More than 100 COVID-19 cases

NSW recorded 112 new locally acquired cases of COVID-19 in the 24 hours to 8pm July 11.

Of the acquired cases, 64 are linked to a known case or cluster – 41 are household contacts and 23 are close contacts – and the source of infection for 48 cases remains under investigation.

Thirty-four cases were infectious in the community.

Since June 16, there have been 678 locally acquired cases.

There are currently 63 COVID-19 cases admitted to hospital, with 18 people in intensive care, four of whom require ventilation.

The local government areas of concern are Fairfield, Canterbury-Bankstown and Liverpool. Among the mentioned LGAs Glenfield and areas of the Blue Mountains have also been highlighted.

Transmission in workplaces remains a concern. Everyone should work from home if possible. For essential workplaces:

Limit the interaction and mixing of employees, prevent meetings and gatherings, and reduce the size of the groups;

It is mandatory to wear masks – including indoors and outdoors on construction sites,

and;

Remind everyone in the workplace that they must not attend if they have even mild cold like symptoms. They need to get a test immediately and isolate until they get a negative result. They also need to check the NSW website every day for updated venues in case they are a contact.

People are also reminded not to have visitors at their homes and everyone is reminded that household members only includes those who live with you, not any other family members.

Check the NSW Health website for more details.

State Labor supports NSW government business package, but feds also need to help

NSW Labor welcomed the NSW government’s announcement today to support businesses right across the state, but also said the federal coalition needed to help causal workers.

“The federal government should also provide immediate financial support for casual workers who are amongst the hardest hit by the current COVID-19 lockdown,” NSW Labor opposition leader Chris Minns said.

“More is needed from the federal government for casual workers and there’s no support for the most vulnerable in NSW who are struggling to pay the rent over the next fortnight.”

Mr Minns added that the NSW Government’s business support package will be judged as much on the speed of the rollout and results as it will on the announcement.

“Small business support grants of between $5000 and $10,000 will provide some relief during the COVID-19 lockdown period,” he said.

“The government should be working with businesses to ensure those that those receiving grants are working to retain where possible their employees, particularly casual workers.

“It is critical this support for business and families gets out the door now.

“And is also important that programs like Dine and Discover are reoriented to provide support to households and hospitality and retail businesses right now, when that extra support is needed most.”

Labor suggests:

Institute another $25 voucher for online takeaway and delivery for use during the current COVID-19 lockdown, and;

Allow the $25 ‘Discovery’ vouchers to be used for dining so families have the option to use them during the lockdown and help drive jobs with restaurants and cafes.

Support packages to help businesses across NSW

Businesses and people impacted by the current COVID-19 restrictions will be able to access support packages from the NSW government.

Along with the new grant packages of between $5,000 and $10,000 for small businesses, sole traders and not-for-profit, payroll tax for all employers has also been deferred and the Dine and Discover program extended till August 31 – with the ability for people to use the vouchers for takeaway delivered directly to their home by the venue itself.

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian said the centrepiece of the package was the small business support grants which will help businesses by alleviating cashflow constraints while trading is restricted. This can be used for business expenses such as rent, utilities and wages, for which no other government support is available.

“We always said we will do whatever it takes to support businesses and keep people in jobs during the pandemic and that is exactly what we are doing,” Ms Berejiklian said.

“The current restrictions are in place to protect people and keep the community safe, unfortunately businesses continue to incur costs such as rent, power and lost produce, and this will go some way to lessening that financial pain.”

Three different grant amounts will be available for small businesses:

$10,000 for a 70 per cent decline; $7,000 for a 50 per cent decline, and; $5,000 for a 30 per cent decline.

Deputy Premier John Barilaro said the new grants would be available across NSW.

“This latest outbreak has coincided with school holidays when a lot of regional areas were counting on more visitors to help boost local economies,” Mr Barilaro said.

“These grants will help many get through the winter, and just like after the bushfires, the floods and the first wave of COVID-19, the regions will lead NSW out the other side.”

Businesses will be able to apply for the grants through Service NSW from later in July and will need to show a decline in turnover across a minimum two-week period after the start of major restrictions on June 26.