COVID-19 update: NSW declares a "national emergency"

This is your update on the Coronavirus in Australia for 23 July 2021.

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian and Chief Health Officer Dr Kerry Chant at a press conference to provide a COVID-19 update Source: AAP Image/POOL/Mick Tsikas

NSW Chief Health Officer Dr Kerry Chant has declared a "national emergency".
Premier Berejiklian requests more Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine supplies for southwestern and western Sydney.
Despite Victoria's low numbers, Premier Andrews can't predict end of lockdown.
Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine approved for children aged 12 to 15.

New South Wales

NSW recorded 136 new local cases, with 53 infectious while in the community and one death confirmed overnight.

Residents living in the Cumberland and Blacktown local government areas will not be able to leave their home for work, unless they're in the health and emergency industry or are on the

authorised list of workers

Find here, the

locations of the cases

in a list or a map.

Victoria

Victoria recorded 14 new cases, with four infectious while in the community. The current number of active cases in the state is 158.

There are more than 19,000 primary close contacts self-isolating across the state.

Find here, the

locations of the cases

in a list or a map. The current lockdown will be extended until 11:59 pm on Tuesday, 27 July.

Last 24 hours around Australia

South Australia has recorded just one new COVID-19 case, as health authorities process over 23,500 test results.
A Qantas flight attendant has tested positive in Queensland after crewing six regional flights across the state.
Adults under 40s will still need to wait until September or October to access Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine while Australia's medical regulator TGA approves it for children aged 12 to 15.

The Eid al Adha (“Festival of the Sacrifice”) finishes today. It is important to protect yourself and others during prayers by:

choosing to pray at home
cancelling large gatherings
wearing your mask
using your own prayer rug

Quarantine, travel, testing clinics and pandemic disaster payment

Quarantine and testing requirements are managed and enforced by state and territory governments:

NSW

and

VIC

and

ACT

and

and

QLD

and

and

TAS

and

and

If you want to travel overseas, you may be able to apply online for an exemption.

Click here

for more information about the conditions to leave Australia. There are temporary measures for international flights that are regularly reviewed by the government and updated on the

Smart Traveller

website.