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Covid live news update: Scott Morrison says Australians ‘should be wearing masks anyway’; NSW records 3,763 new cases, Victoria 1,503 cases Australia Covid live news update: national cabinet to meet as testing centres overwhelmed; NSW records 3,763 new cases, Victoria 1,503 cases
(33 minutes later)
Follow all the day’s newsFollow all the day’s news
Bit of tennis news. Craig Tiley is “confident” Nedal will be in Melbourne to play at the Australian Open. But Novak Djokovic will need a medical exemption from ATAGI, or a vaccination. “It’s his choice”.
Yes.
Palaszczuk is asked if there is a case where the chief operating officer reports directly to the minister, not the director general. She replies:
She’s really digging her heels in at the journalists, again citing the 10% figure:
And off she goes!
Palaszczuk is asked about huge testing lines in Victoria, New South Wales and the ACT in the lead up to Christmas. She says people attempting travel interstate only account for 10% of tests. I am unsure where she got this number from, but she says “we’ve got the data”.
Reporter:
Palaszczuk:
Reporter:
Palaszczuk:
In relatively useless news for people coming to Queensland for Christmas, Palaszczuk is looking at approving rapid antigen tests in place of mandatory PCR tests for high risk arrivals from the new year:
Palaszczuk says new measures will be introduced in order to stem the spread of the virus.
From 5am tomorrow, masks will be mandatory in cinemas and theatres for patrons and staff, and for hospitality staff. Masks were already mandatory in limited settings. Palaszczuk says the industry and unions understand why the regulations are necessary, in light of the rapid spread of the Omicron variant.
Queensland premier Annastacia Palaszczuk is up now.
There have been 186 new Covid cases recorded in the state. Some 89.9% of Queenslanders have now received a first dose, with the 90% milestone expected to be reached today.
New Zealand has recorded 56 community cases of Covid and six cases of Omicron in isolated returnees. There are 51 people being treated in hospital with the virus.New Zealand has recorded 56 community cases of Covid and six cases of Omicron in isolated returnees. There are 51 people being treated in hospital with the virus.
Melbourne friends may consider heading to the Royal Exhibition Centre if you’re looking to get tested. Melbourne friends may consider heading to the Royal Exhibition Centre if you’re looking to get a booster shot.
Weimar acknowledges we are facing a “significant challenge” for the healthcare sector, particularly at a time to be spent with loved ones:Weimar acknowledges we are facing a “significant challenge” for the healthcare sector, particularly at a time to be spent with loved ones:
If the booster interval is reduced following national cabinet, an additional one million Victorians will become eligible for the jab. As it stands, some 400,000 who are eligible are yet to receive their booster shot.
Victoria’s Covid commander Jeroen Weimar is up. It’s been awhile since we heard from him. He confirms there are just over 60 Omicron cases in Victoria, and expects to see more in the coming days.
Oh dear that’s quite a jump. There have been 58 new Covid cases recorded in the ACT. No deaths, three people in hospital, none requiring intensive care.
Queensland health authorities are due to give an update shortly. We’ll bring it to you here.
ACT Health has stopped posting Covid testing centre waiting times to its social media and are instead referring Canberrans to the government website.
As of 10am, they’ve increased:
Mitchell drive through testing clinic (open 8am to 10pm): at capacity
Garran testing clinic (open 7.30am to 9pm): 4 hours+
Kambah drive through testing clinic (open 8am to 4pm): 3 hours 30 minutes+
Nicholls testing clinic (open 8am to 3.50pm): 3 hours 30 minutes+
Wait times have relatively eased in South Australia following the lifting of mandatory testing on arrival to the state.
Tasmania has reported 12 new cases of Covid-19, bringing active cases to 26.
Borders won’t be closing in South Australia after Christmas, Marshall confirms: