Australia's biggest state suffers a spike in coronavirus cases as it targets 10,000 tests a day to protect against a second wave while restrictions are relaxed
- NSW Chief health officer Dr Kerry Chant is targeting 10,000 tests a day
- She urged anyone with 'the mildest symptoms' to get a coronavirus test
- Premier Gladys Berejiklian said more and more shops were planning to open
- NSW recorded nine new cases on Tuesday, taking the state total to 3,042
- Here’s how to help people impacted by Covid-19
New South Wales health officials are targeting 10,000 tests a day to identify any coronavirus outbreaks as restrictions are relaxed.
The state's chief health officer Dr Kerry Chant announced the ambitious target today after 6,899 tests were conducted on Tuesday.
She urged anyone with 'the mildest symptoms' including a runny nose or fatigue to get tested.
New South Wales recorded nine new cases on Tuesday, taking the state total to 3,042. Only three new cases were recorded on Monday.
New South Wales health officials are targeting 10,000 tests a day so they identify any coronavirus outbreaks as restrictions are relaxed. Pictured: Premier Gladys Berejiklian
One of the new patients is a worker at the Newmarch House care home in western Sydney, two are in hotel quarantine after arriving from overseas and one is a contact of a known case.
The five other new cases are being investigated.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian said more and more shops were planning to open this month as restrictions are relaxed.
'A number are making plans during the month of May to do that,' she said.
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'I'm confident that retail will re-open and that we will have COVID-safe schools,' Ms Berejiklian said.
Schools in New South Wales will gradually return to face-to-face teaching from May 11.
'Once schools go back I don't ever want to see them shut down again', she said.
The Premier also said more people are taking public transport and driving as economic activity slowly increases.
Queensland recorded zero new coronavirus cases on Tuesday.
Cafes and restaurants will be among the first businesses to re-open, treasurer Josh Frydenberg said today. Pictured: Bucket List at Bondi Beach before lockdown
Cafes and restaurants will be among the first businesses to re-open as coronavirus restrictions are relaxed, Treasurer Josh Frydenberg said on Tuesday.
Getting those businesses open is crucial to reducing unemployment and preventing food from being wasted, he said.
The national cabinet agreed to establish a three-step framework to gradually remove baseline restrictions to have a 'COVID-safe' economy by July.
Chief Medical Officer Brendan Murphy said there is a case for 'gently promoting' domestic tourism and the opening up of state borders in the 'second tranche' of relaxations.
The treasurer (pictured today) did not set out a timeframe but the relaxation of national baseline restrictions will be discussed by the national cabinet on Friday
