Quarantine rules ease, 86 new cases in Qld
Queensland has reported 86 new COVID-19 cases, while the quarantine period has been halved for fully vaccinated close contacts.
vaccines
Push to tighten COVID rules as cases surge
Speeding up booster shots, making full vaccination contingent on three COVID-19 jabs and mask mandates are being considered to help curb virus infections.
New jab definition, mask mandate on cards
Prime Minister Scott Morrison will discuss with premiers and chief ministers time frames for booster shots and masks mandates to curb COVID-19's spread.
Qld has 49 local cases, masks recommended
The Queensland government has recommended wearing face masks indoors and urged people to get boosters after recording 49 new locally acquired cases of COVID-19.
Leaders to meet to discuss Omicron threat
An emergency national cabinet meeting will be held on Wednesday amid rising numbers of COVID-19 cases linked to the Omicron variant.
Qld officer assaulted over mask mandate
A woman has been arrested for allegedly biting an officer after refusing to wear a mask, but police say overall compliance has been good around the state.
Warning sounded on Omicron assumptions
Experts have warned Australian authorities against relying too much on the possibility of the Omicron COVID-19 strain causing milder illness.
Boosters not brought forward despite surge
The gap between second and third COVID-19 vaccine doses will remain at five months, with some flexibility given to people nearing their time for a booster shot.
US panel urges Pfizer,Moderna over J&J
US advisers say most Americans should get the Pfizer or Moderna COVID-19 vaccines instead of the Johnson & Johnson shot due to rare but serious blood clots.
Free tests call as virus infections rise
Infectious disease expert Mary-Louise McLaws has called for free rapid antigen tests to ensure people don't inadvertently spread the virus over the holidays.
WHO advises on mixing COVID-19 vaccines
Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines can be used as subsequent doses after initial doses of AstraZeneca and vice versa, the WHO says.
Two Qld women arrested for vaccine fraud
Two women have been arrested by Queensland Police for allegedly being involved in vaccine fraud this month north of Brisbane.
PM not worried about COVID infection spike
Scott Morrison says he wants Australians to go about their lives despite rising COVID-19 infections in the lead up to Christmas.
States told to avoid Christmas border bans
The emergence of the Omicron variant and surging case numbers have created fear that premiers may pull the trigger on further lockdowns and border closures.
Southern African travel ban scrapped
The federal government has ceased a travel ban on eight southern African nations imposed last month due to the Omicron variant of COVID-19.
Travel ban ends as COVID-19 rules ease
A travel ban with eight southern African nations has been scrapped, while states move to ease their COVID-19 restrictions amid rising case numbers.
New rules as S.Korea hits COVID-19 peaks
A record-breaking surge of COVID-19 infections has led to a spike in hospitalisations and deaths and caused South Korea to toughen up social restrictions.
COVID rules ease as infection tallies rise
COVID-19 restrictions are easing across swathes of the country as infection numbers rise in the lead-up to Christmas.
Prime Minister listed as casual contact
Scott Morrison has been told by NSW Health he is a casual contact after visiting a COVID-19 exposure site, but can continue with official appointments.
SA nursing home fears amid more infections
SA Health has begun COVID-19 testing at a number of Adelaide nursing homes after two health workers tested positive, as the state recorded 12 new cases.
SA to ease more virus measures in weeks
South Australia expects to ease more local virus restrictions by the end of the year when vaccination rates hit 90 per cent.
Ardern’s NZ border rethink rattles many
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has made space to wriggle out of her commitment to reopen New Zealand to Australia-based Kiwis from January 17.