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As the day unfolded: State records biggest daily jump in cases
Victoria now has 685 confirmed COVID-19 cases - 111 more than the last update and the state's biggest daily increase. The figures come as the state government ushers in new on-the-spot fines for returning travellers found flouting health directives.
- by Daniella Miletic and Paul Sakkal
Exclusive
Coronavirus pandemic
Hotel chain offers 11,000 rooms for quarantine
Accommodation giant Quest has offered all of its 140 hotels across the nation for Australians undergoing mandatory two-week isolation, while turning one building into a makeshift "health facility" for people suffering with COVID-19.
- by Tate Papworth and Zach Hope
Has Australia's coronavirus response been too slow?
Experts fear Australia has acted too cautiously to avoid a horror scenario, but authorities say the country is in a better place than many.
- by Deborah Snow
US eyes new outbreaks as world infections top 590,000
At the same time, the country approved a new test that promises to deliver results in less than 15 minutes.
More top stories
Virus turns New York from bustling metropolis to open-air museum
In the days before the virus, strolling down Broadway felt like swimming through a sea of people. Now it feels like wandering around a forsaken movie set.
- by Matthew Knott
Don't dream it's over: Why we will never give up travel
Now, more than ever, is a time to remember why Australians travel and why we love to do so.
When staying home is harder than it sounds
The message is simple - stay home. However, the practice, in some instances, is anything but.
- by Tate Papworth
Methanol 'cure' for COVID-19 is killing Iranians
Fear of the virus, poor education and rumours has resulted in people drinking bootleg alcohol containing methanol.
- by Nasser Karimi and Jon Gambrell
'Let the Games ... wait for a while': Shinzo Abe's big call
It fell to the Japanese PM to make the heartbreaking but unavoidable decision to postpone the Tokyo Olympics.
- by Greg Baum
In Other News
Coronavirus pandemic
Exclusive
US authorities considered action over Australians' ski jaunt
- by Tony Wright and Cameron Houston
'Quarantini hour' could become a new tradition
Video conferencing catch-ups are the new normal, and not as problematic as they sound.
- by Gemima Cody
Call to enlist personal trainers, flight attendants as hospital workers
Personal trainers and flight attendants could be re-trained as hospital orderlies and administrative staff as health departments scramble to fill thousands of roles.
- by Dana McCauley
Local
On-the-spot fines to come in bid to curb virus spread
However, fines will not be issued to people standing within 1.5 metres of each other.
- by Zach Hope and Ashleigh McMillan
Three men arrested over 40 fires near Bendigo during bushfire season
The men were arrested after two fires were reported on Friday night.
- by Ashleigh McMillan
Exclusive
Victoria
Crisis talks as Melbourne's train, tram passenger numbers slump by 90%
Public transport usage is down by about 90 per cent across Victoria and Metro Trains is bleeding up to $12 million a week as more people stay home.
- by Timna Jacks
Exclusive
Coronavirus pandemic
Union pushes for 24-hour construction sites amid coronavirus
Victoria’s powerful construction union is pushing for the building industry to be classified as essential when the state moves to a stage 3 shutdown.
- by Jewel Topsfield and Nick Bonyhady
Graphic content
Coronavirus pandemic
'I'm safe': Brothels close but sex workers still ply trade
Hundreds of ads for private sex workers are appearing online, some citing extra measures to provide services safely.
- by Farrah Tomazin
From our partners
Weekend Reads
'I nearly threw up': discovering an ex-husband's horrific secret
Just as a woman puts her life back together, she discovers shocking news about the man she thought she knew.
- by Tasia Wilcox*
What author Mark Manson gives a subtle f--- about
The US author of the best-selling The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck, talks about taboos around men's bodies, the best advice his father gave him, and his ideal death.
- by Benjamin Law
Politics
Inside Morrison's expert medical advice circle
While Chief Medical Officer Brendan Murphy has been the public face of the battle against COVID-19, he is informed daily by the nation's best and brightest public health officials, researchers and medical experts.
- by Rob Harris
Schools effectively closed from Easter but no wider lockdown yet
- by Eryk Bagshaw and Jennifer Duke
Business
More than 600 Cotton On stores to close
However, David Jones will continue trading in its larger stores, as long as government guidelines allow.
- by Melissa Singer
Analysis
Coronavirus pandemic
The $180b franchising crisis: landlords, franchisors need to step up
- by Adele Ferguson
Exclusive
Coronavirus pandemic
Remote work boom spells doom for inboxes: Slack CEO
- by Supratim Adhikari
World
Joseph Lowery, civil rights leader and MLK aide, dies at 98
An early and enthusiastic supporter of Obama over then-Democrat opponent Hillary Clinton, Lowery gave the benediction at Obama's inauguration.
- by Errin Haines
Opinion
When isolating at home becomes a danger to life
Julia Baird
Journalist, broadcaster, historian and author
A fractured nation faces its greatest foe
Peter Hartcher
Political and international editor for The Sydney Morning Herald
Searching for green grass at footy's grass roots
Greg Baum
Sports columnist
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Editor's Picks
Property bydomain
'Still in a better position': Auctions go ahead online, but off to a rocky start
Major auction cities were slated for a super Saturday but the majority of vendors opted for private sales instead. Here's how the first virtual auction day went.
- by Tawar Razaghi
How restaurants and bars are adapting to the threat of coronavirus
The crisis has prompted many to dramatically rethink their commercial spaces and plenty have come up with inspired ideas.
- by Sue Williams
Life & Culture
From the Black Plague to HIV, artists evoke grace in face of death
In the midst of COVID-19, history reminds us of humanity's resilient creative spirit.
- by Andrew Stephens
Food bygoodfood
Travel bytraveller
Cars bydrive
From Our Partners
Sport
Updated
AFL 2020
Recruiters to fly blind at AFL national draft: McLachlan
Clubs will be forced to select players virtually sight unseen at this year's national draft with AFL CEO Gillon McLachlan conceding he is not optimistic that community football or elite underage competitions will resume this season.
- by Peter Ryan
Staff stood down across Melbourne's three metropolitan racing clubs
Staff have been stood down across Victorian racing's three metropolitan racing clubs as the sport tries to remain in business through the coronavirus pandemic.
- by Damien Ractliffe
Melbourne Storm coach and CEO take big pay cuts
Craig Bellamy, chief executive Dave Donaghy and the Storm football department will take 50 per cent pay cuts to help the club through the coronavirus pandemic shutdown.
Australian punter puts NFL plans on hold
NFL prospect Dane Roy was due to fly to the States on Sunday in pursuit of his dream but the coronavirus outbreak has forced him into a holding pattern.
Analysis
AFL 2020
What happens when the lights go back on?
The AFL was seen as recession-proof but no-one considered whether it was pandemic proof too. As the game entered a battle for survival it became clear the AFL will look completely different.
- by Peter Ryan
Relief for cricket-starved fans as beloved YouTube channel bats on
The International Cricket Council had threatened to terminate the online channel, which contains a treasure trove of rare footage, citing copyright infringements.
- by Andrew Wu
Updated
A-League
A-League clubs to follow Perth Glory and stop paying players, PFA threatens legal action
The players union is demanding Perth Glory reinstate its squad, saying stress and anxiety levels of players needs to be a top priority.
- by Dominic Bossi
Have Your Say
Sport Thought: Rethinking a fragile ecosystem
It's possible that AFL and NRL will not rule in the same way when the modern-day equivalent of the asteroid that wiped the dinosaurs, the COVID-19 pandemic, has passed into history.
