- The Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) has recommended moving away from the words "fully vaccinated", to instead "up to date".
- Australians over 16 will need a COVID-19 booster to be considered "up to date", while children under the age of 16 are still considered "up to date" following two vaccine doses.
- The updated definition of fully vaccinated will only apply to the COVID domestic policy and not the international border reopening plan.
- The updated advice from the advisory group will come into effect at the end of March.
- Overseas tourists will only be required to have two doses of a vaccine to enter the country, when international borders reopen on 21 February.
- Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt said booster doses will be mandatory for aged care workers across the country under new vaccine advice.
- On Friday, NSW, Victoria, Queensland and South Australia recorded 48 new COVID-19 deaths.
- NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard and chief health officer Dr Kerry Chant will join other senior NSW Health staff, healthcare unions and academics in appearing before parliament's public accountability committee on Friday.
- The reopening of NSW and recent challenges facing the aged care and health sectors will be under scrutiny.
- Restrictions in South Australia were eased overnight, including the capacity limits for outdoor areas at pubs, clubs and restaurants.
COVID Stats:
NSW reported 1,716 patients hospitalised with 108 in intensive care. There were 19 new deaths, and 8,950 new cases of COVID-19, dropping from 10,130 on Thursday.
In Victoria, 553 people are in hospital after contracting COVID-19, with 82 in ICU and 23 on ventilators. There were 13 deaths and 8,521 new infections.
Queensland has recorded 14 deaths and 5,977 new cases of COVID-19 in the latest reporting period. There are 584 people in hospital with 45 in intensive care units.
Tasmania recorded 552 new cases. There are 16 people in hospital and one person in ICU.
South Australia has reported two deaths, 1,445 new cases. There are 210 cases are in hospital of those 16 in ICU.
A number of states have set up RAT registration forms.
Quarantine and restrictions state by state
Travel
Financial help
There are changes to the COVID-19 Disaster Payment once states reach 70 and 80 per cent fully vaccinated:
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