Australia

The move came a day after the state announced it would reimpose restrictions capping visitors to households to five people and outdoor gatherings to 10, starting Monday. The limits had been relaxed on 1 June to allow up to 20 people in households and public gatherings.

Victoria reported 19 new infections on Sunday, the fifth day of double digit-rises. The state has now had 1836 total confirmed cases, or a quarter of the cases in Australia, since the Covid-19 pandemic erupted.

Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama said Fiji was working on a "Bula Bubble", between his country, New Zealand and Australia.

Upon arrival, travellers would have to spend 14 days in Fiji government quarantine facilities and then be required to pass a Covid-19 test to enter the general public.

This would be at their own cost or that of their respective government.

Non-government organisations including MORDI Tonga Trust, Live and Learn Tonga, and Caritas have all received funding. They will deliver projects to both protect families against COVID-19, and respond to the impacts of Tropical Cyclone Harold.

The funded activities include installation of water tanks in homes and schools, and teaching hand hygiene. Organisations will provide support for agricultural development to improve food production and generate income, as well as counselling to people who are suffering in the crisis.

Professor Murphy praised Tonga’s efforts to keep the island nation COVID-19 free and pledged Australia’s continued support for Tonga’s health preparedness, including by sharing expert health advice.

“I am pleased to hear there are no confirmed COVID-19 cases in Tonga to date and applaud Tonga’s efforts to prevent the spread of the virus,” Professor Murphy said.

Professor Murphy also congratulated the Minister on her appointment to the WHO Executive Board, in recognition of her leadership.

The shark bit the leg of the surfer, aged between 50 and 60, off Kingscliff, 800km (500 miles) north of Sydney.

Several "heroic" boarders tried to help the man by fighting off the shark but although he was brought to the beach, he died there of his wounds.

This is the third fatal shark attack in Australian waters this year.

The Sydney Morning Herald said that although police gunmen were deployed to find the shark, they were unable to kill it and it left the area after several hours.

Australia will provide $5.5 million to the World Food Programme to manage COViD-19 in the region, with $4 million going towards air transport and logistics services for the Pacific Humanitarian Pathway.

This includes the delivery of humanitarian and critical medical supplies, including Personal Protective Equipment, and assessments of the impact of COViD-19 on food security in the Pacific.

This vital Forum initiative ensures the passage of humanitarian and medical supplies within the Pacific as we work together to mitigate the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Simon Kofe, Chair of the Pacific Islands Forum Foreign Ministers, welcomed the initiative and said: “Australia’s support will ensure that the Pacific Humanitarian Pathway will be able to deliver much needed humanitarian and medical supplies in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Through its actions, Australia is working to achieve values of familial ties and care for neighbour’s key throughout the Pacific.”

This new funding through the Outer Islands Renewable Energy Project (OIREP) will ensure that Vava’u will have 100% coverage from a safe, reliable, and climate resilient electricity network. It brings Australia’s total funding for OIREP to AUD 9.5million since 2013.

The Australian High Commissioner to Tonga, Adrian Morrison, said: “It is important we support Tonga to be self-sufficient and resilient. OIREP means Tongans living on outer islands will have reliable access to affordable energy to enable work, education, and home life.”

There are calls across the region for travel to be reinstated, possibly before a trans-Tasman bubble with Australia.

Ashley Bloomfield said the Ministry of Health hadn't yet been asked for advice about an arrangement.

"My own view is that the risks can be managed well, especially if we've got countries that have got good testing in place and we know that they haven't got any cases and the arrangements can be put in place for travel to and fro," Dr Bloomfield said.

More than 4,000 people were admitted to hospital due to the smoke, Associate Prof Fay Johnston from the University of Tasmania told the Royal Commission.

The fires burned for weeks, killed more than 30 people and caused air pollution which can be harmful to health.

The inquiry is due to suggest ways to improve the natural disasters response.