Get up to speed on all the coronavirus news from across Australia.
Here are Monday's key COVID updates:
- Almost two years after the government closed Australia to the world, the international border is set to reopen to those who are fully vaccinated
- Prime Minister Scott Morrison says the government will send the Australian Defence Force into aged care homes to ease severe staff shortages in the sector
- The federal government is set to make COVID-19 tests tax-deductible for Australian individuals and exempt from fringe benefit tax (FBT) for businesses
- Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk announced the state's Check-in app will not be required at some businesses
- New definitions for close contacts of COVID cases in WA will roll out tomorrow along with relaxed isolation protocols
Check out our pinned post below for today's COVID figures from around Australia.
Live updates
By Michael Doyle
Cases, hospitalisations and deaths
If you don't see your state or territory yet, don't worry - these numbers are updated throughout the day.
For a detailed breakdown of cases across the country, check out Charting the Spread.
NSW: 14 deaths and 7,437 new cases; 2,099 people in hospital, including 137 in ICU
VIC: 7 deaths and 8,275 new cases; 638 people in hospital, including 72 in ICU
TAS: 0 deaths and 443 new cases; 15 people in hospital, including 1 in ICU
QLD: 19 deaths and 4,701 new cases; 663 people in hospital, including 43 in ICU
ACT: 1 death and 299 new cases; 57 people in hospital, including 2 in ICU
SA: 5 deaths and 1,147 new cases; 224 people in hospital, including 16 in ICU
NT: 0 deaths and 831 new cases; 156 people in hospital, including 3 in ICU
WA: 0 deaths and 26 new cases; no update on hospitalisations
By Jessica Riga
Time to say goodbye
We'll park the blog here. Thank you for reading along with us today!
You can continue to stay up to date here on the ABC News website.
Until next time, stay safe and have a lovely evening.
By Jessica Riga
Recapping WA's COVID update
There was a lot of new information! Let's break it down...
-
Western Australia will move to new "high caseload" public health settings from tomorrow
-
It means isolation periods will be halved to seven days
-
The definition of a close contact will be restricted
-
Casual contacts will no longer be idenfitied
-
Public testing clinics will be given rapid antigen tests to manage demand and wait time
-
Premier Mark McGowan says new rules will also apply in schools, with other changes also to introduced to help reduce the spread
By Jessica Riga
The new quarantine period applies to those currently isolating
Are interstate arrivals now released on day 7 instead of 14 and is this retrospective for those who have already arrived?
-Jane
Hi Jane,
Yep, interstate travellers currently in quarantine will only do 7 days, not 14. Here's what Mark McGowan said:
"Under the hard border settings, approved travellers will be required to take a PCR or RAT test on Day 1, and then return a negative RAT on Day 7 to end their self-quarantine period.
"Any travellers, positive cases or close contacts currently in self-quarantine under the previous settings, including those who arrived over the weekend, will be able to leave quarantine once they’ve completed 7 days and followed other specific protocols directed by WA Health, including testing.
"In other words, if someone in their household tests positive, they’ll need to follow the appropriate rules. But otherwise they can rejoin the community after 7 days."
By Jessica Riga
Quarantine period reduced, international arrivals cap doubled
"From Wednesday, the quarantine period for both approved international and interstate travellers will be reduced to 7 days," Mr McGowan said.
"In addition, our international arrivals cap will be doubled, up from 265 per week to 530.
"Vaccinated, direct international travellers will be permitted to self-quarantine at a suitable premise if they’re eligible."
By Jessica Riga
WA to see wider use of rapid antigen tests, but PCR tests still preferred, says McGowan
"RAT tests are being distributed to our public testing clinics to enable them to help manage demand and wait times," he said.
From today, those in WA will be able to log their positive RAT result with the government.
Reporting a positive COVID-19 result is mandatory.
By Jessica Riga
WA introduces new COVID protocols, updates definition of close contact
"Based on the latest health advice, considering the high level of Omicron in the community, and the number of cases in self-quarantine, effective tomorrow we will be moving to our higher case load testing and isolation guidelines," Mr McGowan says.
"These new protocols are not a sign the pandemic is over. They signify the start of the real impact of Omicron in Western Australia and will help manage community transmission.
"These new protocols, which we announced in January, will be introduced across the state from tomorrow.
The new close contact definition will be: a household member or intimate partner of a person with COVID-19 who has had contact with them during their infectious period OR someone who has had a close personal interaction with a positive case during their infectious period.
Here's some examples Mr McGowan used: 15 minutes of face-to-face contact where a mask is not worn by either person, or having spent more than 2 hours in a room with a case during their infectious period where masks have been removed by either person.
You're also a close contact if WA Health contacts you due to specific circumstances.
There will no longer be rules for casual contacts, however if you have been to an exposure site you should always monitor for symptoms, Mr McGowan added.
By Jessica Riga
Quick recap of WA's COVID figures
Premier McGowan is running through some information we knew previously.
-
WA has recorded 26 new locally acquired COVID cases
-
There were also 10 travel-related cases
-
24 of the local cases were linked to close contacts
-
Several of the cases were infectious in the community and WA Health is tracing their potential contacts
-
All of the new cases are now in quarantine
-
WA is now dealing with 265 active cases of COVID-19, 12 in hotel quarantine, and 254 in self-quarantine
-
One positive case is in hospital but is not in intensive care
By Jessica Riga
Mark McGowan has just stepped up
By Jessica Riga
Here's where you can watch the WA COVID update
It's due to begin in about 10 minutes.
By Jessica Riga
SA has already ditched the need to check in except for places like hospitality, high risk, gyms etc
-Don’t forget SA
Right you are! South Australia reduced their check-in restrictions back in late January.
By Jessica Riga
Hi, Will you have a link to the WA Covid Update by McGowan or do I need to find it myself? Thanks
-Just asking
You're early! I'll post the link closer to the hour, but feel free to keep your eyes peeled on our ABC News YouTube channel and hit that subscribe button while you're at it.
By Jessica Riga
Canberrans frustrated as COVID-19 vaccine protests disrupt city on eve of parliament's return
Canberrans are expressing growing frustration at disruptions caused by protests, which are expected to grow this week.
Thousands of demonstrators began gathering in Canberra last week to protest against COVID-19 vaccines and restrictions.
Police forced them to move on from an unlawful campsite near the National Library of Australia, but more protesters have arrived ahead of the beginning of parliamentary sittings.
Over the weekend, a convoy of demonstrators hampered traffic at Canberra Airport in an attempt to delay travellers.
ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr said Canberrans were hospitable and he respected everyone's right to protest.
However, Mr Barr said the demonstrators were "making more enemies than friends".
"If the objective of these protesters is to win over hearts and minds, they're certainly not doing that," Mr Barr said.
"There is a lot of frustration in Canberra at the moment with the behaviour of these individuals.
By Jessica Riga
WA Premier Mark McGowan to provide a COVID update at 2pm AWST
He'll be joined by Health Minister Amber-Jade Sanderson.
By Jessica Riga
Will other states follow Queensland in rolling back check-in app requirements?
Any idea when other states will join Queensland and ditch the check in app where vaccine status doesn’t matter?
-Jim
Hey Jim, we can't predict if/when other states will follow Queensland in making changes to check-in app requirements.
But earlier today the ACT announced from 11:59pm on Friday, February 11, Canberrans will only have to use the Check In CBR app at licensed bars and pubs, registered clubs, nightclubs, strip clubs and brothels, organised events, schools, and early education and care businesses.
The ACT government said all other businesses and settings would no longer be required to display a QR code or ask customers to check in.
By Jessica Riga
COVID-19 cases detected in Darwin's Don Dale youth detention facility
The Northern Territory's coronavirus outbreak has reached Darwin's Don Dale youth detention facility, with the NT government confirming 13 people inside had tested positive.
Deputy Chief Minister Nicole Manison said nine young people and four staff members inside the facility were infected.
"I just want to assure people that we work very closely with [the Danila Dilba Aboriginal health service] there to make sure that those young people get the best possible care," she said.
"Like our NT government facilities, [Don Dale] has got a COVID-19 plan on how to manage it and they will be managed there to try and minimise the impact."
Ms Manison said it was likely case numbers would rise inside the facility.
By Jessica Riga
'Not under control': Peak Aboriginal health group pushes back after government defends COVID response
The NT's peak Aboriginal health body has criticised the government's claim its current COVID outbreak is "under control", suggesting any "overly-optimistic assurances" about rising case numbers will lead to further spread of the virus.
Aboriginal Medical Services Alliance NT CEO John Paterson said he had been "concerned" by comments made by Chief Minister Michael Gunner last week, in which the territory leader defended the government's handling of escalating COVID cases.
"There are people, some very loud voices, who would like you to think that every case of COVID is a catastrophe, that everybody should be taken out of their home and put into a hospital," Mr Gunner said on Friday.
"Their heart is in the right place. But a response like that will be the medical equivalent of panic buying."
By Jessica Riga
Lots of you asking about testing requirements for international arrivals
Come 21 Feb will international doubly vaccinated travellers need to have a pre-test or post-test?
-International testing?
Will you also need a negative test to get into Australia after 21 Feb?
-Joining the jetset...
Feels like we're getting some normalcy back and, it feels soooooo good!
Is there still a PCR requirement on arrivals?
-Taking Responsibility
Pre-flight testing wasn't explicity mentioned, so we'll look into that, but Home Affairs Minister Karen Andrews said international travellers "will be subject on their arrival here to the relevant state and territory quarantine requirements."
By Jessica Riga
By Jessica Riga
Recapping the PM's update
That's it for Scott Morrison's update, where he made two big announcements:
