday while he expected cases to start trending downwards, it would be "a bit of a bumpy numbers ride day-to-day".

Mr Andrews stressed this morning that today's case numbers would not affect the state's roadmap to reopening, which will see Melbourne's lockdown lift when the state hits its 70 per cent full-vaccination target next week.

"We are going to deliver the roadmap," he said, adding that there could be "additional steps" made possible by the surging vaccination rate.

Hydrogen Strategy Can Make Australia an Energy Super Power

Sydney: The NSW Hydrogen Strategy can catapult Australia in to being an Energy super Power

These were revelations made by NSW Premier, Dominic Perrottet at the launch of the NSW Hydrogen Strategy.

“Australia has an opportunity to be an energy superpower, New South Wales will lead the country with this hydrogen strategy,” Mr Perrottet said.

“Our major trading partners see hydrogen as part of their energy future, this state has the skills, infrastructure and renewable energy resources to compete globally in this new industry.”

Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW Paul Toole said that, ““Places like Parkes, the Illawarra, and the Upper Hunter are uniquely placed to take advantage of these opportunities, with existing supply lines, access to transport links and a skilled workforce ready to make regional NSW a leader in hydrogen technology.”

The Hydrogen Strategy is expected not only to generate billions of dollars in income but it will also help solve emission problems by half.

Treasurer and Energy Minister Matt Kean said that the strategy, which will provide up to $3 billion in incentives, will set the State up as a global hydrogen leader and is forecast to increase the size of the NSW economy by more than $600 million by 2030.

“Hydrogen will not only help the State halve our emissions by 2030 and get to net zero by 2050, it will create new opportunities for our heavy industry, and an economic bonanza of investment and jobs,” Mr Kean said.

“This strategy is forecast to more than halve the cost of green hydrogen production in NSW and will make NSW the best place to invest in hydrogen in the world.”

Meanwhile the Fortescue Future Industries Chairman and Founder, Dr Andrew Forrest AO commended the initiative stating, “NSW is taking a state leadership position providing clear pathways for how renewable hydrogen can deliver for Australian businesses, Australian jobs, communities, and our children’s future.

A copy of the strategy is available HERE.

 Australian region makes vaccine mandatory for service workers

Sydney: Shopworkers, tourist guides and barbers are among dozens of groups who must get Covid-19 shots to work in Australia's Northern Territory, officials announced Wednesday, unveiling one of the world's most far-reaching vaccine mandates.

Expressing concern at low coronavirus jab rates in some communities, the Territory's chief minister Michael Gunner announced "anyone serving the public at work will have to be vaccinated".

It is home to a large number of Aboriginal and other vulnerable remote communities.

"I am making sure we do everything possible to get everyone vaccinated," Gunner said.

By Christmas Eve, anyone working with the public must be fully vaccinated or face a Aus$5,000 (US$3,700) fine and instant dismissal.

"A Barber, hairdresser beauty therapist you need to get the jab... (if) you are a frontline worker in the economy, that means you must be vaccinated."

Indonesia's capital has announced fines for refusing a vaccine and Fiji has a policy of "no jab, no job" for all government workers.

But the Northern Territory's rules go further than most democracies.

"One day, perhaps one day soon, it will be here and it will stay here. We're going to have to live with it," Gunner said.

AFIC agrees to Perrottet request to cancel Taliban forum

Sydney: NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet has contacted the Australian Federation of Islamic Councils (AFIC) over its plans to host two members of the Taliban for an online forum intended for the Australian Muslim community.

In a joint statement, Mr Perrottet and Minister for Sport, Multiculturalism, Seniors and Veterans Natalie Ward wrote that they asked AFIC to cancel the event and they agreed to do so.

“The New South Wales community is currently opening its arms to refugees and Australian repatriates from Afghanistan,” their statement read.

“We join Muslim community leaders in NSW, and especially Afghan community leaders, in condemning events of this kind.

 “We are relieved for all members of our community that this event has been cancelled and look forward to a continued constructive relationship with AFIC.”

Keeping seniors connected as Covid Restrictions lift

Sydney: Seniors facing social isolation are the focus of a fast-tracked $600,000 funding boost by the NSW Government, as COVID restrictions begin to ease.

