- Case numbers are expected to rise over the coming weeks as millions of students return to classrooms across the country.
- Parents in NSW are set to receive a $500 voucher for each primary school child to help with before and after school care costs, as students return to class this week.
- While more than 50,000 air purifiers have been delivered to Victorian schools, as well as 300 shade sails to allow teachers to take classes outdoors.
- In Queensland, when school returns masks will be mandatory in high schools, large assemblies will be suspended, and a procedure for rapid antigen tests (RATs) will be introduced for sick students and teachers.
- A lockout of unvaccinated people begins in Western Australia today. Proof of double-dose vaccination will be required for hospitality venues, visitors to public and private hospitals and aged care facilities, and indoor entertainment venues.
- The NSW government unveiled a $1 billion economic support package for small and medium sized businesses over the weekend, including a lump sum payment to eligible businesses of 20 per cent of weekly payroll, up to a maximum of $5000 a week.
- A more infectious strain of the Omicron variant that arrived from South Africa last month may soon be dominant in Australia, health officials have warned however it's too early to say if it's a more severe strain.
COVID-19 Stats:
NSW reported 2,779 patients hospitalised, with 185 in intensive care, 27 new deaths, and 13,026 new cases of COVID-19.
In Victoria, 873 people were hospitalised, with 102 in ICU. There were 8 deaths and 10,053 new infections.
Tasmania has recorded 504 new coronavirus cases, the state's lowest daily figure since early January, there were no 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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