COVID-19 pandemic in Australia
 | This article's factual accuracy may be compromised due to out-of-date information. The reason given is: Australia's strategy has since changed, vaccination rollout expanded and community transmission more widespread. Lead particularly needs major updates. (January 2022) |
| COVID-19 pandemic in Australia | |
|---|---|
| Disease | COVID-19 |
| Virus strain | SARS-CoV-2 |
| Location | Australia |
| First outbreak | Wuhan, Hubei, China |
| Index case | Melbourne, Victoria |
| Arrival date | 25 January 2020 (4 years, 9 months, 3 weeks and 3 days) |
| Date | As of 12 January 2023[update] |
| Confirmed cases | 11,861,161[1] |
| Active cases | 79,112 (estimated)[2] |
| Hospitalised cases | 5,025[2] |
| Critical cases | 419[2] |
| Ventilator cases | 117[2] |
| Recovered | 10,541,594 (estimated)[2] |
Deaths | 19,265[3] |
| Fatality rate | 0.15% |
| Test positivity rate | 21.75% (7-day average)[4] |
| Vaccinations | |
| Government website | |
| www | |
The COVID-19 pandemic in Australia was a part of the worldwide pandemic of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The first confirmed case in Australia was identified on 25 January 2020, in Victoria, when a man who had returned from Wuhan, Hubei Province, China, tested positive for the virus.[5] As of 6 August 2022[update], Australia has reported over 11,350,000 cases and 19,265 deaths,[6][3] with Victoria's 2020 second wave having the highest fatality rate per case.
In March 2020, the Australian government established the intergovernmental National Cabinet and declared a human biosecurity emergency in response to the outbreak. Australian borders were closed to all non-residents on 20 March,[7] and returning residents were required to spend two weeks in supervised quarantine hotels from 27 March.[8] Many individual states and territories also closed their borders to varying degrees, with some remaining closed until late 2020,[9] and continuing to periodically close during localised outbreaks.[10] Social distancing rules were introduced on 21 March, and state governments started to close "non-essential" services.[11][12] "Non-essential services" included social gathering venues such as pubs and clubs but unlike many other countries did not include most business operations such as construction, manufacturing and many retail categories.[13] The number of new cases initially grew sharply, then levelled out at about 350 per day around 22 March, and started falling at the beginning of April to under 20 cases per day by the end of the month.[2]
Australia was one of few countries to pursue a zero-COVID "suppression" strategy until late 2021, meaning it aimed to minimise domestic community transmission. Implementation involved strict controls on international arrivals and aggressively responding to local outbreaks with lockdowns and exhaustive contact tracing of domestic COVID-19 clusters.[14][15][16] A second wave of infections emerged in Victoria during May and June 2020, which was attributed to an outbreak at a Melbourne quarantine hotel. The second wave, though largely localised to Melbourne, was much more widespread and deadlier than the first; at its peak, the state had over 7,000 active cases.[17] Victoria underwent a second strict lockdown which eventually lasted almost four months.[18] The wave ended with zero new cases being recorded on 26 October 2020.[19][20][21] No deaths from COVID-19 were recorded in Australia from 28 December 2020 until 13 April 2021, when one death occurred in Queensland.[2]
The nationwide vaccination program began with the first doses of the Pfizer–BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine being administered in Sydney on 21 February 2021.[22][23] The country's vaccine rollout, which fell short of its initial targets and was described as slow, was criticised.[24][25] Further cluster outbreaks occurred in late 2020 and mid-2021, with several brief "snap lockdowns" announced in certain states to contain their spread, particularly as novel variants of SARS-CoV-2 arrived in Australia.
In July 2021, the Australian government after continually stating COVID-zero was not sustainable, published the 'National Plan' to live with COVID.[26] As outbreaks of SARS-CoV-2 Delta variant which started in June 2021 in New South Wales spread, almost half of Australia's population and most major cities were in lockdown for at least 3 days during July 2021.[27][16] The outbreak worsened in New South Wales and spread to Victoria in the following weeks causing new record daily cases in both stated later in 2021.[28][29] Lockdowns were phased out after 70% of the population was vaccinated in October with most public health restrictions removed after vaccinating 90% of its population in December 2021, as the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant drove further records of infections.[30][31] International travel began to resume in November 2021 and returned to normal in early 2022.
The government declared the emergency response "finished" in September 2022 and removed all restrictions including the requirement to isolate if one was infected from 14 October 2022.[32] On 20 October 2023, the Australian Chief Medical Officer declared that COVID-19 was no longer a Communicable Disease Incident of National Significance (CDINS) and ended all national emergency response and coordination, shifting COVID-19 management to a more general infectious disease framework.[33]
Background
A novel coronavirus that caused a respiratory illness was identified in Wuhan, Hubei, China, in December 2019, and was reported to the World Health Organization (WHO) on 31 December 2019, which confirmed its concern on 12 January 2020.[34][35] WHO declared the outbreak a Public health emergency of international concern on 30 January,[36] and a pandemic on 11 March.[37]
The case fatality rate of COVID-19 is much lower than that of SARS, a related disease which emerged in 2002,[38][39] but its transmission has been significantly greater, leading to a much greater total death toll.[38][40]
The widespread reporting of the bushfire season in major media and social media around the world caused a significant drop in the number of tourists coming to Australia, including those from China. The absence of tourist arrivals during this time could have played a significant role in sparing Australia from the spread of COVID-19 in the early stages of the pandemic. This is in contrast to other major cities in Europe and North America, where the early spread of the virus continued undetected until late February 2020 or early March 2020.[41]
Timeline
_-_Infizierte_(800px).svg)
_-_Tote_(800px).svg)
On 23 January 2020, biosecurity officials began screening arrivals on flights from Wuhan to Sydney.[44] Two days later the first case of a SARS-CoV-2 infection was reported, that of a Chinese citizen who arrived from Guangzhou on 19 January. The patient was tested and received treatment in Melbourne.[5][45] On the same day, three other patients tested positive in Sydney after returning from Wuhan.[46][47][48]
First wave: March–April 2020
Australia reported its 100th case on 10 March 2020 roughly corresponding to the start of Australia's first wave.[49] Case numbers and deaths continued to climb during March and April, but by late April the first wave had effectively ended. On 6 June, both New South Wales and Victoria reported no new cases for the previous 24 hours, with only Queensland and Western Australia reporting one new (international) case each, the lowest national total since February.[50]
Second wave: June–October 2020
On 20 June, the Victorian Government announced the re-tightening of restrictions on household gatherings following a spike in community transmitted cases over the previous week, reported to be mainly caused by family-to-family transmission in large household gatherings. Most easing of restrictions that were to take place were postponed.[51] The same day restrictions were re-tightened in Victoria, the Western Australian Government announced the state would move into "Phase 4" from 27 June, permitting some of the most relaxed restrictions in the country.[52]
On 26 October, the "second wave" ended when Victoria recorded zero new cases and zero deaths statewide for the first time since 9 June.[53][54] On the same day, Daniel Andrews announced a significant easing of restrictions to take effect over the coming weeks. From 11.59 pm on 27 October, people no longer required a reason to leave home, all retail, restaurants, hotels, cafes and bars were allowed to open with capacity limits, beauty, personal services and tattooing were allowed to reopen, outdoor community sport for under 18 and outdoor non-contact sport for adults recommenced, a maximum of 10 people were allowed to attend weddings, a maximum of 20 mourners were allowed to attend funerals, and faith and religious gatherings were allowed to resume, subject to patron limitations.[54] With a length of 112 days, this Victorian COVID-19 lockdown was the longest continuous lockdown world-wide, as of October 2020.[55]
Third wave: June 2021 – October 2021
Victoria recorded no deaths between late October 2020 and August 2021.[56][57] New South Wales recorded their first death of the 2021 wave on 10 July 2021.
