Thread by @CroakeyNews

Following is not-quite live tweet from latest media conference by PM @ScottMorrisonMP on #COVID19 #coronavirus issues & responses for Australia. You can watch it in full here

PM says today further decisions have been taken on Aust's #coronavirus response that are "both scaleable and sustainable to ensure we can continue to implement for the many months ahead. We're looking at at least six months....of course it could be longer, no-one really knows."

Today's National Cabinet meeting seen big focus on economic issues, informed by RBA/Treasury. "We are working on a package that will cushion the blow over the next 6 months." Focused heavily on small, medium businesses/income support for those most directly impacted by downturn

PM welcomes the decisions announced by banks today that shows they are "pulling together with everyone else" to ensure can get Australia through this. Important decisions that will provide real and genuine relief. "It's a great start." @ScottMorrisonMP theguardian.com/australia-news…

States agreed to identify how relief can be provided for both commercial and residential tenants to "ensure that in in hardship conditions there will be relief that's available & that tenancy legislation is protecting tenants over next 6 months at least." WA/NSW leading the work.

"All Australians are going to be making sacrifices obviously in the months ahead and that will include landlords at the end of the day for people who are enduring real hardship." @ScottMorrisonMP #coronavirus

National Cabinet also agreed that now is not the time for govts to be handing down Budgets. Federal Budget postponed till October. "The idea you could put together any forecasts around the economy at this time is simply not sensible." @ScottMorrisonMP abc.net.au/news/2020-03-2…

Will work through practical considerations re functioning of the Federal Parliament with Opposition Leader @AlboMP in coming days, says @ScottMorrisonMP

PM now moves onto health issues, and ongoing rise in COVID19 cases in Aust. Stresses need to "keep a healthy distance between us all" to help control spread. #coronavirus

National Cabinet has agreed to risk mitigation measures for non-essential indoor gatherings of fewer than 100 people including: 4 square meters of floor space per person, eg can be 25 people in a 100m2 room, who should maintain a distance between each other of 1.5m.

PM appeals to venues, cafes, bars etc. Says it's true the majority of cases - 8 out of 10 - are mild. 'But by doing the right thing, you'll be saving the life of someone who is more vulnerable, so do it for your fellow Australians'. #coronavirus

PM: 'Self-isolation means self-isolation'. Says are reports that some who should are out and about. In general, older residents should refrain more from contact than other people. 'That doesn't mean they should self-isolate, just they should practice greater caution.'

PM says National Council now meeting every Tuesday night and Friday morning on #coronavirus issues

On travel, the advice is to reconsider the need for unnecessary travel. Further advice will go to National Cabinet next Tuesday, ahead of the school holidays.

Arrangements for schools and pre-schools have not changed. 'It is in the national interest to ensure we keep schools open'. (Here's the current advice: health.gov.au/news/australia…' #coronavirus

Aged care: $444.6m in measures to support the aged care workforce. Includes $235m for a COVID-19 ‘retention bonus’ to ensure the continuity of the workforce in residential and home care + extra $78m for residential care.

Aged care #2:

$27m to supplement viability of RACFs, incl towards Torres Strait Islander Aged Care, and homeless providers.

$92m for home care providers, incl for Meals on Wheels

$12m to support the myAgedcare service myagedcare.gov.au

Remote Indigenous areas: will be using the Biosecurity Act to restrict travel into communities. States, territories will nominate areas in consultation with Indigenous communities, to restrict persons from entering or leaving those nominated areas. #coronavirus

PM says a number of exemptions will apply: for the purpose of obtaining medical care/supplies & in event of an emergency: nominates mental health, family violence, police & emergency, food and medicines, education, essential services. Discretion will apply.

He commends @KenWyattMP & NT Chief Minister @fanniebay - says they have done outstanding job on working through these urgent issues. Also thanks @NACCHOAustralia CEO Pat Turner. #coronavirus

What's next? @ScottMorrisonMP flags further action next week on travel ahead of the school holidays and on managing critical hospital resources. Signals that could be strong localised responses.....

'There will be parts of cities or places that will be more susceptible because of localised #coronavirus outbreaks,' @ScottMorrisonMP warns. That may trigger actions 'over and above' the general rules applying elsewhere. MTC on that.

