Australia’s second biggest state, Victoria will continue its lockdown for at least another seven days.
Victoria’s Acting Premier, James Merlino, confirmed that current restrictions will remain in place for the next seven days for Metropolitan Melbourne.
However, restrictions in regional Victoria will ease from Friday, the date lockdown was initially meant to end for the entire state.
“On the advice of the Chief Health Officer Professor Sutton the current restrictions remain in place for Melbourne for a further seven days with some small changes,” Merlino said.
It comes as a growing cluster of coronavirus cases balloons to over 60, with over 350 exposure sites.
It’s believed the COVID cluster is from the Indian variant which escaped hotel quarantine in South Australia weeks earlier.
Business support packages announced
Victoria is requesting JobKeeper-style support from the federal government.
The State Government will increase its business support packages from $2,500 to $5,000, with an additional $209 million support package.
“We have also renewed our request to the Commonwealth to activate a JobKeeper-style support for Victorians who have been impacted by these restrictions,”
MERLINO SAID.
He “hoped” the federal government would “step up” and the President of the Australian Council of Trade Unions, Michele O’Neil, says the ‘government must take responsibility’
President of the Australian Council of Trade Unions, Michele O’Neil on ticker news.
O’Neil says government officials should be working day and night like the state’s essential workers.
“They’re not stopping, but the government seems to be asleep at the wheel,” she says.
“We’re 16 months into a pandemic, and not put in place fit-for-purpose quarantine facilities… is a disgrace.”
O’Neil says the easiest thing the government can do to support Victorians is re-instate JobKeeper “with the level it was last year” for individuals who were out of work. That payment was $1500 a fortnight.
However, she adds that the financial support also needs to be extended to people who were not eligible last year for JobKeeper payments.
“Like casual and visa workers, who literally have no money coming in… people can’t live on nothing, we need to support people,”
O’Neil said.
“If this lockdown continues indefinitely, It’s going to break this state”
Victoria’s State Opposition leader, Michael O’Brien spoke to tickerNEWS before the lockdown was officially announced on Tuesday afternoon.
#COVID19Vic | "If this lockdown continues indefinitely, It's going to break this state"
He called for an end to state-wide lockdown, and says the state government is playing the “blame game”
O’Brien comments on the federal government’s budget allocation to victoria.
“The federal Gov’t will reconsider its position” Vic Opposition Leader @michaelobrienmp says he speaks with Aus treasurer @JoshFrydenberg regularly and has ‘no doubt’ he will consider federal assistance for Victorians.
O’BRIEN ON THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT financial assistance to victoria.
O’Brien says “the point is, we have an issue to deal with now” and “probably” could have done better on both a state and federal level in terms of the state’s vaccine rollout.
O’Brien on the vaccine rollout in victoria.
Covid cases reported in neighbouring state of NSW
Victorian health officials have now alerted their counterparts in NSW that positive cases have crossed the border.
The Treasury Secretary is warning of “downside risks” to the budget’s upbeat projections due to the lockdown.
Many casual workers have been stood down without pay or federal government support, other than unemployment benefits.
In an industry constantly looking towards the future, anniversary re-releases offer a welcome opportunity to celebrate the past.
In an era of nostalgia, anniversary re-releases of classic films like “Star Wars Episode 1: The Phantom Menace,” “Spider-Man 2,” and “Shrek 2” are captivating audiences anew.
From the thrill of podracing to the iconic battles between heroes and villains, these films offer a chance to relive cherished moments on the big screen.
Tobey Maguire’s Spider-Man swings back into action, Shrek and his crew return for another hilarious adventure, and the galaxy far, far away beckons once more.
As fans of all ages flock to theaters, these timeless classics remind us why great storytelling endures, bridging generations and captivating audiences with their magic.
TikTok’s fate in the United States has never been more in doubt.
Congress approved a bill, which President Joe Biden signed into law that gives its Chinese parent company two options: sell it to an approved buyer or see it banned.
But now, the owners of the popular social media app says they’re preparing to challenge the statute in court.
Andy Keiser a Senior Fellow at the National Security Institute, and a Former Senior Advisor for the House Intelligence Committee joins Veronica Dudo to discuss. #IN AMERICA TODAY #featured #business #socialmedia #TikTok #TikTokban #nationalsecurity
New research shows the impact of alcohol on our gut microbiome.
Alcohol affects gut microbes, potentially leading to gut imbalance and heightened cravings.
Research suggests moderate drinkers have healthier gut microbiomes. While red wine consumption may enhance gut diversity, similar benefits can be found in plant-based and fermented foods. Dysbiosis may worsen addiction, highlighting the need for holistic approaches to treatment.
