Get up to speed on all the coronavirus news from across Australia.
Look back on all of Monday's news and updates on our live blog.
Key events
Live updates
By Jacqueline Howard
Cases, hospitalisations and deaths
For a detailed breakdown of cases across the country, check out Charting the Spread.
This post updates throughout the day as numbers are announced.
NSW: 14 deaths and 6,184 new cases. 1,649 cases are in hospital, 100 of those in ICU
VIC: 2 deaths and 7,104 new cases. 465 cases are in hospital, 66 of those in ICU
TAS: 408 new cases. 12 cases are in hospital, one of those in ICU
QLD: 6 deaths and 3,750 new cases. 514 cases are in hospital, 41 of those in ICU
ACT: 375 new cases. 51 cases are in hospital, 4 of those in ICU
SA: 1,027 new cases. 214 cases are in hospital, 18 of those in ICU
WA: 62 new local cases, zero in hospital
NT: 767 new cases, 164 people in hospital, one in ICU
By Jessica Riga
We're gonna close the blog here
Thanks for joining us today! You can stay up to date with any futher updates here on the ABC News website.
We'll see you tomorrow. Until then, have a lovely evening.
By Jessica Riga
'When you're on board a long time, your mind becomes lonely': Seafarers plead to come ashore
Inside Victoria's Port of Portland are the international seamen who work aboard cargo ships importing and exporting goods. During the pandemic, they haven't been allowed off their ships any further than a long, empty gangway.
By Jessica Riga
Police clear remaining protesters from busiest US and Canada border crossing
Police have cleared and arrested the remaining protesters near the busiest US-Canadian border crossing, ending a demonstration against COVID-19 restrictions that has hurt the economy of both nations.
By Jessica Riga
'Disrespect not welcome': Tourists are itching to go overseas but some places are wary about having them back
The world has been reopening after nearly two years of COVID-19 travel restrictions, but some popular destinations don't want tourists back at pre-pandemic levels, while others have urged visitors to be more courteous.
The coronavirus pandemic has dealt the tourism industry a massive blow with international arrivals down more than 70 per cent compared to 2019 levels, according to the World Tourism Organization.
Last year, tourist arrivals increased by a modest 4 per cent — or 15 million arrivals — compared to 2020.
To add to that, new travel restrictions in response to the Omicron variant are causing the industry further pain.
So why are some places with a history of drawing massive crowds now trying to revitalise their lucrative tourism sectors, but with fewer visitors?
By Jessica Riga
NZ to move to phase 2 of Omicron response, says Ardern
New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has confirmed the nation will move to phase 2 of its Omicron response from tomorrow night.
It comes after the country recorded 981 new COVID-19 cases today.
At phase 2, shorter isolation periods of 10 days for positive cases and seven days for close contacts will kick in.
Ms Ardern says while many cases will still be diagnosed by a PCR test, rapid tests will become more widely used.
By Jessica Riga
Weimar urges those recovering from COVID to book vaccine appointment
"If you’ve recently contracted COVID, if your symptoms are gone you can go and get your third dose," Mr Weimar says.
"If you’ve got any concerns, go and see your medical adviser, go and see your GP.
"The general guideline is, certainly a month after you’ve had COVID you should be getting your third dose. "
By Jessica Riga
There are 2.5 million Victorians eligible for a booster who haven't yet received one, says Weimar
"I would always like the [booster] figure to be further along," Mr Weimar says when asked if he's happy with Victoria's third shot rate.
"The third dose keeps your vaccine status up to date, it keeps you out of hospital.
"It's not a trivial thing, it's a really important way to look after your own health."
By Jessica Riga
'This is not over by a long shot,' says Weimar
Victoria reported 7,104 new infections today.
That tally is comprised of 2,058 positive PCR tests and 5,046 positive rapid antigen test notifications.
It takes the number of officially reported active infections to 53,707, down from 54,494 on Sunday.
But Victoria's COVID Commander says 7,000 cases is "still a lot of COVID in the community" and that the pandemic "isn't over by a long shot."
By Jessica Riga
Half of Victorians over 18 years of age had had their booster
Mr Weimar says Victoria's booster figures are '"incredibly encouraging."
He says 51.6 per cent of those aged over 18 have had their third dose.
Meanwhile, over three quarters of Victorians aged over 70 have had their third dose.
That figure falls slightly to 68 per cent for those over 60, and 61 per cent for those over 50.
By Jessica Riga
Victoria's COVID Commander on the importance of getting your booster shot
Here's Jeroen Weimar:
"If you have had your third dose, you're seven times less likely to end up in ICU than someone who's only had two doses.
"If you have had your third dose, you're 34 times less likely to end up in ICU than someone who is not vaccinated.
"This is the simple maths and this is the importance of getting vaccinated.
"It's really important we all stay up to date with our vaccination status and get our third dose."
By Jessica Riga
Victoria's COVID Commander Jeroen Weimar to provide a vaccine update
You'll be able to watch it here when it starts in about 15 minutes!
By Jessica Riga
WA records 62 new COVID cases
Western Australia has recorded 62 new local cases of COVID-19.
13 travel-related cases have also been recorded, bringing the state to a total of 75 new cases.
The new cases include 10 self-reported RATs.
Testing figures remain low, with 4,351 people receiving PCR at state and public clinics yesterday.
By Jessica Riga
NT announces 767 new COVID cases
The number of COVID-19 patients in Northern Territory hospitals is today unchanged, with 164 people hospitalised and one in an ICU.
There are now 19 patients needing oxygen.
The Northern Territory government announced 767 new COVID-19 cases on Monday, including 10 cases that were added to Sunday's total.
Of the new cases, 672 were detected by rapid antigen tests (RATs).
By Jessica Riga
Hong Kong leader says fifth COVID wave has 'overwhelmed' city's capacity
Let's turn our attention overseas for a moment, where Hong Kong's leader, Carrie Lam, says authorities are concerned about the "onslaught" of new COVID-19 infections.
Daily case numbers have spiked from around 100 at the start of February to 1,300 reported in recent days.
Health experts are warning the global trading hub could see 28,000 daily infections as soon as next month.
Chief Executive Carrie Lam says Hong Kong's government is working with Chinese officials to improve quarantine arrangements and medical treatment.
"The onslaught of the fifth wave of the epidemic has dealt a heavy blow to Hong Kong and overwhelmed the city's capacity of handling," Ms Lam said in a statement, adding patients were having to wait longer to access isolation facilities.
"The situation is highly undesirable and the government feels worried and sorry about it," she said.
Ms Lam said authorities would "spare no effort" to implement the "dynamic zero" coronavirus infection strategy in Hong Kong, which, like mainland China, seeks to curb outbreaks as soon as they occur, in contrast with many other places that are trying to live with COVID-19.
Additional reporting via Reuters
By Jessica Riga
And hello from me
Hi everyone! I'm diving into the second half of today's coronavirus live blog.
By Jacqueline Howard
That's it from me
I'll pass you into the soft, supple hands of Jessica Riga for the rest of the afternoon.
Stay safe out there!
By Jacqueline Howard
South Australia records 1,027 cases and three historic deaths newly attributed to COVID
South Australia’s recorded another 1,027 COVID-19 cases, and three previously unreported deaths.
Premier Steven Marshall said the three people died in January.
Mr Marshall said there were now fewer than 14,000 active cases of COVID-19 in the state.
A total of 214 COVID-19 patients remain in hospital. Eighteen are in intensive care, five of them on ventilators.
By Jacqueline Howard
No spike predicted as South Australian children return to school
South Australian school students have returned to face-to-face learning for the first time since last year, with authorities urging parents to keep children at home and get tested if they have COVID-like symptoms.
Premier Steven Marshall said authorities were not predicting a dramatic spike in case numbers, but thousands of temporary relief teachers were on stand-by to cover staff who caught COVID-19 and the health system had capacity for children who needed care.
"We have got plenty of capacity within our Women's and Children's Hospital," he said.
"I think we've only had one child in intensive care in hospital with COVID in the entire pandemic."
SA Health reported two deaths from COVID-19 yesterday, along with 1,165 new cases, the second-lowest number this year.
With school returning, the Royal Automobile Association is expecting traffic to return to levels seen in January 2020, with just over 4 million cars passing through monitored intersections around Adelaide today.
Public transport use has also increased, with daily bus, train and tram trips at their highest level in the past two years.
