A great COVID-19 divide is widening in Western Australia as the state edges towards its reopening date
3 years, 2 months ago

A great COVID-19 divide is widening in Western Australia as the state edges towards its reopening date

ABC  

Two West Australian epidemiologists are calling for the state's border opening to be delayed to avoid a potential health "catastrophe" but, in a clear divide, key sectors of the economy warn any delay would be disastrous for jobs and businesses. Key points: The emergence of Omicron has split opinion over Western Australia's February 5 reopening There is concern about the lack of fresh modelling at this point But businesses fear what may happen if the date is pushed back Premier Mark McGowan is sticking to February 5 as the date when Western Australia's isolation ends, telling people to hurry up and get vaccinated against COVID-19. Tourism Council WA's Evan Hall says the state's businesses, including those in tourism, have been taking bookings and planning hiring and investment decisions around the February 5 date. "I don't know about delaying it, but I would have thought having proper Omicron modelling for Western Australia would be an intrinsic part of the decision-making process," Dr Duncan-Smith said.

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History of this topic

What will Australia's fourth year of the COVID-19 pandemic look like?
2 years, 2 months ago

What will Australia's fourth year of the COVID-19 pandemic look like?

ABC  

Through three years of the pandemic, Bianca Spooner didn't get COVID-19 once — until a few days before Christmas. Key points: New Omicron variants have been causing hospital admissions to rise in the final two months of 2022 Experts say vaccines will remain the main defence against COVID-19 into 2023 Despite investment in studying and treating long COVID, the virus …

Tearful reunions as Western Australia ends COVID border closure
3 years ago

Tearful reunions as Western Australia ends COVID border closure

Al Jazeera  

Australia’s largest state has reopened to fully vaccinated domestic and international travellers, ending one of the world’s longest coronavirus border closures. The airport in Perth, Western Australia’s capital, was the scene of emotional reunions as the first of 22 scheduled domestic flights and five international flights began arriving on Thursday. “We expect about 5,000 domestic and international travellers to arrive …

Australia fully reopens borders shut by Covid pandemic, welcomes back tourists
3 years ago

Australia fully reopens borders shut by Covid pandemic, welcomes back tourists

India Today  

Australia on Monday fully reopened its international borders to travellers vaccinated against the coronavirus after nearly two years of being shut in the pandemic as tourists returned and hundreds of people were reunited with family and friends. "It is a party out here, music playing, smiles on people's faces, they will be dancing soon, I'm sure," Tourism Minister Dan Tehan …

WA border opening date is March 3, as Mark McGowan announces new COVID restrictions
3 years, 1 month ago

WA border opening date is March 3, as Mark McGowan announces new COVID restrictions

ABC  

Western Australia's hard border will come down at 12:01am on Thursday March 3, allowing triple-dose vaccinated arrivals from interstate to enter WA without quarantining. "These would include the four square metre rule indoors, mask-wearing measures for years 3 and above, working from home for vulnerable people, and home gatherings reduced to a total of ten people," he said. WA COVID-19 …

Australia to FINALLY reopen to tourists on February 21, says Scott Morrison
3 years, 1 month ago

Australia to FINALLY reopen to tourists on February 21, says Scott Morrison

Daily Mail  

Australia's borders will finally open to international tourists on February 21 after almost two years of closure to keep out Covid-19. Pictured: A traveller at Sydney Airport Serbian tennis player Novak Djokovic was sent home after he entered Australia without being fully vaccinated, meaning he could not play in the Australian Open Mr Morrison said the decision was taken because …

Mark McGowan faces barrage of questions as WA border remains firmly shut to many
3 years, 1 month ago

Mark McGowan faces barrage of questions as WA border remains firmly shut to many

ABC  

After a week that saw a single COVID-19 case close a school and Western Australia likened to North Korea, it is hard to believe WA's borders were supposed to open today. When the reopening date was announced on December 13, former WA Health Minister Roger Cook warned the state's COVID-free bubble was "about to burst". Although the Premier is yet …

After the peak: What's in store for Australia now that the Omicron wave has turned?
3 years, 1 month ago

After the peak: What's in store for Australia now that the Omicron wave has turned?

ABC  

The end of 2021 was meant to herald the arrival of Australia's "hot vaxxed summer". "In the first week, we're going to have screening in place for children that we've never had," Professor Bennett says. What this will look like is hard to say before the impacts of the next few weeks are felt, but Professor Bennett suggests it'll be …

Mark McGowan's WA border backflip may have unforeseen consequences for tackling COVID-19
3 years, 1 month ago

Mark McGowan's WA border backflip may have unforeseen consequences for tackling COVID-19

ABC  

For two years, West Australians have come through time and time again when asked by authorities to do the unprecedented. Promise lies in ruins Premier Mark McGowan has repeatedly said that the key to WA's success in avoiding COVID-19 getting out of control was ordinary West Australians "doing the right thing". West Australians were promised that once the state reached …

WA's COVID-19 border will stay shut indefinitely. What now, and when might the state reopen?
3 years, 1 month ago

WA's COVID-19 border will stay shut indefinitely. What now, and when might the state reopen?

ABC  

Two years into the pandemic, Western Australia once again has been left indefinitely closed off to the rest of the world. Late last year, WA Premier Mark McGowan announced a February 5 reopening to interstate and international travellers, describing that date at the time as "locked in". But in an extraordinary evening press conference barely two weeks from that date, …

Mark McGowan announces delay to WA border opening amid fears Omicron will 'cripple' state
3 years, 2 months ago

Mark McGowan announces delay to WA border opening amid fears Omicron will 'cripple' state

ABC  

The planned reopening of Western Australia's border to the rest of the world on February 5 will be delayed indefinitely, Premier Mark McGowan has announced. Key points: WA's reopening to the rest of the country has been delayed indefinitely WA's reopening to the rest of the country has been delayed indefinitely Relaxed travel exemptions will take effect on February 5 …

Western Australia's COVID-19 border set to fall, but don't look for approval to enter the state just yet
3 years, 2 months ago

Western Australia's COVID-19 border set to fall, but don't look for approval to enter the state just yet

ABC  

Travellers hoping to lock in plans to head to Western Australia when the state's borders reopen on February 5 are being blocked by the government's approval system. Key points: The G2G approval system is set to continue when borders reopen The G2G approval system is set to continue when borders reopen However, travellers applying to enter Western Australia after the …

WA planned for 300 daily COVID cases when borders open, but with Omicron it's likely to get more than 3,000
3 years, 2 months ago

WA planned for 300 daily COVID cases when borders open, but with Omicron it's likely to get more than 3,000

ABC  

As an explosion of COVID cases on the east coast obliterates government projections of how quickly the virus spreads, questions remain about how the WA health system will cope as the reclusive state finally moves to open its border. WA Chief Health Officer Andy Robertson said new modelling taking into account Omicron data was underway and he expected to deliver …

Northern Territory government seeks updated Doherty Institute modelling to plan for Omicron variant
3 years, 2 months ago

Northern Territory government seeks updated Doherty Institute modelling to plan for Omicron variant

ABC  

The Northern Territory government says the modelling it used to help plan its road map to safely reopening is becoming increasingly irrelevant due to the highly infectious Omicron variant. Key points: The Omicron variant has changed the Northern Territory's predicted COVID-19 patient numbers Doherty Institute professor agrees modelling must be "recalibrated" AMSANT chief executive says remote communities need more time …

South Australia was the first state to go from 'COVID zero' to 'COVID normal'. A month on, how is it going?
3 years, 2 months ago

South Australia was the first state to go from 'COVID zero' to 'COVID normal'. A month on, how is it going?

ABC  

One month ago, South Australians became the first in the country to go from "COVID-zero" to "COVID-normal". Yesterday, exactly one month after the state reopened, South Australia recorded 484 cases. Some of that, and the testing changes, were due to uncertainty surrounding the Omicron variant and the government's unsuccessful attempt to keep it out of South Australia. Premier Steven Marshall …

Australia Covid-19: Scott Morrison rules out new lockdowns despite rising cases and Omicron fears
3 years, 2 months ago

Australia Covid-19: Scott Morrison rules out new lockdowns despite rising cases and Omicron fears

CNN  

CNN — For two years, Australia avoided the worst of the coronavirus pandemic thanks to strict border controls and prolonged lockdowns. On Tuesday, the country’s most populous state reported its highest new daily caseload of the pandemic, and Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison called an emergency National Cabinet meeting to discuss the rising infections. The World Health Organization said on …

Europe braces for Omicron ‘storm’, US announces new measures
3 years, 2 months ago

Europe braces for Omicron ‘storm’, US announces new measures

Al Jazeera  

Omicron infections are multiplying across Europe, the US and Asia, prompting new measures. Hans Kluge, the World Health Organization’s European head, told a news conference in Vienna that within weeks Omicron would dominate in more countries of the region, “pushing already stretched health systems further to the brink”. “The second thing I think we’re seeing is the White House is …

As Omicron surges and COVID records fall, will we have to close borders again and increase restrictions?
3 years, 3 months ago

As Omicron surges and COVID records fall, will we have to close borders again and increase restrictions?

ABC  

Australia is on the brink of an identity crisis as our highly vaccinated, low-COVID nation faces its most significant confrontation yet with SARS-CoV-2. For Deakin University's chair of epidemiology, Professor Catherine Bennett, the wisdom of open borders has a straightforward answer: "If not now, when?" The decision to open borders in February all but guarantees months without COVID are drawing …

Epidemiologist warns WA border reopening should be delayed as Mark McGowan reveals date
3 years, 3 months ago

Epidemiologist warns WA border reopening should be delayed as Mark McGowan reveals date

ABC  

A West Australian epidemiologist has warned the state's Premier Mark McGowan to reconsider opening the state's border early next year as the Omicron COVID-19 variant continues to spark concern. Key points: Dr Zoe Hyde says it would be unwise to reopen WA early next year She says more data on Omicron is needed Dr Hyde believes hospitalisations and deaths are …

SA borders to stay open despite Premier being 'extraordinarily concerned' about COVID-19 Omicron variant
3 years, 3 months ago

SA borders to stay open despite Premier being 'extraordinarily concerned' about COVID-19 Omicron variant

ABC  

South Australia's borders will remain open but all travellers from NSW, Victoria and the ACT will be required to have a test on arrival and isolate until a result is received. Key points: South Australia's borders will remain open to all states Travellers from NSW, Victoria and the ACT will have to get tested and isolate on arrival Exposure sites …

Australia delays relaxing border, 5th omicron case reported
3 years, 3 months ago

Australia delays relaxing border, 5th omicron case reported

Associated Press  

CANBERRA, Australia — Australian authorities announced on Monday that they would delay plans to relax border restrictions by at least two weeks, as the country reported its fifth case of the omicron COVID-19 variant. New South Wales state authorities reported on Sunday that two travelers from South Africa to Sydney had become Australia’s first cases of the new variant. On …

Omicron variant of coronavirus casts a shadow over Asia’s cautious reopening
3 years, 3 months ago

Omicron variant of coronavirus casts a shadow over Asia’s cautious reopening

LA Times  

A bus travels across a causeway connecting Malaysia and Singapore on Monday, the first day of quarantine-free travel between the two countries. The launch of the link Monday marked another major step in Singapore’s reopening and its bid to “live with COVID-19” — but it came amid sudden and growing concerns that the Omicron variant could stall the region’s recovery. …

National Cabinet to meet to discuss COVID-19 Omicron variant, whether to reinstate hotel quarantine
3 years, 3 months ago

National Cabinet to meet to discuss COVID-19 Omicron variant, whether to reinstate hotel quarantine

ABC  

The Prime Minister says he plans to call a meeting of state and territory leaders today or tomorrow to discuss how to respond to the Omicron variant, but it is "too early" to make decisions about reinstating quarantine before Christmas. Key points: Omicron has been declared a variant of concern by the WHO Scott Morrison says Australia has dealt with …

Is it inevitable the Omicron variant of COVID-19 will spread like Delta?
3 years, 3 months ago

Is it inevitable the Omicron variant of COVID-19 will spread like Delta?

ABC  

Just weeks after Australia declared it was opening its borders to the world, some restrictions have been reimposed in response to the Omicron variant of COVID-19, first detected in South Africa. Key points: The World Health Organization has declared Omicron a "variant of concern" more quickly than previous variants Experts say the emergence of Omicron highlights the need to boost …

NSW, Victoria and ACT tighten international arrival rules as states and territories respond to Omicron variant
3 years, 3 months ago

NSW, Victoria and ACT tighten international arrival rules as states and territories respond to Omicron variant

ABC  

Australian states and territories are reimposing border rules in response to the new Omicron variant of COVID-19, which has now been detected in a growing number of countries across the world. Key points: International arrivals into Victoria and NSW will now be required to self-isolate for at least 72 hours, regardless of vaccination status Those from nine African countries where …

SA on track to open next week, despite several areas with low vaccination rates
3 years, 4 months ago

SA on track to open next week, despite several areas with low vaccination rates

ABC  

South Australia is on track to open its borders from next week, despite low vaccination rates in several communities, the state's health chief says. Key points: Regional communities and areas north of Adelaide are lagging in vaccinations South Australia's Chief Public Health officer says she is worried about those areas ahead of the state border reopening She says authorities will …

Covid-19 travel: Sydney to further ease curbs on Monday as vaccinations pick up
3 years, 4 months ago

Covid-19 travel: Sydney to further ease curbs on Monday as vaccinations pick up

Hindustan Times  

Australia's largest city of Sydney will further ease social distancing curbs on Monday, a month after emerging from a coronavirus lockdown that lasted nearly 100 days, as close to 90% of people have got both doses of vaccine, officials said. Patrons dine-in at a bar by the harbour in the wake of coronavirus disease regulations easing, following an extended lockdown …

Mark McGowan announces plan for Western Australia to reopen border at 90 per cent COVID-19 vaccination rate
3 years, 4 months ago

Mark McGowan announces plan for Western Australia to reopen border at 90 per cent COVID-19 vaccination rate

ABC  

Premier Mark McGowan says Western Australia will open up its borders when 90 per cent of the state's population aged above 12 years old is fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Key points: WA will reopen its border when the vaccination rate reaches 90 per cent That could be achieved in late January or early February A specific date will be set …

WA will not ease COVID-19 hard border with NSW and Victoria prior to Christmas
3 years, 5 months ago

WA will not ease COVID-19 hard border with NSW and Victoria prior to Christmas

ABC  

The WA Premier has again ruled out opening the border to higher risk states in time for Christmas, while announcing travellers from Queensland will no longer need to quarantine from this Friday. Key points: WA will not open to NSW and Victoria in time for Christmas But Queensland will be reclassified as very low risk from Friday It means travellers …

Sydney to end COVID-19 quarantine for international travellers
3 years, 5 months ago

Sydney to end COVID-19 quarantine for international travellers

Live Mint  

Sydney will end its COVID-19 quarantine for fully vaccinated international travellers from Nov. 1, New South Wales Premier Dominic Perrottet said on Friday, foreshadowing the full return of overseas travel after more than 19 months. The federal government's reopening plans unveiled in July proposed abolishing caps on returning vaccinated Australians and a gradual reopening of international travel with safe countries …

NT COVID vaccination rates spark concern about reopening, but Minister says there's no time to wait
3 years, 5 months ago

NT COVID vaccination rates spark concern about reopening, but Minister says there's no time to wait

ABC  

The general manager of one of Australia's most remote health organisations is concerned about the low rates of vaccination as the Northern Territory plots its path out of pandemic restrictions. Key points: The NT government says it cannot guarantee unvaccinated residents' safety The NT's data suggests that 80 per cent of the population will be fully vaccinated by November Those …

Australia to reopen international border in November
3 years, 5 months ago

Australia to reopen international border in November

India TV News  

Australia's international border will reopen in November after being closed for 18 months amid the coronavirus pandemic, Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced on Friday. According to Morrison, international travel to and from Australia will resume as states and territories approach 80 perc ent of the adult population fully vaccinated against Covid-19, reports Xinhua news agency. "To maximize the number of …

SA Premier hits back after Mark McGowan warns of COVID-19 'community spread' if borders reopen
3 years, 6 months ago

SA Premier hits back after Mark McGowan warns of COVID-19 'community spread' if borders reopen

ABC  

As South Australia looks towards reopening to the eastern states at the end of the year, the decision could see its border close in the west. Key points: WA Premier Mark McGowan says SA "may regret" opening its borders if it results in community transmission SA Premier Steven Marshall said the state would begin reopening once vaccination rates reach 80 …

Coronavirus Australia: WA premier Mark McGowan says border could stay closed until April 2022
3 years, 6 months ago

Coronavirus Australia: WA premier Mark McGowan says border could stay closed until April 2022

Daily Mail  

Hardline premier Mark McGowan has confirmed Western Australia will likely remain closed off from the rest of the country for up to another seven months. WA Premier Mark McGowan said his state won't open the border until likely April next year - and only if 80-90 per cent of the state are fully-vaccinated Western Australia faces being cut off from …

With no more COVID zero, we've hit a new stage. But the states are more fractured than ever
3 years, 6 months ago

With no more COVID zero, we've hit a new stage. But the states are more fractured than ever

ABC  

In the Orwellian world of the pandemic, Victoria Premier Daniel Andrews's raising of the white flag on "COVID zero" was greeted positively by the Morrison government and with relief by many among the public who are at the end of their tether. "Living with COVID is a reality — it's not an option," Berejiklian said on Thursday, sending the blunt …

Australia's state premiers are given a deadline for when they MUST open up borders
3 years, 6 months ago

Australia's state premiers are given a deadline for when they MUST open up borders

Daily Mail  

The Scott Morrison government has given an extraordinary ultimatum to rogue premiers telling them they 'must reopen' state borders by Christmas when vaccination rates hit 80 per cent. The Scott Morrison government has given an extraordinary ultimatum to rouge premiers telling them they must reopen state borders by Christmas when vaccination rates reach 80 per cent Australian Defence Force personnel …

Scott Morrison's COVID lockdown exit plan has a big stumbling block — the two halves of Australia
3 years, 6 months ago

Scott Morrison's COVID lockdown exit plan has a big stumbling block — the two halves of Australia

ABC  

After being pummelled for months over the vaccine "stroll-out" and wearing at least some of the blame for never-ending lockdowns, it's understandable the Prime Minister has grabbed a torch from the Doherty Institute to lead the nation "out of the cave". It's the course of ending lockdowns once vaccination targets are met, reopening state borders and "living with" the Delta …

Australia COVID-19 panel backs reopening plans amid Delta surge
3 years, 6 months ago

Australia COVID-19 panel backs reopening plans amid Delta surge

Al Jazeera  

Prime Minister Scott Morrison says ‘forever’ lockdowns will do more harm than good to the country, even as he acknowledges concern about infections. Australia can proceed with its reopening plans when the country reaches 70 to 80 percent vaccination levels, the government’s pandemic modelling adviser said, even as some states hinted they may not ease border curbs if Sydney fails …

Prime Minister says country must prepare for more COVID-19 cases and an end to lockdowns
3 years, 6 months ago

Prime Minister says country must prepare for more COVID-19 cases and an end to lockdowns

