Daily News Roundup

July 17, 2020

FRIDAY JULY 17

Victoria has reported another record increase in coronavirus cases with 428 new cases confirmed overnight, and NSW has announced COVID-19 restrictions introduced to pubs will be extended to restaurants, bars, cafes and clubs

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews said he has no time for those who would disobey or bend quarantine restriction rules to suit themselves.

 

“There are clear rules but even then, I will say to those people trying to find ways around the rules: that is not helpful, that is not going to do anything to pull this virus up.

 

“We just must use common sense, for ourselves, for our families, for our community, for every single Victorian family.

 

“And if that is not enough of a motivation, then to get out of these restrictions quickly, let’s follow the rules and use good judgement and common sense over these next five or so weeks.

 

“This is simple in many respects. Small things for many people but they do make a really big difference in the number of people who would be infected, the length of time that we will be in lockdown and the likelihood or otherwise of having to add to these rules with further restrictions, further frustration, further difficulties for so many people.”

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian said the new COVID-19 restrictions introduced to pubs will be extended to restaurants, bars, cafes and clubs.

The restrictions include limiting bookings to a maximum of 10 people.

Weddings and corporate events will also be limited to 150 people, subject to the foursquare metre rule.

Funerals and places of worship will be limited to 100 people.

The restrictions will be in place from July 24.

Meanwhile, Queensland police say 600,000 border passes have been issued in the past week and more than 1,100 cars turned around as another checkpoint is erected in a suburban street, frustrating locals.

It comes as police urge motorists crossing the Queensland-New South Wales border to be patient with delays expected to continue for months.

Police Commissioner Katarina Carroll said up to 1,200 police were monitoring borders each day and about 43,000 vehicles had been intercepted.

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A number of beachfront homes on the Central Coast are in danger of collapsing after a powerful low pressure system caused severe beach erosion, reports the ABC.

The beachside suburb of Wamberal has been hardest hit by the wild seas, with several homes left precariously close to the edge.

Several houses have their front verandas suspended over the ocean below and huge rocks are strewn on the sand.

Locals told the ABC the erosion at Wamberal beach was the worst they’ve ever seen, though the coastal community have long grappled with the issue.

Cranes have brought large concrete blocks to help support the homes from the risk of landslide.

The NSW State Emergency Service (SES) said some residents self-evacuated, with a number of homes at risk of structural collapse along the NSW coast.

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Britain, the United States and Canada have accused Russia of trying to steal information from researchers seeking a COVID-19 vaccine.

The three nations allege that hacking group APT29, also known as Cozy Bear and said to be part of the Russian intelligence service, is attacking academic and pharmaceutical research institutions involved in coronavirus vaccine development.

Britain’s National Cybersecurity Centre made the announcement, which was coordinated with authorities in the US and Canada.

“It is completely unacceptable that the Russian Intelligence Services are targeting those working to combat the coronavirus pandemic,” Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said in a statement.

“While others pursue their selfish interests with reckless behaviour, the UK and its allies are getting on with the hard work of finding a vaccine and protecting global health.”

The persistent and ongoing attacks are seen by intelligence officials as an effort to steal intellectual property, rather than to disrupt research. The campaign of “malicious activity” is ongoing and includes attacks “predominantly against government, diplomatic, think-tank, healthcare and energy targets,” the National Cybersecurity Centre said in a statement.

ENDS

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