Hospital staff levels are being managed with “contingency plans” and expectant mothers have been transported from Auckland Hospital’s neonatal ICU after a parent of a baby tested positive for Covid-19.Auckland DHB Covid-19 incident…

Home quarantine trials will soon begin in Queensland, starting with 1000 stranded Aussies who have been hand-picked to participate.

9News understands that strict conditions will be in place on those who choose to accept the measures, with returning residents required to live in a home in one of eight south-east Queensland local government areas.

Participants must already be residents of the Sunshine State, not relocating and must arrive in Brisbane by air.

READ MORE: NSW's three-stage roadmap to freedom explained

Emails have already been sent inviting some stranded residents to the trial, with the state government expected to make a formal announcement in the coming days.

READ MORE: Trump's ex-press secretary says handling of COVID-19 was 'tragic'

As part of the special conditions, returning Queenslanders also must have a smart phone, agree to respond to text messages, live in a house, not an apartment, and have all household members sign a statutory declaration saying they won't leave the home for 14 days.

READ MORE: Doctors find 10cm cement chunk poking its way through man's heart

Other household residents who are already in Queensland can opt to vacate the property for 14 days if they cannot commit to staying there for the entire period.

The new program is set to affect tens of thousands of Queenslanders if the trial proves successful.

With the new premier's first crisis cabinet meeting underway to discuss the state's roadmap out of lockdown, NSW has hit its long-awaited vaccine target.

NSW Premier Dominic Perrottett announced this afternoon that 70 per cent of all eligible people in the state are now fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

It means Greater Sydney will come out of lockdown and restrictions will ease on Monday, October 11.

READ MORE: What you can do now NSW has hit 70 per cent

Mr Perrottet is currently holding his first crisis cabinet meeting about whether there will be any restrictions easing earlier than Monday.

This afternoon, he said the plan had always been to reopen the Monday after NSW hit the double dose mark, but changes are not off the table.

"I am not going to pre-empt those discussions," Mr Perrottet said.

"At the cabinet meeting this afternoon there will be further discussions in relation to the road map.

"I have had discussions with the health team and the minister and Dr Chant this morning around a whole range of issues in relation to COVID situation.

"We will be considering those matters this afternoon at the crisis cabinet."

READ MORE: Perrottet sworn in as NSW Premier

Gladys Berejiklian urges people to 'get behind' her successor'

Earlier today, former New South Wales Premier Gladys Berejiklian has urged people to "get behind" her successor on his first day in the top job.

Ms Berejiklian, who resigned on Friday amid revelations she was being investigated by ICAC, visited her electorate office in Sydney's north today to speak to her staff.

She thanked well-wishers for their support, with messages and flowers left piled against the wall of her office.

"It's been an enormous comfort to know people care," she said.

"I'm going to read every single card and every single message."

She said Mr Perrottet, who was sworn in as Premier yesterday, would be an "outstanding" leader as NSW continued to fight its COVID-19 outbreak.

Mr Perrottet earlier said he has "incredible confidence" about the future of the state.

Speaking to Ben Fordham on 2GB, he said NSW's economic recovery from COVID-19 since 2020 showed how the state could bounce back.

"The September quarter for this year will probably show negative growth but I expect us to bounce back very quickly," he said.

"I think we're going to have a very bright summer."

Although he yesterday indicated the state's "freedom day" would remain Monday, October 11, Mr Perrottet did signal other parts of NSW's roadmap out of lockdown could change.

Compulsory mask-wearing in offices is set to remain until December 1, but Mr Perrottet admitted the rule was an "impediment" to returning workers.

"I'm meeting with health officials today to go through the roadmap," he said.

https://twitter.com/cokeefe9/status/1445526917340282889

"There are a number of areas within the roadmap that can be looked at."

He cited getting people back into the Sydney and Parramatta CBDs as a priority.

"It's important to get people back into town, we want to breathe life into Sydney, we want to breathe life into Parramatta," he said.

EXPLAINER: What you can and can't do in NSW from next week

Among those areas, Mr Perrottet said he would "definitely" look at hospital visitation rules, with a number of Sydney hospitals still maintaining bans on loved ones visiting.

"I've raised that with (Health Minister Brad Hazzard) already," he said.

He said priorities would need to be balanced, with compassionate needs measured against protecting the elderly and sick most at risk of COVID-19.

New South Wales has officially reached the key vaccine milestone of 70 per cent fully vaccinated, triggering the state's reopening from COVID-19 lockdowns.

Newly-sworn Premier Dominic Perrottet announced on social media that the state had hit 70 per cent, giving the green light to restrictions easing from October 11.

https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fdomperrottetmp%2Fposts%2F294852239118172&show_text=true&width=500

This means in just five days NSW residents will be allowed to visit family, go to the pub, strip off their masks (outside) and get back to the gym.

Here's what we know about the roadmap so far:

LIVE UPDATES: Australia passes 80 per cent first-dose target

When is NSW's lockdown ending? What date and time?

NSW's lockdown is officially ending on Monday October 11.

The state government has not set an official time in any of its communications.

This means as of 12.01am on October 11, NSW is no longer officially in lockdown.

What if we have another outbreak? Are lockdowns over for good?

No, lockdowns are not ruled out forever.

When she delivered the plan, Ms Berejiklian stressed that if there were to be a surge or outbreak of cases then easing restrictions may be delayed, or lockdowns may be brought back in.

It's unlikely that the new Premier Dominic Perrottet will deviate from this methodology, however he has indicated that he may make minor tweaks to the reopening blueprint.

READ MORE: NSW's three-stage roadmap to freedom explained

What if you've had one dose? Do you still get freedoms?

No.

The easing of restrictions only apply to fully vaccinated NSW residents and those with medical exemptions.

Can I go visit my family?

Yes.

Once NSW hits a rate of 70 per cent double vaccinated, yes, you can visit your family.

Up to five visitors will be allowed in a home where all adults are vaccinated (not including children aged 12 and under).

Up to 20 people can gather in outdoor settings.

Only fully vaccinated people can visit.

Will the shops be open in NSW?

Yes.

Once the vaccination rate hits 70 per cent double-dosed, retail stores can reopen under the one person per four square metres rule (indoors).

Unvaccinated people – or people who have had one dose – will only be able to access critical retail.

Personal services such as hairdressers, spas, beauty salons, tattoo and massage parlours and nail salons will open with maximum customer limits of five people at any one time.

READ MORE: Gladys Berejiklian urges NSW to back 'outstanding' new Premier Dominic Perrottet

Will the pubs and restaurants be opened?

Yes.

Once the vaccination rate hits 70 per cent double-dosed, hospitality venues can reopen subject to one person per four square metres inside and one person per two square metres outside, with standing while drinking permitted outside.

A maximum of 20 people are allowed per booking.

For those who are unvaccinated, they are only allowed to access takeaway.

What about the gym? Can I go to my gym?

Yes.

Gyms and indoor recreation facilities can open under the one person per four-square-metre rule and can offer classes for up to 20 people.

Sporting facilities including swimming pools can reopen.

Everyone who attends must be fully vaccinated.

Can I go to the hairdresser?

Yes.

Again following the vaccination rate, personal services such as hairdressers and nail salons can open with one person per four square metres, capped at five clients per premises.

What about weddings and funerals?

From October 11, up to 50 guests will be allowed to attend weddings, with dancing permitted and eating and drinking permitted only while sitting.

Up to 50 guests will be allowed to attend funerals, with the same eating and drinking rules as weddings.

All attendees will have to be vaccinated.

READ MORE: New NSW premier could change roadmap

What about churches? Will my church be allowed to open?

Yes.

Churches and places of worship can open with a rule of one person for every four square metres. However, no singing will be allowed.

Can I travel? How far can I travel?

Residents in Greater Sydney cannot travel to regional LGAs and vice versa.

Travel between two regional LGAs is allowed.

Caravan Parks and camping grounds reopen.

The five-kilometre radius for residents is scrapped – but Sydneysiders must not leave Sydney.

READ MORE: Perrottet sworn in as NSW Premier

What about travelling interstate?

Probably not.

NSW can only govern its own borders, and it will be the first state in the country to hit a full vaccination rate of 70 per cent.

The rules on which state you are allowed to travel to will depend on the government rules set by your destination.

