South Australia was the first state to go from 'COVID zero' to 'COVID normal'. A month on, how is it going?
3 years 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 said yesterday that South Australia still had a "very, very low hospitalisation rate". The surging cases in New South Wales will also add to the South Australia's risk from interstate travellers.

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History of this topic

South Australia records 3,591 COVID-19 cases as death toll jumps by a dozen
2 years, 7 months ago

South Australia records 3,591 COVID-19 cases as death toll jumps by a dozen

ABC  

South Australia's COVID-19 death toll has jumped by 12, after SA Health retrospectively included previously unrecorded deaths that occurred over the past three weeks. Key points: The 12 deaths take the toll since the start of the pandemic to 366 There are 22,821 current active cases The 221 hospitalised cases include 11 people in intensive care The deaths were of …

Three people with COVID-19 die in South Australia as state tops 400,000 cases since start of pandemic
2 years, 7 months ago

Three people with COVID-19 die in South Australia as state tops 400,000 cases since start of pandemic

ABC  

Three people with COVID-19 have died in South Australia and another 3,924 new cases have been recorded. Key points: Almost a quarter of South Australia's population has now had COVID-19 The number of hospitalisations has fallen Close contacts do not have to isolate from tomorrow Those who died were a woman in her 80s, a man in his 50s and …

Australia reopens borders to tourists after two-year ‘fortress’ level travel ban
2 years, 10 months ago

Australia reopens borders to tourists after two-year ‘fortress’ level travel ban

Live Mint  

Amid decline in Covid-19 cases as the third wave of coronavirus pandemic recedes, Australia reopened its borders to vaccinated tourists on Monday. The country earned the nickname “Fortress Australia” following announcing its decision on travel ban, which not only imposed a strict cap on international arrivals but also barred citizens from going overseas. Known for its strict regulations, Australia had …

Australia fully reopens borders shut by Covid pandemic, welcomes back tourists
2 years, 10 months 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 …

How South Australia might inform Western Australia's border reopening
2 years, 10 months ago

How South Australia might inform Western Australia's border reopening

ABC  

As Western Australians wonder how the state's eventual border reopening might unfold, pundits often draw on the South Australian experience as the state with not only the most comparable population and density, but a COVID-free existence for major parts of the pandemic. "People want to come to South Australia and I think it's happy days for our state going forward," …

Covid-19: Omicron drives S Korea's cases to record high; Aus to open borders for vaccinated tourists
2 years, 10 months ago

Covid-19: Omicron drives S Korea's cases to record high; Aus to open borders for vaccinated tourists

India Today  

South Korea reported record high in daily Covid-19 cases with the Omicron variant of the virus driving the surge. The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency reported 38,691 new cases of the virus on Monday, a nine-fold increase from the levels seen in mid-January, when Omicron became the country’s dominant strain. Jeong Eun-kyeong, the country’s top infectious disease expert, warned …

Will COVID cases and restrictions shape the outcome of South Australia's 2022 election?
2 years, 10 months ago

Will COVID cases and restrictions shape the outcome of South Australia's 2022 election?

ABC  

Politics has often been branded a numbers game, be it on the floor of parliamentary chambers, within party rooms or across the broader electorate. But the outcome of next month's South Australian election could be shaped by how voters react to other numbers — the number of new daily COVID cases and the number of restrictions people are living with. …

More countries in Europe, recently the pandemic’s epicenter, ease COVID restrictions
2 years, 10 months ago

More countries in Europe, recently the pandemic’s epicenter, ease COVID restrictions

LA Times  

Passengers ride maskless on the subway in Denmark, one of the first European countries to scrap most pandemic restrictions. Bit by bit, many countries that have been hard-hit by the coronavirus are opening up and easing their tough, and often unpopular, restrictive measures aimed at fighting COVID-19 even as the Omicron variant — deemed highly contagious but less severe — …

A great COVID-19 divide is widening in Western Australia as the state edges towards its reopening date
2 years, 11 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 …

Australia to ‘push through’ Omicron, as total cases hit 1 million
2 years, 11 months ago

Australia to ‘push through’ Omicron, as total cases hit 1 million

Al Jazeera  

Country has recorded more than 500,000 cases in the past week as it learns to live with COVID-19. Australia must “push through” a rapidly-growing Omicron outbreak, Prime Minister Scott Morrison said on Monday, as the country’s total number of COVID-19 cases breached more than one million, more than half of them recorded in the past week alone. Having vaccinated nearly …

Western Australia's COVID-19 border set to fall, but don't look for approval to enter the state just yet
2 years, 11 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
2 years, 11 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 …

Tasmania records 751 new cases of COVID-19 as authorities warn of surge
2 years, 11 months ago

Tasmania records 751 new cases of COVID-19 as authorities warn of surge

ABC  

Tasmania has recorded 751 new cases of COVID-19 in the state, as health authorities warn the true number of active cases is likely much higher than what is being reported. Key points: Tasmania has recorded 751 new cases of COVID from nearly 3,000 PCR tests conducted One person has been admitted to hospital for COVID-related complications but is not in …

Baby with COVID-19 dies in South Australia, state records 1,374 new cases
2 years, 11 months ago

Baby with COVID-19 dies in South Australia, state records 1,374 new cases

ABC  

A COVID-positive child under the age of two has died in South Australia. Key points: A child under the age of two who was COVID-positive has died South Australia has recorded 1,374 new cases of COVID-19 There are still 37 patients in hospital, including four in intensive care Premier Steven Marshall said the case will be referred to the coroner, …

Tasmania reaches 300 active COVID cases after setting new daily record of 55 cases
2 years, 11 months ago

Tasmania reaches 300 active COVID cases after setting new daily record of 55 cases

ABC  

An aged care home is in lockdown after a worker tested positive, as Tasmania posts a daily record of 55 new COVID-19 cases. Key points: Resort, gyms, a dental surgery and a music festival have been added to Tasmania's exposure site list Authorities say there have been 55 new COVID cases detected in the previous 24 hours Tasmania and the …

Australia’s New South Wales reports first death due to Omicron COVID-19 variant
2 years, 11 months ago

Australia’s New South Wales reports first death due to Omicron COVID-19 variant

Firstpost  

The fatal case was identified as a man in his 80s, who was infected at an aged care facility in western Sydney; he was fully vaccinated but had underlying health conditions Sydney: Australia’s New South Wales state reported more than 6,000 new COVID-19 cases on Monday and confirmed its first death from the Omicron variant. New South Wales, the country’s …

New South Wales, Australia's most populous state, reports first Omicron death
2 years, 11 months ago

New South Wales, Australia's most populous state, reports first Omicron death

Hindustan Times  

Australia's New South Wales state reported more than 6,000 new Covid-19 cases on Monday and confirmed its first death from the Omicron variant. Travellers receive tests for the coronavirus disease at a pre-departure testing facility as countries react to the new coronavirus Omicron variant, outside the international terminal at Sydney Airport in Australia on November 29, 2021. New South Wales, …

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

South Australia records 154 new COVID-19 cases, testing requirements for interstate travellers amended
3 years ago

South Australia records 154 new COVID-19 cases, testing requirements for interstate travellers amended

ABC  

South Australia has relaxed testing requirements for interstate arrivals as the state records 154 new cases of COVID-19 overnight, with five people in hospital. Key points: SA has recorded 154 new cases, with five people in hospital None are in intensive care Interstate travellers will no longer need to get tested upon arrival in SA Six of the 556 active …

Australia reopens to students, migrants after nearly two-year ban
3 years ago

Australia reopens to students, migrants after nearly two-year ban

Al Jazeera  

The emergence of the new Omicron variant had led officials to delay planned reopening on December 1. Australia has reopened borders to vaccinated skilled migrants and foreign students after a nearly two-year ban on their entry, in a bid to boost an economy hit by stop-start COVID-19 lockdowns and restart international travel. The emergence of the new Omicron variant of …

SA Health confirms two of last week's COVID-19 cases are the Omicron variant
3 years ago

SA Health confirms two of last week's COVID-19 cases are the Omicron variant

ABC  

Health authorities have confirmed two cases of COVID-19 recorded in South Australia last week are the Omicron variant. Key points: Two of SA's COVID-19 cases are the Omicron variant Close contacts of the Omicron cases must quarantine for 14 days SA Health has identified four high risk exposure sites On Friday, SA Health revealed the two cases were suspected to …

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

First Australian cases of Omicron COVID-19 strain confirmed in Sydney travellers from southern Africa, NSW Health says
3 years ago

First Australian cases of Omicron COVID-19 strain confirmed in Sydney travellers from southern Africa, NSW Health says

ABC  

NSW Health has confirmed two returned travellers have tested positive for the new Omicron COVID-19 variant in Sydney, making them the first known cases of the strain in Australia. Key points: The two positive cases are in isolation in the state's Special Health Accommodation About 260 passengers and air crew on the flight are considered close contacts NSW's Premier says …

South Australia opened its borders to COVID-19. So, what have we learned?
3 years ago

South Australia opened its borders to COVID-19. So, what have we learned?

ABC  

South Australia this week went where no other state — possibly no other jurisdiction — has gone before. Key points: SA opened its borders to NSW, ACT and Victoria last Tuesday As of Saturday, 10 positive cases had been recorded in interstate travellers Close contacts of positive cases still need to quarantine After enjoying months without a single case of …

South Australia records two new cases of COVID-19, state reaches 80 per cent double vaccination
3 years ago

South Australia records two new cases of COVID-19, state reaches 80 per cent double vaccination

ABC  

South Australia has recorded another two new cases of COVID-19 — a man and a woman in their 20s who both acquired their infection interstate. Key points: The Premier says South Australia has reached 80 per cent double vaccination for people aged 16 and over The state has also recorded two new cases of COVID-19 Both were acquired interstate Seven …

India Sees 11,850 New Covid Cases; Netherlands Imposes Lockdown as Virus Reaches New High
3 years, 1 month ago

India Sees 11,850 New Covid Cases; Netherlands Imposes Lockdown as Virus Reaches New High

News 18  

European governments are eyeing unpopular Covid curbs, with the Netherlands opting for Western Europe’s first partial lockdown of the winter as EU experts said 10 countries in the bloc were causing “very high concern”. Dutch premier Mark Rutte announced at least three weeks of lockdown measures targeting restaurants, shops and sporting events to curb a record spike in coronavirus infections. …

Covid-19 travel: Sydney to further ease curbs on Monday as vaccinations pick up
3 years, 1 month 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 …

Australia's Covid-19 vaccination drive reaches Antarctica's frozen shores
3 years, 1 month ago

Australia's Covid-19 vaccination drive reaches Antarctica's frozen shores

India Today  

Covid-19 vaccines have arrived at Australia's Casey research station in Antarctica, authorities said on Friday, allowing expeditioners to be inoculated before they journey back home to a country reopening to the world. Pfizer Inc vaccines for 27 staff at Australia's Casey Station in Antarctica had arrived, Federal Environment Minister Sussan Ley said on Friday. Australia has managed to keep its …

As Australia enters the 'living with COVID' phase, experts say the population needs to focus on hospitalisations, not case numbers
3 years, 2 months ago

As Australia enters the 'living with COVID' phase, experts say the population needs to focus on hospitalisations, not case numbers

ABC  

The divide could not be starker. As New South Wales "opened up to the world", on the other side of the country in the COVID-free state of WA, the population got its first early glimpse into what "living with COVID" could mean — when its hard border is lifted. The numbers As New South Wales became the first state or …

Sydney to end COVID-19 quarantine for international travellers
3 years, 2 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 …

Fully vaccinated international travellers get Sydney green light
3 years, 2 months ago

Fully vaccinated international travellers get Sydney green light

Al Jazeera  

New South Wales Premier Dominic Perrottet says passengers with proof of vaccination and negative COVID-19 test won’t need to quarantine. Sydney will open up to fully vaccinated international travellers from November 1 without the need for quarantine, the leader of the country’s most populous state said on Friday, bringing forward a full return of overseas travel. We’ve got to open …

Covid: Queensland Health Minister Yvette D'Ath hints at the state's border reopening date
3 years, 2 months ago

Covid: Queensland Health Minister Yvette D'Ath hints at the state's border reopening date

Daily Mail  

The Queensland government has hinted at its plans for re-opening the state's borders as NSW celebrates freedom day after hitting its 70 per cent vaccination target. Health Minister Yvette D'Ath says unvaccinated Queenslanders need to get the jab within 'five to six weeks' to protect themselves from a surge of Delta cases as locked-down parts of Australia begin to reopen. …

SA's reopening to vaccinated travellers on track for Christmas despite predicted COVID-19 surge
3 years, 2 months ago

SA's reopening to vaccinated travellers on track for Christmas despite predicted COVID-19 surge

ABC  

People from NSW and Victoria who have received two COVID-19 vaccine doses and have not been to any exposure sites will be able to celebrate Christmas in South Australia without quarantining, the state's Premier says. Key points: South Australia plans to reopen interstate borders once its own vaccination rate reaches 80 per cent South Australia plans to reopen interstate borders …

Australia reveals plan to reopen international borders to fully vaccinated citizens
3 years, 2 months ago

Australia reveals plan to reopen international borders to fully vaccinated citizens

CNN  

CNN — Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison on Friday, October 1 announced plans to reopen the country’s borders to fully vaccinated citizens and permanent residents, moving from a strict zero-Covid strategy to a model of living with the virus. Morrison also said that with 55% of the country now fully vaccinated and first dose rates approaching 80%, the government “has …

Covid-19: Australia to lift international travel ban after 18 months in November
3 years, 2 months ago

Covid-19: Australia to lift international travel ban after 18 months in November

India Today  

Australia has outlined plans to lift a pandemic ban on its vaccinated citizens travelling overseas from November. Travel restrictions that have trapped most Australians and permanent residents at home over the past 18 months would be removed when 80 per cent of the population aged 16 and older is fully vaccinated, Prime Minister Scott Morrison said on Friday. New South …

New Zealand, Australia travel bubble suspended as COVID continues
3 years, 3 months ago

New Zealand, Australia travel bubble suspended as COVID continues

Al Jazeera  

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern says the country is within sight of eliminating Delta but travel restrictions to Australia extended until November. New Zealand has suspended quarantine-free travel with Australia for a further eight weeks, extending a halt in the so-called travel bubble between both countries, as they deal with fresh outbreaks of the Delta variant of the COVID-19 virus. New …

With COVID cases growing, Melbourne is following in Sydney's footsteps, but at what speed?
3 years, 3 months ago

With COVID cases growing, Melbourne is following in Sydney's footsteps, but at what speed?

ABC  

With Australia's third wave settling in, this week we saw Victoria follow in New South Wales' footsteps down two paths — much to the state's chagrin. But most cases — 335 in total — fit into the "other" category, which a health department spokesman said included sporting venues, family and social gatherings, places of worship and transport. As federal Health …

Australian State Warns Covid-19 Hospitalisations to Peak in October
3 years, 3 months ago

Australian State Warns Covid-19 Hospitalisations to Peak in October

News 18  

Australia’s most populous state New South Wales, the epicentre of its current COVID-19 outbreak, will hit a peak in intensive care hospitalisations in October as cases accumulate, amid reporting of a record daily rise in new infections on Monday. New South Wales declared a record 1,290 new cases as the nation struggles to contain the highly contagious Delta variant of …

Australia COVID-19 panel backs reopening plans amid Delta surge
3 years, 4 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 …

NSW records its worst day of the COVID-19 pandemic so far against a backdrop of curfews, police and protests
3 years, 4 months ago

NSW records its worst day of the COVID-19 pandemic so far against a backdrop of curfews, police and protests

ABC  

For as long as Sydney has been in lockdown, commentators — including Premier Gladys Berejiklian's interstate counterparts — have loudly called for tougher restrictions, lamenting what they saw as "lockdown lite". West and south-west Sydney are bearing the brunt of the state's COVID-19 response, with nearly all of the new restrictions only applicable to residents in "local government areas of …

Coronavirus Australia: New Zealand plunged into three-day lockdown over one case
3 years, 4 months ago

Coronavirus Australia: New Zealand plunged into three-day lockdown over one case

Daily Mail  

New Zealand has been plunged into a snap lockdown after a single mystery Covid case was found in Auckland, the nation's first locally-acquired case since February. New Zealand PM Jacinda Ardern has announced the country will go into lockdown from 11.59pm Tuesday New Zealand and Australia have seen very few Covid cases per capita, one of the benefits of pursuing …

NSW Covid: Twenty-six exposure sites listed around state on worst day since pandemic began
3 years, 4 months ago

NSW Covid: Twenty-six exposure sites listed around state on worst day since pandemic began

Daily Mail  

New South Wales recorded its darkest day since the Covid-19 pandemic began on Saturday with 466 new infections. New South Wales experienced its darkest day since the Covid-19 pandemic began on Saturday with 466 new infections recorded and another 26 exposure sites listed around the state NSW Health on Saturday flagged several sites that were visited by Covid-19 cases including …

No end in sight for COVID 'Phase A' on Australia's path out of lockdowns
3 years, 4 months ago

No end in sight for COVID 'Phase A' on Australia's path out of lockdowns

ABC  

The week began with a warning and then a tragedy, and ended with a reality check. An ADF soldier on patrol with police in Sydney during a previous lockdown in April 2020.. "It's no different to what we saw in Melbourne last year where the police worked hand in glove with the military to ensure they could have that intelligence-based …

Sydney lockdown extended four weeks as Covid delta surge worsens
3 years, 4 months ago

Sydney lockdown extended four weeks as Covid delta surge worsens

Live Mint  

Sydney’s month-long lockdown will be extended by at least another four weeks, with Australian authorities failing to flatten an outbreak of daily Covid-19 cases that on Wednesday surged to another record. Berejiklian has been criticized by some health experts and political rivals who say she was too slow to implement lockdown in the city of 6 million people, in a …

New COVID case overnight in South Australia as state enters first day of lockdown
3 years, 5 months ago

New COVID case overnight in South Australia as state enters first day of lockdown

ABC  

South Australia has recorded a new case of COVID–19 overnight – taking the current cluster to six. "This case went through that whole shopping centre so that's why that whole shopping centre has been put out as an exposure site," Chief Public Health Officer Nicola Spurrier said. Chief Public Health Officer Nicola Spurrier said a testing site exclusively for people …

South Australia 'moves into lockdown' after five COVID cases associated with Modbury Hospital cluster
3 years, 5 months ago

South Australia 'moves into lockdown' after five COVID cases associated with Modbury Hospital cluster

ABC  

South Australia has now entered lockdown, after health authorities confirmed the state's outbreak is the Delta strain. Key points: A fifth COVID case has been detected in South Australia The state went into lockdown from 6:00pm Schools will be closed from tomorrow They have so far identified five cases linked to the current cluster. A fourth case was announced on …

COVID-19 mask order for anyone in Tasmania who has returned from Victoria since July 8
3 years, 5 months ago

COVID-19 mask order for anyone in Tasmania who has returned from Victoria since July 8

ABC  

Anyone in Tasmania who has been in Victoria since July 8 will be required to wear masks in public from midnight tonight, and should avoid large gatherings, the Premier says. Key points: Tasmanian Premier Peter Gutwein said the mask order was being made out of an "abundance of caution" Tasmanian Premier Peter Gutwein said the mask order was being made …

Lockdown returns in Australia’s Melbourne due to growing Covid clusters
3 years, 5 months ago

Lockdown returns in Australia’s Melbourne due to growing Covid clusters

India TV News  

Amid concern over rising Covid cases in Australia, country's largest city Melbourne has been put under 5-day strict lockdown, starting tonight. Melbourne’s fifth lockdown of the pandemic will apply across Victoria state, Victoria Premier Daniel Andrews said on Thursday. A three-week lockdown of Sydney and surrounding communities in New South Wales state had been due to end on Friday. Health …

Australia further curbs new arrivals due to risks of variant
3 years, 5 months ago

Australia further curbs new arrivals due to risks of variant

Associated Press  

CANBERRA, Australia — Australia plans to halve commercial passenger arrivals due to virus risks as parts of the country emerged from lockdowns Friday. Australia will reduce its cap on arrivals from 6,000 passengers a week to 3,000 by July 14 to reduce pressure on hotel quarantine, Prime Minister Scott Morrison said after a meeting with state and territory leaders. “If …

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