On 18 June in NSW, a SARS-CoV-2 Delta variant COVID-19 cluster in Sydney's Eastern Suburbs had grown to 4 cases.[58] On 25 June in NSW, after 22 new cases of the Delta variant brought infections linked to the Bondi cluster to 65 total, an initial lockdown was announced for four Sydney local government areas (LGAs).[59]
New South Wales recorded its "worst day" of its continuing June 2021 outbreak of the COVID-19 Delta variant on 29 August 2021, with six deaths, and a record 1,218 new local confirmed cases.[60] Whilst the daily number of cases continues to increase, at the time this was the highest daily confirmed case total Australia had received on a single day, surpassing Victoria's record in the previous wave. However, the recorded COVID-19 deaths is significantly lower than the 41 daily deaths recorded in Victoria during its peak.[61]
On 30 August in NSW, the Ministry of Health reported four deaths in the previous 24 hours of people confirmed to have had COVID-19.[62] One of them, a man in his 50s who died at Dubbo Hospital, is believed to be the first Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander COVID-19 related death. He was not vaccinated.[63] The total number of COVID related deaths in NSW reached 149 since the beginning of the pandemic, and 93 during the NSW Delta outbreak.[62] The official national death toll broke 1,000 at 1,002.[64]
On 31 August in Victoria, the deaths of two women were reported, the first COVID deaths in that state since 30 November 2020, which ended a nine-month streak with no fatalities.[65][56]
On 3 October 2021, Melbourne surpassed Buenos Aires as the city with the most cumulative days spent in lockdown in the entire world, having spent 245 days in lockdown since the start of the pandemic.[66] The sixth lockdown ended in Melbourne at midnight on 21 October 2021 after a record 262 cumulative days throughout the pandemic.[67] The lockdown in Sydney ended on 11 October 2021 after 106 days, following the initial Delta variant outbreak.[68]
Australia began to re-open to the world from 1 November 2021, with vaccinated Australian citizens and permanent residents allowed to enter NSW and Victoria without being restricted by strict flight cap numbers or long hotel quarantine stays from that date.[69]
On 8 November, Queensland premier Annastacia Palaszczuk announced that as of 17 December, all eligible unvaccinated citizens over the age of 16 would be banned from pubs, clubs, cafes, restaurants, cinemas, theatres, music festivals and stadiums, government-owned galleries, museums and libraries, and they would not be allowed to visit hospitals, aged care facilities, prisons or disability services, among other restrictions. The premier described this as "a reward for the fully vaccinated and a precaution for when the borders open", and stated that restrictions were expected to continue into 2022.[70][71]
Omicron wave: November 2021 – February 2022
On 28 November 2021, NSW Health confirmed that two returned travellers had tested positive for the new Omicron COVID-19 variant in Sydney, making them the first known cases of the strain in Australia.[72] On 29 November, a positive case of the Omicron variant was recorded at the Howard Springs quarantine facility, from a return traveller who arrived at Darwin on 25 November from Johannesburg, South Africa.[73] The same day, two passengers who had flown to Sydney from southern Africa via Singapore also tested positive for the Omicron variant.[74]
On 30 November, a positive case of the Omicron variant was recorded in Sydney. The person had visited southern Africa before arriving in Sydney prior to travel restrictions, and was subsequently active in the community in Sydney and the Central Coast.[75]
On 3 December, a positive Omicron variant case was confirmed in the ACT.[76]
Most public health restrictions were lifted in December 2021, after 90% of the Australian population were vaccinated.[31] The SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant drove a record rise in infections, leading to New South Wales to have one of the highest infection rates worldwide.[77]
2022
On 18 January 2022, 77 COVID-19 deaths were reported in Australia, the highest number to that point far, though not all had occurred on the same day (17 January). There were 36 in New South Wales, 22 in Victoria, 16 in Queensland, 2 in South Australia, and 1 in the Australian Capital Territory.[78]
On 22 January 2022, Australia exceeded 3,000 deaths related to COVID-19 since the beginning of the pandemic.[79]
By 4 February 2022, 4,000 COVID-19 related deaths were exceeded.[80] This increased to 5,000 by 23 February.[81]
On 21 February 2022 border restrictions were removed for all vaccinated people, including non-citizens such as tourists and new immigrants, effectively opening Australia up to the world.[82] On 18 April 2022 further restrictions on international travel that had been imposed under the Biosecurity Act were removed, allowing cruise ships to operate in Australia for the first time in over 2 years (although only in states where the state government was willing to allow cruise ships, such as NSW, Queensland and Victoria).[83]
In May the requirement to wear a mask in the airport was removed.[84]
On 9 September 2022 a host of restrictions were removed. This included the requirement to wear masks on aircraft, in Western Australia the requirement to wear masks on passenger transport was removed as well. The COVID-19 mandatory isolation period was also reduced to 5 days[85]
On 21 September 2022 South Australia, New South Wales, Queensland ended the mask mandate on passenger transport
On 22 September 2022 Victoria ended the mask mandate on passenger transport.[86]
On 14 October 2022 the mandatory COVID-19 isolation period was scrapped entirely and replaced with recommendations.[87]
Public Health Emergencies, Pandemic declerations and States of Emergencies were ended in each states over the following month with Victoria on 13 October,[87] Queensland on 1 November,[88] Western Australia on 4 November,[89] Northern Territory on 11 November,[90] South Australia on 23 November,[91] New South Wales on 30 November[92] and the Australian Capital Territory on 28 February 2023.[93]
Post pandemic
On 23 June 2023, Queensland ended the COVID-19 traffic light advice as the disease became managed in-line with other viral diseases.[94]
Statistics
| Location[a] | Cases[b] | Deaths | Recoveries | Active[c] | Hospital[d] | Tests | Notes | Ref. | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12 / 12 | 6,635,645 | 7,807 | 6,239,947 | 387,891 | 3,101 | 70,938,962 | [95] | ||
|
Australian Capital Territory | 119,548 | 58 | 113,046 | 6,444 | 75 | 1,088,553 | [96][97] | |
|
New South Wales | 2,447,877 | 2,970 | 2,308,016 | 136,891 | 1,437 | 31,514,416 | [e][f] | [98][99] |
|
Northern Territory | 68,139 | 46 | 66,131 | 1,962 | 22 | 1,088,553 | [g] | [100] |
|
Queensland | 1,089,495 | 940 | 1,047,736 | 40,819 | 435 | 7,452,195 | [101] | |
|
South Australia | 464,841 | 403 | 437,598 | 26,840 | 248 | 4,745,163 | [102] | |
|
Tasmania | 150,983 | 65 | 144,841 | 6,077 | 44 | 662,730 | [h] | [103] |
.svg){kind=small}
|
Victoria | 1,734,100 | 3,138 | 1,651,038 | 79,924 | 526 | 20,794,566 | [104] | |
|
Western Australia | 560,662 | 187 | 471,541 | 88,934 | 314 | 3,592,786 | [105] | |
|
Norfolk Island | 515 | 0 | 451 | 64 | 38 | 1,054 | [106][107] | |
|
Jervis Bay Territory | 4 | 0 | — | — | — | — | [108] | |
|
Christmas Island | 33 | 0 | 33 | 0 | — | — | [109] | |
_Islands.svg){kind=small}
|
Cocos (Keeling) Islands | 27 | 0 | 26 | 1 | — | — | [109] | |
| Updated May 16, 2022 | |||||||||
| |||||||||
Clusters
The largest cluster in Australia from the start of the pandemic until 5 November 2021, when Australia reached its 80 percent vaccination target and entered the consolidation phase of its COVID-19 transition plan, was the Flemington/North Melbourne public housing cluster with 310 cases.[110] The deadliest cluster in Australia was at St Basil's Homes for the Aged in Victoria, where 45 residents died.[111]
Responses
Australia pursued a zero-COVID strategy until late 2021; the stated goal of the National Cabinet was "suppression", meaning continually trying to drive community transmission to zero but expecting that new outbreaks may occur.[112][14][15] This was in contrast to the mitigation strategies implemented by most other nations. Compared to other Western countries, notably the United States and European countries, Australia's handling has been commended for its effectiveness, but has been criticised by some for its curbing of civil liberties.[113][114][115][116] Distinctive aspects of that response included early interventions to reduce reflected transmission from countries other than China during late January and February 2020; early recruitment of a large contact tracing workforce;[117] comparatively high public trust in government responses to the pandemic, at least compared to the US[118] and later on, the use of short, intense lockdowns to facilitate exhaustive contact tracing of new outbreaks.[119][120] Australia's international borders have also remained largely closed, with limited numbers of arrivals strictly controlled, for the duration of the pandemic.[16] Australia sought to develop a Bluetooth-based contact tracing app that does not use the privacy-preserving Exposure Notification framework supported natively by Android and Apple smartphones, and while these efforts were not particularly effective,[121][122][123] QR code-based contact tracing apps became ubiquitous in Australia's businesses.[124][125][126] These apps, which are effectively required by State Governments, give government health departments the ability to reconstruct the presence and possible contacts of anyone carrying a mobile telephone handset that was capable of checking-in using a QR code at the time of visiting shops, bars, restaurants or similar venues,[127][128][129] generally for 28 days after the visit.[130] Furthermore, venues are required to provide alternative contact registration for anyone unable to use the app.
Travel restrictions
2020
On 1 February 2020, Australia banned the entry of foreign nationals who had been in mainland China, and ordered its own returning citizens who had been in China to self-quarantine for 14 days.[131] The country also began to assess the relative risk of reflected transmission through third countries,[132] and to ask travelers arriving from higher-risk countries to monitor for symptoms. Australia subsequently imposed bans on Iran (1 March),[133] South Korea (5 March),[134] and Italy (11 March).[135] From 16 March, all travellers arriving in or returning to Australia were required to self-isolate for 14 days.[136] Failure to self-isolate could result in a fine of A$11,000 to A$50,000 and a possible prison sentence, depending on the state.[137] Cruise ships were also barred from docking in the country for 30 days.[138][139]
On 20 March, Australia closed its borders to all non-residents and non-Australian citizens.[7][140] With limited exceptions, a ban was imposed on Australians travelling overseas.[141]
By late March 2020, 62% of Australia's more than 3,000 coronavirus cases were among people who had returned from overseas. From then, Australians returning from overseas were subject to two weeks compulsory quarantine in hotels. The New South Wales quarantine program was helped by 150 Australian Defence Force personnel, including 30 who were stationed at hotels. In Victoria, three private security operators were contracted to provide the security,[8] while the other states and territories used their police resources. The states and territories carried the costs of hotel quarantine.[142] By 19 June, since the policy came into force 81,000 people had entered Australia. Of those, 63,000 had undergone hotel quarantine, while the rest, including flight crews, international businesspeople and defence members, fell under different rules.[143] Hotel quarantine had cost $118 million as at 19 June.[144]
Interstate border closures began on 19 March, with Tasmania imposing a mandatory 14-day quarantine on all "non-essential" travellers to the state, including returning residents.[145] On 24 March, Western Australia, South Australia and the Northern Territory closed their borders, with all interstate arrivals being required to self-isolate for 14 days.[146] On 11 April, Queensland banned interstate arrivals, with only Queensland residents and those granted 'exemption' being allowed entry.[147] On 8 July, the Victorian and NSW governments, jointly closed their common border, following a large spike in cases in parts of Melbourne.[148]
With the spike in coronavirus infections in Victoria linked to the hotel quarantine program, a judicial inquiry into the program in Victoria was called on 2 July; and all international arrivals into Melbourne were suspended.[149] On 9 July, other state and territory leaders agreed to reduce flights and arrivals into Australia from 8,000 to 4,000 a week to ease the burden on the hotel quarantine system. States started to charge travellers for hotel quarantine.[144][150] In mid-September, the states agreed to increase the number of arrivals to 6,000 a week, to help in the repatriation of tens of thousands of Australians stranded overseas.[151] By 15 December 2020, 39,000 Australians were registered with the government as stranded, with more unregistered (as the government advised registration only for those needing assistance to return). After repeated flight cancellations and without access to government-provided health care or welfare benefits, many families reported being forced to overstay visas, and burn down savings and incur debt to pay for accommodations. Having to pay thousands of dollars for return tickets and mandatory hotel quarantine, some chose to send one family member back to resume work and earn enough money to pay the way of the rest.[152] Between 13 March and 15 July 2020, more than 357,000 people returned to Australia.[153] As of 15 January 2021[update] over 37,000 Australians were stranded abroad.[154] On 29 January 2021, the ability of Australians stuck overseas to return was further hampered when the UK banned direct flights from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) over the possible spread of the South African COVID-19 variant. Both Etihad Airways and Emirates airlines are UAE-based.[155]
An overnight curfew was introduced in Victoria on 2 August 2020, extended on 13 September and suspended on 27 September. A Supreme Court judge has ruled the curfew was legal.[156]
2021
On 25 January 2021, Health Minister Greg Hunt suspended Australia's travel bubble with New Zealand for a period of 72 hours after New Zealand authorities confirmed a community transmission case in the country's Northland Region.[157][158] On 28 January the suspension of the travel bubble was extended for 3 more days.[159]
On 5 February 2021, National Cabinet decided to increase the number of international passenger arrivals to Australia as from mid-February. New South Wales returned to a weekly cap of 3,010 people and Queensland to 1,000. South Australia increased by 40 people a week to 530, and Victoria by almost 200 to 1,310. Western Australia remained at a reduced arrival cap. The total national weekly cap of 4,100 increased to approximately 6,300.[160]
On 11 February 2021, the airline Cathay Pacific decided that, excepting Sydney, from 20 February it would cease all flights to Australia until the end of the month. This was in response to the Hong Kong government's new COVID rules requiring Hong Kong based aircrew to quarantine for 14 days on return to HK.[161]
On 24 February, Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria suspended their travel bubble arrangements with New Zealand in response to a recent community outbreak in South Auckland. As a result, New Zealanders traveling to these states would have to enter quarantine.[162]
On 2 March 2021, the general closure of Australia's international borders to travel was extended another three months to 17 June 2021. Australia's borders had now already been closed for 12 months. The border could reopen earlier if the closure was "no longer needed".[163] Despite the border closure, between 25 March and 31 December 2020 over 105,000 exemptions were approved for people to leave Australia.[164]
By April 2021, there were still about 40,000 Australians stranded overseas by the high cost of plane tickets and the cap on the number of people in the quarantine system, which was criticised for special treatment of sportspeople and celebrities.[165] Australia was chastised by the United Nations Human Rights Committee, which requested a prompt return for the country's citizens; the government has given out A$29 million to about 3,900 stranded people as a last resort, and operated 28 repatriation flights.[166]
On 23 April, Prime Minister Morrison announced that travellers to Australia from "high risk" countries, in particular India, were to be reduced by 30 per cent.[167] This decision was based on an increase in positive results for COVID-19 among travellers from India at the Howard Springs, Northern Territory quarantine facility. Travel to such countries was also to be limited.[168]
In general, the border restrictions had had broad public support, though critics suggested safety could be improved by constructing more outdoor quarantine centres rather than relying on urban hotels, which had suffered 16 leaks to the surrounding communities as of April 2021, out of about half a million quarantined. The government did not have an ordered queue of returnees; outside of repatriation flights, the order in which people returned was determined by commercial airlines, resulting in Australian citizens making up fewer than half of incoming travellers in February 2021.[169]
On 27 April, due to the "record-breaking" outbreak of COVID-19 in India, with 323,000 new infections that day after five days with new cases peaking above 350,000, and another 2,771 COVID deaths there, the Federal Government "paused" all incoming flights from India until at least 15 May. The pause includes repatriation flights into the Howard Springs quarantine facility near Darwin with more than 9,000 Australians in India at this date wanting to come to Australia.[170]
Late on 30 April, the Federal Government announced a ban on Australian citizens and permanent residents in India from entering Australia via any route. These measures came into effect on 3 May and would remain in force until 15 May.[171] Breaches would be subject to punishment under the Biosecurity Act 2015,[172] with penalties for breaches including up to five years' jail, a fine of A$66,600,or both.[173] Foreign Minister Marise Payne reported that 57% of positive cases in quarantine had come from India in April, compared with 10% in March. Unlike the prior travel bans imposed in 2020 on Iran, South Korea and Italy, and the interstate travel bans regularly imposed as outbreaks occur, the move was branded as racist by some critics,[174] and a potential breach of international human rights law.[175] On 3 May 2021 the government announced that it would review this decision earlier than originally intended, possibly within the same week.[173] There were about 9,000 Australian citizens in India, of whom 650 were considered vulnerable.[172]
On 26 June 2021 at 8:30 pm (AEST), due to multiple outbreaks across Australia of the SARS-CoV-2 Delta variant, New Zealand immediately paused trans-Tasman travel with Australia until 10 pm (AEST) on 30 June.[176]
On 2 July, National Cabinet decided that from 14 July, the number of airline passengers allowed into Australia would be capped at 3,035, half what it was before. The Victorian, Western Australian and Queensland governments had been advocating a large decrease in incoming passenger numbers because of the highly infectious nature of the Delta COVID strain. More repatriation flights to the Howard Springs quarantine facility were to be organised in response.[177]
The states would receive passengers thus:
- Sydney: 1,505
- Perth: 265
- Adelaide: 265
- Melbourne: 500
- Brisbane: 500 (additional 150 surge capacity)[178]
On 1 November, Australia began to re-open to the world, with vaccinated Australian citizens and permanent residents allowed to enter NSW and Victoria without being restricted by strict flight cap numbers or long hotel quarantine stays.[179] Other states and territories followed over the next few months.
2022
On 21 February 2022, border restrictions were removed for all vaccinated people, including non-citizens such as tourists and new immigrants, effectively opening Australia up to the world.[180]
On 18 April 2022 further restrictions on international travel that had been imposed under the Biosecurity Act were removed, allowing cruise ships to operate in Australia for the first time in over 2 years (although only in states where the state government was willing to allow cruise ships, such as NSW, Queensland and Victoria).[181]
National Cabinet
On 13 March 2020, the National Cabinet, a form of national crisis cabinet akin to a war cabinet, was created following a meeting of the Council of Australian Governments (COAG). This is the first time such a cabinet has been proclaimed since World War II,[182] and the only time in Australian history that a crisis cabinet has included state and territory leaders.[183] The cabinet consists of the premiers and chief ministers of the Australian states and territories and meets weekly during the crisis.[184] At its first meeting on 13 March, the National Cabinet announced that gatherings of more than 500 people should be cancelled from 15 March. Schools, universities, workplaces, public transport and airports were not included in this recommendation.[183] Prime Minister Morrison also announced that he intended to attend a Rugby League match on 14 March; "I do still plan to go to the football on Saturday"[183][185] but later decided against attending the match.
On 29 March, the Cabinet agreed to stricter limits to apply from midnight on 30 March: a limit on both indoor and outdoor gatherings of two people except weddings (5) and funerals (10), and people of the same household or family; strong guidance to all Australians is to stay home unless for necessary shopping, health care, exercise, and work and study that can't be done remotely; public playgrounds, skate parks and outside gyms to be closed. It was left to individual states to enforce these guidelines. They also agreed to a moratorium on evictions for six months for both commercial and residential tenancies suffering financial distress.[186]
On 2 April 2020, the Federal government announced the temporary provision of free childcare so that people could continue working, and to prevent closure of childcare centres. The Government paid half each centre's operating costs.[187] The free childcare ended on 12 July, and the previous Child Care Subsidy was reintroduced.[188]
Human biosecurity emergency declaration
On 18 March 2020[189] a human biosecurity emergency was declared in Australia owing to the risks to human health posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, after a National Security Committee meeting the previous day. The Biosecurity Act 2015 specifies that the Governor-General may declare such an emergency exists if the Health Minister (currently Greg Hunt) is satisfied that "a listed human disease is posing a severe and immediate threat, or is causing harm, to human health on a nationally significant scale". This gives the minister sweeping powers, including imposing restrictions or preventing the movement of people and goods between specified places, and evacuations.[190] The Biosecurity (Human Biosecurity Emergency) (Human Coronavirus with Pandemic Potential) Declaration 2020 was declared by the Governor-General, David Hurley, under Section 475 of the Act.[189] The Biosecurity (Human Biosecurity Emergency) (Human Coronavirus with Pandemic Potential) (Emergency Requirements) Determination 2020, made by the Health Minister on the same day, forbids international cruise ships from entering Australian ports.[191] This ban remains in place until 17 December 2021 at the earliest.[192][193] [needs update]
A social distancing rule of four square metres (43 sq ft) per person in any enclosed space was agreed by National Cabinet on 20 March, to be implemented through State and Territory laws.[194][195] On 22 March 2020, the State governments of New South Wales and Victoria imposed a mandatory closure of non-essential services,[12] while the Governments of Western Australia and South Australia imposed border closures.[196]
On 22 March Morrison announced a closure of places of social gathering, including registered and licensed clubs, licensed premises in hotels and bars, entertainment venues, including but not restricted to cinemas, casinos and nightclubs and places of worship. Cafes and restaurants could remain open but were limited to takeaway food. Similarly, enclosed spaces for funerals and things of that nature would have to follow the strict four-square-metre rule. These measures (labelled stage 1 in anticipation of possible future measures)[197] were effective immediately at midday, 23 March.[198][199] Morrison stated that he would like schools to remain open, but parents could keep children at home if they wished to.[200]
On 25 March 2020, the Health Minister made a second determination under the Biosecurity Act 2015, the Biosecurity (Human Biosecurity Emergency) (Human Coronavirus with Pandemic Potential) (Overseas Travel Ban Emergency Requirements) Determination 2020, which "forbids Australian citizens and permanent residents from leaving Australian territory by air or sea as a passenger".[191] On the same day, the Prime Minister announced a further set of restrictions, labelled stage 2 restrictions, effective midnight that night. These involved mainly smaller businesses, such as nail salons and tattoo parlours, while some, such as personal training sessions, were limited to 10 people. At the same time, other gatherings were restricted, such as weddings (5 people) and funerals (10 people).[201]
At 12:00 am on Tuesday 31 March, restrictions were announced on indoor and outdoor gatherings, which were called stage 3 by the media, although the label "stage 3" was not part of the official announcement. The new rule limited gatherings to two people, although it did not apply to members of the same household.[202]
On 14 April, the Federal government announced the "COVIDSafe" digital contact tracing app.[203]
On 25 April 2020, the Biosecurity (Human Biosecurity Emergency) (Human Coronavirus with Pandemic Potential) (Emergency Requirements—Public Health Contact Information) Determination 2020, made under subsection 477(1) of the Act, was signed into law by the Health Minister.[204] The purpose of the new legislation was "to make contact tracing faster and more effective by encouraging public acceptance and uptake of COVIDSafe", COVIDSafe being the new mobile app created for the purpose. The function of the app was to record contact between any two people who both had the app on their phones when they come within 1.5 metres (4.9 ft) of each other. The encrypted data would remain on the phone for 21 days of not encountering a person logged with confirmed COVID-19.[205]
On 3 September 2020, the human biosecurity emergency period under the Biosecurity Act 2015 was extended until 17 December.[206][207]
National COVID-19 Commission Advisory Board
On 25 March, the National COVID-19 Coordination Commission (NCCC) was established by the Prime Minister as a strategic advisory body for the national response to the pandemic.[208][209] (On 27 July 2020, the Prime Minister renamed the organisation to the "National COVID-19 Commission Advisory Board" (NCC).[210]) The NCC's role includes providing advice on public-private partnerships and coordination to mitigate the social and economic impacts of the pandemic.[211][212]
