Australia: Victoria enters new lockdown

The state of Victoria has declared a five-day lockdown.

Australia.- The state of Victoria has announced it will go under a snap five-day Covid-19 lockdown. All non-essential businesses, including casinos, bars and pubs, must remain closed.

Crown Melbourne has reported that its casino, restaurants and bars will close until further notice. 

A few days ago, the New South Wales Government announced that it would extend Covid-19 restrictions until at least July 30 after 99 new Covid-19 cases were reported.

The Star Entertainment Group confirmed that The Star Sydney will remain closed but that it will continue paying staff through the extended lockdown period. A similar decision was taken by Crown Sydney.

Pubs in Melbourne sign petition against insurers 

A group of nine pubs has petitioned for insurers to pay out due to closures and the economic impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. The group of pubs is claiming a sum of $26m due to the impact of Covid countermeasures.

According to The Australian, the pubs argue that between June 30, 2019, and June 30, 2020, a policy to cover events like the Covid-19 within 40 kilometres of the premises was provided by the insurance companies.

David Locke, the Australian Financial Complaints Authority chief, said he has 120 Covid-19 business interruption insurance disputes on record, 21 of which have been closed. 

Locke said: “Discussions have commenced with the ICA and the National Insurance Brokers Association to streamline claims once the courts’ final decisions have been delivered.”