What about the office? Will we still be working at home?

For office workers, even once the rate hits 70 per cent employers must continue to allow employees to work from home if the employee is able to do so.

Will the footy reopen for crowds? What about theatres and zoos?

Yes.

Major recreation outdoor facilities including stadiums, racecourses, theme parks and zoos can reopen with one person per four square metres, capped at 5000 people.

Up to 500 people can attend ticketed and seated outdoor events.

Indoor entertainment and information facilities including cinemas, theatres, music halls, museums and galleries can reopen with one person per four square metres or 75 per cent fixed seated capacity.

READ MORE: Will Premier Dominic Perrottet bring forward 'Freedom Day'?

What about masks? Will I still need to wear a mask?

Once the rate hits 70 per cent fully vaccinated, masks will remain mandatory for all indoor public venues, including public transport, front-of-house hospitality, retail and business premises, on planes and at airports.

You won't need to wear a mask outside.

What about my kids who are aged under 16, but aren't vaccinated?

Once the rate hits 70 per cent, non-vaccinated young people aged under 16 will be able to access all outdoor settings but will only be able to visit indoor venues with members of their household.

A Melbourne baker has told of how he was stabbed in an unprovoked attack when he seemingly happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Seng Te was at his friend's Noble Park bungalow at 4pm on Tuesday 8 September last year when two strangers suddenly stormed in.

One of the men, who was armed with a 'Rambo-like' large knife, rammed the weapon through Te's arm as he tried to defend himself.

READ MORE: Police hunt thieves who allegedly stormed Melbourne home and stabbed man

"He stabbed me. The first one went into the arm, the second to the face," Mr Te said.

Mr Te was stabbed repeatedly and wrestled to the ground.

"I was in survival mode, just trying to get away from him," the 39-year-old said.

He said the attacker told him he was going to kill him.

The two intruders then grabbed a wallet, cash, and a number of Mr Te's friend's possessions and fled the scene.

READ MORE: Coronavirus deaths spike in Victoria as border restrictions with NSW to ease

Mr Te was left bleeding on the floor.

"I couldn't feel my body. I knew I was stabbed because I see the blood," he told 9News.

His friend applied first aid and rushed him to the hospital.

More than a year on, the Ringwood East man still hasn't fully recovered from the damage done in the attack.

Nerve damage still limits the use of his right arm, wrist and some fingers.

Police have been unable to identify the two Caucasian intruders, who were wearing masks and gloves.

It's unclear how the pair escaped – or who their original target was.

Detective Sergeant Russell Church said Mr Te had definitely been "at the wrong place at the wrong time" when the "cowardly attack" occurred.

"He didn't provoke this in any way."

"It's a real worry that these people, if they're not brought to justice or bought through the court system, and they'll continue to act in this way," the sergeant said.

Police are continuing to call for help to identify the men, who they have previously released CCTV images of.

Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential crime report at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au or contact the Greater Dandenong Crime Investigation Unit on 9767 7666.

A Chinese developer of luxury apartments missed US$315 million ($433 million) in payments to lenders on Monday, sparking fears that financial strains in the country's outsized property sector are spreading beyond the troubled Evergrande conglomerate.

Fantasia Holdings, a Shenzhen-based developer, missed repaying US$206 million ($283 million) worth of bonds that matured Monday, the company said in a stock exchange filing.

It is now assessing "the potential impact on the financial condition and cash position of the group," it added.

READ MORE: Trading of Chinese real estate giant's shares suspended in Hong Kong

Separately, the property management unit of Country Garden, China's second largest developer by sales after Evergrande, said in a filing that Fantasia had failed to repay a company loan of about 700 million yuan ($149 million).

Fantasia had informed the company that it would probably "default on [its] external debts," Country Garden Services added.

S&P and Moody's slapped "default" credit ratings on Fantasia and said the non-payment of principal would likely also put the company in default on its remaining bonds.

"The downgrade follows Fantasia's announcement … that it had missed payment on its US$205.7 million bond due on the same day, and reflects our expectation of weak recovery prospects for Fantasia's bondholders after its default," said Celine Yang, a senior analyst at Moody's.