On 29 March, Prime Minister Morrison announced in a press conference following a National Cabinet meeting that public gatherings would be limited to two people, while also urging Australians over the age of 70, Australians with chronic illness over the age of 60 and Indigenous Australians over the age of 50 to stay home and self-isolate.[213] Morrison also clarified that there were only four acceptable reasons for Australians to leave their houses: shopping for essentials; for medical or compassionate needs; exercise in compliance with the public gathering restriction of two people; and for work or education purposes.[214]
National COVID-19 Clinical Evidence Taskforce
In March 2020 the National COVID-19 Clinical Evidence Taskforce was set up, which is an independent consortium of 34 national peak clinical groups. Hundreds of health professionals from around the country review the latest research on the disease, and maintain evidence-based data and recommendations for clinicians to enable them to provide the best care for people with COVID-19. Initial funding came from the Commonwealth Department of Health, Victorian Department of Health, the Ian Potter Foundation, the Walter Cottman Endowment Fund, and the Lord Mayors' Charitable Foundation. As of September 2022[update] it is funded by the Commonwealth Department of Health.[215][216]
Vaccine supply
The Australian government entered into agreements with Pfizer/BioNTech, University of Oxford/AstraZeneca, Novavax, the University of Queensland and COVAX for the supply of vaccines.[217] The University of Queensland vaccine was abandoned in December 2020 after trials revealed that, while it was safe, it triggered false positives on HIV tests.[218][219] The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) provisionally approved the Pfizer vaccine in January 2021.[220] The Australian government ordered 10 million doses, with the first 80,000 to be delivered in February 2021, but production problems and the imposition of export controls by the European Union (EU) onto deliveries to countries outside Europe made meeting the delivery schedule problematic.[221]
Delivery issues also affected deliveries of the Oxford–AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine, which was provisionally approved by the TGA in February,[222] and received final approval in March.[223] Orders were reduced from 3.8 million to 1.2 million doses of this vaccine, which was manufactured in Belgium,[221][224] and arrival was pushed back to March 2021.[225] CSL Limited began manufacturing 50 million doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine in Melbourne in November 2020. Deliveries were expected to commence in March.[226] The AstraZeneca vaccine could be stored at normal refrigeration temperatures of 2 to 8 °C (36 to 46 °F), whereas the Pfizer vaccine required storage at −70 °C (−94 °F).[225] However, concerns were raised about the efficacy of the AstraZeneca vaccine.[227][228] The Immunology & Cell Biology called for a pause in its rollout, as the efficacy of the vaccine reported by trials was insufficient to achieve the desired herd immunity effect.[229] CSL management declined an invitation to appear before an Australian Senate inquiry.[230]
Although the Prime Minister of Australia, Scott Morrison, said that Australia would be "at the front of the queue",[231] and the Minister for Health and Aged Care, Greg Hunt, claimed that Australia would be among the first countries to receive COVID-19 vaccines, 61 other countries had already commenced vaccinating their citizens by the end of January 2021, while the Australian vaccination rollout was not scheduled to commence for another month.[230]
On 15 February 2021, 142,000 doses of the Pfizer–BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine arrived in Australia. The first doses were due to be administered on 22 February.[232] The world-wide distribution of the vaccine has been described as "the largest logistics effort in the world since World War" by Dr Roberto Perez-Franco of the Deakin University's Centre for Supply Chain and Logistics.[233] This was followed, on 28 February, by 300,000 doses of the Oxford–AstraZeneca vaccine, which arrived at Sydney airport. It was planned that most Australians would be vaccinated with this vaccine, the majority manufactured in Australia by CSL Limited.[234] On 5 March, Italy and the European Union blocked a shipment of 250,000 doses of the Oxford−AstraZeneca vaccine from Italy to Australia, citing low COVID-19 case numbers in Australia and the limited availability of vaccines in the EU.[235]
Local manufacturing began in November 2020.[236][237] On 16 February, the first vials of COVID-19 vaccine produced in Australia came off the production line at the CSL Behring plant in Broadmeadows, Melbourne.[238] This is the active raw vaccine material. The vaccine vials are filled and packaged into doses by Seqirus, a CSL subsidiary in Parkville, Melbourne.[239] Production of the AstraZeneca vaccine in Australia received its final approval from the TGA on 21 March.[223] Some front line health care workers were reported to have preferred the Pfizer vaccine over the AstraZeneca one.[240]
The Australian government had also signed a deal with Novavax for 51 million doses of its vaccine, with supply originally slated for "mid-2021".[241] As of April 2021, it had yet to be approved by the TGA. It is not manufactured in Australia, so like the other imported vaccines, its availability was uncertain. In trials it was reported to be 95.6 per cent effective against COVID-19, and an 86.3 per cent effective against the variant identified in the UK.[241] Australia's first human trials of a candidate COVID-19 vaccine was Novavax's NVX-CoV2373 which began in Melbourne by 26 May 2020.[242]
In a February 2021 pre-budget submission, the Australian Academy of Science renewed its call for the government to develop the capability to produce mRNA vaccine technology in Australia. The ability to mass-produce such vaccines onshore would insulate Australia against supply shocks, and cater for future pandemics and potential biosecurity situations. The mRNA coronavirus vaccines made by Moderna and Pfizer showed strong results in clinical trials and are expected to be easier to reconfigure to cater for new virus variants than more conventional vaccines.[243][244]
The US Moderna company entered an agreement with the Australian Federal government, announced on 13 May 2021, to provide 25 million doses of its COVID-19 vaccine 'mRNA-1273', subject to TGA approval.[245]
Vaccinations
 | This section should include only a brief summary of COVID-19 vaccination in Australia. (July 2021) |
The first public COVID-19 vaccination in Australia, with the Pfizer–BioNTech vaccine, took place on 21 February 2021 in Sydney. An 84-year-old aged care resident was the first Australian to receive the vaccine following TGA approval. Prime Minister Morrison and Chief Medical Officer Professor Paul Kelly also received vaccinations.[22][23]
The first Australian to receive the Oxford–AstraZeneca vaccine was a doctor in regional South Australia on 5 March 2021 at Murray Bridge Hospital.[246]
More than 2 million COVID-19 vaccinations had been administered in Australia by 28 April 2021, but this was 3 million short of original plans.[247] By 6 June, over 5 million vaccinations had been administered. Approximately 4.45 million were first doses, nearly 570,000 were second doses.[248]
On 5 October 2021, Australia reached 80% of the eligible population (aged 16 and older) having had at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine.[249]
Adverse reactions
As of 18 July 2021, there have been a total of over 10.125 million vaccine doses administered of which 41,406 adverse events following vaccination have been reported. However, not all reported adverse events were attributable to and associated with vaccination.[250] The most common adverse effects following immunisation as reported to the TGA are predictable and have been observed with many other vaccines. They include headache, muscle pain, fever, chills and injection site reactions.[250] The TGA reviews reports of deaths in people who have recently been vaccinated and as of 22 July 2021[update] found six that were linked to immunisation. These deaths were all related to a first dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine – five had thrombosis with thrombocytopenia syndrome (TTS) and one had immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) out of 6.1 million doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine.[250]
Vaccine hesitancy and messaging
There were calls for a more effective advertising campaign that would go beyond presenting facts that inform,[251] to use of emotion to change people's behaviour to overcome apparent lack of "trust in the government".[252][253] On 23 May 2021 Health Minister Greg Hunt reiterated that a sufficient supply of Pfizer is expected to begin arriving in October, with AMA president Omar Khorshid adding this promised supply means "everyone who wanted it could have both doses by Christmas" of 2021.[254] Nevertheless, government, AMA and ATAGI advice remains for everyone to vaccinate as soon as possible and not to wait, because the (potentially future) risk of community transmission in Australia remains a possibility,[255][254][256] and which until 17 June 2021 over 9 million Australian residents over 50 had to weigh against the 'tiny' risk of death associated with the AstraZeneca vaccine that (according to best data available at the time) was probable to manifest for approximately 9–14 Australians, or approximately 19 Australians according to EMA data.[citation needed]
Health Minister Greg Hunt said on 17 June 2021 that the recommended advice from ATAGI was that the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine should be administered only to people aged 60 years and over. The advice also stated that second doses of the Oxford-AstraZeneca were still recommended for those under 60 years of age. Everyone under 60 would be offered the Pfizer vaccine. Hunt stated that about 815,000 Australians between ages 50 and 59 had already received a first dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine, with Pfizer now available to the approximately 2.1 million remaining Australians in that age group.[257]
In a survey conducted in June 2021, about 15 percent of respondents not yet vaccinated identified wanting a different vaccine "to what was available to them" as a factor holding them back from getting vaccinated.[258] Since only 18–39 and 60+ year-olds are eligible for one vaccine (i.e., AstraZeneca) but not the other (i.e., Pfizer-BioNTech), making Pfizer-BioNTech available to everyone would obviate one factor holding back vaccination uptake.[259]
National Plan to transition Australia's National COVID-19 Response
On 30 July 2021, the federal government released a revised four-phase plan to transition Australia's National COVID-19 Response from its current pre-vaccination settings, focussing on continued suppression of community transmission, to post-vaccination settings focussed on prevention of serious illness, hospitalisation and fatality, and the public health management of other infectious diseases. The phases transitions are triggered in a jurisdiction when the average vaccination rates across the nation have reached the threshold and that rate is achieved in a jurisdiction expressed as a percentage of the eligible population (16+), based on the scientific modelling conducted for the COVID-19 Risk Analysis and Response Task Force. As of 6 November 2021, Australia is in phase-Three, which is "Vaccination Consolidation Phase".[260][261]
In a statement by the Prime Minister on 30 July 2021, it was announced that the federal governments and all states and territories had agreed in-principle to the updated plan.[262]
There has been no date set for each phase. The percentage fully vaccinated eligible population to transition into the second phase, Phase B, is 70%, and 80% into the third phase, Phase C.[263][260] No target was decided for Phase D instead being sporadically put into effect from 21 February to 6 July when unvaccinated travellers were freely allowed to enter Australia.[264][265]
On 16 November 2021, the percentage of the eligible adult population aged 16 and older fully vaccinated reached 83.9%.[266]
On 23 March 2022, the percentage of the eligible adult population aged 16 and older fully vaccinated reached 95.0%[267]
| Measures may include | Estimated start date | Target percentage of fully vaccinated eligible adult population (16+) [a] | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Phase One - Vaccinate, prepare and pilot | |||
|
1 July 2021 – 19 October 2021 |  Completed
|
Phase Completed |
| Phase Two - Vaccination Transition Phase | |||
|
20 Oct 2021 – 5 Nov 2021 | 70% Completed
|
Phase Completed |
| Phase Three - Vaccination Consolidation Phase | |||
|
6 Nov 2021 – 6 July 2022 | 80% Fully vaccinated
|
Phase Completed |
| Phase Four - Post-Vaccination Phase (Back to Normal) | |||
|
6 July 2022 – present | Completed
|
Phase Completed |
Transition to endemic stage
On 11 October 2021, New South Wales ended the lockdown and became the first jurisdiction in Australia to begin Phase B of the national plan and endemic management of COVID-19.[268] A week later on 18 October restrictions were again relaxed.[269] Victoria and the Australian Capital Territory began a similar staggered easing of restrictions from mid-October ultimately culminating with all three jurisdictions ending international travel quarantine, density restrictions along with COVID-19 close contact and isolation rules being reduced throughout November.[270][271][272][273]
South Australia, Tasmania, Queensland and the Northern Territory managed to remain in a state of COVID-19 elimination (albeit the later two suffering minor controlled outbreaks in the week before opening) prior to their transition to 'living with COVID' and thus voluntarily introduced COVID-19 into the community to allow for resumption of domestic and international travel.[274][275][276][277]