Here's the official statement of issues raised by @ScottMorrisonMP at this presser: pm.gov.au/media/update-c….

You can watch it in full here:

It notes (thanks HT @sedvitae) agreement from state and territory leaders on the criminal justice system: From today all adult correctional systems will 'restructure' personal prison visits to help manage risk to prisoners & staff. This may require stopping visits.

This is a big issue of concern for people working in justice and advocacy globally: theguardian.com/world/2020/mar… cc @WePublicHealth

Chief Medical Officer Brendan Murphy also at the presser: says while some #COVID19 community transmission, still a large number of ‘imported cases’. He notes that ban on foreign nationals will take effect at 9pm AEST smartraveller.gov.au/sites/default/…

But he warns still have many Austns coming home, incl from high risk areas who must take self-isolation seriously. "This is not an advisory, this is your civic duty to your fellow Australians to stay home for that entire 14 days. No exceptions.” We should all police, he says.

To slow community transmission, Murphy stresses the need for #socialdistancing – 1.5m spacing, good hand hygiene, stay away from work/community if unwell. People often try to ‘soldier on’ with colds. “We can’t do that anymore. This is critical now. We have to slow the curve.’

Qs from journalists. First Q about Newstart, incl for many people who have not navigated welfare system previously. “Can it be made easier for them to get Newstart, can it be increased and can the mutual obligations be waived?” See: theguardian.com/australia-news…

PM says these are “exactly the issues” being discussed ahead of support package to be announced on weekend. He agrees will be a difficult and different time ahead. “Our job is the ensure we do as much as we can to cushion the blow”.

Note that Indigenous groups also calling for CDP work requirements to be waived, saying they are a "recipe for disaster" for remote communities croakey.org/how-the-pandem…

Morrison doesn’t want to buy into questions about the Ruby Princess cruise ship, amid fears that passengers might be unaware #Covid19 cases were onboard and that they need to self-isolate. theguardian.com/world/2020/mar…

No early news for many Australians who fear they are stranded by travel bans internationally.

PM said that Qantas is continuing to maintain flights out of key hubs (incl London, HK, LA, Auckland).

For those who are isolated, as per reports like this abc.net.au/news/2020-03-1…
– he says @dfat & @lindareynoldswa “are bringing forward some matters for consideration to the National Security Committee".

Morrison won’t pre-empt next week’s announcements on travel but notes the issue isn't about being on a plane, it’s about having big volumes of people moving around. Says Tasmania has acted with its blanket self-isolation, other states may consider similar for particular areas.

Here's breakdown from @HobartMercury on that: themercury.com.au/news/coronavir…

Morrison says can't go into detail yet on upcoming support for tenants, re who would be eligible (“only those who lose jobs, businesses in distress?”). Still being worked out. But he notes Newstart eligibility also triggers family tax benefit, rental assistance, other supports.

He's asked re speculation that govt might nationalise large companies like @VirginAustralia if crisis reaches that point - see theaustralian.com.au/nation/politic…

Says we in unprecedented times but "no plans to be involved n those sort of nationalisation programs".

Also won't respond yet to whether workers will be able to access super savings as an income support measure. Such announcements be coming in the package aimed at "cushioning the blow" for many Australians

Journalist asks CMO Brendan Murphy what the pace of the job is like at the moment, months in. He says it's a very important job to be supplying such advice to the national leadership so "it's a cause that's worth pursuing" but he concedes "it's very intense."

Morrison steps in to acknowledge there has been lots of "commentary" about the work of the CMO. (That's prompted a contentious call by @_PHAA_ to its members not to "second guess" Murphy and his state-based colleagues - see smh.com.au/national/every…)

Morrison says people should reserve their cracks for politicians, not the health chiefs. "They’re working very hard, carrying great responsibilities, they deserve our great respect and support. We are relying on them so you can rely on the decisions we’re making."

Finally Murphy says looking at relaxing the testing criteria. Now testing all aged care workers, will be testing healthcare workers with flu like illnesses, all people presenting to hospital with pneumonia, in addition to the usual criteria of return travellers and contacts.

Think that's a wrap: just as the PM's office publishes the full transcript pm.gov.au/media/press-co…

You can watch today's #coronavirus update by
@ScottMorrisonMP & CMO at the @CroakeyNews @YouTube
channel.

Watch here: