Queensland boosts flu shot coverage
Queensland will boost its flu vaccination coverage this winter by inviting an extra 70 regional pharmacies to participate in the National Immunisation Program.
virus diseases
Cases close non-COVID Tas hospital wards
Three patients have tested positive for COVID-19 in non-virus Tasmanian hospital wards, prompting authorities to close the areas to new admissions and visitors.
$2.1 million needed for long COVID victims
A growing number of Australians are experiencing debilitating fatigue and other symptoms associated with long COVID, prompting calls for government action.
UK kids unfit, overweight after pandemic
Australian researchers have found many UK children gained about seven kilograms amid lockdowns during the pandemic, with nearly half now overweight or obese.
Albanese to emerge from COVID isolation
Anthony Albanese's home isolation is set to end as the opposition leader recovers from COVID-19.
NZ High Court: COVID rules ‘not justified’
Grounded Kiwis, a lobby group founded to protest New Zealand's tough COVID-19 border restrictions, has won a court case against the government.
Tas to lift close contact isolation rule
Tasmania will drop the seven-day isolation requirement for close contacts of COVID-19 cases from May 2.
Household contact isolation phased out
COVID-19 household contact rules are being dialled back around Australia, with Tasmania the only state yet to announce when the requirement will be phased out.
EU, Turkey, Albania curbs end as WHO warns
World Health Organisation head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus says the agency is blind to how the coronavirus is spreading because of falling global testing rates.
ACT ditches COVID close-contact isolation
The ACT has ditched its mandatory week-long isolation requirement for COVID-19 household contacts, joining most states in making the change.
Economic outlook ‘tricky’ despite strength
Australia's economic recovery has been faster and better than expected, but war in Europe and China's COVID-19 outbreaks are wildcards for the nation's outlook.
Aussies urged: be COVID-safe on Anzac Day
Australians attending Anzac Day events are being urged to wear masks in crowded settings to protect the vulnerable.
Anzac Day patrons urged to be COVID-safe
While COVID-19 restrictions have relaxed in NSW and Victoria, Anzac Day patrons are being encouraged to don masks in crowded settings to protect the vulnerable.
Restrictions eased as COVID-19 tolls grow
Almost 42,000 new COVID-19 cases have been reported across Australia along with 44 virus-related deaths.
Qld aligns quarantine rules with NSW, Vic
Queensland will ease isolation rules for COVID-19 close contacts from 6pm on Thursday, following changes made by Victoria and NSW.
NSW, Vic prepare to drop home isolation
Victoria and NSW are ending close contact isolation and Queensland is easing its quarantine rules as the eastern states record over 42,000 new COVID-19 cases.
ACT follows NSW, Vic isolation changes
COVID-19 isolation rules are about to be scrapped in Victoria and NSW, with changes also announced for the ACT.
NSW ends isolation, quarantine for COVID
A raft of restrictions brought in to combat the spread of COVID-19 will be ditched in NSW despite thousands of people continuing to test positive each day.
NSW, Vic iso ends for household contacts
Prime Minister Scott Morrison has welcomed the end of home isolation for household contacts of people with COVID-19 in NSW and Victoria.
Vic scraps vax economy, relaxes iso rules
Victoria will relax a raft of COVID-19 rules, including scrapping compulsory seven-day isolation for close contacts and its controversial "vaccinated economy".
Isolation for household contacts to end
Isolation rules for household contacts of people with COVID-19 are tipped to ease in NSW and Victoria.
Mask mandates fall in Spain and US
The United States, Belize, Germany, Indonesia and Senegal will co-host the second Global COVID-19 Summit in May.
Calls to ease COVID-19 isolation rules
Business groups say it's time to scrap the seven-day isolation period for household contacts of people with COVID-19, which they blame for staff shortages.
First cruise ship docks in Aust since 2020
P&O Australia's Pacific Explorer has become the first cruise liner to dock in Australia since a ban triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020.
Cruise ships return after two-year ban
Cruise liners are making a return to Australia's ports after a two-year absence triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Labor MP Bowen tests positive to COVID
Labor MP Chris Bowen will self-isolate for the next seven days after he tested positive to COVID-19.
More COVID deaths in residential aged care
More than 1000 people in Australian aged care homes have died from COVID-19 this year, more than in the previous two years combined.
Latest snapshot of coronavirus impact
The latest snapshot of COVID-19 cases, deaths and vaccinations in Australia at 1600 AEST on Thursday, April 14.
Queensland lifts vax, check-in mandates
Unvaccinated Queenslanders can return to many venues after changes to mandates officially came into effect.
WA past Omicron peak, national cases rise
COVID-19 restrictions are easing in Western Australia as other states and territories grapple with rising case numbers.
Tasmania in no rush to allow cruise ships
The Tasmanian government has indicated it is in no hurry to welcome back international cruise ships, despite the imminent end of a federal ban on the vessels.