Fantasia shares were suspended on Tuesday but shares of Country Garden Services tumbled 3.2 per cent in Hong Kong. Country Garden Holdings lost 2.8 per cent.

READ MORE: The cryptocurrencies most at risk of an Evergrande collapse

Defaults could hit growth

The news revived fears that debt woes are deepening in China's overextended property sector, which accounted for 29 per cent of outstanding loans issued by Chinese banks in yuan in the second quarter of 2021.

The sector is vital to China's economy — real estate and related industries account for around 30 per cent of GDP.

"The [Chinese] property sector is worrisome," wrote Larry Hu and Xinyu Ji, China economists for Macquarie Group, in a research note on Tuesday.

Fantasia's default shows that Evergrande's troubles "could dampen the sentiment for homebuyers, developers and banks, causing more developers to run into a liquidity crunch," they said.

READ MORE: Evergrande's electric car company struggling to pay suppliers as group faces $412 billion hole

The outlook for the Chinese property market is not encouraging. Property sales in the top 30 Chinese cities plunged 31 per cent in September from a year ago, according to Macquarie's estimates.

Evergrande's debt crisis has unsettled global investors in recent weeks, raising concerns about a potential domino effect on the broader Chinese economy and financial markets.

The company's problems have been brewing for more than a year, after Beijing started reining in the real estate sector in August 2020 to curb excessive borrowing to prevent the market from overheating.

Earlier this year, the Chinese government made it clear that it would prioritize "common prosperity" in its policy goals and tame runaway home prices, which it has blamed for worsening income inequality and threatening economic and social stability.

Evergrande's liquidity crisis has escalated in recent months.

READ MORE: Cryptocurrency markets plummet in wake of Evergrande default fears

The company warned investors of its cash flow crisis in September, saying that it could default if it was unable to raise money quickly. In the past few weeks, it missed at least two bond interest payments.

"While Evergrande's problems are unlikely to trigger a Lehman moment, they will aggravate the ongoing property sector slowdown," said Louis Kuijs, head of Asia economics at Oxford Economics, in a report on Tuesday.

"Given the large overall footprint of the residential real estate sector via 'backward linkages' to sectors such as steel, its slowdown will weigh significantly on overall economic growth," he said.

Nevertheless, Chinese policymakers appear to be standing firm.

Last week, the People's Bank of China and the banking regulator said that they would protect homebuyers. Their statement made no mention of developers.

Auckland’s MPs will be able to return to Parliament after two months away – but the Speaker wants them to get pre-departure Covid-19 tests, do five days of self-isolation in Wellington, and get a further test before they can enter…

A frustrated Clover Park resident says locals are continually breaching lockdown, but the police aren’t enforcing alert level 3 restrictions after multiple complaints.Craig Bridewell said breaches include residents holding parties…

The Royal Children's Hospital's cancer ward has been declared a Tier One exposure site after a parent infected with COVID-19 attended several days ago.

The Melbourne hospital's chief executive Bernadette McDonald said the hospital had been trying to strike a balance between limiting exposure to COVID-19 while allowing visitors for the children.

"We are finding a balance between allowing mums and dads and carers to come in – just a single person with a child – so that their care is maximised and they feel less anxious when they have someone with then," she said.

READ MORE: Coronavirus deaths spike in Victoria as border restrictions with NSW to ease

"We have very clear screening processes in is place. Sometimes mum and dad have been in and then become COVID positive a few days later," she said.

Ms McDonald said every exposure site at a hospital was concerning, but it was known that COVID-19 was not as extreme in children.

"We are not seeing the extreme illness in children," she said.

Separate to the exposure, Ms McDonald said the hospital was caring for 12 children with COVID-19.

Four of them are in the hospital, while eight are being treated in at-home care.

Ms McDonald said the hospital was experienced in managing COVID-19 exposure sites.

"We have been dealing with them for quite some time. Sadly we will continue to deal with them as we go into the future, as the number of COVID positive people in the community increases."

With the cancer ward being a Tier One exposure site, patients and carers are expected to be bound to the ward for 14 days from the date of exposure.

‌ National Party leader Judith Collins has come up with a unique way to try to reassure the vaccine hesitant: a comparison with the secret herbs and spices of KFC. Judith Collins said National would support the October 16…