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Bondi Junction Westfield reopens after stabbing tragedy

<p>Bondi Junction Westfield has reopened five days after the devastating stabbing tragedy that claimed the lives of six people and injured several others. </p> <p>Before the centre opened at 11am on Thursday, dozens of people lined up to pay their respects to those who have died at the "community reflection day" held at the centre. </p> <p>The centre was lined with images of black commemorative ribbons to honour those who lost their lives on Saturday, when 40-year-old Joel Cauchi went on his stabbing rampage through the centre. </p> <p>Speaking from inside the Westfield today, one woman told news.com.au said she was returning to the centre with her toddler because she works in one of the stores and wanted to get used to going inside again after the tragic events. </p> <p>Another man said he felt compelled to come today because “everyone in Sydney has been to Bondi Junction at some point”.</p> <p>He noted how it felt “weird” to be there but he thought it was important the victims didn’t go “unseen”.</p> <p>Similarly, a young woman that works down the road in nearby Eastgate shopping centre said she was here today to “pay her respects”. She also noted it felt like the “safest” day to return to the shopping centre because of the ramped up police presence. </p> <p>Scentre Group, which owns and operates the shopping centre, said there would be no retail trade on the day of reflection, but shops would open for business on Friday with an increased police and security presence.</p> <p>“The centre will be quiet — it will allow for reflection to occur,” chief executive Elliott Rusanow said.</p> <p>The shopping centre will resume normal trading hours on Friday, although Rusanow said some businesses would remain shut.</p> <p>“It will be their (retailers’) choice when they want to re-open,” he said.</p> <p>“This has been a very difficult time and I want to acknowledge the hard work and tireless efforts of our Westfield Bondi and Scentre Group teams,” Mr Rusanow said.</p> <p>“They have been working through conditions which have been devastating in their minds and in all our minds."</p> <p>Premier Chris Minns said the devastating attack had touched people across NSW, regardless of whether they knew the victims.</p> <p>“This vigil will be an opportunity for the community to stand together to support and honour the victims and survivors of this horrific tragedy,” he said.</p> <p>“I hope they can draw some strength from the fact that there’s many people that are standing with them during this time.”</p> <p><em>Image credits: Getty Images </em></p>

Caring

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Astonishing drug and prostitute claims surface as Lehrmann case reopened

<p>The ongoing defamation case involving Bruce Lehrmann, a central figure in the Brittany Higgins saga, has been thrust back into the spotlight with shocking new allegations.</p> <p>The reopening of the case stems from claims made by former Seven Network producer Taylor Auerbach, which seek to shed light on a series of dealings surrounding Lehrmann's interactions with various media outlets.</p> <p>The allegations put forth by Auerbach paint an astonishing picture of Lehrmann's recruitment by Seven Network for an exclusive tell-all interview. It's alleged that Lehrmann, in a bid to secure his cooperation, was lavishly reimbursed for expenses that included not only extravagant meals and travel but also expenditures on illicit drugs and prostitutes.</p> <p>The details emerged through affidavits filed by Auerbach with the Federal Court, just days before a judgment was expected in Lehrmann's defamation case against Network Ten and journalist Lisa Wilkinson. The case originated from a February 2021 report on <em>The Project</em>, where Brittany Higgins accused Lehrmann of rape within a Parliament House office in 2019.</p> <p>According to Auerbach's affidavits, Lehrmann breached a so-called Harman undertaking by leaking private and confidential texts from Higgins to Seven Network, violating an agreement that restricted the use of evidence from an abandoned criminal case against him. These texts allegedly facilitated Lehrmann's negotiations with Seven Network and formed a crucial part of his interview on the <em>Spotlight</em> program.</p> <p>The allegations take a darker turn with claims of financial reimbursement for illicit activities. Auerbach asserts that Seven Network reimbursed Lehrmann for expenses related to drug purchases and visits to brothels, implicating the network in what can only be described as deeply troubling conduct.</p> <p>"I recall that monies paid by (Lehrmann) for illicit drugs and prostitutes that evening at the Meriton and the following evening at a brothel in Surry Hills were reimbursed to (Lehrmann) by Seven," Auerbach states in his affidavit, according to <a href="https://au.news.yahoo.com/lehrmann-defamation-case-reopened-evidence-163000287.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Yahoo News</a>.</p> <p>The reopening of Lehrmann's defamation case underscores the gravity of these allegations and their potential implications. Justice Michael Lee's decision to admit fresh evidence indicates the seriousness with which the court regards these claims and the need for a thorough examination of the facts.</p> <p>In response to these allegations, both Lehrmann and Seven Network have vehemently denied any wrongdoing. Lehrmann maintains his innocence, asserting that he did not leak texts to Seven Network and denying any involvement in the misconduct alleged by Auerbach. Seven Network, for its part, denies authorising or condoning the alleged payments to Lehrmann and says that any unauthorised expenses were promptly rectified.</p> <p><em>Image: Getty</em></p>

Legal

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Devastating reason ski-resort won’t reopen

<p dir="ltr">A ski-resort in NSW won’t be able to open up this winter due to the early snowfall which has now delayed a rebuild that was destroyed in the 2020 bushfires.</p> <p dir="ltr">Selwyn Snow Resort shared the devastating news on Facebook explaining the hurdles they keep overcoming and will come out stronger after this one. </p> <p dir="ltr">The family friendly ski-resort was completely destroyed during the horrific bushfires that blanketed the state in 2020. </p> <p dir="ltr">“We’re deeply saddened that we find ourselves in this situation,” the post read.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Due to unprecedented early snowfalls the Selwyn re-build will not be complete by 2nd July.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Despite occurring during off-season, five of their employees had to be evacuated but with high hopes of reopening. </p> <p dir="ltr">The past seven days has seen some record snowfall and the resort was upset after the builder explained that it would be difficult to complete the renovations and rebuilding on time. </p> <p dir="ltr">“It’s difficult to be here after the hurdles we have faced over the last few years, and we want to thank our guests and the public for your ongoing support. </p> <p dir="ltr">“We know that this is devastating news for our guests, employees and local communities, and want you to know that we share this sadness with you and look forward to a fresh start in 2023.” </p> <p dir="ltr">Guests who purchased products from Selwyn Snow Resort will be refunded in full.</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image: Facebook</em></p>

Travel Trouble

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As borders reopen, can New Zealand reset from high volume to ‘high values’ tourism?

<p>With the <a href="https://covid19.govt.nz/international-travel/travel-to-new-zealand/when-new-zealand-borders-open/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">reopening of New Zealand’s borders</a> from next week, the future of tourism comes into sharp relief. Flattened by the pandemic and having survived on domestic consumption for two years, the industry has a choice: try to revive the old ways, or develop a new model.</p> <p>If tourism minister Stuart Nash has his way, there is <a href="https://www.beehive.govt.nz/speech/otago-university-tourism-policy-school-%E2%80%9Cstructural-change-regenerative-tourism%E2%80%9D" target="_blank" rel="noopener">no going back</a>. “Tourism won’t return to the way it was,” he told Otago University’s <a href="https://events.otago.ac.nz/otps2022/programme" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Tourism Policy School</a> recently, “it will be better.”</p> <p>But how? The question is coming down to the various definitions of “value” – both the monetary and less tangible kinds.</p> <p>When Nash <a href="https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/430862/tourism-minister-to-ban-tourist-vans-that-are-not-self-contained" target="_blank" rel="noopener">addressed a tourism summit</a> in late 2020, “high value” clearly meant “high spending”. New Zealand would “unashamedly” target the wealthy – the type of tourist who “flies business class or premium economy, hires a helicopter, does a tour around Franz Josef and then eats at a high-end restaurant.”</p> <p>The minister also asked: “Do you think that we want to become a destination for those freedom campers and backpackers who don’t spend much and leave the high net worth individuals to other countries?”</p> <p>There was immediate concern that such a policy would overlook the broader <a href="https://theconversation.com/5-reasons-why-banishing-backpackers-and-targeting-wealthy-tourists-would-be-a-mistake-for-nz-150639" target="_blank" rel="noopener">value of “lower-end”</a> tourism: backpackers and other budget tourists might not spend as much per day, but they tend to travel for longer periods, bring dollars to remoter locations, and often work in understaffed industries like horticulture and hospitality.</p> <p>At the same time, high-spending tourists hiring helicopters tend to place a high per-capita burden on the environment and contribute more to <a href="https://theconversation.com/as-borders-open-and-international-travel-resumes-will-new-zealands-sky-high-aviation-emissions-take-off-again-179941" target="_blank" rel="noopener">climate change</a>. Clearly, what constitutes “high value” is up for debate.</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">'Warmest welcome you can imagine' - PM opens doors to tourists <a href="https://t.co/7zj7bHbbaw">https://t.co/7zj7bHbbaw</a></p> <p>— RNZ News (@rnz_news) <a href="https://twitter.com/rnz_news/status/1504711690478268416?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 18, 2022</a></p></blockquote> <p><strong>From high value to high values</strong></p> <p>Now, however, the minister is <a href="https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/top/463982/tourism-can-no-longer-be-built-on-the-back-of-cheap-labour-stuart-nash" target="_blank" rel="noopener">defining the high-value tourist</a> differently. They give back more than they take, appreciate those working in the tourism sector, are keen to learn about the people and places they are visiting, are environmentally aware and offset their carbon emissions.</p> <p>This shift in thinking prompted one participant at the tourism policy school to suggest that instead of “high value” tourism, New Zealand needs to be talking about “high values” tourism.</p> <p>The sentiment chimed with the policy school’s theme of “structural change for regenerative tourism”, and a general feeling that this will involve looking inward to certain core values that matter to the country.</p> <p>Attendees – including industry leaders, academics, government officials and tourism business owners – supported the idea that “regenerative” in this context matches the important Māori values of <a href="https://teara.govt.nz/en/kaitiakitanga-guardianship-and-conservation" target="_blank" rel="noopener">kaitiakitanga</a>, <a href="https://teara.govt.nz/en/kotahitanga-unity-movements" target="_blank" rel="noopener">kotahitanga</a> and <a href="https://maoridictionary.co.nz/search?keywords=manaakitanga" target="_blank" rel="noopener">manaakitanga</a>, which should inform the future direction of tourism in Aotearoa.</p> <figure class="align-center "><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/455950/original/file-20220403-95783-x0s687.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/455950/original/file-20220403-95783-x0s687.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/455950/original/file-20220403-95783-x0s687.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/455950/original/file-20220403-95783-x0s687.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/455950/original/file-20220403-95783-x0s687.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/455950/original/file-20220403-95783-x0s687.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/455950/original/file-20220403-95783-x0s687.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" alt="" /><figcaption><span class="caption">A carving workshop at Rotorua: according the same respect and mana to hosts and visitors alike.</span> <span class="attribution">Shutterstock</span></figcaption></figure> <p><strong>Mana and manaakitanga</strong></p> <p>The implications of this approach were well articulated by Nadine ToeToe, director of Kohutapu Lodge, an award-winning tourism business in the central North Island. She proposed a new tourism model that advances manaakitanga (kindness and hospitality) to guests, while also enhancing the <a href="https://maoridictionary.co.nz/search?idiom=&phrase=&proverb=&loan=&histLoanWords=&keywords=mana" target="_blank" rel="noopener">mana</a> of their hosts, local communities and the surrounding environment.</p> <p>With her business based in the area around Murupara, which is beset by historical injustices and downturns in the forestry industry, ToeToe described the potential of tourism to move beyond simple service industry conventions.</p> <p>Rather, more authentic, culturally embedded experiences could be offered, based on building respectful relationships with the people and places visited. This would mean manaakitanga was reciprocal, benefiting both guests and local communities.</p> <p>By being designed to enhance people, community and place, tourism would necessarily break from the old volume-driven model that was putting many natural environments under <a href="https://www.pce.parliament.nz/media/196983/report-pristine-popular-imperilled.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">significant pressure</a> prior to the pandemic.</p> <figure class="align-center "><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/455948/original/file-20220403-61039-4aohcx.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/455948/original/file-20220403-61039-4aohcx.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=338&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/455948/original/file-20220403-61039-4aohcx.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=338&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/455948/original/file-20220403-61039-4aohcx.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=338&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/455948/original/file-20220403-61039-4aohcx.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=424&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/455948/original/file-20220403-61039-4aohcx.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=424&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/455948/original/file-20220403-61039-4aohcx.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=424&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" alt="" /><figcaption><span class="caption">Helicopter sightseeing in the Southern Alps: more than one definition of ‘high value’.</span> <span class="attribution">Shutterstock</span></figcaption></figure> <p><strong>Time for a reset</strong></p> <p>Of course, it is one thing to suggest that tourism respect the wairua (spirit) of the land, and quite another to put the legislative and regulatory frameworks around a pathway to sustainability.</p> <p>To a degree this is beginning to happen already. For example, following concerns about a promised crackdown on freedom camping, the minister stepped back from banning vans that weren’t self-contained. However, proposed <a href="https://www.mbie.govt.nz/immigration-and-tourism/tourism/tourism-projects/responsible-camping/freedom-camping-changes/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">policy changes</a> will go to select committee this year, with new rules to be rolled out gradually from next summer.</p> <p>These should align with the <a href="https://www.odt.co.nz/star-news/star-national/freedom-campers-welcome-right-vehicle-right-place" target="_blank" rel="noopener">minister’s view</a> that “… at the heart of the new law will be greater respect for the environment and communities through a ‘right vehicle, right place’ approach” (with fines of up to NZ$1,000 for offenders).</p> <p>The challenge now is to broaden that vision beyond individual businesses, or pockets of concern such as freedom camping, to encompass the entire industry. Because there can be no better time than now for a values-based reset of New Zealand tourism.<img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/180298/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /></p> <p><em><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/regina-scheyvens-650907" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Regina Scheyvens</a>, Professor of Development Studies, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/massey-university-806" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Massey University</a> and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/apisalome-movono-1108178">Apisalome Movono</a>, Senior Lecturer in Development Studies, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/massey-university-806" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Massey University</a></em></p> <p><em>This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/as-borders-reopen-can-new-zealand-reset-from-high-volume-to-high-values-tourism-180298" target="_blank" rel="noopener">original article</a>.</em></p> <p><em>Image: Getty Images</em></p>

Domestic Travel

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Aldi to drop luxe travel range in celebration of international borders reopening

<p style="margin: 0cm; font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">International travel is finally back and ALDI is celebrating.</span></p> <p style="margin: 0cm; font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 18pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline;">For its upcoming Special Buys on April the 6th, ALDI will release a range of products for the “executive traveller”.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 18pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline;">ALDI said it was also launching the line to celebrate the reopening of New Zealand to Aussies on April the 12th, when we’ll be free to visit our Kiwi neighbours without having to quarantine on arrival.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 18pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline;">The range includes everything from packing pouches, laptop sleeves and executive backpacks with an internal USB charging port. ALDI will also release premium noise cancelling headphones with bluetooth, an overnight leather bag and a leather satchel or sling bag. ALDI is advising customers to check the Special Buys delay page to know if the items they want will be in stock.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 18pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline;">The full Executive Travel Special Buys range includes —</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 18pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong>Packing pouches — $8.99</strong></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 18pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline;">A 3-pack of lightweight packing pouches with mesh panels for visibility, a two-way zipper opening and carry handles.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 18pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline;">Available in Black, Blue, Pink or White and sizes of 40cm x 30cm x 13cm, 30cm x 28cm x 13cm and 30cm x 21cm x 13cm</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 18pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong>Sukin travel pack </strong>— <strong>$11.99</strong></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 18pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline;">The pack contains cleanser, moisturiser, shampoo, conditioner and body wash all in 50ml sizes.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 18pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong>Rechargeable batteries — $11.99</strong></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 18pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline;">An eight-pack of AA or AAA ($1.50 per battery).</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 18pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong>Laptop sleeve — $19.99</strong></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 18pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline;">Hard case with soft padded inner, fits most laptops up to 14” and available in Blue, Black, Pink or Grey</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 18pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong>Premium two-piece suitcase set — $99.99</strong></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 18pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline;">Black with grey piping and comes with double spinner wheels, a TSA lock, an expandable main compartment (5cm).</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 18pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong>Premium carry on suitcase — $39.99</strong></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 18pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline;">Black with grey piping and comes with double spinner wheels, TSA lock, and an expandable main compartment (4cm).</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 18pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong>Overnight leather bag — $89.99</strong></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 18pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline;">Buffalo leather bag with easy carry handle, shoulder strap and a spacious interior compartment. Available in dark brown or vintage brown.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 18pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong>Leather satchel or sling bag — $69.99</strong></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 18pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline;">Assorted styles</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 18pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong>Executive backpack — $39.99</strong></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 18pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline;">With internal USB charging port, a padded laptop/document sleeve and available in Classic Black, Classic Grey or Black Roll-top Style.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 18pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong>Premium headphones — $69.99</strong></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 18pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline;">Active noise cancelling, built-in microphone for calls, on-ear controls, bluetooth connectivity, up to 21 hours battery life, 40mm driver and includes premium carry case.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 18pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline;"><em>Images: Aldi</em></p>

Travel Tips

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Jacinda Ardern announces plan to reopen New Zealand

<p>After months of being closed to locals stranded overseas, New Zealand is planning to reopen its borders. </p><p>Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern annouced the plan for New Zealand citizens to return home in a speech on Thursday, and detailed a new scheme to reconnect the country to the rest of the world. </p><p>New Zealanders who have been stranded in Australia will be able to return home form February 27th, while citizens suck in other parts of the world will have to wait until March 13th.</p><p>The country still boasts strict border policies, with residents located across the world have been forced to enter a lottery system to gain a place in New Zealand's hotel quarantine system. </p><p>However, Ms Ardern said the stringent policies would now change. </p><p>"The tools we used yesterday to help battle this health crisis, they won't stay the same," she said. </p><p>She said there was "no question" the managed isolation and quarantine (MIQ) system "has been one of the hardest parts of the pandemic".</p><p>From the end of the month, returning New Zealanders will be allowed to isolate at home instead of facing an overcrowded hotel quarantine system. </p><p>While this new rule only applies to New Zealand citizens, it is expected Australian tourists and travellers from visa-waiver countries will be allowed in under similar conditions "no later than" July. </p><p>Visa holders, including international students and migrant workers, will be allowed in and to isolate at home from mid-April. </p><p>Non-visa holders can expect to enter New Zealand in October. </p><p><em>Image credits: Getty Images</em></p>

International Travel

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Joyous scenes at reopened Queensland border

<p><em>Image: Sunrise </em></p> <p>For the first time in 229 days, Queensland has reopened its borders allowing friends and families to reunite just in time for Christmas.</p> <p>The sunshine state dropped entry restrictions for fully vaccinated travellers who can provider a negative COVID-19 test arriving from both road and air at 1 am on Monday.</p> <p>There were emotional scenes at Gold Coast airport as the first flight into the state, Jetstar flight JQ400 shortly after 6AM (local time), landed carrying hundreds of passengers from Sydney.</p> <p>Friends and families hugged and cried after seeing each other in person for the first time in months.</p> <p>There was an increased police presence at border checkpoints located at Queensland’s Road border, with officers making sure all travellers are following the rules.</p> <p>Police are doing compliance and border pass checks, with motorists warned to expect lengthy delays.</p> <p>“The current situation for COVID on the Gold Coast is one that we’ve been preparing for, for two years,” District Acting Chief Superintendent Rhys Wildman said on Friday.</p> <p>“We are prepared and we are ready to deal with this and keep our community safe as we’ve done over the last nearly two years,”</p> <p>The rules differ depending on where travellers are arriving from.</p> <p>Those who have been in a ‘hotspot’ such as Sydney and Melbourne within the last 14 days must be fully vaccinated, must have an entry pass, along with a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours prior to arrival and they must agree to get another test on day five following their arrival.</p> <p>However, those who are not fully vaccinated will need to undergo 14 days of hotel quarantine upon arrival into the sunshine state.</p> <p>For those entering Queensland from a ‘green zone’, an area that is not declared as a hotspot, there are no restrictions upon entry, provided you receive a border entry pass prior to arrival.</p> <p>You must apply for and receive an entry pass to enter Queensland from anywhere in Australia, including from within green zones.</p> <p>Residents living in the declared 'border zone’ will be able to move freely across the border provided they are vaccinated and have a valid border pass.</p> <p>Australian citizens or permanent residents – or immediate family members can arrive directly into Queensland via Brisbane International Airport.</p> <p>You must be fully vaccinated and have a negative result within 72 hours before departure.</p> <p>Home quarantine must be conducted within a two-hour drive of the airport. Anyone else in the property at the time must also complete quarantine and have at least one dose of a vaccine.</p> <p>If you are arriving from overseas via another state or territory you must be fully vaccinated and undertake the Queensland-specified period of quarantine under the direction of another state or territory at home or in a government-nominated facility.</p> <p>If you arrive into Australia via an interstate COVID-19 hotspot, you’ll need to complete 14 days of hotel quarantine when you arrive in Queensland.</p> <p>“Well done to Queensland ... Thank you to everyone who got their jab,” Scott Morrison tweeted.</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr">Well done to Queensland and the NT! Confirming you’ve officially hit 80% double dose vaccination, the target in our National Plan. Thank you to everyone who got their jab.<br /><br />Please get your booster if you’re due and help Australia continue to safely reopen and stay safely open.</p> — Scott Morrison (@ScottMorrisonMP) <a href="https://twitter.com/ScottMorrisonMP/status/1468696646242365443?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 8, 2021</a></blockquote> <p>Queensland has also unveiled plans to reduce quarantine requirements for contacts of known COVID-19 cases and cleaning requirements for businesses.</p> <p>From 1st January, 2022, there are a number of eased COVID-19 contact restrictions.</p> <p><strong>Queensland’s New Covid-19 rules</strong></p> <p><u>Vaccinated Close Contacts</u></p> <ul> <li>Home quarantine for seven days and get tests on days one and five</li> <li>Can leave quarantine if they test negative on day five</li> <li>Wear a face mask and don’t visit high-risk settings until day 14</li> </ul> <p><u>Unvaccinated Close Contacts</u></p> <ul> <li>Home quarantine for 14 days and get tested on days one, five and 12</li> <li>Fully vaccinated household contacts of close contacts</li> <li>No quarantine, but get tested on days one and five</li> </ul> <p><u>Unvaccinated Household Contacts of Close Contacts</u></p> <ul> <li>Home quarantine for seven days and get tests on days one and five</li> <li>If you test negative on day five leave quarantine</li> <li>Wear a face mask and don’t visit high-risk settings until day 14</li> </ul> <p><u>Casual Contacts</u></p> <ul> <li>No quarantine required but must get tested immediately and isolate until they get a negative result, wearing a face mask outside home recommended for 14 days</li> <li>Businesses that are visited by active COVID-19 cases and listed as exposure sites</li> <li>Close premises for a standard clean, but no deep-clean required</li> </ul> <p><u>Definitions</u></p> <ul> <li>A close contact is a anyone who’s had at least 15 minutes face-to-face contact with a COVID-19 case in the business or venues</li> <li>Vaccinated is anyone who is more than seven days after their first dose</li> <li>Household contacts are people residing in same dwelling overnight, including intimate partners</li> <li>Tests must be PCR tests</li> </ul>

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Elderly man dies waiting for state borders to reopen

<p>A man has died at a NSW caravan park while waiting for the Queensland border to reopen so he could be reunited with his son. </p> <p>The 78-year-old man had been living with his wife and daughter in the northern NSW town of Tenterfield for 14 weeks before his sudden death. </p> <p><a rel="noopener" href="https://www.couriermail.com.au" target="_blank">The Courier Mail</a> reports that the family had been trying to relocate to the Southern Downs region of Queensland to live with their son. </p> <p>However, as Queensland's tough border rules remain in place, the family stayed in Tenterfield: 50km from their destination. </p> <p>NSW Police confirmed that emergency services were called to the caravan park in Tenterfield on November 22nd, following reports of a man suffering a medical episode. </p> <p>Members of the public started CPR on the man, but could not be revived once paramedics arrived and he died at the scene. </p> <p>Following news of the man's death, his wife and daughter he was living with were both granted an exemption to be with their remaining family in Queensland.</p> <p>It has been reported that the man had applied for a border exemption in early November, but he later withdrew the exemption request for an unknown reason. </p> <p>According to the <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.qld.gov.au/health/conditions/health-alerts/coronavirus-covid-19/current-status/public-health-directions/travelling-to-queensland" target="_blank">QLD Government Health website</a>, to enter the state you must apply for a Queensland Entry Pass and produce a negative Covid PCR test, which costs approximately $200. </p> <p>According to other residents of the caravan park, the elderly man was "very stressed" at the thought of having to pay for the test done to enter Queensland. </p> <p><em>Image credits: Getty Images</em></p>

Travel Trouble

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Cruise industry left out as international boarders reopen

<p><em>Image: Getty </em></p> <p>International boarders have come down, with the travel ban and the exemption requirement to go overseas finally ditched on November 1<sup>st</sup>.  </p> <p>Aussies desperate to go on holidays are already selling out flights to Europe, America and Asia.</p> <p>Despite flights being back on track, cruise companies are still unable to restart their Australian tours.</p> <p>However, there will be nothing stopping Aussies flying to places Miami, Florida and Nadi, Fiji, and enjoying a cruise overseas before flying home – making the Australian cruise ruling more farcical.</p> <p>The cruise industry was brought to a standstill early last year when the coronavirus pandemic hit Australia, with one of Australia’s first Covid outbreaks came from a cruise ship, when the <em>Ruby Princess</em> docked in Sydney last March.</p> <p>More than 900 infections and at least 28 deaths were eventually linked to the outbreak.</p> <p>The outbreak triggered a biosecurity ban on all foreign flagged vessels, with the cruise ban in place until December 17<sup>th</sup>.</p> <p>Despite hints from NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet, who has acknowledged the irony of Aussies being able to cruise overseas but not at home, the industry will still take months to restart.</p> <p>Speaking to news.com.au, Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) managing director Australasia Joel Katz blasted the “ridiculous” and “disappointing” double standard.</p> <p>“We need the federal and state governments to come to the party,” Mr Katz said.</p> <p>“Just in the last couple of days, we’ve had a number of travel agents reach out to us with comments from a number of avid cruise passengers, asking us what the rules are about cruising overseas.</p> <p>“They’re planning to fly overseas to cruise because they can’t cruise at home and that’s really disappointing for the thousands of Aussies who rely on the cruise industry locally for their livelihoods.”</p> <p>Mr Katz said the cruise industry had been asking the Government “for a long time” to forge a way forward together.</p> <p>Despite some promising words from senior federal ministers and a number of premiers, Mr Katz said it was “time to convert words into action”.</p> <p>The Australian cruise industry has submitted robust Covid protocols that have already been tried and tested on more than three million passengers overseas, since cruising restarted in Europe and the US.</p> <p>Despite that, Mr Katz said the industry was still waiting on formal responses in Australia from the Government and health authorities.</p> <p>Even if those formal responses and approvals came tomorrow, the cruise industry is not one that can get things up and running quickly.</p> <p>“There are long lead times to get ships up and running. It’s very difficult for cruise companies to know when to push the start button with no certainty,” Mr Katz said.</p> <p>“The crew needs to be recruited and vaccinated, then they have to be flown out to wherever the ship is, go through a quarantine process, get trained on whatever new protocols are needed.</p> <p>“And, most of the ships are in the northern hemisphere, so they need to make their way down. All that needs to happen before they can even start the process of taking customers again.”</p> <p>Mr Katz predicted a restart of Australia’s cruise industry in January (in 10-12 weeks’ time), a prediction he quickly revised when P&amp;O announced it had been forced to again push its first cruises to February.</p> <p>P&amp;O Cruises Australia President Sture Myrmell said the voluntary pause had been extended due to the lack of a clear pathway towards restarting the industry.</p> <p>“We are naturally disappointed for our guests and our many suppliers to have to extend the pause in operations by a further month,” Mr Myrmell said this morning.</p> <p>“With society rapidly reopening including social gatherings and travel just weeks away, there is a vital need for a pathway for the staged resumption of domestic cruising.</p> <p>“Our guests have made it clear they want to cruise again, and we look forward to welcoming them on board as soon as possible supported by comprehensive protocols based on the world’s best public health practice and standards.”</p>

Cruising

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Egypt’s King Djoser tomb reopens

