Asia Today: Melbourne ready to ease rules with 1 new case
Australia’s Victoria state has reported just one new case of COVID-19 and no deaths as the city of Melbourne moves closer towards the easing of some lifestyle restrictions.
The state’s coronavirus death toll remains at 816 and the Australian total is 904.
Melbourne residents are expecting COVID-19 restrictions to be eased on Sunday but it is unclear how much freedom will be regained.
City hall workers spray a disinfectant Merdeka Square, or independence square, situated in front of the Sultan Abdul Samad Building, background, in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Saturday, Oct. 17, 2020. Malaysia will restrict movements in its biggest city Kuala Lumpur, neighboring Selangor state and the administrative capital of Putrajaya from Wednesday in an attempt to curb a sharp rise in coronavirus cases. (AP PhotoVincent Thian)
Victoria Premier Daniel Andrews has indicated the changes would be more “in the social space,” prompting pleas from business operators for relief from restrictions that once included an overnight curfew.
Current restrictions include a two-hour exercise limit within 5 kilometers (3 miles) of work or home and mandatory face masks covering the mouth and nose when a person leaves their home.
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City hall workers spray a disinfectant at Merdeka Square, or independence square, situated in front of the Sultan Abdul Samad Building, background, in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Saturday, Oct. 17, 2020. Malaysia will restrict movements in its biggest city Kuala Lumpur, neighboring Selangor state and the administrative capital of Putrajaya from Wednesday in an attempt to curb a sharp rise in coronavirus cases. (AP PhotoVincent Thian)
A health worker takes a nasal swab sample of a shopkeeper during random testing for COVID-19 in a market in Gauhati, India, Friday, Oct. 16, 2020. India’s coronavirus fatalities jumped by 895 in the past 24 hours, a day after recording the lowest daily deaths of 680 in nearly three months. The Health Ministry on Friday also reported 63,371 new cases in the past 24 hours, raising India’s total to more than 7.3 million, second in the world behind the U.S. (AP PhotoAnupam Nath)
A health worker takes a nasal swab sample of a rickshaw driver during random testing for COVID-19 in a market in Gauhati, India, Friday, Oct. 16, 2020. India’s coronavirus fatalities jumped by 895 in the past 24 hours, a day after recording the lowest daily deaths of 680 in nearly three months. The Health Ministry on Friday also reported 63,371 new cases in the past 24 hours, raising India’s total to more than 7.3 million, second in the world behind the U.S. (AP PhotoAnupam Nath)
An Indian artisan speaks on a phone as he works on idols of Hindu gods and goddesses ahead of Durga Puja festival in Gauhati, India, Friday, Oct. 16, 2020. Health officials have warned about the potential for the coronavirus to spread during the upcoming religious festival season, which is marked by huge gatherings in temples and shopping districts. (AP PhotoAnupam Nath)