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Australia Covid live news update: WA to close to NT and Tasmania; PM says masks ‘highly recommended’; NSW records 3,763 new cases | Australia Covid live news update: WA to close to NT and Tasmania; PM says masks ‘highly recommended’; NSW records 3,763 new cases |
(33 minutes later) | |
Follow all the day’s news | Follow all the day’s news |
Masks will be made mandatory in cinemas and theatres in QLD from 5 am tomorrow. | |
Hospitality workers across the state will also have to wear masks. | |
Many Australians could end up spending the festive holiday period alone in isolation after being exposed to a Covid case, even as governments resist shutting borders and insist Christmas won’t be cancelled. | |
Overworked health systems are struggling to cope up with new outbreaks and some state and territory governments have moved to tighten mask mandates and social distancing restrictions. | |
Adelaide man Geoff Goodfellow, 72, says at least three generations of his family will be spending Christmas in quarantine. | |
While we’re on the pressers (which just went back-to-back for a hot hour) we’ve got this video of McGowan on the rule changes: | |
Hi everyone - this is Cait Kelly back in the blog seat. | |
I’ve got this video for those who missed it of Morrison on masks (and Murph going hard on what exactly the health advice is). | |
Heartbroken families are being forced to cancel Christmas and holiday plans as Queensland Covid testing requirements leave them locked out or turned away. | Heartbroken families are being forced to cancel Christmas and holiday plans as Queensland Covid testing requirements leave them locked out or turned away. |
Almost 260,000 Australians have crossed the border into Queensland since Monday but many more have been turned away and sent home or forced to cancel family reunions and expensive holiday bookings because of testing delays. | Almost 260,000 Australians have crossed the border into Queensland since Monday but many more have been turned away and sent home or forced to cancel family reunions and expensive holiday bookings because of testing delays. |
To enter Queensland, travellers are required to return a negative Covid test 72 hours before arrival, leaving thousands scrambling to get a test before travelling and placing extraordinary pressure on health systems in the lead-up to Christmas. | To enter Queensland, travellers are required to return a negative Covid test 72 hours before arrival, leaving thousands scrambling to get a test before travelling and placing extraordinary pressure on health systems in the lead-up to Christmas. |
The scramble for tests has led to delays in results being issued. | The scramble for tests has led to delays in results being issued. |
Annastacia Palaszczuk is standing by the border restrictions, but says she is considering allowing rapid antigen tests for interstate travellers from 1 January. | |
Read the full story here: | Read the full story here: |
The Melbourne Cricket Club will implement Covid-19 protocols to welcome fans to the MCG for the Boxing Day Test, but the ground’s capacity will not be limited, despite the Omicron variant increasing cases of the virus across Victoria’s capital. | The Melbourne Cricket Club will implement Covid-19 protocols to welcome fans to the MCG for the Boxing Day Test, but the ground’s capacity will not be limited, despite the Omicron variant increasing cases of the virus across Victoria’s capital. |
The state’s acting premier James Merlino confirmed on Tuesday that a capacity crowd of over 90,000 people would be allowed to attend the match, although MCC CEO Stuart Fox said on Wednesday he anticipated a figure closer to 70,000 based on ticket sales so far. | The state’s acting premier James Merlino confirmed on Tuesday that a capacity crowd of over 90,000 people would be allowed to attend the match, although MCC CEO Stuart Fox said on Wednesday he anticipated a figure closer to 70,000 based on ticket sales so far. |
It’s First Dog on the Moon time, and today he’s tackling ... the Minister for Other People Taking Personal Responsibility. If I knew how to add a thinking face emoji to this blog post, I would put one here. | |
It’s been a big afternoon - here are some reactions to the PM’s presser from Twitter. | It’s been a big afternoon - here are some reactions to the PM’s presser from Twitter. |
On the sunscreen analogy: | On the sunscreen analogy: |
And that’s it from the NT. | And that’s it from the NT. |
Manison says a PCR test will be required with 72 hours when entering the NT, but then interstate visitors can test with RAT. | Manison says a PCR test will be required with 72 hours when entering the NT, but then interstate visitors can test with RAT. |
“I will now move on to testing requirements for interstate arrivals into the Northern Territory. During today’s discussions at national cabinet, all states are experiencing demand pressures on PCR testing. | “I will now move on to testing requirements for interstate arrivals into the Northern Territory. During today’s discussions at national cabinet, all states are experiencing demand pressures on PCR testing. |
“So moving forward you will still be required to take a PCR tests within 72 hours prior to landing in the Northern Territory. | “So moving forward you will still be required to take a PCR tests within 72 hours prior to landing in the Northern Territory. |
“You will still have to undertake a day three and a day six test however, these will be RAT not PCR tests. The RAT test is much easier to use and it can be self administered. | “You will still have to undertake a day three and a day six test however, these will be RAT not PCR tests. The RAT test is much easier to use and it can be self administered. |
“If you do get a positive read test, you will be required to isolate immediately and get a PCR test and contact the Covid hotline.” | “If you do get a positive read test, you will be required to isolate immediately and get a PCR test and contact the Covid hotline.” |