The number of people who have died from coronavirus in Australia has hit 11 with three men dying overnight.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Two men in their 70s died in Victoria and a 68-year-old man died in Queensland, health authorities said.
The total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in the Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District now stands at 38.
New laws adopted by NSW Parliament on Tuesday will allow supermarkets to open at Easter and all day Anzac Day, may see prisoners released from jail early and allow police to arrest people suspected of breaching self-isolation rules or any other public health directive.
The new rules are part of the new world order, which Keira MP Ryan Park - who supported the law changes - has described as "martial law".
The emergency COVID-19 pandemic laws also mean new developments needed for health and welfare can be pushed through without the normal planning approvals process, and council elections - due in September- may be pushed back a year.
Meantime, the NSW Teachers Federation has called on the state government to end normal school operations and put the health and safety of students and staff first on school sites.
"To facilitate this transition, from the week beginning March 30 schools must be declared pupil free for all students except the children of essential frontline services workers who are unable to care for their children," they said.
Read more:
- South Coast region 'lost 5000 jobs in barely 24 hours, with 5000 more to go'
- Two in hospital as confirmed coronavirus cases in the Illawarra Shoalhaven jumps to 38
- Iconic Wollongong eatery Chicko's latest casualty of COVID-19 shutdown
- Why hair, beauty and tattoo salons are puzzled by COVID-19 restrictions
Stay with us for the latest updates (the blog may take a moment to load).
We have removed our paywall from our stories about the coronavirus. This is a rapidly changing situation and we aim to make sure our readers are as informed as possible. If you would like to support our journalists you can subscribe here.