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Australia Covid live news update: PM says masks ‘highly recommended’ but national cabinet stops short of mandate; NSW records 3,763 new cases, Victoria 1,503 Australia Covid live news update: PM says masks ‘highly recommended’ but national cabinet stops short of mandate; NSW records 3,763 new cases, Victoria 1,503
(32 minutes later)
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The PM says his main message today is to “stay calm and get boosted”. McGowan says he hopes ATAGI will make a decision on booster times soon.
The PM talked about testing rates and how people tarveling is putting pressure on the system. “You need to start thinking about booking a third dose as soon as possible. Before Omicron comes into our community.
“So there was a very good discussion about the impact of public health orders in other states. “Our state clinics will continue to operate over the festive season so people can go out and get vaccinated.”
“And there was a positive discussion and panel will give further advice on whether testing is required at all for travel.” McGowan:
The governments might look at RAT for travelling, he said. “Specifically in relation to third doses. A third dose of the COVID-19 vaccine will now be mandatory for all eligible workers in industries covered by a vaccine mandate.
“Or we can move to the more simple method of RAT testing with those cues and make the system a lot more workable.” “Under the mandate workers will now be called to have a third dose within one month of becoming eligible.
He adds: “Currently, around sorry, currently, more than 266,000 people are eligible for a third dose. And so far 89,900 people have received their does.
He says QR codes will play a ”different role in the future”. “Everyone is strongly urged to receive a third dose when eligible, even if they’re not covered by this policy.”
He says if an individual is not a close contact they will be able to “self manage their response”. McGowan says more than one million workers will now have to get booster shots under an expanded mandate.
Morrison says there will be a national definition of “casual contact”. This is the first time boosters have been mandated.
He says a medical expert panel will decide within a fortnight what the national definition will be. “As I’ve already mentioned, this morning, I attended national cabinet where leaders were given an updated briefing on the threat posed to all by the Omicron variant.
Nat-Cab will meet again to review and agree on it. “What we are told is concerning. The picture that is starting to emerge, it is troubling. But there is hope and there is help. It comes in the form of vaccination.
Morrison says there are heaps of vaccines in the country. “Specifically the third dose, which ... is far more effective against the Omicron strain than two doses. Therefore we are now announcing changes to our vaccination program.”
He adds: McGowan says the decision has not “been taken lightly”.
Morrison is now talking about the timeframe between shots. “No one wants to stop families returning home to Western Australia during the festive season.
Morrison said the feds are going to increase payments to GPs and pharmacies for vaccine appointments by $10. “No one. But given the escalating crisis in other parts of Australia, and based on updated health advice, we’re taking this step to protect Western Australians and stop any spread of the virus into our community.”
Morrison said state vaccination hubs that have been rolled back will be put back in place. McGowan is closing the border to Tasmania and the NT from Boxing Day morning .
Morrison says Nat-Cab agreed on “three areas where we agreed to move forward”. First up is masks: “This means Tasmania and the Northern Territory will transition from low risk to medium risk jurisdictions, and travel will not be permitted with these jurisdictions, unless approved.
Mask wearing is “strongly recommended,” he says. “Any Western Australian who has recently travelled to Tasmania or the Northern Territory is eligible to return under compassionate grounds and must apply through the G to G pass system.
Morrison said hospitals are coping with the increase of cases. “We’re giving people notice now to get bored from Sunday morning. Travel with these jurisdictions will cease unless you are approved to travel under the new 2g PATH system.
Morrison said they “had a positive meeting” and that they are taking Omicron very seriously. “Anyone approved to travel must be double those vaccinated and will be subject to quarantine and testing requirements.”
The PM is speaking now from Canberra. “Western Australia has recorded four new positive Covid cases in returned travellers who are in hotel quarantine.
From AAP: “After flying in from different locations in Africa. The two others are from Queensland, a couple in their 30s who flew in from Brisbane on Sunday night.
Six players at A-League Men champions Melbourne City have tested positive for Covid-19, prompting the postponement of one league match and two FFA Cup games. “Both are double-dose vaccinated. They tested positive after arriving in Western Australia. Both are in self-quarantine. Four family members, all of whom are vaccinated had tested negative and are also in quarantine for 14 days.”
Rapid antigen tests picked up the six cases on Tuesday morning and subsequent PCR tests confirmed the results. Stay with us, we are now going to WA where Mark McGowan is talking. The state has four new Covid cases.
City’s FFA Cup quarter-final against Wellington on Wednesday night was postponed along with their A-League Men away game against Brisbane Roar on 27 December. Lastly, the PM is asked about the Voices movement of independents running in Liberal seats.
In addition, Melbourne Victory’s FFA Cup round of 16 trip to face Gold Coast Knights was postponed – after Victory players were potentially exposed to coronavirus in Saturday’s Melbourne derby against City. The PM said this would be discussed closer to the election.
“The A-Leagues can confirm that six players from Melbourne City FC’s A-League Men’s football department have tested positive for Covid-19 and are currently in isolation and all report to be currently feeling well,” the A-Leagues said in a statement. The PM has given the last Covid question to the Courier Mail – the journo has asked about when Atagi will make its decision on booster times.
“The case involves double-vaccinated individuals who tested positive to a PCR test on 21 December enacted after their daily rapid tests earlier in the day. The PM says that’s why Nat-Cab agreed on three things:
“As a result of the number of cases, the A-Leagues have determined that Melbourne City’s scheduled round six away match against Brisbane Roar has been postponed.” Morrison:
It is another daily record for the state. Five people are being treated for the virus in hospital but none are in ICU. Morrison:
Of the new cases, 33 are local contacts, all traced to the current outbreak, 15 are from interstate and 149 are still being investigated. Morrison:
It brings the total number of active cases in the state to 742. The PM has jumped in: