Virus cases in Australia surge past 1,600
SYDNEY: Australians began living under strict new lockdown rules yesterday as coronavirus cases topped 1,600 and authorities denied entry to a cruise ship carrying hundreds on board complaining of respiratory illnesses.
As new restrictions closing nonessential services came into effect, there were clear signs of economic and social stress with long queues forming outside offices of the main welfare agency across the country.
After reporting only a gradual spread in January, the number of Covid-19 cases in Australia now appears to be tracking the much sharper increases seen elsewhere with the most populous states of New South Wales and Victoria recording the fastest rises.
Most states have now closed their borders to travellers from other parts of the country and affected their own lockdown laws, in addition to the national curbs announced on Sunday.
Western Australia yesterday banned passengers on board the Swissowned MSC Magnifica cruise ship from disembarking.
Of the 1,700 passengers on board the ship, more than 250 have complained of respiratory illnesses. The ship was due to dock at Western Australia’s Fremantle port as early as yesterday evening.
That decision comes days after 2,700 passengers disembarked from the Ruby Princess cruise ship in Sydney harbour, with 48 onboard subsequently testing positive for the virus.
“I will not allow what happened in Sydney to happen here,” West Australian Premier Mark McGowan said. “We will not allow passengers or crew to wander the streets.”
A spokesman for MSC Cruises did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
New measures designed to minimise the spread of Covid-19 meant that many non-essential services establishments,
including pubs, clubs, cinemas, gyms and houses of worship, were closed as of yesterday.
“There will be no more going to the pub after work, no more going to the gym in the morning, and no more sitting down for brunch at a cafe,” Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison told parliament yesterday.
Mr Morrison said the immense health and economic challenges of the global pandemic would be the “toughest year of our lives” and warned Australians to prepare for shutdowns that could last six months.