That's all for Thursday's coronavirus coverage. Thanks for joining us.
Here's what you need to know:
- Health Minister Greg Hunt says the curve continues to flatten, with fewer than 100 people contracting the virus in the past 24 hours. As of lunchtime, 6013 Australians have tested positive, 260 are in hospital, 82 remain in intensive care and 35 are on ventilators. The death toll stands at 51
- The national cabinet is preparing for the possibility parents will rush children back into classrooms after the Easter holidays and stretch school resources, as coronavirus restrictions take their toll on families
- Parliament has passed the $130 billion JobKeeper wage subsidy scheme. More than 730,000 businesses have signed up for the scheme, which is designed to keep millions of employees on payroll
- NSW Arts Minister Don Harwin has returned home to Sydney after he was photographed at his Central Coast holiday home. Mr Harwin and Premier Gladys Berejiklian have both apologised for the minister's decision, although maintain he relocated to the regional area before there was a direction for city people to stay put
- The Australian National University will admit undergraduate students next year based on their year 11 results in a pre-emptive bid to provide certainty for 2500 school leavers whose studies have been thrown into disarray by the COVID-19 crisis
- The NRL is set to return on May 28 with a full season potentially on the cards
- Virgin Australia has axed all flights bar one amid the health crisis
The Herald's coverage of the health crisis will continue in a few hours with a new blog.
Sarah Keoghan signing off.