Lockdown restrictions in Australia’s state of Victoria will ease very slightly as of Monday, state officials said, as the number of new daily coronavirus cases continued to fall in the country’s hotspot.
Announcing a A$3 billion ($2.2 billion) package in financial aid to businesses in Victoria, home to a quarter of Australia’s population, officials also said there were 41 new coronavirus infections on Sunday and seven more deaths.
The numbers confirm a steady downward trend from a peak of more than 700 cases in a single day in early August. Victoria accounts for about 75% of Australia’s more than 26,600 Covid-19 cases and its capital, Melbourne, has been under strict lockdown for several weeks.
The city will remain under hard lockdown, but the amount of time people will be able to spend outside will double to two hours per day and the overnight curfew will be shortened by an hour as of Monday.
“They are small steps, but that’s what’s safe, absolutely appropriate, with numbers still coming down, but (remaining) too high to open up,” Victoria Premier Daniel Andrews told a televised briefing.
Businesses, primarily hospitality, retail and tourism firms, which have been either fully closed or had operations substantially scaled down, will have access to grants and tax relief through the state’s largest business support package so far, he announced.
“It is unprecedented because the challenge we face is unprecedented,” Andrews said. “No one is enjoying the reality we face, but none of us have the option of ignoring the reality that we face.”
Victoria accounts for about a quarter of Australia’s annual economic output.
In neighbouring New South Wales, Australia’s most populous state, where social distancing rules are much more relaxed and retailers and restaurants are allowed to open, officials recorded nine new cases of the novel coronavirus on Sunday.
($1 = 1.3731 Australian dollars)
Latest Stories
-
Let’s prioritize research quality in higher education institutions for industrial growth-Prof. Nathaniel Boso
1 hour -
Herman Suede is set to release ‘How Dare You’ on April 24
5 hours -
Heal KATH: Kuapa Kokoo, Association of Garages donate 120k to support project
5 hours -
KNUST signs MOU with Valco Trust Fund, Bekwai Municipal Hospital to build student hostel
5 hours -
The influence Ronaldo has on people, Cadman Yamoah will have same on the next generation – Coach Goodwin
6 hours -
Gender Advocate Emelia Naa Ayeley Aryee Wins prestigious Merck Foundation Awards
7 hours -
South Africa bursary scandal suspects granted bail
7 hours -
Ecobank successfully repays $500m Eurobond due April 18
8 hours -
Re: Doe Adjaho, Torgbui Samlafo IV, call for Unity among Paramountcies in Anlo
8 hours -
Extortion and kidnap – a deadly journey across Mexico into the US
8 hours -
Rihanna says fashion has helped her personal ‘rediscovery’ after having children
8 hours -
Development Bank Ghana targets GH¢1bn funding for commercial banks in 2024
8 hours -
Shatta Movement apologises to Ghana Society of the Physically Disabled after backlash
9 hours -
Sammy Gyamfi writes: Tema-Mpakadan Railway Project; A railway line to nowhere
9 hours -
Bright Simons: Is the World Bank saving or harming Ghana?
10 hours