- West Australian Premier Mark McGowan has backflipped on his promise to reopen the state's borders on February 5, saying it would be "reckless and irresponsible" to proceed given the surge in Omicron cases across the country.
- Mr McGowan pointed to concerns that two vaccine doses offered limited protection against catching Omicron, insisting more time was needed to lift the booster rate.
- Head of the Australian Medical Association Dr Omar Khorshid lashed out at Mr McGowan for the decision, saying the state's hard border "needs to come down".
- NSW reported 46 COVID-19 deaths on Friday, the highest number of fatalities the state has recorded since the start of the pandemic, while Victoria reported 20 fatalities, Queensland 13, and Tasmania one.
- Hospitalisations in both NSW and Victoria have fallen over the last 24 hours - down nine per cent in Victoria from 1,206 to 1,096 and more than one per cent in NSW, from 2,781 to 2,743.
- NSW Chief Health Officer Kerry Chant said a "variety of indicators" pointed to the spread of the virus slowing in the community.
- Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk announced that from Monday, Queenslanders will be eligible for their booster shot of a COVID vaccine three months after their second.
- The Australian Federal Police have launched an investigation into the price gouging of rapid antigen tests.
- The call-taking service for ambulances in Victoria is operating with a skeleton staff, just months after a father of three died after waiting 25 minutes for an ambulance to arrive in Melbourne, the state’s paramedics union and a call-centre operator have warned.
- Nearly 30 generic drugmakers in Africa, Asia and the Middle East will make cheap versions of Merck & Co's COVID-19 pill, under a UN-backed deal to give poorer nations wider access to a drug seen as a weapon in fighting the pandemic.
A number of states have set up RAT registration forms.
COVID-19 Stats:
NSW reported 25,168 new cases and 46 deaths, while Victoria recorded 18,167 cases and 20 deaths.
Queensland recorded 16,031 new cases and 13 deaths, while Tasmania has recorded 866 cases and one death.
Quarantine and restrictions state by state
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There are changes to the COVID-19 Disaster Payment once states reach 70 and 80 per cent fully vaccinated:
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