Pakistan/WI ODI series ditched over COVID
The West Indies limited-overs tour to Pakistan has been cut short after the number of COVID-19 cases in the visiting squad rocketed to nine.
virus diseases
Israel keeps borders closed to tourists
Israel is extending a ban on tourist entries to the end of December in a bid to prevent the Omicron variant from spreading.
France tightens rules for UK travellers
A steep rise in COVID infections in the UK has prompted France to beef up controls on travellers arriving from Britain.
Dozens catch COVID-19 at Sydney party
NSW Health has issued an alert about a Taylor Swift-themed party at Sydney's Metro Theatre, with at least 97 people catching COVID-19 at the event.
SA reports 24 new COVID-19 cases
South Australia has reported another 24 COVID-19 infections and confirmed there have been six cases of the Omicron variant in the state.
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.
Victoria mulls more vax sites for boosters
The Victorian government is considering opening more state-run clinics to fast-track the uptake of COVID-19 booster vaccines.
UK appoints ex-judge to lead virus inquiry
The UK government says a public inquiry into the country's handling of the coronavirus pandemic will be led by a retired judge and start next year.
Third EPL match postponed in four days
A COVID-19 outbreak at Watford has forced the postponement of the game at Burnley - the third Premier League postponement in four days.
English told to scale back Christmas plans
Chief Medical Officer Chris Whitty says people in England should "prioritise what matters to them" when considering attending events during Christmas.
Delta still 99 per cent of cases: Italy
Italian health experts say data suggests the Delta variant of the coronavirus is still predominant in the country, with very few Omicron cases recorded.
Canadians told to stay put amid COVID fear
Canada has advised its citizens to avoid non-essential international travel to help reduce the threat from the Omicron variant of COVID-19.
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.
Vic has 1622 new COVID-19 cases, 9 deaths
Victoria has reported 1622 new COVID-19 cases and nine deaths, its highest figures since October, after the state scrapped vaccine mandates in several settings.
NSW records 1742 new COVID cases
There are 1742 new cases of COVID-19 in NSW and no deaths, as authorities urge people to get a booster shot to protect themselves from the Omicron variant.
Vaccines may be weaker against Omicron
The WHO says preliminary evidence indicates COVID-19 vaccines may be less effective against infection and transmission linked to the Omicron variant.
UK PM defends virus record after revolt
UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson says MPs will be given a say over any further restrictions needed to tackle the spread of COVID-19.
EPL refuse Foxes postponement over COVID
Leicester's request to postpone their match with Spurs has been rejected as English sport continues to face problems over the spread of COVID-19.
NSW ‘could see 25,000 cases a day by Jan’
Authorities are warning NSW could record as many as 25,000 COVID-19 infections a day by the end of January as the highly infectious Omicron variant takes off.
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.
WA reclassifies NSW amid COVID-19 scare
Western Australia has reclassified NSW as "extreme risk" as authorities trace the movements of COVID-19 infected truck drivers who recently travelled west.
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.
Qld to manage Omicron like regular virus
Queensland has new locally-acquired COVID-19 cases with suspected of being Omicron in Brisbane, the Gold Coast, Wide Bay, Goondiwindi and Townsville.
NT reports 11 COVID-19 cases, rules eased
The Northern Territory has recorded four new COVID-19 cases linked to a community outbreak and seven among returned travellers.
St Basil’s top brass face virus inquest
St Basil's operators Kon Kontis and Vicky Kos have formally requested that they be excused from testifying at an inquest into COVID deaths at the nursing home.
Vic has 1405 new COVID cases, three deaths
Victoria has recorded 1405 new COVID-19 cases and a further three deaths after an Omicron-infected patron visited two Melbourne nightspots.
UK PM Johnson faces virus pass rebellion
UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson is under increasing pressure after a group of MPs from his own party voted against the introduction of new COVID regulations.
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.
NSW records 1360 new COVID cases, 1 death
NSW has recorded a huge surge in COVID-19 cases, with 1360 new infections as unvaccinated people in NSW move to the same restrictions as the vaccinated.