This Sunday (22 March 2020) Australian Prime Minister and Treasurer Josh Frydenberg has announced that Australia's second economic stimulus package worth $66 billions will be allocated as loan with free interest to help Australian small and medium sizes, income supports recipients, sole traders, casual workers who lost their jobs or lay off, on top of the first package worth $17.6 billions. In additional to that, the Reserve Bank of Australia also issue more than $100 billions for banking sectors in order to prevent credit freeze. This package is part of the $189 billions economic stimulus package.
Australian small and medium size businesses will be able to get loans up to $100,000 or unsecured loan up to $250,000 to help their businesses stay afloat or pay their employees and keep their employees through out this coronavirus outbreak. The good thing about this package is that businesses will get a free interest loan and don't have to repay for 6 months and don't have to pay tax during this time.
Income support recipients will also get another $750 dollars whereas those who lost their jobs or lost their income by 20% or New start Allowance or Youth Allowance will get $550 during this hard time. But they will have to wait until April - July 2020, these money will be paid by the Australian Tax Office (ATO). And those who have lost their jobs or experience financial difficulties will be able to withdraw $10,000 per financial year for two years (2019-2020, 2020-2021). But Dr Jim Chalmers, Labor Treasurers says that these money should be available straight away for those who have already experience hardship now instead of waiting until July 2020.
Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison has also reinstated the the important of social distancing, that is stay apart from other person at least 1.5 metre or 4 square metres surrounding ourselves.
Apart from the social distancing or crowd gathering indoor of more than 100 people or outdoor more than 500 people, Mr Morrison has also indicated that cities or suburbs with high risks could be lock down to prevent further outbreak. In regard to this matter, Tasmania, South Australia and the Australian Capital Territory and Western Australia and New South Wales as well as Victoria has indicated that their border will be closed by this Tuesday, banning unnecessary holiday travelling outside their states or going to their states will require a fortnight quarantine and will only allow necessary services during coronavirus pandemic. Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison also urges Australians to stay home and cancel interstate or within a particular state and stay home.
In additional to that, all the non-essential venues like cafe, night clubs, pubs and restaurants and possible schools could be closed in some states like New South Wales and Victoria, but other important venues like supermarkets, chemists, banks, convenient stores, delivery services, medical institutions and petrol stations will be allowed to carry on as see appropriate.
For those who self-isolated require emergency relief package which include some staple foods and necessities for personal hygiene can call the coronavirus hotline number 1800 675 398.