Minister for Seniors Natalie Ward said Round Two of the Reducing Social Isolation for Seniors Grant Program will fund community groups to provide activities which keep older people active and engaged.

“We’ve brought this program forward from next June because it’s clear seniors have been through an incredibly difficult time during COVID,” Mrs Ward said.

“Now that restrictions are starting to ease it’s important our seniors re-establish meaningful connections as soon as possible.

“Community links can be a lifeline, in particular for older people who might live alone or be isolated from their family or friends.”

Previous funding recipients included a gardening club, Aboriginal elder organisations providing one-on-one support, online dance groups and home-delivered craft kits.

Grants of up to $60,000 will go towards new and existing programs that promote seniors’ social inclusion. Projects must have a COVID-safe plan and run until December 2022.

Social inclusion is a key priority of the Ageing Well in NSW: Seniors Strategy 2021-2031.

Applications for the Reducing Social Isolation for Seniors Grant Program open today and close on Monday, 15 November.

For more information and to apply, see: facs.nsw.gov.au/inclusion/seniors

Minister Ward: "Sydney is sending a message to the world - we're back."

Sydney: A crowd of more than 22,000 fully vaccinated fans will be able to experience first hand the return of international sport to Sydney, after the capacity limit for the showdown games between the Matildas and Brazil was increased to 75 percent.

Minister for Sport Natalie Ward said an exemption was signed off last night, allowing the crowd to be boosted from 5000 to 22,500 for the matches on Saturday, 23 October and Tuesday, 26 October at CommBank Stadium.

“We’re all desperate to see Sydney regain its rightful crown as the sporting capital of Australia and I can’t think of a better showcase than the upcoming Matildas versus Brazil blockbuster games,” Mrs Ward said.

“Robust COVID-safe plans mean crowd numbers can be more than quadrupled from our original expectations, which is a fantastic result for our football fans.

“We’ve all missed the roar of the crowds and I can’t wait to hear the sound of Matildas fans cheering on their heroes.

“Sydney is sending a message to the world - we are back.”

Football Australia Chief Executive Officer James Johnson said this new arrangement paved the way for international sport in Australia.

“This is a groundbreaking announcement for Australian football, following the NSW Government’s approval of our submission to host these matches in Sydney within the 14-day mandatory quarantine period,” Mr Johnson said.

“The Commonwealth Bank Matildas are also presented with an opportunity to break their last attendance record set at the same venue back in November 2019, when 20,029 fans attended.”

South West Rocks restaurant sold black-market seafood

Sydney: A restaurant on the NSW mid-north coast has come under fire and been slapped with $4300 worth of fines after a court found it sold black-market seafood.

The South West Rocks restaurant’s former owner and head chef both pleaded guilty to two counts each of failing to produce prescribed records for a commercial quantity of fish.

The operation unfolded in May 2019 after Hastings district Fisheries officers attended the restaurant and cafe and conducted a post-harvest inspection.

NSW The on-premises audit targeted the possession and supply of black-market seafood after a member of the public made a complaint.

An inspection of the seafood for sale led to NSW Fisheries officers seizing 23 mud crabs, 35 blue swimmer crabs, two coral crabs and two Balmain bugs because the former owner and head chef couldn’t provide the prescribed records to possess and sell the crustaceans.

The duo appeared in the Kempsey Local Court and were sentenced on September 20.

They were fined $4300 and court costs.

NSW DPI Fisheries said the restaurant found itself in “hot water” over the dodgy seafood.

Brain cancer program announced in Australia

Sydney: Brain Cancer Foundation CEO Lance Kawaguchi says the brain cancer dedicated clinical accelerator program, announced by Australia’s leading brain cancer organisation, will be the “largest clinical accelerator globally”.

“Most people don’t realise that brain cancer is the number one killer of children and also Australians under the age of 40 and there really hasn’t been any new treatments over the past 30 years,” Mr Kawaguchi told media Australia.

“So, what we’re trying to do is encourage up and coming biotechs here in Australia and also in New Zealand to really get bold and try to bring their treatments as quickly as possible so we can help them get to phase one … onwards.”