Federal Treasurer Josh Frydenberg has warned the coronavirus lockdowns in Melbourne could cost the national economy $1 billion per week.
Follow today’s events as they unfold.
Live updates
By Dannielle Maguire
Should the Melbourne lockdown have happened sooner?
University of NSW infection control expert Louise McLaws ison ABC News Mornings at the moment. She was whether the lockdown should have been brought in earlier.
Here’s what she said:
“It’s very difficult for any authority to be proactive rather than reactive because they’re always going to be criticised.
“But as an epidemiologist, of course, we like to be proactive and then criticise later.”
She said we started to see signs of a spike two-and-half weeks ago:
“And had these started to do some restrictions then, they would have been criticised — absolutely. But they may well have prevented further spread.
“But, of course, we do know it takes often one to two weeks for you to see the full picture. So retrospectively, absolutely it could have been done earlier.
“Politically, it’s always very difficult to decide when to do this.”
By Dannielle Maguire
Long waits at NSW-Victorian border
We’re hearing reports this morning that people are waiting up to an hour to get through the checkpoints at the NSW-Victoria border.
Police officers have been stopping every car that has been trying to enter NSW.
Kane from Wodonga says he has already been waiting 50 minutes and hasn’t made it across the border yet.
“I’m totally understanding of the situation and unfortunately this is what it takes to try to make for a healthier society,” he told the ABC.
“But I didn’t think this closure of the border would happen in my lifetime.”
If you’re needing to cross at one of those key checkpoints today, please be patient and perhaps pack a cheeky morning tea for the road so you don’t get hungry in the queue.
By Dannielle Maguire
How much sleep has Dan Andrews had in the last week? Feel bad for the guy!
-Blurry eyed
Look, I’ve had a few restless sleeps when blogging has crept into my dreams, so I shudder to think about the quality of sleep our state and federal leaders might be having right now.
I hope they’re getting enough rest!
By Dannielle Maguire
Key Event
Victorian Premier to speak at 10: 30am
We’ve already heard from Victoria’s Premier Daniel Andrews on ABC News Breakfast this morning, but he will be holding a press conference at 10: 30am.
He’ll be joined by Minister for Police, Lisa Neville.
By Dannielle Maguire
Let’s tackle a few of your questions
Hi Danielle, loving this blog and the work of the ABC. Can I drive to a Park in a neighbouring suburb (or one a couple of suburbs across) to meet 1 friend and go for a socially distanced walk with a friend? Or am I only allowed to walk in the streets/parkland around my home. Wishing for a full day on the blog but fear otherwise.
-Always Been Unsure
I hope I can give you a bit more certainty Always Been Unsure.
You CAN go for a socially-distanced walk with a mate — the rules say you can exercise outside with one other person OR the members of your household. But you can’t leave the Melbourne or Mitchell Shire to do that exercise. You should also keep 1.5 metres apart and avoid sharing equipment.
Good morning! Will my girlfriend and I be allowed to visit each other at our homes in Metropolitan Melbourne? We both have other people that we live with, and we’re uncertain about the current restrictions. Thanks for your help!
-Fred
Partners living separately can visit each other at home. And you can travel to or from the Melbourne metropolitan area or the Shire of Mitchell to visit them, but you have to stay within their home once you get there unless you’re leaving for those four reasons we’re going to keep hearing about (buying essentials; study or work; getting care or receiving care; or exercise)
The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) doesn’t say anything about housemates, so it sounds like you’re in the clear there Fred.
Firstly thanks for all your hard work. This blog has been a lifeline. I was wondering if playgrounds will be closed again? I assume they will, but didn’t hear it mentioned. Thanks!
-Hopeful Parent
Sorry Hopeful Parent, it looks like they will be closed. While I haven’t been able to find anything about playgrounds on the most recent list of restrictions, we did see playgrounds closed when the 10 postcodes went into lockdown last week.
By Dannielle Maguire
Space to play or pause, M to mute, left and right arrows to seek, up and down arrows for volume.
By Dannielle Maguire
What about Tasmania’s borders?
The Premier Peter Gutwein is expected to detail on Friday which states will be permitted to travel to