Winners of the annual Emirates Labour Market Award spoke about how they plan to use the money to build their dream houses, start businesses
uae11 hours ago
Australia will end a lockdown of its third-biggest city Brisbane on Thursday, just in time for Easter holidays, as only one new locally transmitted Covid-19 case in Queensland state eased fears of a widespread outbreak.
Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said the three-day lockdown in Brisbane would end at noon local time (0200 GMT), but residents would still be required to wear masks in public and some social distancing restrictions would remain in place.
“We are expecting a very good Easter,” Palaszczuk said.
But she cautioned that the state, a popular destination for domestic travellers over the Easter break and subsequent school term holidays, was “not out of the woods yet”.
“I’m asking Queenslanders for the next two weeks if we all do the right thing, we can get through this together,” Palaszczuk said at a televised briefing.
Officials had imposed the snap lockdown in Brisbane, home to more than 2 million people, on Tuesday as they grappled to contain two fresh COVID-19 clusters that now comprise 18 cases, including the new local infection.
High testing rates over the past 24 hours have enabled the easing of curbs, Palaszczuk said.
But in broader measures, gatherings at homes across the state will remain capped at 30, dancing in public venues is banned and businesses must maintain distancing of one person per two square metres.
The Queensland outbreak has jumped the border, with a case in neighbouring New South Wales (NSW) prompting the cancellation of the popular Bluesfest music festival in the coastal tourist town of Byron Bay and the reintroduction of mobility curbs in four council areas in the north of the state.
NSW, of which Sydney is the capital city, reported no new cases on Thursday.
“We are confident that New South Wales is able to deal with the current scare,” Premier Gladys Berejiklian told reporters.
Australia has largely curtailed the outbreak via border closures, snap lockdowns and speedy tracking systems. It has reported about 22,000 local cases, including 909 deaths, since the start of the pandemic, far fewer than most other developed nations.
However, some health experts have warned a slow vaccine rollout is increasing the risk of fresh outbreaks. Around 670,000 doses had been administered by the end of March, well below the government’s initial target of 4 million.
Australian states have also complained about the pace of distribution and uncertainty about supplies.
Berejiklian said NSW, Australia’s most populous state, was “ready and willing to help” with the centre’s vaccination drive.
“The quicker people are vaccinated, the quicker we can look forward to the easing of restrictions, to feeling safer and to overseas trips,” she said.
“I think that is something that all of us would welcome.”
Winners of the annual Emirates Labour Market Award spoke about how they plan to use the money to build their dream houses, start businesses
uae11 hours ago
10 lucky fans will have the once-in-a-lifetime chance to meet the eight-division world champion
uae attractions12 hours ago
ASAS 2024 brought together over 1,000 young talents from 50 nationalities under the theme 'Art and Innovation'
kt network12 hours ago
While President-elect Trump's administration originally filed the search case against Google during his first term, he indicated he might not break up the company
tech13 hours ago
The gathering explored the cutting edge of cinema, new media, PR and marketing, IT technologies, eSports, and game development
kt network13 hours ago
Passengers were currently being prevented from entering the building
world13 hours ago
Users will be able to select transcript language, too; here's how the new smart tool works
tech13 hours ago
With the new tariff, Yango Ride users can expect comfortable, modern limo vehicles starting from a minimum fare of Dh15.6
kt network13 hours ago