NRL paves way for anti-vaxxers to train – as it happened

And with that, I will bid you farewell for now. Thanks for reading. Stay well.

Let’s take a look at some of the main developments from today.

• NSW and Victoria held firm on lockdown restrictions, for now, as Qld announced a relaxation of the rules ahead of national cabinet tomorrow.
• Newmarch House operator Anglicare appointed a special advisor to guide its response to a deadly Covid-19 outbreak at the facility.
• SA recorded its first case in two weeks.
• The NRL said players who objected to vaccines could apply for an exemption to train during the pandemic.

Let’s briefly go to NSW parliament, where my colleague Naaman Zhou has been watching the video stream of an inquiry into the state’s Covid-19 response.

If you were under the impression that the bizarre behaviour from NSW politicians over the past few days was now over, I regret to inform you that were incorrect.

As Naaman reports, the inquiry today descended into name-calling and accusations that MPs were “winking” at each other during the video conference.

Yes, really.

Read Naaman’s full story below.

The NRL has issued a statement on the brewing stoush over vaccinations.

The league had indicated that players would be required to get a flu shot in order to train during the Covid-19, sparking anger among some players who claim to conscientiously object to vaccines.

In a statement today, the league said players could sign a waiver that would grant them an exemption from the vaccination requirement.

The statement said:

The National Rugby League (NRL) has developed stringent biosecurity protocols that adhere to higher standards than public health orders. These protocols were submitted to governments prior to the return of players to training.

These protocols have been reaffirmed to clubs and players today, including the requirement for flu vaccinations for all players and staff.

The protocols allow for exemptions to vaccinations under compelling circumstances, including requiring players to sign a release. Until an NRL-approved release is acknowledged and signed by players, they will not be permitted to train.

The NRL said 97% of players and applicable staff have been vaccinated.

Clubs have also been advised that biosecurity restrictions would not be eased to accommodate players making or receiving visits on Mother’s Day.

Guardian Australia’s senior business reporter Ben Butler has some news on what’s happening with Virgin.

As Ben reports, the airline’s administrators have stopped issuing refunds and flight credits to customers who cancel their trips.

More details in Ben’s full report below.

My colleagues Ben Smee and Christopher Knaus has been investigating a company called Promedical and their activities during the pandemic.

In their latest story, they report: Health authorities have fined a Queensland company run by a convicted rapist $63,000 for making false claims that its coronavirus test kits had been approved or endorsed by Australian and US authorities.

You can read their story here.

Sorry to non-sports fans for the repeated sports content, I can’t help that both major codes have gone a bit nuts.

Under AFL rules during the pandemic, players are only allowed to train in pairs.

But the Age, which first reported this story, says a witness told the paper a “group of Crows players were staying at the Novotel Barossa Valley Resort, which is closed to the public, and that players had been running and training in groups”.

Newmarch House operator Anglicare says it has appointed an external advisor in line with a directive from the aged care regulator.

The Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission yesterday threatened to revoke’s the operators license amid the outbreak at the nursing home in Sydney’s west.

Anglicare said in a statement:

Anglicare Sydney today announced that the adviser appointed to Newmarch House is Andrew Kinkade. This is in response to the Notice issued yesterday by the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission.

Andrew Kinkade has extensive experience in aged care in Australia and the UK and has been contributing to sector-wide preparations and responses to Covid-19.

He has a track record of managing complex situations and delivering high quality care. It is this background that gives him an understanding of the support that is needed at Newmarch House.

Kinkade was appointed for three months.

Preliminary modelling from the Brain and Mind Centre predicts at least a 25% rise in suicides, with 30% of those being Australians aged 15 to 25.

“The impacts of unemployment will be greatest among the young,” centre co-director Ian Hickie said, according to AAP.

Professor Hickie said Australia could be facing between an extra 750 to 1,500 suicides per year on top of the more than 3,000 annually.

In Australia, the crisis support service Lifeline is 13 11 14.

My colleagues Elias Visontay and Naaman Zhou have an update on the situation at Newmarch House.

They report:

The federal government will pay Aspen Medical – the company contracted to contain Covid-19 outbreaks at Newmarch House and on the Ruby Princess – more than $57m for Covid-19 outbreak response services.

Read their full story below.

Amid the debate about the re-opening of schools, the ACT’s Liberal opposition leader has made some notable comments on Canberra radio.

Responding to news the ACT government planned for a staggered return to face-to-face classes, Alistair Coe appeared to say the coronavirus pandemic was over.

“I’m surprised that the government was not prepared for this, and that the government is surprised that the pandemic has ended,” Coe said on ABC Radio.

“We’re surprised that they need three weeks to get kids back into the classroom.”

The Canberra Times reported that Coe had backed away from the comments by the afternoon. He said he was speaking in the context of restrictions being eased.

There is some more bad news from Newmarch House, the stricken nursing home in Sydney’s west.

In a statement, Anglicare says three staff members have tested positive to Covid-19 in the past 24 hours.

They are now self-isolating.

The positive test results were discovered during our rigorous testing regime applied to all staff working at Newmarch House, which is now being conducted every second day.

Anglicare continues to be advised and guided by an infection control specialist and other clinicians, generously provided by government and we are appreciative of their expertise and ongoing support.

We continue to work diligently to contain this virus which has had a devastating effect on residents, families and staff at Newmarch House.

An update to my colleague Anne Davies’ story this morning about NSW deputy premier John Barilaro travelling from his home in the suburbs of Queanbeyan/Canberra to his farm during the lockdown.

NSW police have cleared the Nationals leader of undertaking travel in contravention of the state’s public health orders.

You can read Anne’s full report below.

The WA government is hardening its language on the AFL restart in a sign the state is unlikely to hold matches.

The health minister Roger Cook said today:

The health advice is crystal clear.

There is no confidence the AFL can maintain infection control and prevent infection spread among players and staff under the current proposed model.

There is a risk it could contribute to the further spread of the virus.

WA’s preference is for West Coast and Fremantle to participate in a “hub” outside the state.

Thanks to Josh for his efforts today. I’ll be with you for next few hours. If you want to get in touch, I’m on luke.henriques-gomes@theguardian.com or on Twitter @lukehgomes.