Australia’s central bank staff will look to factor in the latest of the spiraling Covid crisis into economic projections ahead of Tuesday’s policy meeting and Friday’s forecast publication. Reserve Bank Governor Philip Lowe will keep interest rates and the three-year yield target unchanged at 0.25%, surveys show, and reiterate a readiness to resume buying government bonds in the event conditions worsen. Yet, bank economists will be grappling with the fluid situation in Melbourne -- home to about 20% of Australians -- as they prepare the bank’s quarterly forecast update. The Victorian state capital is amid a six-week ... (full story)