SYDNEY (AUSTRALIA) – The Australian government said it was investing A$1.5 billion ($1.1 billion) in a wage subsidy programme to tackle the spurt in unemployment following the coronoavirus pandemic.
On Thursday, as many as 327 new COVID-19 cases were reported in the country and the spurt is linked to Victoria state, which announced the biggest spike in one-day infections.
The country’s second most populous state, Australia has been isolated for more than a week in the wake of a fresh outbreak. In its capital Melbourne, as many as 4.9 million residents have been told to stay at home.
“If you want to get out of these sort of restrictions as fast as possible, then we all have to play our part,” said Victoria Premier Daniel Andrews while exhorting residents to undergo tests and limit exposure to others.
The country has 11,000 cases, including 113 fatalities. But it remains well below the tally of other countries. Authorities are concerned over the spurt in the number of infections in recent days.
Australia’s economy has taken a beating and the country is about to face the first recession in thirty years. The shutdown in Victoria is expected to aggravate the situation.
On Thursday, the government said it would spend A$1.5 billion ($1.1 billion) to extend a programme to subsidise the wages of apprentices.
(Photos syndicated via Reuters)
This story has been edited by BH staff and is published from a syndicated field