Australia is ‘beating the c**p’ out of coronavirus with six states and territories – including the hardest hit New South Wales – recording zero new cases on Thursday.
Victoria reported seven new infections and Tasmania two, while every other state and territory in the country reaped the rewards of strict lockdown measures which have ‘well and truly’ flattened the curve.
The extraordinary figures come despite Australia boasting one of the highest per-capita testing rates in the world, with 19,000 people checked for the virus on Thursday, and more than 563,000 since the outbreak hit.
The Northern Territory on Thursday announced it would begin easing lockdown restrictions – including reopening bars and pubs – following three consecutive weeks without a new case.
The ACT entirely eradicated the virus on Thursday with zero active cases, while there are just four in the NT and 14 in South Australia.
Australia is ‘beating the c**p’ out of coronavirus as the curve continues to flatten – with only nine new cases on Thursday
Security is seen patrolling Scarborough Beach in Perth on April 27 (pictured), with socially distanced groups of up to ten people now allowed in Western Australia
The Prime Minister said health experts will release guidance on how to make professional and community sport safe. Pictured: Volleyball on Bondi Beach
People will soon be able to return to the beach in Queensland and the Northern Territory – and other states will likely follow the easing of restrictions. Pictured: People relaxing at Shelly Beach on April 5 despite social distancing restrictions
South Australia has not recorded a new case in eight days, and Queensland, four days.
In response to the success of the social distancing measures, the Federal Government is considering easing some restrictions as early as mid-May.
A national cabinet meeting is scheduled in the week of May 11 to discuss the road out of lockdown, which has forced people to stay home except for essential reasons to leave and kept families away from their loved ones.
Another meeting will be held on Friday to discuss an expanded testing regime and the potential return of the AFL and NRL.
The Mental Health Commission will also make a presentation on the impact of COVID-19 during the meeting.
Gatherings of more than two people will also be allowed under new eased restrictions
Children’s playgrounds will remain closed, though further announcements on restrictions will be made next month. Pictured: signage outside a playground in Redlands on Thursday
The government says it will not consider reopening state or national borders any time soon.
But New Zealand’s Foreign Minister Winston Peters suggested a trans-Tasman travel bubble to reduce the economic burden on the tourism industry.
He said both countries were ‘beating the c**p’ out of COVID-19, and should consider allowing people to travel between the nations.
Mr Peters, who is also the Deputy Prime Minister, suggested there should not be a 14-day quarantine period on arrival, because it would ‘defeat the purpose.’
‘The moment you put in a 14-day quarantine forget it – it’s not going to work,’ he said.
He said both nations are ‘reliable, trustworthy countries where borders are secure and we can share the borders to expand our economic and tourism base.’
Mr Morrison and New Zealand’s PM Jacinda Ardern have both said they would consider the prospect in the future, but neither have prioritised international travel.
Australia’s chief medical officer, Brendan Murphy, recently indicated it would be at least three to four months before Australia looked at reopening borders.
The forced closure of cafes, bars and restaurants has forced some out of business entirely (like this cafe in Mollymook on the NSW south coast)
The NT’s low number of coronavirus cases has prompted the lifting of restrictions, however border closures are set to remain in place indefinitely
The Northern Territory will allow outdoor weddings and funerals with unlimited guests from Friday, while restaurants, cafes and bars will be able to reopen from May 15
Australia’s death toll sits at 91 after an 86-year-old died in Tasmania’s northwest, while there are fears of an outbreak in a Melbourne nursing home.
There are 6,754 known cases, but at least 5,717 have so far recovered, meaning there are just 945 active infections – the lowest number since March 20.
Australians continue to download and register for the coronavirus tracing app, with 3.31 million now signed up.
Testing, contract tracing and the capacity to respond to outbreaks are considered key benchmarks in edging back towards a pre-virus reality.
The nation secured a further 10 million testing kits with the help of billionaire mining magnate Andrew Forrest, who inked a deal with $320 million with a Chinese company.
The acquisition has increased Australia’s testing capability 20-fold.
Chief nursing officer Allison McMillan confirmed the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee had given advice to national cabinet about elite and community sport.
‘That advice is made based on the understanding of the current restrictions that exist and making sure that the most important thing is protecting the health of Australians,’ she told reporters in Canberra on Thursday.
Chief medical officer Brendan Murphy (pictured) said Australia is in a ‘position of strength’ but warned it was not the time to become complacent
A sign telling people to ‘surf and go’ is seen at Sydney’s Bondi Beach (pictured on April 28), with residents only allowed on beaches for essential exercise
This graph shows how active cases of coronavirus are dwindling while the number of recovered patients are growing
ACT Health Minister Rachel Stephen-Smith said it was time for national cabinet and health experts to have a fresh look at future scenarios.
The NT’s eased rules could provide a blueprint for other jurisdictions due to make critical decisions about restarting economic and social activity.
‘We have been working on a suppression strategy, on a flatten the curve strategy, not really on a elimination strategy,’ she told reporters in Canberra on Thursday.
‘But now we have got to a point where we are very close to very few active cases in the whole of Australia.’
While Australians are working toward eradicating the virus entirely (there are currently only 36 people in intensive care nationwide) the economic impact is still being felt by millions.
At least one million people are expected to apply to unemployment benefits in the wake of the crisis, while almost 600,000 businesses have registered for JobKeeper supplements for 3.3 million employees.
People on JobSeeker rose by about 500,000 from February to April, with another 400,000 expected to apply by September, a parliamentary committee heard on Thursday.
Australian manufacturers will receive almost $50 million in federal funding to help create new jobs during the pandemic.
A large group are seen enjoying the sun at McKenzies Beach on April 25 (pictured) which is still against the rules in NSW as it is neither exercise nor essential
This graph shows how Australia’s unemployment rate will likely nearly double to peak at 10 per cent for the June quarter as a direct result of the coronavirus crisis – but it could have been far worse if the government hadn’t introduced JobKeeper