Travel Trouble

Placeholder Content Image

COVID-19 warning: Nine cruise ships floating offshore could “flood our system”

<p>Police are urging foreign cruise ships floating off the NSW coast to sail home rather than risk flooding the state’s hospitals with coronavirus patients.</p> <p>NSW Police Commissioner Mick Fuller on Tuesday said there were a total of nine ships either docked in NSW or waiting off the coast.</p> <p>“There are thousands of people, potentially, in cruise ships off our coasts that aren’t members of our state and if we take them in, then that could well flood our system unnecessarily,” Fuller said.</p> <p>“All the hard work we've done could be over. We will continue to allow them to have fuel and food ... but it is time to go to your port of origin.”</p> <p>The call came after the operator of the Ruby Princess cruise ship, which has been linked to hundreds of coronavirus cases, asked the government to allow the company to repatriate its foreign crew “on compassionate and humanitarian grounds”.</p> <p>Carnival Australia said it was “in high-level federal and state discussions with the aim of enabling the repatriation”.</p> <p>“It is not safe for the ship to sail away from Australia while there are crew members on board who are ill,” the company said in a statement.</p> <p>“While illness on board has been reduced due to strong health management, the ship needs to remain within reach of Australia to access healthcare services if an urgent need arises.”</p> <p>The ship has 1,100 crew from 51 countries, <em><a href="https://www.newcastleherald.com.au/story/6704572/humanitarian-call-to-repatriate-ruby-crew/?cs=9397">AAP</a> </em>reported.</p> <p>The Ruby Princess cruise ship has been linked to 10 per cent of Australia’s coronavirus cases, <em><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2020/mar/31/more-than-400-coronavirus-cases-australia-total-ruby-princess-cruise-ship">The Guardian</a> </em>reported. As of Monday, at least 440 passengers across the country had tested positive for COVID-19 after disembarking from the ship, which <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2020/apr/01/morning-mail-stay-at-home-measures-explained-10-of-cases-from-ruby-princess-locked-down-weddings">docked twice in Sydney in March</a>.</p> <p>NSW has banned all cruise ship passengers from disembarking until new policies are in place. The state will continue to let people disembark cruise ships on humanitarian grounds under Fuller’s personal approval, such as the three crew members with severe symptoms who were taken to hospital on Sunday night.</p>

Travel Trouble

Placeholder Content Image

Coles store remains open after two employees test positive for coronavirus

<p>Two Coles staff members from the southeastern suburbs of Melbourne have tested positive for coronavirus.</p> <p>The pair work at a Coles store in Mulgrave.</p> <p>The Health Department says the store can stay open, as people who pass through places where there has been a confirmed case have an extremely low risk of transmission, according to the supermarket’s spokesman.</p> <p>“Health authorities have not instructed Coles that it is necessary to close any stores, including in cases where team members or customers are diagnosed with COVID-19.”</p> <p>The supermarket has been thoroughly cleaned and workers who came in contact with the pair have been told to self-isolate.</p> <p>The company said it assisted the health department to trace the close contacts of the infected staff members.</p> <p>The Department of Health defines close contact as face to face contact for at least 15 minutes.</p> <p>It also applies to people being in the same closed space for at least two hours.</p> <p>“The Victorian Department of Health has reconfirmed that Coles has undertaken all necessary safety measures in stores where positive cases have been identified,” said a Coles spokesperson.</p>

Travel Trouble

Placeholder Content Image

Woman claiming to be infected spits on police officer multiple times

<p>A woman has allegedly spat on a police officer while being arrested, after she claimed she could possibly have COVID-19.</p> <p>Just after 5 pm on Friday March 27, Traffic and Highway Patrol officers attempted to stop an Audi in Greenacre, NSW, which subsequently engaged them in a chase, exceeding speeds of 120km/h in a 50km/h zone.</p> <p>The 25-year-old female driver was arrested; however, she refused orders from the police when asked to step out of the vehicle. She then resisted arrest, and repeatedly spat and coughed on the officer.</p> <p>The officer then physically restrained her on the ground.</p> <p>Police revealed that the woman in question was not displaying any symptoms, but as a precaution the officer has undergone COVID-19 testing.</p> <p>She was granted bail by Parramatta Local Court on Saturday 28 March.</p> <p>Attorney General Mark Speakman has condemned the “despicable act” in a statement to 2GB's Ray Hadley on his national radio programme.</p> <p>“While a decision to appeal this bail decision is one for the NSW Police Force and the Officer of the Director of Public Prosecutions, I have ordered a transcript of the bail proceedings which I will review,” said Speakman.</p> <p>Hadley slammed the woman, and argued the decision to grant bail is inappropriate in such a disturbing case. <span>“The only place for her based on her behaviour, until she appears before another court, is a small cell somewhere, hopefully with a spittle mask on so she can’t spit on anyone else!”</span></p> <p><strong><em>Attorney General Mark Speakman’s full statement:</em></strong></p> <p><em>“While I’m anxious not to pre-judge a particular case before the court, spitting at our hardworking and dedicated police and emergency services personnel at any time is a despicable act and a potentially very dangerous assault.</em></p> <p><em>“During the COVID-19 crisis, the risk and danger is particularly heightened.</em></p> <p><em>“While a decision to appeal this bail decision is one for the NSW Police Force and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, I have ordered a transcript of the bail proceedings which I will review.</em></p> <p><em>“Any further comment while this matter remains before the court would be inappropriate.”</em></p>

Travel Trouble

Placeholder Content Image

First royal to die from COVID-19

<p>Princess Maria Teresa of Spain has died at the age pf 86 after testing positive for COVID-19.</p> <p>The princess which belonged to the Bourbon-Parma Royal Family of Spain is the first royal to sadly succumb to their illness.</p> <p>Her distraught younger brother, Prince Sixtus Henry of Bourbon-Parma was the one to announce she passed away on Sunday.</p> <p><img style="width: 500px; height: 281.33058277462607px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7835367/princess-maria-teresa-of-spain.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/4a3929d0de7e41faa3d75eae2f7b371c" /></p> <p>The siblings are family members of the House of Bourbon-Parma – a cadet branch descending from the French Capetian dynasty off the Spanish royal family.</p> <p>A cadet branch is created when a young member of a Royal family is granted lands and titles of their own but is not the current heir.</p> <p> Princess Maria Teresa was born in Paris, France on July 28, 1933, to her parents Prince Xavier and Madeleine de Bourbon. She had six brothers and sisters.</p> <p>The late princess’ family once ruled as King of Etruria and as Duke of Parma and Piacenza, Guastalla, and Lucca until 1859.</p> <p><img style="width: 500px; height: 281.33058277462607px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7835365/princess-maria-teresa-of-spain-2.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/dffb7cac1b6b44c88b853f72dc84cfa1" /></p> <p>The sad news comes at the same time it was revealed Prince Charles, the future King of England tested positive to a “mild” form of COVID-19 at 71.</p> <p>Princess Maria did not have children of her own but is survived by a plethora of nieces and nephews, Prince Carlos of Bourbon-Parma, Duke of Parma and Piacenza, Princess Margarita and Prince Jaime.</p> <p>Spain is currently recording high numbers of coronavirus deaths and the army is now being handed emergency power to transfer dead bodies as undertakers are currently unable to cope.</p> <p>Spain is now firmly in second place as the worst-hit nation ahead of China with 3,295 in total as the number of deaths from COVID-19 reaches 5,690.</p>

Travel Trouble

Placeholder Content Image

Coronavirus: 5 people fined for breach of public health order

<p>A total of five people in NSW – including a woman who breached quarantine regulations after returning from Bali – have been handed infringement notices for breaking public health guidelines.</p> <p>The NSW Police from Thursday had the power to hand out fines of $1,000 to individuals and $5,000 to corporations for breaches of coronavirus public health orders or ministerial directions.</p> <p>The 65-year-old woman returned to Sydney from Bali on Saturday but breached the 14-day self-isolation order when she visited her home in Redhead, south of Newcastle on Monday.</p> <p>She also left her home on Thursday morning, officers said.</p> <p>The woman was issued with a $1,000 penalty infringement notice on Thursday afternoon.</p> <p>A businessowner was fined $5,000 after her massage parlour on Sussex St in Sydney’s CBD was identified as <a href="https://10daily.com.au/news/australia/a200326foqlk/first-covid-19-infringements-issued-in-nsw-after-new-laws-kick-in-20200326">still operating on Thursday</a>, in contravention of government restrictions.</p> <p>Three employees were also given $1,000 notices.</p> <p>“The fact that people are still not complying is the reason why we have police out in full force enforcing these directions,” Minister for Police and Emergency Services David Elliott said in a statement on Thursday.</p> <p>“This behaviour is not only reckless and stupid, but potentially deadly.”</p> <p>NSW Police previously announced that <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-03-25/nsw-police-will-fine-breaches-for-coronavirus-social-distancing/12089732">up to 70,000 officers</a> would be performing random checks  based on tipoffs through the Crime Stoppers hotline.</p> <p>Commissioner Mick Fuller said while most people were following the guidelines, dozens of breaches had been reported. “This is astounding, and incredibly disappointing, as these people are putting themselves and the wider community at an unacceptable risk,” he said.</p>

Travel Trouble

Placeholder Content Image

“Super spreader” infects 24 guests with coronavirus at 50th birthday party

<div class="post_body_wrapper"> <div class="post_body"> <div class="body_text "> <p>After guests enjoyed a lavish 50th birthday at a restaurant in Noosa, a “super spreader” has infected 24 people with coronavirus.</p> <p>Dozens of attendees were diagnosed with COVID-19 and are now in isolation.</p> <p>The restaurant, Sails, has temporarily closed.</p> <p>Sunshine Coast public health physician Roscoe Taylor said that the staff at Sails Restaurant are also believed to have contracted coronavirus as a result of the birthday party.</p> <p>“The number of cases from the private birthday function is continuing to be assessed as new cases come to light who have actually travelled back to their home state or from other parts of Queensland,” Dr Taylor said to<span> </span><em><a rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.couriermail.com.au/news/regional/confirmed-24-test-positive-for-virus-after-noosa-function/news-story/3f5d43ec34c6c22609b3c5f04fc2b037" target="_blank">The Courier Mail</a></em>.</p> <p>“In the Sunshine Coast area, we have a small number of guests who were at the event, and also, these four staff. It’s a bit of a moving tally.”</p> <p>“We are advising those patrons to be mindful of the symptoms of coronavirus and to seek medical advice should they develop them,” Dr Taylor said.</p> <p>With about 60 people attending the restaurant on the night of the party and another 90 the following night, Dr Taylor has said that the risk of coronavirus is “not zero, probably very low”.</p> <p>“Staff were practising very good hand hygiene to ensure that all the infection control practices that a restaurant can do were in place,” he said.</p> <p>“The menus were paper disposable ones. There were no concerns either about the food handling hygiene.”</p> <p>Dr Taylor also said that at the time of the March 14 party, there were no national restrictions on public gatherings.</p> <p>“They were following what they believed to be the advice at the time,” Dr Taylor said.</p> <p>“At the time of the party, there were no restrictions for the mandatory two weeks’ isolation for certain travellers coming back from overseas and secondly, the national requirement regarding gatherings wasn’t in place.”</p> </div> </div> </div>

Travel Trouble

Placeholder Content Image

Bus driver worked for eight days after returning from overseas

<p>A Perth bus driver interacted with more than 130 passengers while infected with COVID-19 as he worked on the road for eight days after returning from overseas.</p> <p>The Western Australia government said 137 passengers paid their bus fare in cash across the driver’s eight shifts from March 9 to 18.</p> <p>The risky routes were the 506, 507, 509, 517, 178, 999, 518, 527 and 537.</p> <p>The driver returned from a holiday in the United States on March 7, before the 14-day self-isolation requirement was established, <em><a href="https://thewest.com.au/news/coronavirus/coronavirus-crisis-perth-bus-driver-for-swan-transit-tests-positive-to-covid-19-after-overseas-holiday-ng-b881498364z">The West Australian</a> </em>reported.</p> <p>He returned a positive test for COVID-19 on Monday.</p> <p><span>Swan Transit was now <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.perthnow.com.au/news/coronavirus/coronavirus-crisis-perth-bus-driver-tests-positive-to-covid-19-ng-b881498483z" target="_blank">reviewing CCTV</a> and tracing contact to identify anyone who may have been exposed to the virus.</span></p> <p>Other passengers who travelled on the driver’s bus and used a contactless Smartrider are “casual contacts” and do not need to self-isolate, a government spokesman said.</p> <p>“According to health guidelines, casual contacts don’t need to be concerned and do not need to be excluded from work or school, unless they become unwell, which is the health advice for every Western Australian,” the spokesman said.</p> <p>“They should closely monitor their health, and if any symptoms are experienced they need to seek medical advice.”</p> <p>Earlier this month, the Public Transport Authority introduced increased sanitation measures, with buses being required to be sanitised each evening.</p> <p>The WA premier Mark McGowan said anyone arriving into the state must now <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-03-22/coronavirus-spread-sees-wa-close-borders-rules/12079112">self-isolate for 14 days</a>.</p> <p>As of Tuesday afternoon, there were 175 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the state.</p>

Travel Trouble

Placeholder Content Image

Shop attendant’s horror as kids deliberately cough on them

<div class="post_body_wrapper"> <div class="post_body"> <div class="body_text "> <p>A group of children have been caught deliberately coughing on a shop attendant in Melbourne.</p> <p>The footage, which was obtained by<span> </span><a rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/coronavirus-kids-caught-coughing-on-shop-attendant-in-alleged-deliberate-attack/3b7fd1a2-1594-4c71-b183-95a98600498d?ocid=Social-9News" target="_blank">9News</a>, shows the boys and girls at a phone repair outlet and the group are ignoring social distancing as well as hygiene rules.</p> <p>The group began coughing and spluttering on the worker.</p> <p>Shop attendant Paullie said that the kids approached her last week pretending to need a phone repaired last week.</p> <p>She decided to film the group after they started to behave erratically and cough in her face.</p> <p>"I said please stop it," she said.</p> <p>"They were just laughing at me and coughing.</p> <p>"I was really scared."</p> <p>The video was shared on Facebook, which called out the dangerous behaviour.</p> <p>"I am disgusted and saddened that these kids have done this. I honestly can't believe it," Eryn Clarke said on the post.</p> <p>"This kind of behaviour needs to be stopped. It is already a highly stressful time for everyone without disgusting cruel behaviour like this.</p> <p>"I'm hoping this video reaches the parents of these children as I'm sure they won't be impressed with their kids terrorising people like this."</p> <p>Social distancing rules means that Australians must stay 1.5 metres apart and practice safe hygiene, which includes coughing or sneezing into a tissue or your elbow.</p> </div> </div> </div>

Travel Trouble

Placeholder Content Image

Buckingham Palace staff member tests positive for Coronavirus

<p>A staffer employed at Buckingham Palace has been tested positive with the coronavirus as the Queen fled her home to be in isolation at presumably Windsor Castle.</p> <p>The aide who will remain unidentified fell ill and tested positive with COVID-19 earlier last week, before Her 93-year-old Majesty was moved from the palace in a bid to protect herself.</p> <p>“The worker tested positive before the Queen left for Windsor [Castle],” a royal insider told UK paper,<span> </span><em>The Sun.</em></p> <p>“The Palace has 500 members of staff so, like any workplace, it’s not inconceivable it would be affected in some stage,” the source went on to say.</p> <p>Royal Household staff who may have been in contact with the infected royal aide has been ordered to go into self-isolation.</p> <p>It is unknown as to just how close the worker got to the Queen while they were indeed infected by the virus.</p> <p>The palace told the UK publication they could not comment “on individual members of staff.”</p> <p>“In line with the appropriate guidance and our own processes, we have taken the necessary actions to protect all employees and people involved,” a palace spokeswoman said.</p> <p><span>The news follows closely behind reports that Her Majesty is planning to address her nation amid nationwide panic about escalating deaths and infections.</span></p>

Travel Trouble

Placeholder Content Image

Grant Denyer expresses fury as two busloads of Sydney vultures “raid” supermarkets in Bathurst

<p>TV presenter Grant Denyer has expressed his outrage after witnessing panic-buyers from Sydney travelling to regional cities “by the busload” to stock up on food and supplies.</p> <p><em>The Dancing With The Stars</em><span> </span>host claims to have seen a gang of coronavirus preppers “raiding” supermarkets in his hometown of Bathurst, 200km west of Sydney.</p> <p>The same group reportedly targeted two other central west NSW cities, Orange and Lithgow, before returning to Sydney.</p> <p>Taking to Instagram on Wednesday, Grant wrote: “This is crazy. We live in Bathurst and we had two busloads of people from Sydney storm the town and raid our three supermarkets. Which were already depleted.</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-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/B93Zanun9tM/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="12"> <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="margin: 8px 0 0 0; padding: 0 4px;"><a style="color: #000; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/B93Zanun9tM/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">This is crazy. We live in Bathurst NSW and we had 2 bus loads of people from Sydney, storm the town and raid our 3 supermarkets. Which were already depleted. They also hit Orange and Lithgow. Geez guys, chill. If we’re patient, there’s plenty for everyone. We have enough food supplies in Australia. You don’t need to buy for 2 years, just a couple of weeks. Let’s get through this together, with patience, kindness and resilience</a></p> <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 post shared by <a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/grantdenyer/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank"> Grant Denyer</a> (@grantdenyer) on Mar 17, 2020 at 11:51pm PDT</p> </div> </blockquote> <p>“They also hit Orange and Lithgow. Geez guys, chill. If we’re patient, there’s plenty for everyone. We have enough food supplies in Australia.</p> <p>“You don’t need to buy for two years, just a couple of weeks. Let’s get through this together, with patience, kindness and resilience.”</p> <p>One woman on Twitter, who lives in a small town with a population of 1500 people about 100km from Melbourne, revealed that people in buses arrived on Tuesday.</p> <p>“Yesterday four tour buses arrived from Melbourne and 200 people descended on our supermarket and stripped the shelves of everything. Not. One. Foodstuff. Left,” she wrote.</p> <p>Riddells Creek Foodworks, between Melbourne and Bendigo, wrote on Facebook it would have “no other choice but to enforce very strict conditions for entry into our store.”</p> <p>“You will now be asked for ID proof that you live in the following areas – Riddells Creek, Clarkfield, Monegeetta, Bolinda, Romsey, Lancefield, Sunbury Riddell Road up to and including Settlement Road (from Riddells Creek End), Gisborne, New Gisborne, Cherokee,” it said.</p> <p>“We apologise for any inconvenience this will cause. Unfortunately, due to the current situation, we can only accommodate customers living in these areas.”</p> <p>Grant resides in Bathurst with his wife, Chezzi, and daughters, Scout and Sailor. He commutes to Melbourne on Sundays to film<span> </span><em>Dancing With The Stars</em>.</p> <p>The future of the show is looking uncertain after contestant  Christian Wilkins was tested for COVID-19 as a precaution following his father Richard’s diagnosis.</p> <p>Producers had already banned members of the public from the audience, meaning the dancers performed to an empty studio on March 15.</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-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/B9xQ9xhHH2V/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="12"> <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="margin: 8px 0 0 0; padding: 0 4px;"><a style="color: #000; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/B9xQ9xhHH2V/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">Bye bye Melbourne. It was magnificent filming in the home of @dancingon10. I hope I get to return again next week. Although who really knows what’s going to happen. A little strange having no audience for the filming but it was still such an incredible show. Slightly eerie experience considering the seriousness of what we’re all witnessing around us. Although it was so nice to laugh, sing like kids and watch some bloody amazing entertainment to take our mind of things. Just for a bit. Big love to all our celebs and dancers for putting on such a mega show, but also the huge crew who make it look and sound so insane. They’re a special bunch. I really am very lucky to have this kind of opportunity and experience. Stay safe everyone 🙏🏻</a></p> <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 post shared by <a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/grantdenyer/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank"> Grant Denyer</a> (@grantdenyer) on Mar 15, 2020 at 3:53pm PDT</p> </div> </blockquote> <p>While on his flight home last week, Grant wrote on Instagram: “Bye bye, Melbourne. It was magnificent filming in the home of @dancingon10. I hope I get to return again next week. Although who really knows what’s going to happen?”</p>

Travel Trouble

Placeholder Content Image

​Royal lockdown: Prince Harry and Meghan Markle bunker down in wake of coronavirus

<div class="post_body_wrapper"> <div class="post_body"> <div class="body_text "> <p>The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are currently bunkered down in their $23 million Canadian home as Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announces the country’s border has closed in the wake of the coronavirus<br /><br /><em>The New York Post</em> initially reported that the couple had flown back to their new home following their farewell tour in the UK.<br /><br />It is believed Meghan returned to Canada last Monday, a mere few hours after attending the Commonwealth Service alongside the Queen and other senior royal family members.<br /><br />Prince Harry remained behind in the UK to attend meetings at Buckingham Palace, before he returned to his new wife and son Archie at the end of last week.<br /><br />Mr Trudeau spoke to cameras while outside his residence, where he is in self-isolation, as his wife just recently tested positive for coronavirus.<br /><br />It was announced on Monday that Canada is to close its borders to any person who is not a citizen or permanent resident.<br /><br />The new measure comes as a move to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 in Canada, and Mr Trudeau also said airlines must turn travellers with coronavirus symptoms away from boarding flights.<br /><br />From Wednesday, just four Canadian airports – in Montreal, Toronto, Calgary, and Vancouver – will be accepting international flights.<br /><br />“As the virus continues its spread, we’ve decided to take increasingly aggressive steps to keep you and your families safe,” Mr Trudeau said.<br /><br />Canada had at least 598 confirmed cases of COVID-19 across all 10 provinces as of Wednesday.</p> </div> </div> </div> <div class="post-action-bar-component-wrapper"> <div class="post-actions-component"> <div class="upper-row"></div> </div> </div>

Travel Trouble

Placeholder Content Image

Passenger BANNED for life from airline after testing positive for coronavirus mid-air

<p>A man has been banned from flying JetBlue for life after he learned while in the air that he had been tested positive for coronavirus.</p> <p>The passenger was midair on JetBlue Flight 253 from New York City to Palm Beach, Florida when he found out about his diagnosis.</p> <p>“Last night’s event put our crewmembers, customers and federal and local officials in an unsettling situation that could have easily been avoided,” JetBlue said in a statement.</p> <p>“And as such, this customer will not be permitted to fly on JetBlue in the future.”</p> <p>There were 114 passengers onboard the flight and once landed, the plane sat on the tarmac for hours as health authorities thoroughly analysed and sanitised the scene as per the guidelines of the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention.</p> <p>Scott Rodman told CNBC he was sitting near the infected passenger during the flight and after passengers were deplaned, he and many others were taken to a meeting room to speak to health department officials.</p> <p>“From what we were told, he had been tested for the virus two days ago,” Rodman said. “When he was sitting on the plane, he got either a phone call or a text message saying that it was a positive test.”</p> <p>Mr Rodman said travellers were not forced to self-quarantine and were free to leave.</p> <p>“We were told that we were fine to go do whatever we want,” Rodman said. “And we were told that because he wasn’t sneezing or coughing at all, that we’re fine.”</p> <p>Lacy Larson, spokesperson for Palm Beach International Airport, explained to<span> </span>The Post<span> </span>that the airport had undergone a thorough cleaning upon learning about the passenger’s test result and resumed operating normally.</p> <p>“We are following all the guidelines provided by the Department of Health, of course, and the CDC. We’re taking extra measures to ensure a clean environment in the airport,” she said.</p> <p>“We’re increasing the sterilization of the high-traffic areas, the high-'touch' areas, the facility in general.”</p> <p>The Port Authority went on to release their own statement saying: “This is on top of the enhanced cleaning protocols that have been in have been in place at JFK Airport.</p> <p>“These protocols include at least twice daily sanitisation of all common and high-touchpoint areas with EPA-approved and CDC-endorsed antiviral disinfectants, in addition to overnight deep cleaning of all terminal areas.”</p> <p>People who believe they may be exposed to coronavirus are being urged to contact their doctor and avoid crowded places and nonessential travel.</p>

Travel Trouble

Placeholder Content Image

Huge changes coming to Coles and Woolworths amid coronavirus concerns

<p>Woolworths and Coles have announced changes to their services amid the coronavirus crisis.</p> <p>As more shoppers stock up to prepare for a possible 14-day self-isolation, the supermarket giants have introduced new measures to protect their staff.</p> <p>Woolworths now has a “dedicated delivery option”, where the order will be left unattended to prevent contact between customers and delivery drivers.</p> <p>“Our transport partners have also been issuing regular advisories to all delivery drivers on hygiene protocols and workplace safety,” the spokesperson told <em><a href="https://au.news.yahoo.com/the-critical-change-to-coles-and-woolworths-online-orders-070406021.html">Yahoo News Australia</a></em>.</p> <p>“We’ll continue to monitor and respond to the latest public health advice with all our operations.”</p> <p>Woolworths will also open a dedicated shopping hour for the elderly and people with disabilities. Starting Tuesday, the shop will open exclusively to the eligible customers from 7am to 8am.</p> <p>A Coles spokesperson said customers are required to inform the retailer if they are under self-quarantine by ticking the option or leaving a comment on their order.</p> <p>“They will then receive an ‘unattended delivery’ where the [customer service agent] leaves their groceries at their front door, removing the need for any face-to-face interaction,” the spokesperson said.</p> <p>The spokesperson said the supermarket has also “opened additional delivery windows and have extra delivery vans on the roads” to meet increased demand.</p> <p>The changes came as the two supermarkets faced troubles fulfilling orders.</p> <p>Woolworths has temporarily suspended its online ‘Pick Up’ and ‘Delivery Now’ services, while Coles has <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.itnews.com.au/news/woolworths-and-coles-face-fresh-trouble-meeting-online-orders-539333" target="_blank">paused its Uber Eats delivery option</a>.</p> <p>Coles said it is looking to fulfil and dispatch orders even if some products are unavailable.</p> <p>“Coles Online and Click&amp;Collect orders are picked and packed at our supermarkets the day you request delivery, so if the supermarket is out of stock of a particular product, we may unfortunately be unable to fulfil parts of your order,” it said on Sunday.</p> <p>The supermarket’s customers have complained of <a href="https://twitter.com/SashaSoshtak/status/1238633720656957440">last-minute delivery cancellations</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/scigote/status/1238992092690554882">incomplete orders</a> with <a href="https://twitter.com/TheWoodfather/status/1237654500950691842">comparatively high delivery fee</a>.</p>

Travel Trouble

Placeholder Content Image

Heading towards zero: New support for tougher drink driving laws

<p>The Australian government has promised zero fatalities due to drink driving by 2050, but in order to do so, they will need to cut the existing blood-alcohol limit of 0.05 to zero for drivers and motorcyclists aged under 22 within five to 10 years according to a report by the peak transport and traffic agency Austroads.</p> <p>The report reveals that 200 people die each year to alcohol related crashes, accounting for 18 per cent of fatalities and resulting in thousands of serious injuries.</p> <p>The report does not cover alcohol-related deaths or injuries of pedestrians, including the four children who were killed at Oatlands by an alleged drunk driver who reportedly recorded a blood-alcohol reading of 0.15, three times above the limit.</p> <p>NSW Police revealed that since 2019, pedestrian deaths had nearly tripled to 16, compared to six last year.</p> <p>“There is probably a feeling [in the community] that drink driving is under control, but it is not,” said Eric Howard, the lead author of Austroads’ report.</p> <p>The recommendations on the report highlighted each state’s best practices, including NSW’s immediate roadside suspension of licences. According to Mr Howard, if this rule was applied universally, more lives would be saved.</p> <p>Harold Scruby, the Pedestrian Council of Australia’s chairman said he supports a “Scandi solution” of zero readings that separates drinking from driving and more enforcement of RBTs in less predictable locations.</p> <p>While fatalities among road users had dropped, pedestrian deaths saw a spike, he said. It also posed an issue that close to 20 per cent of pedestrians killed or injured had been drunk walking, reporting readings of three times the legal limit.</p> <p>Referring to the experience in Scandinavian countries, Austroads said zero blood-alcohol content resulted in drivers completely separating drinking from driving.</p> <p>With Australia’s legal limit sitting at 0.05, drivers drink quite a bit before sitting behind the wheel.</p>

Travel Trouble

Placeholder Content Image

"I'm horrified": Airline passengers disgusted by mid-flight behaviour

<p>Fellow plane passengers were left disgusted after an anonymous passenger put their bare dirty feet on a headrest.</p> <p>The photo went viral after being posted, with many wondering how the barefoot passenger even managed to get their feet up on the headrest.</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/B4zze4wlhLa/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="12"> <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/B4zze4wlhLa/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">A post shared by Passenger Shaming (@passengershaming)</a> on Nov 13, 2019 at 6:45am PST</p> </div> </blockquote> <p>“Damn you Yoga! Nobody was doing this when I was a kid.</p> <p>“Those seats are so tiny and tight. I cannot figure out how they even manage to do this.”</p> <p>Others were quick to comment that this behaviour on planes is “disgusting and disrespectful”.</p> <p>“This is disgusting and disrespectful in 99% of the world. I would never!” one user wrote.</p> <p>One person said that they would take matters into their own hands if they were this passenger.</p> <p>“It would take me 2.2 seconds to stand up and properly embarrass this person to the entire plane,” they said.</p> <p>The identity of the barefoot head-rester has been hidden due to the way the photo was taken, but it’s not the first time that plane passengers have been called out for their shocking behaviour.</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/B8bQZzWFWhe/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="12"> <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/B8bQZzWFWhe/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">A post shared by Passenger Shaming (@passengershaming)</a> on Feb 11, 2020 at 4:07am PST</p> </div> </blockquote> <div class="post_body_wrapper"> <div class="post_body"> <div class="body_text "> <p>In the video above, a woman appears to be drying a set of underwear in the air conditioning above her seat.</p> <p> “This is not real. It can’t be I’m horrified. WHY GOD WHY??,” one person commented.</p> <p>Another person preferred to use it as fuel for their life goals.</p> <p>“One more reason to save up for a private jet,” they said.</p> </div> </div> </div>

Travel Trouble

Placeholder Content Image

​Royal lock-out: Embarrassing blunder leaves Queen waiting

<p><span>Queen Elizabeth has undergone an embarrassing security blunder after being locked outside the gates of her home.</span><br /><br /><span>The monarch and her security team were unable to enter the Windsor Castle premises in two Range Rovers on Thursday afternoon.</span><br /><br /><span>The rare blunder occurred while Her Majesty was sat wearing a headscarf sitting in the backseat, while she and her team were left waiting outside the Nelson’s Gate entrance.</span><br /><br /><span>Reports say a member of staff forget to let her inside.<br /></span></p> <p><img style="width: 500px; height: 281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7835020/queen.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/dbaf58b0dc7740caa4f521851cec08b6" /><br /><br /><span>Pictures taken of the royal mistake show a female bodyguard attempting to open the heavy wooden gate blocking their entrance.</span><br /><br /><span>The error was made apparent when the two vehicles performed a U-turn and drove through a remote-controlled gate in a second approach.</span><br /><br /><span>The Windsor Estate is the Queen's favourite residence and she usually arrives there on Thursday afternoons and leaves again on Tuesday.</span><br /><br /><span>One onlooker told the Daily Mail they had "never seen anything like it in 30 years".</span><br /><br /><span>"I'm not sure if someone was sleeping on the job or simply that they were not expecting her, but it's unheard of," the source said.</span><br /><br /><span>"And it's not often you get to see a queen locked out of her own castle."</span></p>

Travel Trouble

Placeholder Content Image

Unfair fines: Victorian teacher to take EPA to court over $330

<p>A Victorian teacher is planning to pursue legal action against the state’s environmental protection watchdog, after she claims they falsely accused her of littering on the road.</p> <p>The move comes as top infringements lawyers issued a warning to the government authority that it could be liable to refund scores of fines if it’s found to have acted illegally.</p> <p>Speaking to<span> </span><em>A Current Affair</em>, Sonia McDonald revealed that she was hit with a $330 fine after another driver reported her to the Environment Protection Authority (EPA).</p> <p>When Ms McDonald lodged an enquiry into the infringement, they showed her a blurry photo of her car.</p> <p>The image showed neither her number plate nor Ms McDonald littering.</p> <p>She said EPA investigators advised her they did not require photographic evidence to issue infringements.</p> <p>“It’s not a fair situation where you get blamed for something you didn’t do and get a huge fine.</p> <p>“It’s one of those things that’s just taken from someone else’s word and that’s not good enough,” said Ms McDonald.</p> <p>“The photo was supposedly taken in a particular location but the photo they have given me is in a completely different location,” she added.</p> <p>“It’s about 15 minute drive down the road.”</p> <p>Adam Cockayne, a lawyer who helps his clients fight unfair fines, said the conduct of the EPA was “reprehensible”.</p> <p>“In one [unrelated] case, after much complaining, the EPA provided a copy to me of the so-called witness statement.</p> <p>“It wasn’t provided by the witness – it was the witness’ spouse. It wasn’t signed and it identified the alleged offender by their gender only,” said Mr Cockayne.</p> <p>He said this amounted to illegal conduct.</p> <p>“If [the EPA] has failed to comply with its own legislation and collected fines that are illegal, then it’s required under the Infringements Act to refund every single fine.”</p> <p>When<span> </span><em>A Current Affair<span> </span></em>asked the EPA questions, they refused to answer.</p> <p>“Victorians generate more than 14,000 tonnes of litter every year,” read the statement.</p> <p>“Thirty-nine per cent of all litter is found in car parks and highways.</p> <p>“You can report a person littering cigarette butts or other types of rubbish from a vehicle to EPA.</p> <p>“When someone reports littering from a vehicle, our enforcement officers will investigate and take action.</p> <p>“If a person didn’t commit the offence, they can dispute a vehicle littering fine and the details on how to do that are readily available on the EPA website,” the authority’s statement continued.</p> <p>Ms McDonald has already disputed her fine and provided an affidavit to the EPA – but her appeal was rejected.</p> <p>She is now considering legal action.</p> <p>“I’m not going to pay it,” she said.</p>

Travel Trouble

Placeholder Content Image

Aussie basketball star survived coronavirus before the world knew what it was

<div class="post_body_wrapper"> <div class="post_body"> <div class="body_text "> <p>Basketball star Liz Cambage believes she survived coronavirus before the world knew what it was.</p> <p>The 28-year-old was playing in China in December before she started displaying symptoms similar to the deadly virus, forcing her to be hospitalised near Beijing.</p> <p>The Australian Opals centre revealed that she was confined to a wheelchair with pneumonia and was on a drip for three days fighting off her sickness.</p> <p>“I actually was sick in hospital and I honestly think I had corona,” Cambage told<span> </span><em>The Herald Sun.</em></p> <p>“I was so weak, I couldn’t walk, I was in a wheelchair. I had pneumonia. I think I had it before it was a global thing.”</p> <p>The Las Vegas Aces WNBA star underwent blood tests and was cleared before returning home in January.</p> <p>She said Australians were fortunate to have quality medical services after she spent time in a Chinese hospital.</p> <p>Cambage will join the Opals for Olympic training at the end of February and says she is confident the games will go ahead.</p> <p>“I think the media and people are reading too much into it and it’s causing hysterics in the general public. I can’t imagine them calling it off,” she said.</p> </div> </div> </div> <div class="post-action-bar-component-wrapper"> <div class="post-actions-component"> <div class="upper-row"><span class="like-bar-component"></span> <div class="watched-bookmark-container"></div> </div> </div> </div>

