Boom Radio: Morning News Update
Callan Western
Thursday 2 April 2020
9:00am
Childcare centres warn of collapse
Childcare operators and parents have pleaded for the federal government to help protect the sector after warning they are on the “Brink of Collapse”
Early childhood educators fear that once COVID-19 has passed, small centres may not be able to open their doors, limiting places for parents to leave their children as they try to re-enter the workforce.
Childcare operators are warning of a longer delay on the country’s economic rebuild.
The crisis is being addressed on Friday during the national cabinet meeting, where they may discuss altering fee structures to protect enrolment.
Premier slams quarantine complainers
Premier Mark McGowan has taken to Facebook to send a scathing message to those complaining about being forced into quarantine at five-star hotels in WA.
“Staying in a hotel for a couple of weeks is a small price to pay in the fight against COVID-19.” Mr McGowan said.
“A few days ago, the State and Commonwealth governments put in new measures to stop further cases of COVID-19 from entering our community as a result of returned travellers.”
Now, anyone returning from overseas is being forced into quarantine for 14 days when they arrive back in Australia.” He said.
https://www.facebook.com/MarkMcGowanMP/photos/a.432761316741748/3885735431444302/?type=3&eid=ARA-fBsBGZe8KHcnUJzX5YVaQJpvuFYljEaeqgyJsIQc4pyXDCksnrT_pWF9JeK-f8wMyAvJO8rk452q&__xts__%5B0%5D=68.ARA0E5yApu9Lv3MWUB3dbKv35EXqEfC48ZLVtZf6gPaSy8di0LF-Th32TGoPdWYlqTCzQ0dSVncePxDXbw_zbNneeDQCe8v9En9oawm3RMAAfIlgmra0zlNwde7dpY4GcHvH5-Sm34ZBjKeJEvlK-upI7h3UmxZ1aPusyzdqJ8quJ6Rtvzi81rQzS1donXt83F7T2jQTBiTNXDlasEpUd3tLfAR56BDsO_1FGXcwg2gAB65uMVG4XtSQnrVt4ZtXh9tiKMgquGtfuYES1As7sWOLOxuxdFC5l35-WkAIt_iskVpc1uw0xppZpD8OhL1HCP5OtjlpOMXATcWxJOaMotzUoQ&__tn__=EHH-R
In a press conference on the 1st of April, the Premier labelled reports of Vasco Da Gama passengers quarantined in hotels throwing their food into the lobby as “Disgusting”
‘Twiggy’ to chip in $160m for medical supplies
Mining Billionaire Andrew ‘Twiggy’ Forrest plans to spend up to $160 million on medical equipment and supplies to try and help Australia get through the COVID-19 pandemic.
Forrest’s Minderoo Foundation and Fortescue Metals Group are chartering three aircrafts from China to deliver more than 90 tonnes of medical supplies this week.
Supplies include more than one million face masks, 400,000 surgical masks, 2.3 million medical-grade gloves, 100,000 nasal swabs, 200,000 medical coveralls, 10,000 medical goggles, 5000, touch-less thermometers and more than 30 intensive care unit-grade ventilators.
Mr Forrest said that this would continue in the coming weeks.
“Until we can take the panic and the stress out of the medical industries” he said.
Victoria reverses decision on ‘bonk-ban’
The Victorian government have backflipped on social distancing between couples that live apart.
Victorian couples were told that they would be breaking the rules by seeing a partner they didn’t live with; however a backflip hours later has seen the ban reversed.
The rule which had been dubbed a “Bonk-Ban” by outraged couples and had drawn widespread criticism throughout the day.
Victorian couples were told that they would be breaking the rules by seeing a partner they didn’t live with; however a backflip hours later has seen the ban reversed.
“That’s not work, that’s not care giving, that’s not medical care, that’s not shopping for the things you need when you need them, it does not comply with the rules, so people should not do that.” Premier Dan Andrews said at the time of putting the new restrictions in place.
However around 5pm EST, Victorian Chief Health Officer Professor Brett Sutton announced that there would be an exemption for couples living apart.
