- Australia's borders will reopen to international tourists from 21 February the Prime Minister has announced. International tourists who are fully vaccinated will soon be able to return to Australia after being blocked from travelling for almost two years.
- Treasurer Josh Frydenberg will make COVID-19 testing expenses tax deductible for business and individuals when they are being used to attend work. The legislation will be backdated to July 1, 2021 enabling people to claim rapid antigen tests and PCR test costs incurred in this financial year.
- Elective surgery will resume in some states from today. In Victoria, private hospitals and day centres restart elective surgeries to 50 per cent capacity, while in NSW, some public patients will be treated in private facilities as well as some regional public hospitals.
- Queenslanders will no longer be required to use the state’s check-in app in certain venues, but proof of vaccination will still be required for many locations. The government said the state hit its Omicron peak last week.
- The ACT has also announced changes to check-in requirements. From 11.59pm Friday certain venues will no longer require mandatory QR code check-ins.
- In NSW, the Premier has announced parents who homeschooled their children during long-running lockdowns in the state last year are now eligible for a government-subsidised holiday. One person from every eligible household will receive five $50 vouchers from Monday that can be used to book accommodation or entertainment around the state until early October.
- It comes as Queensland students return to classrooms today after a 2-week delay to the school year due to COVID-19 outbreaks.
COVID-19 Stats:
In Queensland there are 663 people in hospital including 43 in intensive care. There were 19 deaths and 4,701 new cases.
NSW reported 2,099 people are in hospital, with 137 in intensive care. There were 14 new deaths, and 7,437 new cases of COVID-19.
In Victoria, 638 people are hospitalised, including 72 in ICU. There were 7 deaths and 8,275 new infections.
Tasmania has 15 people hospitalised, 443 new cases and zero deaths.
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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