ABC  

The Prime Minister has warned state and territory leaders they must not be afraid of COVID-19 cases rising once enough of the population is vaccinated against the virus. Key points: The Prime Minister says states and territories must hold to an agreement to wind down COVID-19 restrictions as more people are vaccinated The Prime Minister says states and territories must …

Here's everything we know about Australia's four-phase plan out of the COVID pandemic
3 years, 7 months ago

Here's everything we know about Australia's four-phase plan out of the COVID pandemic

ABC  

National Cabinet has agreed to new vaccination targets, which will dictate the easing of restrictions and the reopening of the nation's economy. This includes much of what we're already used to, such as: Accelerating vaccine rates, including implementing a national vaccination plan Accelerating vaccine rates, including implementing a national vaccination plan Closing international borders to keep COVID-19 out Closing international …

How National Cabinet wants to ditch lockdowns and open borders as COVID vaccination rates rise
3 years, 8 months ago

How National Cabinet wants to ditch lockdowns and open borders as COVID vaccination rates rise

ABC  

National Cabinet has agreed to a four-stage plan that would see Australia transform into a vaccinated nation that manages COVID-19 with few restrictions. But there are some changes afoot, including: Slashing the number of arrivals allowed into Australia by 50 per cent to 3,085 per week Increasing Commonwealth-facilitated flights to Australia Experimenting with alternative forms of quarantine like seven-day home …

Federal budget 2021 suggests international borders won't reopen until mid-next year
3 years, 10 months ago

Federal budget 2021 suggests international borders won't reopen until mid-next year

ABC  

The federal budget paints a picture of an Australia closed off from the rest of the world, even after a full vaccination program is in place. Key points: The budget assumes international travel will not return fully for more than a year It is expected a "population-wide vaccination program" will be in place by the end of 2021 The assumptions …

Australia's COVID vaccine rollout speed needs to double for borders to reopen within a year, experts warn
3 years, 10 months ago

Australia's COVID vaccine rollout speed needs to double for borders to reopen within a year, experts warn

ABC  

Australia will need to double the speed of its COVID-19 vaccine rollout in order to safely open its international border within 12 months, epidemiologists have warned. Key points: Australia has vaccinated about 1.86 million people so far The rollout has been pushed back due to concerns over the AstraZeneca vaccine One expert says it will take years to vaccinate the …

Businesses struggling to 'keep alive' as coronavirus vaccine rollout drags on
3 years, 11 months ago

Businesses struggling to 'keep alive' as coronavirus vaccine rollout drags on

ABC  

Atheka Le Souef is just one of the many small business owners desperate for the COVID-19 vaccine rollout to happen as quickly as possible. "The slow rollout of the vaccine is going to really, really negatively impact us here," Ms Le Souef said. ATAGI and Australia's COVID vaccines Photo shows A gloved hand holds up a small vial of Pfizer's …

WA coronavirus restrictions are set to ease on Sunday — so which measures will be first to go?
4 years, 10 months ago

WA coronavirus restrictions are set to ease on Sunday — so which measures will be first to go?

ABC  

After the state's success in smashing the COVID-19 curve, West Australians should get a much clearer picture this weekend about the reopening of society. On Sunday, WA Premier Mark McGowan is set to outline the state's roadmap for easing coronavirus-related restrictions, following on from the baseline levels decided upon by the National Cabinet. But after the National Cabinet's decision, it …

In the coronavirus COVID-19 crisis, how does Mark McGowan keep WA open for business?
4 years, 11 months ago

In the coronavirus COVID-19 crisis, how does Mark McGowan keep WA open for business?

ABC  

Mark McGowan was forceful and blunt in his message. The warning was directly addressed to WA's politicians, with the Premier telling them it was vital that Parliament continued to operate through the coronavirus crisis in a bid to "lead by example". Stay up-to-date on the coronavirus outbreak Download the ABC News app and subscribe to our range of news alerts …

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