Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said earlier today that the country “has to move past the heavy hand of government” as questions are raised regarding potential new restrictions.

Mr Morrison advised against shutting down people’s lives as COVID case numbers reached new records in NSW today.

He suggested moving away from a culture of mandates to a culture of responsibility as ATAGI considers pushing the interval period for boosters ahead.

“They [the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation] are the experts when it comes to immunisation.”

“Everyone else has opinions, they have responsibility and the expert responsibility for advising the government about what the vaccination programs are.

“Just as they will carefully consider, as they have been for some time, the interval period for booster shots. We know booster shots significantly assist in protecting people against Omicron. We have seen those 1.5 million booster shots now having been undertaken.”

Meanwhile, NSW has recorded 3,057 COVID-19 cases just days before Christmas gatherings. At the same time, the state’s requirements for international arrivals remain at ease with fully vaccinated travellers no longer having to isolate for 72 hours.

From Tuesday, overseas arrivals to Sydney will have to get a COVID-19 PCR test within 24 hours and isolate at home until they return a negative result.

Victoria recorded 1,245 COVID-19 cases and six deaths while wait times at testing centres exceed two hours. The government is pushed to provide free rapid tests as pharmacies face shortages. Global supply chain problems are delaying shipments of rapid tests into Australia, while freight prices and border restrictions are delaying transport around the country.

We thank everyone who got vaccinated and tested yesterday.

Our thoughts are with those in hospital, and the families of people who have lost their lives.

More data soon: https://t.co/OCCFTAtS1P#COVID19Vic #COVID19VicData pic.twitter.com/jReieoBj9L

— Victorian Department of Health (@VicGovDH) December 20, 2021

Lastly, Australia reached another milestone with 79.94 per cent of the eligible population having received at least one dose of the vaccine according to Health Minister Greg Hunt, meaning just 13,000 people needed to receive a vaccine on Tuesday to reach the 80 per cent mark.

Mr Hunt also said that the state and territory governments will make their own decisions about coronavirus restrictions but there is a “very important role for masks” in indoor settings.

  • SA recorded 154 new COVID-19 cases, interstate arrivals no longer need test on arrival
  • Queensland recorded 86 new cases of COVID-19
  • There have been 16 new Covid cases in the ACT
  • New Zealand has ruled out the prospect of non-quarantine arrivals until the end of February