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You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/live/2021/dec/22/australia-live-news-update-national-cabinet-omicron-mask-rules-covid-vaccine-boosters-scott-morrison-nsw-vic-qld-coronavirus
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| Australia Covid live news update: national cabinet meets as testing centres overwhelmed; NSW records 3,763 new cases, Victoria 1,503 cases | |
| (31 minutes later) | |
| Follow all the day’s news | Follow all the day’s news |
| Sydney’s iconic Imperial Hotel has made the decision to close until 29 December due to escalating Covid numbers. Cafe Fredas in Darlinghurst made the same announcement earlier today. | |
| A huge blow for hospitality venues hoping for a strong end to the year. | |
| The NSW Labor party is calling for rapid antigen tests to be freely available in the state, to alleviate pressure on testing centres. | |
| There has also been a moderate flood warning issued for the Bogan River. | |
| Bit of tennis news. Craig Tiley is “confident” Nadal 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. | 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: | 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: | She’s really digging her heels in at the journalists, again citing the 10% figure: |
| And off she goes! | 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”. | 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: | Reporter: |
| Palaszczuk: | Palaszczuk: |
| Reporter: | Reporter: |
| Palaszczuk: | 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: | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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 a booster shot. | 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: |