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">15 years after its closure, the ancient tomb of Egyptian King Djoser has reopened for public viewing.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Also known as the “Southern Tomb”, the predominantly underground structure is filled with corridors embellished with hieroglyphic carvings and tiles.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">After closing in 2006 due to risks of collapses, the tomb has since undergone $8.2 million worth of renovations.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“Fifteen years ago nobody could go down to the tomb because of collapses,” Ashraf Owais, director of Saqqara Monument Restoration, said.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Since 2006, the tomb has had its corridors reinforced, lighting installed, and had its carvings and tiled walls refurbished.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Mustafa Waziri, secretary-general of the Supreme Council of Antiquities of Egypt described the newly-renovated site, including its opulent contents.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“After descending the deep stairs and reaching the burial pit, one finds a coffin that is considered one of the largest made with pink granite stone, composed of 16 pink granite blocks with a total weight of 120 tons,” he said.</span></p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr">Exclusive: Completion of the Restoration Project of King Djoser Southern Tomb in Saqqara <a href="https://t.co/YfmKVe5YXj">https://t.co/YfmKVe5YXj</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/egypt?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#egypt</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Egyptology?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Egyptology</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Archaeology?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Archaeology</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Sakkara?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Sakkara</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/indyfromspace?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@indyfromspace</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/yukinegy?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@yukinegy</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/ARCENational?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ARCENational</a> <a href="https://t.co/nronuKppZl">pic.twitter.com/nronuKppZl</a></p> — Luxor Times (@luxortimes) <a href="https://twitter.com/luxortimes/status/1437495561230422020?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 13, 2021</a></blockquote> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Though the Southern Tomb belongs to Djoser, his body is actually stored in the nearby Step Pyramid, the world’s oldest pyramid.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Both structures are found in the Saqqara village, which is one of Egypt’s richest archeological sites and home to the world’s oldest brewery.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The renovations of both the Southern Tomb and the Step Pyramid come as the country works to revive its tourism industry, which has been severely affected by the pandemic and protests in 2011.</span></p> <p><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Images: dr_mostafa_waziry / Instagram, Getty</span></em></p>

International Travel

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Vietnam to reopen Phu Quoc island to tourists

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Vietnam </span><a rel="noopener" href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-09-10/vietnam-to-reopen-resort-island-to-foreign-tourists/100453458" target="_blank"><span style="font-weight: 400;">plans</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> to reopen the island of Phu Quoc to inbound tourists from October, as the country looks to revive its hard-hit economy.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The island will be expected to open for a six-month trial period, according to a statement from the government.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Vietnam is currently closed to all visitors except returning citizens and investors, but the island will soon be open to fully vaccinated tourists with a negative COVID-19 test result.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">During the pandemic, Vietnam’s tourism industry experienced a large decline as the number of visitors plummeted from 18 million in 2019 to 3.8 million last year. </span></p> <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/Ba1VPFujeFt/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="13"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/Ba1VPFujeFt/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">A post shared by Visit Vietnam (@visitvietnam)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“The prolonged pandemic has seriously hurt the tourism industry,” Vietnam’s Tourism and Culture Minister Nguyen Van Hung said.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Before opening up the island, the tourism industry said all residents of Phu Quoc would be fully vaccinated.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The ministry added that the island had not reported any community infections and had sufficient quarantine and treatment facilities.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The country has contained the virus for much of the pandemic, but has faced a recent surge in cases of the Delta variant.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh conceded that Vietnam has been facing a lengthy battle against coronavirus and could not rely solely on lockdown and quarantine.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The news comes as 570,000 people in Vietnam have been infected and 14,400 people have lost their lives.</span></p> <p><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Image: visitvietnam / Instagram</span></em></p>

International Travel

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NSW hospitality venues to reopen as part of vaccine passport trial

<p>NSW is set to open allow the reopening of some hospitality venues in suburbs with low COVID-19 numbers and high jab rates by early October – but only for those who are fully vaccinated.</p> <p>It’s been announced this will be a trial of the new vaccine passport. The Service NSW app will be upgraded so it will enable people to check in and prove their vaccination status at the same time.</p> <p>Customer Services Minister Victor Dominello shared a sneak peek of what the updated app will look like.</p> <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CTdKvYuBrGC/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="13"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CTdKvYuBrGC/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">A post shared by Victor Dominello MP (@victordominello)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>It shows a user signed in to a café, with a green tick next to their name and the word ‘vaccinated’ in green.</p> <p>It also shows two dependents signed in with the user, with orange highlighting the words: ‘Proof of vaccination needed.’</p> <p>Minister Dominello posted: ‘Aiming to undertake testing later this month and some pilots in the first half of next month.’</p> <p><strong>Four-square metre rule will still apply</strong></p> <p>It’s expected venues will still be subject to the four-square metre rule and standing while drinking and dancing are expected to be banned.</p> <p>News of the reopening came after Premier Gladys Berejiklian revealed on <em>Sunrise</em><br />that restrictions will ease for fully vaccinated NSW residents when vaccination targets are met.</p> <p>She said that life “will feel very much more normal” for locked down residents once 70 per cent and 80 per cent of the eligible population has been double jabbed.</p> <p>“Whether it is attending a public event or having a drink, if you are fully vaccinated and the state has hit its 70 percent double dose target, please expect to do all of those things we have been missing for too long,” Berejiklian said last week.</p> <p>“I’m looking forward to that and I want to thank everybody for coming forward and getting vaccinated,” she added.</p> <p>As of Monday, 60.8 percent of eligible NSW residents have currently had their first jab and 41 percent are fully vaccinated.</p> <p><em>Image: Getty Images</em></p>

Legal

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Huge list of Bunnings stores set to reopen

<p>Bunnings will open its doors to customers across Greater Sydney from Monday the 6th of September 2021, excluding those stores located in local government areas of concern.</p> <p>This decision follows NSW hitting the 70% first dose vaccination target, reducing the risks associated with reopening a retail space. This move will provide Sydney residents with access to essential products benefiting emergency home repairs and general maintenance.</p> <p>“The Safety of our team and customers has been at the core of everything we do, and we continue to follow government guidance in all the states and territories where we operate” says managing director Mike Schneider.</p> <p>The vaccination roll out has increased opportunities for both our team and customers to get vaccinated and has given us every confidence to re-open stores in Greater Sydney. COVID-safe protocols will apply and will include a one per 10-metre density limit.</p> <p> </p> <p><img style="width: 500px; height: 281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7843672/new-project.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/fad5c5a6faaf4d8d9e4ce0aea0b3a17b" /></p> <p><em>Image: Getty</em></p> <p>Customers are still encouraged to utilise contactless Drive &amp; Collect and delivery for non-essential items, this keeps up with current public health guidance.</p> <p>Stores were closed in August after restrictions around retail stores of concern tightened. Schneider said it would be “easier for our team to manage” if all stores were closed.</p> <p>Stores located in council areas of concern remain open for contactless collection in line with government orders. These areas which amount to almost half of Sydney’s population include Bayside, Blacktown, Burwood, Canterbury-Bankstown, Campbelltown, Cumberland, Fairfield, George’s River, Liverpool, Parramatta, Strathfield, and some areas of Penrith.</p> <p>The following Bunnings locations will reopen to retail customers:</p> <ul> <li>Alexandria</li> <li>Artarmon</li> <li>Ashfield</li> <li>Balgowlah</li> <li>Belrose</li> <li>Caringbah</li> <li>Carlingford</li> <li>Castle Hill</li> <li>Chatswood</li> <li>Dural</li> <li>Gladesville</li> <li>Gordon</li> <li>Gregory Hills</li> <li>Kirrawee</li> <li>McGraths Hill</li> <li>Narellan</li> <li>Narrabeen</li> <li>North Penrith</li> <li>Penrith</li> <li>Randwick</li> <li>Rose Bay</li> <li>Rouse Hill</li> <li>Thornleigh</li> <li>Warringah Mall</li> </ul>

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Phuket reopens to international visitors, with a catch

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">For the first time since the onset of the coronavirus pandemic, Phuket, Thailand’s popular resort island, is allowing international travellers to enter without quarantining, as long as they’re vaccinated.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">On July 1, the first of four flights arriving that day touched down at Phuket International Airport with 25 passengers from Abu Dhabi. In total, about 400 vaccinated tourists arrived from Doha, Tel Aviv, Singapore, and Abu Dhabi as part of Thailand’s new “Phuket Sandbox” program.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">In an interview with CNN the day before, Thailand’s Minister of Tourism Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn said the program was needed to restart the country’s economy, which has been severely impacted by the pandemic.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“In 2019, we had revenue from both domestic and international tourism at 3 trillion baht ($1.2 billion) but in 2020 it shrank to 800 billion baht,” he said.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Phuket generated more than 470 billion of that revenue, thanks to the arrival of 10 million tourists.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The opening on July 1 has been viewed as mostly symbolic as a windfall of tourism numbers isn’t expected to follow.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Instead, Phiphat estimates that about 100,000 international tourists will arrive on the island in the first three months following the reopening, which is expected to generate about 9 billion baht in revenue.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Beyond the island, Thailand has been battling its third wave of COVID-19, with the country reporting 57 deaths and 5,533 cases on the same day as the reopening, mostly in Bangkok.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">But, Phiphat has said “Phuket is currently perfectly fit for travel” despite the current number of cases in Thailand.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“If you look at the nationwide infection number, we would say we are not ready. If you focus only on Phuket, where we have laid our groundwork for more than three months, I would say Phuket is 100 percent ready,” he said.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The decision to reopen Phuket was reliant on the vaccination of 70 percent of the island’s residents. According to Phuket’s public relations office, more than 80 percent of the population have received at least one dose, and about 65 percent have been fully vaccinated as of June 30.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Phiphat said if the program is successful, officials will use Phuket as a blueprint to open nine other popular tourist destinations from October 1: Bangkok, Chonburi, Chiang Mai, Petchaburi, Prachuap Kiri Khan, Phang Nga, Krabi, Surat Thai, and Buriram.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">For those who do wish to visit Phuket, they must meet a list of conditions.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Travellers can only come from pre-approved countries or territories, must stay in an accredited hotel for 14 days before travelling anywhere else in the country, and must apply for a Certificate of Entry.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Additionally, visitors need to have proof of an insurance policy covering treatment of COVID-19 up to the cost of $100,000, as well as a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours of departure and a certificate of vaccination against coronavirus with an approved vaccine administered at least two weeks before their travel date.</span></p>

International Travel

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Virgin boss wants border reopened even though "some people may die"

<div class="post_body_wrapper"> <div class="post_body"> <div class="body_text redactor-styles redactor-in"> <p>Virgin Australia's chief executive Jayne Hrdlicka has compared COVID-19 to the flu and says that international borders should be reopened even if it means "some people may die".</p> <p>“COVID will be part of the community,” she told a business lunch in Brisbane on Monday.</p> <p>“We will become sick with COVID and it won’t put us in hospital, and it won’t put people into dire straits because we’ll have a vaccine.</p> <p>“Some people may die, but it will be way smaller than with the flu.</p> <p>“We’re forgetting the fact that we’ve learnt how to live with lots of viruses and challenges over the years and we’ve got to learn how to live with this.”</p> <p>More than 3.3 million people are estimated to have died since the COVID-19 pandemic began.</p> <p>A Virgin Australia Group spokesman later said that the airline would continue to work closely with state and federal governments to support the safety of the community.</p> <p>“We agree with state and federal leaders that eradication of COVID-19 cannot be the goal for our country,” he said.</p> <p>“The question is not if but when we will be sufficiently vaccinated to protect our people and our hospital system to open our international borders.</p> <p>“We must learn to live with COVID-19 in the community in a way that protects the health and safety of our people, but also opens Australia up to the rest of the world.”</p> <p>Brett Sutton, Victorian chief health officer, said that Australia needs to accept there would be cases of COVID-19 after borders reopened.</p> <p>“We need to somehow communicate to the public that we’ve gotten to a place of complacency because we’ve driven transmission to zero but we will face newly emerging transmission, and a critical juncture where we need to make a call on letting it run,” he said.</p> </div> </div> </div>

International Travel

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Victoria's borders REOPEN to majority of NSW

<p class="p1">In just hours, Victoria will downgrade border restrictions on the majority of the local government areas in New South Wales from red to orange.</p> <p class="p1">On Monday, Victoria's Premier Daniel Andrews said the health team spent the weekend to assess each case in the Sydney region.</p> <p class="p1">In total, 25 out of 35 LGAs will be switched from red to orange.</p> <p class="p1">This means, residents from those zones can get an automatic permit to travel back to Victoria but must get tested within 72 hours of arrival and isolate for a negative result.</p> <p class="p1">From 6pm on Monday, all LGAs will be downgraded from red to orange except for the following:</p> <ul class="ul1"> <li class="li1"><span class="s1"></span>Bankstown City</li> <li class="li1"><span class="s1"></span>Burwood</li> <li class="li1"><span class="s1"></span>Canada Bay City</li> <li class="li1"><span class="s1"></span>Canterbury-Bankstown</li> <li class="li1"><span class="s1"></span>Cumberland</li> <li class="li1"><span class="s1"></span>Fairfield City</li> <li class="li1"><span class="s1"></span>Inner West</li> <li class="li1"><span class="s1"></span>Liverpool City</li> <li class="li1"><span class="s1"></span>Parramatta City</li> <li class="li1"><span class="s1"></span>Strathfield Municipality</li> </ul> <p class="p1">Those 10 LGAs remain in the red category and anyone who has visited those areas in the last 14 days are not allowed to enter the state without prior permission.</p> <p class="p1">“We’re not seeing spread or contacts in isolation in those other 25 local government areas,” Andrews said.</p> <p class="p1">The Blue Mountains and Wollongong will also be downgraded from red to orange.</p> <p class="p1">NSW border towns with Victoria will move to the green zone from 6pm one Monday.</p> <p class="p1">These include Albury City, Balranald Shire, Bega Valley Shire, Berrigan Shire, City of Broken Hill, Edward River Council, Federation Council, Greater Hume Shire, Hay Shire, Lockhart Shire, Murray River Council, Murrumbidgee Council, Snowy Monaro Regional Council, Snowy Valleys Council, City of Wagga Wagga and Wentworth Shire.</p> <p class="p1">The permits are available <a href="https://www.service.vic.gov.au/services/border-permit/home"><span class="s2">here</span></a>.</p>

Domestic Travel

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Tasmania borders to reopen to NSW

<p><span>It has just been 24 hours since Tasmania’s borders were opened to most of mainland Australia, and now Premier Peter Gutwein has announced residents from NSW will be able to enter the island state from November 6.</span><br /><br /><span>Tassie was the first Australian state to shut its border when the COVID-19 pandemic arose.</span><br /><br /><span>They only just opened their borders to allow quarantine-free entry for travellers from the low-risk states and territories of South Australia, Queensland, Western Australia, the Northern Territory and the ACT on Monday.</span><br /><br /><span>Travellers from New Zealand were also given the opportunity to travel quarantine-free, but will have to transit via the mainland as Tasmania doesn’t have an international airport.</span><br /><br /><span>NSW had been considered medium-risk to Tasmania until Tuesday.</span><br /><br /><span>However, restrictions are set to be lifted from November 6 after the state revised NSW’s COVID numbers.</span><br /><br /><span>Mr Gutwein said that while the move is still subject to public health advice, it would mean that the state’s hard border control will only be applied to Victoria until December.</span></p>

Domestic Travel

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Case against elderly woman’s injuries reopens after “whistle-blower” raises concerns

<p><span>Police are looking into how exactly an 83-year-old woman suffered significant bruising and cuts during a stay at a Sydney hospital.</span><br /><br /><span>The elderly woman was at Hornsby Hospital last Thursday for a dementia assessment.</span><br /><br /><span>When her daughter picked her up from the hospital, she was shocked by the sight of her mother who was covered in bruises and cuts on her arm, neck and face.</span><br /><br /><span>The hospital initially told her the injuries were the result of two falls suffered in their care.</span><br /><br /><span>Police said an investigation showed no indication of anything more sinister.</span><br /><br /><span>However two whistleblowers have come forward and claimed the case should be brought back into the spotlight.</span><br /><br /><span>One person allegedly told 7NEWS they saw the 83-year-old woman walking to the lift when she was restrained and dragged back into her room.</span><br /><br /><span>Another claimed that police didn’t check security cameras or interview staff who were working when she was hurt.</span><br /><br /><span>Police on Wednesday confirmed they had reopened the investigation.</span><br /><br /><span>The hospital has apologised to the woman’s daughter and said it too was investigating exactly what happened.</span><br /><br /><span>“I was broken-hearted, shocked, just couldn’t believe the state she was in,” daughter Tracey McCarthy told 7NEWS.</span></p>

News

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Queensland borders to NSW to reopen "within weeks"

<p><span>Queensland could be up and running for NSW residents within just weeks, one of the country’s leading tourism figures have claimed.</span><br /><br /><span>Flight Centre boss Graham Turner predicts that Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk will be left with no other choice other than to open up their state as other Australian jurisdictions start to ease their border controls.</span><br /><br /><span>“I’m pretty sure that the borders – the NSW border with Queensland will open within the next three or four weeks. I don’t know that for sure. But it seems logical,” he told the Today show on Friday morning.</span><br /><br /><span>“The only thing that will stop it I believe is a serious outbreak in NSW somewhere.</span><br /><br /><span>“There’s got to be a good reason. If there’s a very good reason, safety, health, but I think that’s done and dusted now. That’s over. So I think pragmatism will reign and I’m pretty confident the borders will open because I don’t think there is any choice.”</span></p> <p><img style="width: 500px; height: 281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7837943/flight-centre.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/21e1256717ae4b8ea6eae947cdf17507" /></p> <p><em>Flight Centre boss Graham Turner</em><br /><br /><span>Mr Turner said the tourism industry was “suffering”, especially on the Gold Coast and in North Queensland.</span><br /><br /><span>“They do all right at the weekends, you know, from the Brisbane traffic, but during the week, it is absolutely dead,” he said.</span><br /><br /><span>“Everyone’s suffering. Travel, tourism, airline, airports, it’s a bit of a disaster.”</span><br /><br /><span>Mr Turner hoped by March that his business would be back to “some level of normality”.</span></p> <p><img style="width: 500px; height: 281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7837944/borders-1.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/79e7dc73d6a143c0b20db050cfab5f7f" /><br /><br /><span>“International will take a little bit longer. But it’s just JobKeeper has been pretty generous, probably too generous in some cases.</span><br /><br /><span>“You know, businesses like ours or airports and airlines, if we get the domestic travel back full-on, we will get back to a break-even situation with a little bit of luck.</span><br /><br /><span>“I think most of the major airlines, Virgin and Qantas, and the airports, will feel the same way.”</span></p>

Domestic Travel

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Supreme Court says grace ain’t groceries: Reopening churches in a pandemic

<p>The highest court in the land has given states some leeway in determining when and how to safely reopen places of worship during the COVID-19 pandemic. The move lends support to state officials making science-informed decisions that may inhibit church congregants from fully engaging in their faith.</p> <p>In a <a href="https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/19pdf/19a1044_pok0.pdf">5-4 ruling</a> issued close to midnight on Friday, May 29, the U.S. Supreme Court decided not to disturb the <a href="https://www.kpbs.org/news/2020/may/25/california-governor-issues-guidelines-churches-ope/">California governor’s order restricting religious service</a> gatherings as part of its emergency pandemic response effort.</p> <p>The decision is the latest turn in the debate over what places of worship may do during the lockdown and as the U.S. comes out of it. During the pandemic there have been <a href="https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2020/05/churches-reopen-coronavirus/612304/">frequent clashes</a> as federal, state and local officials try to balance protecting the public’s health with the rights of individuals and groups to gather and practice their faith.</p> <p>This is nothing new. I study public health law, ethics and policy, and I have seen how issues from <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2019/03/19/god-country-chickenpox-how-an-outbreak-entangled-one-school-vaccine-showdown/">vaccination exemptions</a> to <a href="https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/article-abstract/2470438">responding to the opioid crisis</a> are steeped in such concerns.</p> <p><strong>Clashing over churches</strong></p> <p>The debate over church attendance began as soon the current crisis took hold and communities began to lockdown.</p> <p>One of the earliest high-profile clashes involved the <a href="https://www.tampabay.com/news/health/2020/03/30/tampa-church-holds-packed-service-draws-warning-from-sheriffs-office/">arrest and jailing of a Tampa Bay, Florida-area pastor</a>. Pastor Rodney Howard-Browne, a controversial figure who has <a href="https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/bible-belt-us-coronavirus-pandemic-pastors-church-a9481226.html">dismissed coroanvirus as a “phantom plague</a>” held two large services in defiance of the county’s stay-at-home order and at a time when local COVID-19 cases were soaring. He was detained on May 30. But just two days after the arrest, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis <a href="https://www.flgov.com/wp-content/uploads/orders/2020/EO_20-91-compressed.pdf">issued an executive order</a> declaring that “attending religious services conducted in churches, synagogues and houses of worship” were to be protected as “essential activities.” He added that the state order would override any contradictory local restrictions.</p> <p>By that time, President Trump had already declared that Easter would be a “beautiful time” for the U.S. economy <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/24/us/politics/trump-coronavirus-easter.html">to be reopened</a> – a goal that put him <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2020/03/25/trump-needs-governors-reopen-economy-even-republican-ones-arent-onboard/">at odds with the science and some state governors</a>. That plan was <a href="https://www.google.com/search?q=trump+abandons+easter&amp;rlz=1C5CHFA_enUS855US855&amp;oq=trump+abandons+easter&amp;aqs=chrome..69i57.2986j1j4&amp;sourceid=chrome&amp;ie=UTF-8">later abandoned</a>.</p> <p>More recently, Trump described houses of worship as “<a href="https://www.christianitytoday.com/news/2020/may/trump-church-reopening-essential-religious-freedom.html">essential places that provide essential services</a>.”</p> <p>But this characterization of live, in-person church services as “essential” blurs the distinct way that term was originally applied to businesses, services and employees in the crisis. “Essential” in this context referred to <a href="https://www.cisa.gov/sites/default/files/publications/Version_3.1_CISA_Guidance_on_Essential_Critical_Infrastructure_Workers.pdf">critical contributors to our nation’s infrastructure and workforce</a>. They are the people involved with keeping our hospitals, food supplies, transport and utilities running, as well as law enforcement and our national defense.</p> <p>But the president and many states are applying the term “essential” more broadly, <a href="https://www.voanews.com/usa/are-person-religious-services-essential-during-pandemic">as a way to signal certain values</a>.</p> <p>This is especially true when examining the mix of states’ approaches to in-person church gatherings.</p> <p><strong>States and SCOTUS</strong></p> <p>By late May, <a href="https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/ny-nj-loosen-restrictions-on-gatherings-in-time-for-memorial-day-weekend/2430000/">even the states hit hardest by the virus</a> had begun to loosen their restrictions on gatherings. But when the first “stay-at-home” orders were issued, <a href="https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2020/04/27/most-states-have-religious-exemptions-to-covid-19-social-distancing-rules/">California was just one of nine states</a> to ban live religious gatherings altogether. Meanwhile, around 20 other states initially limited live gatherings to 10 people or less. Doing so placed restrictions on church services akin to those on concerts, movie theaters or sporting events.</p> <p>But other states followed a similar approach to Florida, labeling religious gatherings as “essential,” or at least declaring that they <a href="https://coronavirus.ohio.gov/wps/wcm/connect/gov/dd504af3-ae2c-4d2e-b2bd-02c1a3beed89/Director%27s+Order-+Amended+Mass+Gathering+3.17.20+%281%29.pdf?MOD=AJPERES&amp;CONVERT_TO=url&amp;CACHEID=ROOTWORKSPACE.Z18_M1HGGIK0N0JO00QO9DDDDM3000-dd504af3-ae2c-4d2e-b2bd-02c1a3beed89-n3FI0mY">should be exempt</a> from restrictions in place for other types of gatherings.</p> <p>Indiana and Kansas both initially tried a political and scientific middle ground: characterizing church gatherings as “essential,” but still requiring that religious organizations follow the rules set out by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/faith-based.html">for in-person social gatherings</a>, minimizing and discouraging live meetings until the public health threat was reduced.</p> <p>From a public health perspective, restricting in-person religious gatherings makes sense. COVID-19 is most <a href="https://theconversation.com/coronavirus-drifts-through-the-air-in-microscopic-droplets-heres-the-science-of-infectious-aerosols-136663">easily spread as an aerosol</a>, such as when people are talking or singing. The risk of spread is also higher in closed spaces when in close proximity to someone infected and increases the longer you are near them.</p> <p>Church-related gatherings often have all these features, and have been the <a href="https://www.sacbee.com/news/coronavirus/article241715346.html">nexus</a> <a href="https://nypost.com/2020/04/13/virginia-pastor-who-held-packed-church-service-dies-of-coronavirus/">for</a> <a href="https://www.times-news.com/coronavirus/covid-19-outbreak-reported-in-hampshire-county-church/article_07e1d928-a119-11ea-8d6f-87aca62d04e4.html">many</a> <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/69/wr/mm6920e2.htm">cases</a> where COVID-19 has spread <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/69/wr/mm6919e6.htm">across a community</a>.</p> <p>Interestingly, the Trump administration <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/white-house-and-cdc-remove-coronavirus-warnings-about-choirs-in-faith-guidance/2020/05/28/5d9c526e-a117-11ea-9590-1858a893bd59_story.html">eliminated warnings about church choir activities from the CDC’s latest guidance</a> on safely reopening places of worship.</p> <p>Defiant churches tried different tactics to remain open. Some simply ignored the restrictions and continued to hold services. And California isn’t the only state to see state rules challenged in court. Kansas, Kentucky, Mississippi, New Mexico, Texas and Virginia have all seen similar legal action.</p> <p>In many cases, the organizations fighting restrictions have <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/outlook/2020/05/13/churches-have-been-astonishingly-hypocritical-during-pandemic/">cited the First Amendment</a> and argued that it is unconstitutional to restrict church gatherings, especially when other secular so-called “essential” or “life-sustaining” entities – such as grocery stores, liquor stores and laundromats – are allowed to stay open. This line of argument was echoed in the Supreme Court decision’s dissenting opinion written by Justice Brent Kavanaugh in the Supreme Court case.</p> <p>The Supreme Court, looking at the latest version of California’s restrictions – which limits churches to 25% capacity, or a maximum of 100 attendees – declined to second guess the state’s elected officials in their assessment of the best way to protect the public’s health. In his concurring opinion, Chief Justice John Roberts, the <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/politics/roberts-embraces-role-as-supreme-court-swing-justice-with-latest-church-ruling">pivotal vote in the church case</a>, seemed swayed by how officials endeavored to follow the science during a time “fraught with medical and scientific uncertainties.” He noted that religious services were more like social gatherings than “grocery stores, banks, and laundromats, in which people neither congregate in large groups nor remain in close proximity for extended periods.”</p> <p><strong>Good-faith efforts</strong></p> <p>The loosening of formal in-person gathering restrictions is beginning to take place across the country. This will likely make monitoring the rules more difficult and could result in greater reliance upon the vigilance of religious leaders, their congregants and perhaps <a href="https://religionnews.com/2020/05/07/as-pandemic-persists-churches-and-insurance-companies-grapple-with-risk/">guidance from the churches’ risk-averse liability insurance companies</a>. For now, most churches and other religious entities appear to <a href="https://cruxnow.com/church-in-the-usa/2020/05/faith-leaders-protecting-human-life-is-priority-in-reopening-churches/">be remaining careful</a> amid <a href="https://www.indystar.com/story/news/local/2020/05/08/coronavirus-indiana-places-worship-plan-stay-closed/3096391001/">concern over the still present risks</a>. <a href="https://www.wishtv.com/news/local-news/2-avon-churches-a-mile-apart-from-each-other-reopen-under-different-guidelines/">Some are not</a>.</p> <p>But should infection numbers spike in the near future, state officials have the knowledge that a majority on the Supreme Court – for now at least – appear willing to follow the science and support their good-faith efforts to manage public health emergencies.</p> <p><em>Written by Ross D. Silverman. Republished with permission of <a href="https://theconversation.com/when-it-comes-to-reopening-churches-in-the-pandemic-supreme-court-says-grace-aint-groceries-135287">The Conversation.</a> </em></p> <p><em> </em></p>

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