Travel Trouble

Placeholder Content Image

Perth salesman forced to hand over $24 million and private island

<div class="post_body_wrapper"> <div class="post_body"> <div class="body_text "> <p>Perth salesman turned entrepreneur Matt Lloyd McPhee has been ordered to hand over a Fijian resort island pay back US authorities $AUD 24.5 million of his own money after swindling worldwide investors out of $190 million.</p> <p>Matthew Lloyd McPhee started My Online Business Education (MOBE), which sold the dream of financial security to vulnerable aged pensioners as well as war veterans through social media and live events.</p> <p>The ‘business education program’ offered by MOBE promised a 21-step system with a money-back guarantee and aimed to teach participants how to make millions of dollars from their own internet marketing business.</p> <p>The program was sold to investors through live events in Australia, Los Angeles, Vancouver, London, Panama and Las Vegas.</p> <p>People spent up to $USD 84,000 ($AUD 128,485) to join the program in the hopes of becoming financially free.</p> <p>McPhee purchased the 19-hectare Fijian island, complete with a resort, in 2017 and bragged about his purchase on Instagram.</p> <p>“Individuals with a high net worth always have money near the top of their hierarchy of values,” he wrote on Instagram in 2018.</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/BjK9c1LFbSP/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="12"> <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/BjK9c1LFbSP/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">A post shared by Matt Lloyd (@mattlloydonline)</a> on May 24, 2018 at 12:04pm PDT</p> </div> </blockquote> <p>Complaints were lodged to US consumer protection agency the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), which explained that MOBE charged a $USD 49 ($AUD 75) entry fee and badgered participants for tens of thousands of dollars to continue the 21-step program.</p> <p>People who paid would watch McPhee in videos explaining his humble country beginnings in Western Australia.</p> <p>The FTC has alleged that the MOBE ‘education’ program was worthless and that most people who paid for the expensive memberships were unable to recoup their costs.</p> <p>“Many experience crippling losses or mounting debts, including some who have lost more than $USD 20,000 ($AUD 30,591),” the FTC said on its website.</p> <p>MOBE swindled more than $USD 125 million ($AUD 190 million) and shifted the money to offshore accounts.</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/BjKo3NEFUoO/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="12"> <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/BjKo3NEFUoO/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">A post shared by Matt Lloyd (@mattlloydonline)</a> on May 24, 2018 at 9:04am PDT</p> </div> </blockquote> <p>The FTC has since sued McPhee along with his associates and after an issue was ruled against McPhee on behalf of all those accused, he was ordered to pay back almost half a billion dollars.</p> <p>The massive sum of $USD 318,512 ($AUD 583 million) was in ‘equitable monetary relief’, which means some of the money would go to paying back the victims.</p> <p>He agreed to surrender more than $USD 16 million ($AUD 24.5 million) worth of his own cash and property to the FTC.</p> <p>McPhee was also ordered to surrender his island in Fiji, as well as his interest in a Costa Rican leisure resort and two apartments in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.</p> <p>McPhee has neither confirmed nor denied any of the allegations, according to court documents.</p> <p>The FTC has issued a warning to consumers worldwide about internet work-from-home schemes.</p> <p>“With this action, we've put an end to the MOBE scheme, but consumers should be on guard for any work-at-home pitch promising substantial income.”</p> </div> </div> </div>

Travel Trouble

Placeholder Content Image

“No hand shaking”: New warnings as Australia records first person-to-person coronavirus cases

<p><span>The New South Wales Health Minister has recommended Aussies stop handshaking as Australia confirmed its first cases of person-to-person transmission of coronavirus.</span></p> <p><span>A 53-year-old health worker in western Sydney and a 41-year-old woman in Sydney have contracted the virus without leaving the country, bringing the total number of cases in NSW up to nine.</span></p> <p><span>“There are no indications anyone else has contracted it from the doctor but NSW Health is taking every precaution,” the state’s health minister Brad Hazzard said.</span></p> <p><span>“I stress that the Government here in NSW and the health authorities are being extremely transparent with the community as this unfolds.”</span></p> <p><span>Hazzard advised members of the public to be “cautious but not alarmed”.</span></p> <p><span>“I won’t be changing anything about what I do on a day-to-day basis. I will still be enjoying eating at a Chinese restaurant, I feel totally and absolutely safe in that situation,” he said.</span></p> <p><span>“I also think it is a sensible step though for us all to recognise that trying to make sure there is no transmission to any of us that may had exposure.”</span></p> <p><span>Hazzard also urged people to pat each other in the back instead of shaking hands.</span></p> <p><span>“It’s time Aussies give each other a pat on the back. No handshaking, it’s not necessary,” he said.</span></p> <p><span>“I’m not going to say don’t kiss, but you could be exercising a degree of care and caution with who you kiss.”</span></p> <p><span>He also said people should wash their hands before carrying out any activity and avoid touching their face.</span></p> <p><span>NSW chief medical officer Dr Kerry Chant said there is no widespread transmission in the state.</span></p> <p><span>“We have to remain vigilant but, even if occasional cases are missed, if people practise good hygiene, do common sense things, then the likelihood of transmitting it, even if someone is unaware they had it, is reduced,” she said.</span></p> <p><span>The state government has also ordered public schools to cancel any overseas trips scheduled for term one.</span></p> <p><span>There are now 32 confirmed cases of coronavirus in Australia.</span></p>

Travel Trouble

Over 60

© Copyright 2020 OverSixty.All Rights Reserved.