In December the arrival of the Omicron variant prompted states to return to low-level restrictions such as mask wearing and hospitality density limits with even COVID-free Western Australia introducing restrictions to fight small scale outbreaks.[278][279] However, due to the shear number of people being infected with COVID-19, the rules for people exposed to COVID-19 was significantly reduced to alleviate worker shortages.[280] Queensland's Chief Health Officer John Gerrard stated that spreading COVID-19 was "necessary" in order to transition from the "pandemic stage to an endemic stage", noting that measures in place were intended to reduce strain on hospitals and buy time for booster shots.[281][282]
Western Australia delayed its transition from COVID-zero on 20 January 2022 citing the risk from the Omicron variant.[283] However a significant COVID outbreak in February made the government re-open the border after modelling showed that it would have little impact on the cases of COVID-19 due to the outbreak being uncontrolled.[284]
Lifting measures
On 1 January, former Australian Deputy Chief Medical Officer Nick Coatsworth who served in the first year of the pandemic, declared that 2022 would be the year the pandemic ended in Australia as restrictions eased and immunity built up throughout the year.[285]
Restrictions began slowly easing all across Australia throughout 2022 with Victoria and New South Wales returning to pre-omicron restrictions from February 2022.[286] Other jurisdictions followed suit shortly after in easing rules such as mask mandates.[287] South Australia dropped its overtly harsh close contact 14 day isolation requirement in March following the election of Peter Malinauskas. The definition of close contact was changed from 15 minutes with a COVID-19 case to the nationally defined 4 hours[288] On 25 March 2022, the Minister for Health Greg Hunt announced that the Biosecurity Emergency Determination, as well as pre-flight COVID-19 tests for international arrivals would end on 17 April.[181][289] Close contact 7-day isolation was dropped in most states from mid April with the rule replaced with 7 days of mask wearing and testing throughout the week.[290] In late April Western Australia brought COVID-19 restrictions in line with the rest of the country with close contacts only required to wear a mask for 7 days, while mask mandates were dropped in all settings except public/private transport and healthcare settings.[291] In June Australian health officials agreed to end the mask mandate in airport terminals but not on aircraft.[84]
On 2 July, as COVID-19 cases began increasing due to the colder months, it was revealed that Australian health officials were discussing the return of the indoor mask mandate.[292] This ultimately never came to fruition. In mid-July, New South Wales Premier Dominic Perrottet pushed for COVID-19 isolation requirements to be dropped all together or at least reduced to 5 days. This was rejected due to the ongoing winter wave.[293] On 9 September restrictions again began relaxing. The mask mandate on aircraft was scrapped nationwide and Western Australia ended the mask mandate on passenger transport. At the same time the isolation time for COVID-19 cases was reduced to 5 days.[85] 9 September was also the last day cases were reported daily in Australia as the country transitioned to weekly reporting instead.[294] On 14 September, COVID-19 disaster payment for people who had to isolate due to COVID-19 was extended so long as isolating was mandated by the government.[295] South Australia, New South Wales, Queensland all ended the mask mandate on passenger transport on 21 September. Victoria ended the mandate on 22 September after it had been in place since June 2020.[86]
On 30 September, all Australian leaders declared the emergency response finished and announced the end of the requirement for people to isolate from 14 October if they had COVID-19. This was due in part due to high levels of 'hybrid immunity' and very low case numbers.[296] For all legal intents and purposes, the pandemic was declared over.[297][non-primary source needed] Victoria ended its pandemic declaration on 13 October and testing was as a result also scaled back, as Rapid Antigen Tests would no longer need to be reported in Victoria, and also New South Wales.[87]
On 1 November Queensland's state of emergency was left to expire and the last restrictions were removed, however a recommendation 'traffic light' system was introduced to advise Queenslanders on when it was recommended to isolate for COVID-19 or when they were advised to wear a mask.[88] Western Australia let its state of emergency expire on 4 November and also ended the last restrictions.[89] The Northern Territory ended the last post-emergency directions on 11 November.[90] South Australia allowed the remaining public health directions to expire on 23 November.[91] New South Wales ended its state public health emergency on 30 November.[92] The last COVID-19 restriction in Australia was ended on 28 December with the Australian Capital Territory repealing its COVID-19 management direction, used just for enforcing test reporting.[298]
Post pandemic
In the winter of 2023, for the first time since before the pandemic, other viral diseases such as influenza and respiratory syncytial virus were more prevalent in the community and hospitals.[299] Queensland as a result, dropped its traffic light system which had been on green and not recommending mask wearing anywhere for several months.[94] Cost of living pressures and the fatigue caused by the pandemic were blamed on low influenza vaccination uptake in 2023.[300]
Impacts
Arts
Before the crisis, 600,000 Australians were employed in the arts, an industry which added around A$3.2 billion to export revenues. The rate of employment in the sector grew at a faster rate than the rest of the economy.[301] According to government figures, "cultural and creative activity contributed to A$112 billion (6.4% of GDP) to Australia's economy in 2016–17".[302]
Beginning in the second week of March 2020, Australian institutions began announcing reduced services, and then complete closures.[303] One of the first casualties was the Melbourne International Comedy Festival, with organisers announcing on 13 March 2020 that the 2020 festival had been cancelled entirely.[304] Opera Australia announced it would close on 15 March.[305] The national closure of all cultural institutions was mandated on 24 March, with subsequent restrictions on public gatherings. Consequently, many cultural events were also cancelled, including the Sydney Writers' Festival.[306] According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, by the beginning of April, "Arts and Recreation services" was the sector of the national economy with the smallest proportion of its business still in operation—at 47%.[307] A graph in Guardian Australia showing businesses by sector that had ceased trading between June 2019 and 30 March 2020 shows over 50% of arts and recreation services, the hardest hit of any sector (information media and telecommunications is next, at about 34%).[308] Adrian Collette, CEO of the Australia Council for the Arts, the government's arts funding and advisory body, described the impact on the cultural and creative sectors as "catastrophic".[309]
The Australian film industry has been severely impacted, with at least 60 shoots being halted and about 20,000 people out of work.[310] On Monday 23 March, all productions funded by Screen Australia were postponed.[311] As of 15 April 2020[update], after some improvement in COVID-19 statistics in Australia, Screen Australia continues to fund work and process applications, intending to use all of its 2019–20 budget.[312] Film industry organisations such as Screen Producers Australia (SPA) and the Media, Entertainment and Arts Alliance (MEAA) have been lobbying the government for a support package specific to the screen industry, and to expand the JobKeeper requirements so that those in the screen industry are better covered. Many in the film industry are employed by Special-purpose entities—temporary companies that cease trading once production has finished—which cannot easily prove that their turnover has fallen by 30% or more.[313] SPA said that the industry shutdown had cost more than A$500 million, with about A$20 million of lost export revenue.[314]
One hundred and nineteen films and TV shows have been halted, with only a few shows (such as MasterChef Australia and Shaun Micallef's Mad as Hell) continuing production through the pandemic. The TV soap Neighbours was the first English-language TV drama series in the world to announce that resumption of production would begin soon after 20 April 2020.[314]
Like other governments around the world, the Australian government has acknowledged the economic, cultural and social value of the arts industry.[301][302] The Australia Council has redirected about A$5 million to "new programs designed to provide immediate relief to Australian artists, arts workers and arts organisations to support their livelihoods, practice and operations during the COVID-19 pandemic" (the "Resilience Fund"[315]), and is also hosting weekly meetings to address the concerns of specific sections of the industry, such as Indigenous creatives and organisations, live performance and public gatherings, and various peak bodies.[309] Several state governments have also provided relief packages.[301]
In early April, the federal government announced a package of A$27 million in specific arts funding: A$7 million for the Indigenous Visual Arts Industry Support program, A$10 million for Regional Arts Australia's regional arts fund, and A$10 million for Support Act,[316] a charity founded in 1997[317] that provides financial support and counselling to people in the music industry in Australia.[316] However, the "JobKeeper" scheme specifically excluded "freelancers and casuals on short-term contracts, or who have worked for a series of employers in the last year", thus excluding a large proportion of arts and cultural sector professionals, who rely on short-term contracts.[307][318][319]
However, most of the arts sector's more than 193,000 workers were still unable to access the JobKeeper payments, despite being defined as sole traders, and an estimated A$330 million worth of paid performances cancelled. The Australia Institute recommended a A$750 million rescue package for the industry, while Arts Minister Paul Fletcher said that arts workers should utilise existing support measures.[320]
On 4 May 2020, the company operating the Carriageworks multi-arts venue in Sydney declared it would be entering voluntary administration and closing, citing an "irreparable loss of income" due to government bans on events during the COVID-19 pandemic and the consequent negative impact on the arts sector.[321][322] Carriageworks was the first major arts venue in the country to collapse suddenly after the hit to income caused by the strict social distancing rules enforced by state and federal governments, but others feared the same fate, after being forced to shut their doors in late March.[323]
On 13 May 2020, the Art Gallery of South Australia announced that it would reopen on 8 June.[324]
On 24 June 2020, the federal government announced a $250 million rescue package for the arts, comprising grants and loans. The package includes $75m for a grants program for new festivals, concerts, tours and events; $90m in loans to help fund new productions; $50m to help film and television producers unable to access insurance due to the pandemic, to enable them to restart production; and $35 million in direct financial assistance for struggling Commonwealth-funded organisations, including theatre, dance, music and circus. The Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) welcomed the boost, but critics said that it was not nearly enough, especially with so many workers in the industry still ineligible for JobKeeper payments.[325][326]
Economic
On 3 March 2020, the Reserve Bank of Australia became the first central bank to cut interest rates in response to the outbreak. Official interest rates were cut by 0.25% to a record low of 0.5%.[328]
On 12 March, the federal government announced a planned A$17.6 billion stimulus package.[329][330] The package consists of multiple parts: a one-off payment to pensioners, social security recipients, veteran and other income support recipients and eligible concession card holders, payments of A$2,000–A$25,000 to affected small businesses, an increase to the threshold for the Instant Asset Write-off Program, tax concessions for investments, a small business 50% wage subsidy for 120,000 trainees and apprentices, and A$1 billion in subsidies for heavily affected industries.[329][331]
On 17 March, the New South Wales government announced a A$2.3 billion stimulus package, including A$700 million for health services. A$450 million was allocated to waive payroll tax for 3 months, and $250 million was allocated so state-owned buildings and public schools could employ more cleaners. Seven hundred and fifty million dollars was allocated for capital works and public asset maintenance.[332]
On 18 March, the Northern Territory government announced an economic stimulus package of A$60 million.[333]
On 19 March, the Reserve Bank again cut interest rates by a further 0.25%, from 0.5% to 0.25%, the lowest in Australian history.[334]
In March 2020, the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) began releasing a number of additional statistical products to assess the economic impacts on the outbreak on the Australian economy. Data on retail trade turnover indicated a 0.4% rise in turnover in February 2020. Negative effects on some areas of the retail sector (particularly tourism-dependent businesses) were offset by a rise in food retail turnover, with supermarkets showing a large rise in sales,[335] mainly arising from panic buying.
On 22 March, the Federal government announced a second stimulus package of A$66 billion, increasing the amount of total financial package offered to A$89 billion. This included several new measures like an extra A$550 'Coronavirus Supplement' payment to those on income support, paid from 27 April to 24 September 2020,[336] and relaxed eligibility criteria for individuals on JobSeeker Payment, granting A$100,000 to small and medium-sized businesses and A$715 million to Australian airports and airlines. It also allowed individuals affected by the outbreak to access up to A$10,000 of their superannuation during 2019–2020 and also being able to take an additional same amount for the next year.[337]
On 30 March, the Australian Government announced a six-month, A$130 billion JobKeeper payment.[338] The JobKeeper payment provides businesses with up to A$1,500 a fortnight per full-time or part-time employee, or casual employee that has worked for that business for over a year. To be eligible, a business with an annual revenue of under A$1 billion must have lost 30% turnover since 1 March, or 50% for businesses over A$1 billion. The entire payment made to businesses for an employee must then, by law, be paid to that employee in lieu of normal pay.[338] This response came after the enormous job losses seen just a week prior when an estimated 1 million Australians lost their jobs. The program was backdated to 1 March with the aim of re-employing many people who had lost their jobs in the weeks before. In the first hour of the scheme, over 8,000 businesses registered to receive the payments. The program is one of the largest economic packages ever implemented in modern Australian history.[338] JobKeeper ended on 28 March 2021.[339]
On 11 April, the South Australian state government announced its own A$350 million economic stimulus measures.[340]
In late April, the Federal government announced A$94.6 million of support was available for zoos, wildlife parks and aquariums forced to close by coronavirus restrictions. This was part of previously announced economic stimulus measures.[341]
The 2020 Federal Budget, normally delivered in May, was delayed until 6 October because of the COVID-19 pandemic.[342]
On 22 May 2020, the Treasury and Australian Taxation Office announced there had been a miscalculation of A$60 billion in the planned cost of the JobKeeper program. Blaming 1,000 businesses for making "significant errors" on the application form, the Australian Government revealed it had overbudgeted the program, and that it was forecast to cost A$70 billion, not A$130 billion. The Treasury also announced that its original forecast of 6.5 million recipients was inaccurate, and closer to 3.5 million.[343] Prime Minister Scott Morrison celebrated the saving, while the Opposition announced a parliamentary inquiry in an attempt to compel Treasurer Josh Frydenberg to explain the overestimation.[344]
In July 2020, Australian Finance Minister Mathias Cormann, in an interview with the US CNBC news channel, vowed that the government's budget deficit was expected to increase to A$85.8 billion Australian dollars in the financial year ended on 30 June and further widen to A$184.5 billion in the new fiscal year.[345]
On 2 September, the Australian economy went into recession for the first time in nearly thirty years. The country's gross domestic product (GDP) fell 7 per cent in the June quarter.[346][347][348] In December, it was announced Australia had pulled out of recession after experiencing a 3.3% growth in GDP in the September quarter. Treasurer Josh Frydenberg stated the effects of the recession had lasting impacts and the recovery was far from over. Australia is set to avoid an economic depression as forecast earlier in 2020, though GDP is likely to have experienced a contraction from 2019 figures.[349]
The 2020 Australian federal budget, delayed from May, is finally delivered on 6 October.[342]
"Dine and Discover NSW"
On 17 November 2020, the NSW Government announced in the state budget that all NSW residents over 18 years of age would be eligible to receive four A$25 vouchers through Service NSW to help stimulate the economy.[350] Two vouchers are for dining, Monday to Thursday only, excluding public holidays. The other two are to be spent on entertainment, excluding on public holidays.[351] Businesses need to be COVID-safe registered, and sign-up for the scheme. The vouchers cannot be used for gambling, alcohol, cigarettes, retail purchases or accommodation. The program was originally called "Out and About".[350]
Residents will need to have a Service NSW account to receive their vouchers. After trials in Sydney and regional areas, full rollout was scheduled for March.[351] The trials began in Broken Hill, and the Rocks in Sydney on 11 February 2021.[352]
As early as mid-April 2021, the scheme was said by some regional NSW residents to be "city centric'. At this time, the vouchers had been used by less than 10% of the 5 million who can use it. There were calls by NSW opposition political parties for the scheme to be extended beyond its initial 30 June 2021 deadline to use the vouchers.[353] On 9 June 2021, the Dine & Discover scheme was extended by a month to 31 July.[354] The scheme was then extended again to 31 August due to the lockdown in NSW,[355] and then eventually to 30 June 2022.[356] In November 2021, two extra vouchers were granted, one for dining and one for entertainment.[356]
2021
On 22 February 2021, Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced that the JobSeeker Payment base rate would be increased by A$50 a fortnight from April 2021. The payment will rise to A$614 a fortnight, with an estimated cost over forward estimates of A$9 billion. It is also intended to increase the threshold amount recipients can earn before their payment starts to be reduced.[357]
On 26 February 2021, the chief executive of the Australian Airports Association, James Goodwin, said that Australian airports had been losing A$320 million every month during the COVID-19 pandemic. He also said over the past 12 months, job losses amounted to 25 per cent of the airports' workforce.[358]
On 10 March 2021, the Federal Government announced steps worth A$1.2 billion to encourage Australians to holiday within Australia to assist ailing tourist destinations. Between April and July, up to 800,000 airfares to 13 regions normally favoured by international tourists will be halved for domestic travellers.[359]
On 3 June 2021, the Federal Government announced that people who lose work as a result of lockdowns, of at least 7 days' length, may be eligible for a A$325 or A$500 per week Temporary COVID Disaster Payment. To be eligible:[360]
- Person must be older than 17
- Live/ work in a Commonwealth defined hot-spot
- Have less than A$10,000 liquid assets
- Would have worked except for lockdown, and,
- Will lose income due to lockdown
- Can't access special pandemic or sick leave, or,
- Have used it up
Those on other types of income support from the Commonwealth, like JobSeeker, are ineligible.[360]
To get the full A$500 payment, the lost work must be at least 20 hours. If the lost work is under 20 hours, the payment is $325.[360]
Victoria announced A$30 million of financial support on 7 June 2021 for residents "locked out of work" by COVID lockdowns. The Victorian government also extended it emergency "hardship support payment" to October. This helps those on temporary or provisional visas who are not able get income from the Commonwealth.[361]
Employment
The pandemic had significant negative effect on the Australian labour market.[362] In July 2019, unemployment was 5.1%, by July 2020 it peaked at 7.5%, during the pandemic, by the end of 2020 it had fallen to 6.6%.[363] Figures for February to March 2021, released in April, showed unemployment had reduced to 5.8%,[364] 0.4 points higher than at the start to the pandemic.[365]
Agricultural worker shortage
In September 2020, a report from Ernst & Young stated that pandemic related border restrictions could result in a shortfall of 26,000 pickers over Australia's summer harvest season. Such work is typically reliant on seasonal staff from overseas.[366] As a trial in early September 2020, 160 workers from Vanuatu were allowed into the Northern Territory (NT) to pick mangoes. They arrived on a specially chartered aircraft, and had to undergo the usual 14-day quarantine.[367] It was estimated that the Vanuatuan workers saved A$100 million of fruit from the NT mango harvest being left to rot.[368] The mango industry in the NT was valued at more than A$128 million in 2019, and produces more than half of Australia's mangoes.[367]
On 30 September 2020, PM Scott Morrison announced that: "backpackers, Pacific Islanders and seasonal workers will be able to extend their visas to stay in Australia" and "welfare recipients will be offered incentives to pick fruit."[369]
In late October 2020, some farmers found that they had to plough their produce back into the ground because it could not be harvested, at a loss of A$150,000.[370]
The "Relocation Assistance to Take Up a Job" (RATTUAJ) program, scheduled to run from 1 November 2020 to 31 December 2021, offered A$6,000 for transport, moving expenses, accommodation and work clothing for welfare recipients willing to relocate to a regional area for a minimum of 6 weeks for short term agricultural jobs.[371] Up to early December 2020, the relocation incentives for unemployed Australians appeared to be failing. After operating for a month, Federal Department of Employment figures showed only 148 people had taken up the offer.[372]
Shortage of workers for harvesting can not only mean unpicked produce being left to rot or be ploughed back into fields, and farmers possibly not planting the next year, it creates an economic loss to those farmers,[370] and can also noticeably increase prices for consumers.[373]
To encourage potential workers to return to Australia, on 19 January 2022, the Australian Government offered to repay visa fees, about A$600, to backpackers on working holiday-maker visas, who come to Australia in the following 12 weeks, and to international students who arrive within the following 8 weeks. There are about 23,000 backpackers and 150,000 students who have a visa but are not in Australia.[374]
Health
- Influenza
In 2020, due to international travel restrictions, social distancing and lockdowns because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the rate of influenza in Australia, and deaths from it, were at "record lows". In mid-June 2021 the flu was said to be almost non-existent. In May 2019 there were over 30,000 cases, in May 2021, only 71.[375] Professor Ian Barr of the Peter Doherty Institute remarked that influenza was "either eradicated, or it's at such low levels we're having trouble detecting it."[375] 2019 in Australia was particularly bad with 800 flu deaths, below 40 in 2020, and no reported deaths as of June 2021.[375]
In a March 2022 statement, the ATAGI noted that they expect a resurgence in influenza for the 2022 flu season due to the opening of borders.[376]
- Health checks
On 4 February 2021, World Cancer Day, the government organisation Cancer Australia said that in 2020 between January and September, there were nearly 150,000 less diagnostic tests for cancer performed, compared to the same period in 2019.[377]
In August 2021, breast cancer screening appointments were being cancelled by BreastScreen NSW due to the lockdown in Sydney that began in late June. Some nurses were retasked to pandemic response, leading to some screening clinics and mobile clinics being closed.[378]
Indigenous Australians
Aboriginal Australians and Torres Strait Islanders have poorer health outcomes and a lower life expectancy than the non-Indigenous Australian population, particularly those living in remote areas, which, along with overcrowded housing, makes them one of the communities most vulnerable to the virus.[379][380][381] The remote Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara (APY lands) in South Australia, whose population has many comorbidities, high rates of tobacco use, overcrowded housing and overall poor hygiene, introduced restricted access to the lands in early March to protect their people, especially elders, from the virus.[382] The Minister for Indigenous Australians, Ken Wyatt, said it was a sensible move, and that the federal government would work with them.[383] (A later call to evacuate elders to Adelaide by the APY Art Centre Collective was not put into operation.[384])
The federal government set up a national Indigenous advisory group in early March 2020, to create an emergency response plan for Aboriginal communities.[382] The 43-page plan was published in March,[385] and in late March, the Prime Minister that advised that Indigenous Australians over the age of 50 (along with everyone over 70 and those with a chronic illness over 60), should stay at home as much as possible.[386][387] The Department of Health created a web page dedicated to advice for Indigenous people and remote communities,[388] and the National Indigenous Australians Agency has one dedicated to the government's response to COVID-19.[389] On 18 April the NIAA announced a government package of A$123 million of "targeted measures to support Indigenous businesses and communities to increase their responses to COVID-19", for the coming two financial years.[390]
The Northern Territory developed a remote health pandemic plan,[382] with NT Health setting up a number of remote clinics across the Territory.[391] All non-essential travel to 76 remote communities was banned, and a 14-day isolation period imposed for those residents wanting to return home from regional centres, and in May 2020, health officials suggested that these controls should stay in place for the foreseeable future.[392] In mid-March 2020 a group of senior NT clinicians called for 16 measures to be implemented as soon as possible to help protect vulnerable communities.[393] Other states and territories have provided advice on their health agency websites.[394][395][396]
In May 2020 a group of Paakantyi families set up a tent town on the banks of the Darling River near Wilcannia in New South Wales, to escape the threat of the disease from overcrowded accommodation in the town.[397]
In late August 2021 a man in his 50s who died at Dubbo Hospital, is believed to be the first Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander COVID-19 related death. He was not vaccinated.[63] By 7 September 2021, there had been 2 more deaths of indigenous Australians, who were also not vaccinated.[398]
Medication supply
The pandemic created shortages of some medications since it began, initially related to panic buying. The most commonly used antidepressant in Australia, sertraline, is one of many such as the brand Zoloft, that have been affected by a global shortage. Olmesartan[399] and irbesartan, both blood pressure medications were short in Australia as were hormone replacement therapy (HRT) patches[399] and carbimazole,[400] a thyroid medication.[401] As of February 2021 the contraceptive pill "Norimin" (norethisterone) was hard for pharmacists to acquire, supply had been intermittent for 6–12 months.[401] Shortages of Norimin and Ethinylestradiol/norethisterone, both Pfizer products, were reported in August 2020 and first predicted to last until December 2020, the shortage was then expected by the TGA "to be resolved in March or April 2021".[402] In the case of sertraline a Serious Shortage Substitution Notice (SSSN) was issued by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA).[403] SSSNs were also issued in Australia for Prazosin (blood pressure), Metformin (diabetes), and Estrogen path (HRT),[399] which in theory allows substitutions like issuing twice the number of 25-milligram (0.39 gr) tablets in place of the prescribed 50-milligram (0.77 gr) tablets, without a new prescription, but with the patients' consent. Chris Moy, Vice President of the Australian Medical Association (AMA) said medicine shortages in Australia were a "pre-existing problem" before COVID-19.[401][404]
I think somewhere in the order of 89 percent of all day-to-day prescription medications are supplied from overseas; they often say 'patented in Australia' but they are actually made overseas.
— Chris Moy, Vice President of the AMA[401]
Moy also said "A lot of our medications are made in China and India. Sovereign capability and protecting supply of our medications is something that should be seriously considered."[401]
The TGA gave short-term approval for the import of some medicines that are "not on the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods (ARTG) that are approved for import and supply in Australia because: there is a shortage of a medicine registered in Australia; and the medicine is needed in the interest of public health."[405]
Politics
In 2020, local council elections were impacted by the pandemic. In Victoria candidates could only campaign online.[406] NSW elections due in September were postponed a year.[407]
In 2021, NSW local council elections due on 4 September, already postponed from 2020,[407] were postponed again to 4 December due to a wave of Delta variant infections that caused numerous lockdowns in the state.[408]
On 31 January 2021, Federal politicians flying into Canberra from Western Australia had to quarantine for five days when a sudden lockdown was declared in Perth and two adjoining regions. Federal Parliament was scheduled to resume on 2 February.[409]
On 26 July 2021 it was announced that, from 2 August, Parliament House in Canberra would come under COVID-19 restrictions to "minimise non-essential activity" for the next legislative sitting that day. All public galleries were closed and the general public was unable to enter the building. The number of politicians attending, and their staff, was "substantially reduced" and remote participation technology was used. Physical distancing returned. Use of the Check-in CBR app was extended to all food and beverage venues open under takeaway only restrictions. The restrictions lasted until 3 September.[410][411]
Protests
Throughout 2020 and 2021, several protests against COVID-19 lockdown restrictions were held in several state capitals including Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth and Sydney.[412] In addition, protests were held in February 2021 against the Federal Government's national vaccine programme.[413][23] Police responded to these protests by arresting demonstrators and issuing fines.[414][415][416]
Sport
The major sporting leagues (A-League Men, AFL, AFL Women's, and the National Rugby League) initially stated that their 2020 seasons would not be suspended but would continue behind closed doors, with some games being played under those conditions. However, all the leagues were later suspended.[citation needed]
- Athletics
Initially the 2020 Stawell Gift was postponed until later in the year;[417] however, in May it was cancelled entirely for 2020.[418]
- Australian rules football
The 2020 AFL season was initially curtailed to a maximum of 17 games,[419] with clubs expected to take at least a 10% revenue hit from coronavirus related issues.[420] However, on 22 March, just before the end of round 1 of the 2020 season, AFL CEO Gillon McLachlan announced that the AFL season would be suspended until at least 31 May, citing the shutting of state borders as the primary cause for this decision.[421] The AFL season restarted on 11 June, with the Grand Final being played on 24 October at the Gabba in Brisbane, Queensland, the first Grand Final to be held outside Victoria.[422] The 2020 AFL Women's season was cancelled midway through the finals series, with no premiership awarded to any team.[421][423]
- Baseball
The 2020–2021 playoffs were shortened and the 2021–2022 season of the Australian Baseball League was cancelled due to travel restrictions and Victoria being in lockdown, respectively.[citation needed]
- Basketball
The 2020 NBL Finals began with game two, although it was stated that the competition would be immediately suspended if any participants were to be diagnosed.[424] The best of five series was subsequently cancelled after the third game was played with the title awarded to Perth Wildcats.[425]
All second-tier state basketball leagues were either postponed or cancelled.[426]
- Cricket
The remaining two One Day Internationals between Australia and New Zealand in March 2020 were cancelled, and the first match was played without spectators.[427] Cricket Australia also cancelled the Australian women's cricket team's tour of South Africa due to the virus.[428]
- Motorsports
The first major sporting event in Australia to be affected was the 2020 Australian Grand Prix, which was cancelled on 13 March 2020 after McLaren withdrew when a team member tested positive for COVID-19.[429] This was also enforced on the support races which included the 2020 Melbourne 400, which was the second round of the 2020 Supercars Championship to be cancelled.[430] The 2021 Australian Grand Prix was postponed from its original March date to November to allow for the easing of travel restrictions. On 6 July 2021, it was cancelled for the second consecutive year due to "restrictions and logistical challenges" related to the pandemic.[431][432]
- Rugby league
Following the implementation of travel restrictions by New Zealand,[433] the Australian Rugby League Commission (ARLC) announced that the New Zealand Warriors would be based in Australia for the foreseeable future.[434] The 2020 season was suspended indefinitely on 23 March.[435] Chairman of the ARLC Peter V'landys requested a government bailout for the National Rugby League, a request that was struck down,[436] and caused a considerable negative reaction.[437][438]
On 22 April 2020, the NRL announced that they planned for the season to restart on 28 May, with training beginning on 4 May,[439] and has planned for 18 rounds (giving a 20-round season) and a State of Origin series, with the Grand Final rescheduled for 25 October.[440]
The NRL season recommenced on 28 May 2020 with a round 3 game played in Brisbane between the Brisbane Broncos and Parramatta Eels.[441] The match was played behind closed doors without any crowd, although the broadcasters (Channel 9 and Fox Sports) used fake crowd noise during the broadcast.[442] The return match rated highly on TV as it was the first TV match of a team sport in Australia for 8 weeks.[443] The Grand Final was played in front of a limited crowd on 25 October at ANZ Stadium.[citation needed]
The 2020 State of Origin series took place after the NRL season, with Game 3 holding a capacity crowd at Brisbane's Suncorp Stadium.[citation needed]
- Rugby union
The 2020 Super Rugby season was suspended following the conclusion of play on 15 March 2020, due to the outbreak and the imposition of mandatory quarantine for international travellers to New Zealand.[444]
- Soccer
In 2020, the A-League initially announced a continuation of the league with the Wellington Phoenix FC being based in Australia;[445] however, on 24 March 2020, suspended the remaining matches indefinitely.[446] On 17 July, the season resumed in a NSW-based hub, where the season finished with the Grand Final occurring at Bankwest Stadium on 30 August in front of a limited crowd.[447]
- Yacht racing
The 2020 Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race was cancelled on 19 December due to an outbreak in the Greater Sydney region.[448]
Tourism
Economic modelling in May 2020 by Tourism Research Australia predicted that the domestic tourism industry would drop in value from A$138 billion to $83 billion.[449]
Travel restrictions
On 2 October 2020, Prime Minister Morrison announced that the Australian Government had formalised a deal allowing New Zealanders "one-way quarantine-free travel" into New South Wales and the Northern Territory from 16 October as part of initial steps to establish a "travel bubble" between the two countries. However, New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has ruled out extending reciprocal "quarantine-free travel" for Australians in order to contain the spread of COVID-19 into New Zealand.[450][451]
On 17 October 2020, Stuff reported that 17 New Zealanders who had entered New South Wales traveled to Melbourne despite Victoria not being a party to the travel bubble arrangement with New Zealand. The Victorian Department of Health and Human Services confirmed the arrival of the group but stated that it did not have the authority to detain them.[452] In response, Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews threatened to close his state's borders unless the Australian Federal Government blocked travellers using the Trans-Tasman bubble from traveling to Victoria. The Federal Government has disagreed with the Victorian Government's stance. In addition, New South Wales Premier Gladys Berejiklian announced that her government would not prevent New Zealand passengers from travelling to Victoria.[453]
On 11 December 2020, the Premier of Queensland Annastacia Palaszczuk announced that her state would open its borders to travelers from New Zealand from 1:00 am the following day (12 December), exempting them from quarantine restrictions.[454]
On 14 December 2020, the New Zealand Prime Minister Ardern announced that the New Zealand Government had approved plans to establish a quarantine free travel bubble with Australia in the first quarter of 2021. Australian Health Minister Greg Hunt welcomed the move, describing it as the "first step" in normalising international travel and reiterated the Australian Government's support for measures to establish the travel bubble.[455][456]
On 25 January 2021, the Federal government immediately suspended the ability of New Zealanders to travel to Australia that they had since 16 October 2020, without quarantining, for at least 72 hours. This followed the discovery of a NZ resident with the SARS-CoV-2 Beta variant. The woman was not known to be infectious, having twice tested negative to COVID-19 before leaving quarantine, then visited many places in northern NZ, but she was then found to have the new strain.[457]
On 19 April 2021, Australians were allowed quarantine-free travel to New Zealand for the first time in more than a year. To fly under the bubble's rules, passengers must have spent 14 days before departure in either Australia or New Zealand; however, they are not required to spend the full 14-day period or more in the other country, i.e. a person has spent at least 14 days in Australia, flies to New Zealand and returns to Australia after 7 days.[458] They must not be awaiting the results of a COVID-19 test, nor have any COVID-19 symptoms, amongst other criteria.[459]
Geo-tracking app
In late August 2021, the state of South Australia launched an app with facial recognition software that Australians subject to mandatory 14-day quarantines could opt to use in lieu of being quarantined at a hotel under police guard.[460] The app randomly prompted users to take a picture of their face and submit geo-location data within 15 minutes of the prompt to prove to the South Australian government that the user was in an approved location.[461] Users who refuse to comply or who fail to respond to a prompt within 15 minutes are checked on by local police and may be subject to fines.[460][461][462]
Demand for investigation
On 19 April 2020, Australia questioned China's handling of the pandemic, questioned the transparency of its disclosures, and demanded an international investigation into the origins of the virus and its spread.[463] The Chinese Ambassador Cheng Jingye, in a rare breach of diplomatic protocol, leaked details of his telephone conversation with Frances Adamson, Secretary of Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, on the embassy website.[464] He warned that the demand for an inquiry could result in a consumer boycott of students and tourists visiting Australia, and could affect sales of major exports.[465] A trade dispute involving improperly labelled beef and barley dumping ensued, which seriously affected Australian exports.[466] On 26 August 2020, China's deputy ambassador to Australia, Wang Xining, expressed that Australia's co-proposal for an independent investigation into the causes of the pandemic "hurts the feelings of the Chinese people" during his address to the National Press Club of Australia.[467][468]
Event cancellations
Numerous events in 2020 and 2021 were cancelled, rescheduled, postponed, reduced in size, or had their location changed. Some went to an online or streaming format. In 2021, events such as Skyfire, regional agricultural shows, and music festivals (Byron Bay Bluesfest and Groovin' the Moo)[469][470] were cancelled for the second year. By 16 January 2021, twenty regional town shows scheduled for January or February 2021 had been postponed or cancelled in New South Wales alone.[471] Many subsequent events were cancelled in 2021 and into early 2022 with the emergence of the Omicron variant.[472]
- The World Surf League cancelled all events in March 2020.[428]
- All Anzac Day marches in 2020 were cancelled.[473] In 2021, most major state marches went ahead, some states as per pre-pandemic, but most with ticketing and/or restrictions on numbers marching and watching. Overseas services were not held.[474][475][476] On 24 April 2021, Perth city and the Peel region entered a sudden 3-day COVID-19 lockdown, and Anzac Day services in the affected areas were cancelled.[477]
- The Australian Border Force suspended all deportations to New Zealand between 16 and 30 March 2020.[478]
- National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) tests for 2020 were cancelled on 20 March.[479]
- The national regional touring music festival Groovin' the Moo announced on 17 March that the 2020 festival was cancelled whilst confirming dates for 2021.[480] On 4 February 2021, that year's festival was also "postponed".[470]
- Many music events were cancelled, including tours by Jimmy Barnes, Harry Styles, and Rod Stewart. Other cancelled events include Full Tilt Adelaide, Grapevine Gathering, HomeBrewed Festival, and Rainbow Spirit Festival, with many more events postponed.[472]
See also
- Timeline of the COVID-19 pandemic in Australia
- COVID-19 vaccination in Australia
- COVID-19 protests in Australia
- COVID-19 clusters in Australia
- Chart of COVID-19 cases in Australia (template)
- COVID-19 pandemic by country and territory
- COVID-19 pandemic in Oceania
- COVID-19 pandemic in New Zealand
- Biosecurity in Australia
- National Cabinet (Australia)
- National COVID-19 Commission Advisory Board
- National Security Committee (Australia)
- Coronavirus Australia
- Xenophobia and racism related to the COVID-19 pandemic#Australia
State and territory articles
- COVID-19 pandemic in the Australian Capital Territory
- COVID-19 pandemic in New South Wales
- COVID-19 pandemic in the Northern Territory
- COVID-19 pandemic in Queensland
- COVID-19 pandemic in South Australia
- COVID-19 pandemic in Tasmania
- COVID-19 pandemic in Victoria
- COVID-19 pandemic in Western Australia
.svg){kind=small}
Notes
- ^ Phase progression depends upon the achievement of the threshold of certain vaccination percentage, scientific modelling of vaccination threshold is completed at Doherty Institute
References
- ^ a b c d Mathieu, Edouard; Ritchie, Hannah; Rodés-Guirao, Lucas; Appel, Cameron; Giattino, Charlie; Hasell, Joe; Macdonald, Bobbie; Dattani, Saloni; Beltekian, Diana; Ortiz-Ospina, Esteban; Roser, Max (2020–2024). "Coronavirus Pandemic (COVID-19)". Our World in Data. Retrieved 17 November 2024.
- ^ a b c d e f g h "Coronavirus (COVID-19) current situation and case numbers". health.gov.au. Australian Department of Health. 31 July 2021. Retrieved 1 August 2021. (NB: The data on this site changes daily.)
- ^ Macali, Anthony. "Daily Positive Test Rate in Australia - COVID LIVE". covidlive.com.au. Retrieved 10 January 2022.
- ^ a b "First confirmed case of novel coronavirus in Australia". Australian Government Department of Health. 25 January 2020. Archived from the original on 15 February 2020. Retrieved 3 March 2020.
- ^ Mathieu, Edouard; Ritchie, Hannah; Rodés-Guirao, Lucas; Appel, Cameron; Giattino, Charlie; Hasell, Joe; Macdonald, Bobbie; Dattani, Saloni; Beltekian, Diana; Ortiz-Ospina, Esteban; Roser, Max (5 March 2020). "Coronavirus Pandemic (COVID-19)". Our World in Data.
- ^ a b Burke, Kelly (19 March 2020). "Australia closes borders to stop coronavirus". Seven News. Archived from the original on 19 March 2020. Retrieved 19 March 2020.
- ^ a b Schneiders, Ben (3 July 2020). "How hotel quarantine let COVID-19 out of the bag in Victoria". The Age. Retrieved 5 January 2021.
- ^ Marshall, Candice (1 December 2020). "Updates: A state by state guide to border closures and travel restrictions". Escape.com.au. Retrieved 6 December 2020.
- ^ "Borders across Australia close in the face of the Victorian COVID-19 outbreak. This is where you can travel". ABC News. 12 February 2021. Retrieved 22 February 2021.
- ^ "Australia's social distancing rules have been enhanced to slow coronavirus – here's how they work". ABC. 21 March 2020. Archived from the original on 21 March 2020. Retrieved 22 March 2020.
- ^ a b Knaus, Christopher; Wahlquist, Calla; Remeikis, Amy (22 March 2020). "Australia coronavirus updates live: NSW and Victoria to shut down non-essential services". The Guardian Australia. Archived from the original on 22 March 2020. Retrieved 22 March 2020.
- ^ "Restrictions on non-essential services". business.gov.au. 3 April 2020. Retrieved 20 April 2020.
- ^ a b Group of Eight (Australian universities) (April 2020). A Roadmap to Recovery -- A Report for the Nation (PDF) (Report).
- ^ a b Osborne, Paul (24 July 2020). "Main points from national cabinet meeting". The Canberra Times. Retrieved 6 December 2020.
- ^ a b c "Fortress Australia's COVID-19 breaches expose economic shortcomings". Reuters. 2 July 2021. Retrieved 16 July 2021.
- ^ Butt, Craig (27 October 2020). "Ten graphs that show the rise and fall of Victoria's COVID-19-second wave". The Age. Retrieved 5 November 2020.
- ^ Mercer, Phil (26 October 2020). "Covid: Melbourne's hard-won success after a marathon lockdown". BBC News. Retrieved 6 December 2020.
- ^ "How Victoria's coronavirus response became a public health 'bushfire' with a second-wave lockdown". ABC News (Australia). 11 July 2020. Retrieved 11 July 2020.
- ^ Towell, Noel; Mills, Tammy (18 August 2020). "Family of four staying at Rydges seeded 90% of second-wave COVID cases". The Age. Retrieved 20 August 2020.
- ^ Daniel Andrews–Premier (26 October 2020). Statement From The Premier. premier.vic.gov.au. Retrieved 3 February 2021.
- ^ a b "When will I get a COVID-19 vaccine?". www.health.gov.au. Federal Department of Health. 21 February 2021. Retrieved 21 February 2021.
- ^ a b c Dye, Josh; Clun, Rachel (21 February 2021). "COVID-19 vaccines begin as Prime Minister receives Pfizer immunisation". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 21 February 2021.
- ^ Pearlman, Jonathan (29 June 2021). "Almost half of Aussie population under lockdown". The Straits Times. Retrieved 16 July 2021.
- ^ "Australia's COVID-19 vaccine rollout – the forecast vs reality". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 1 May 2021. Retrieved 16 July 2021.
- ^ "National Plan to transition Australia's National COVID Response". www.pmc.gov.au. Retrieved 14 October 2022.
- ^ Pearlman, Jonathan (29 June 2021). "Almost half of Aussie population under lockdown". The Straits Times. Retrieved 16 July 2021.
- ^ Klein, Alice. "Covid-19: Lockdown not enough to stop Australia's delta variant crisis". New Scientist. Retrieved 22 August 2021.
- ^ "Has the Delta variant of Covid-19 curbed the effectiveness of lockdowns?". South China Morning Post. 21 July 2021. Retrieved 22 August 2021.
- ^ "Covid: Australians desperate for tests amid Omicron surge". BBC News. 4 January 2022. Retrieved 4 January 2022.
- ^ a b Ben Westcott and Caitlin McGee (15 December 2021). "Australia moves to lift Covid-19 restrictions amid surge in Omicron infections". CNN. Retrieved 4 January 2022.
- ^ "AMA slams scrapping of COVID isolation, saying those behind push 'not scientifically literate'". ABC News. 30 September 2022. Retrieved 14 October 2022.
- ^ "AHPPC statement – End of COVID-19 emergency response". Australian Government: Department of Health and Aged Care. 20 October 2023. Retrieved 5 June 2024.
- ^ Elsevier. "Novel Coronavirus Information Center". Elsevier Connect. Archived from the original on 30 January 2020. Retrieved 15 March 2020.
- ^ Reynolds, Matt (4 March 2020). "What is coronavirus and how close is it to becoming a pandemic?". Wired UK. ISSN 1357-0978. Archived from the original on 5 March 2020. Retrieved 5 March 2020.
- ^ "COVID-19 Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) Global research and innovation forum". World Health Organization. Archived from the original on 30 September 2020. Retrieved 25 October 2020.
- ^ "WHO Director-General's opening remarks at the media briefing on COVID-19 - 11 March 2020". World Health Organization. Archived from the original on 25 October 2020. Retrieved 25 October 2020.
- ^ a b "Crunching the numbers for coronavirus". Imperial News. 13 March 2020. Archived from the original on 19 March 2020. Retrieved 15 March 2020.
- ^ "High consequence infectious diseases (HCID); Guidance and information about high consequence infectious diseases and their management in England". GOV.UK. Archived from the original on 3 March 2020. Retrieved 17 March 2020.
- ^ "World Federation Of Societies of Anaesthesiologists – Coronavirus". wfsahq.org. Archived from the original on 12 March 2020. Retrieved 15 March 2020.
- ^ "Australia dodged a COVID-bullet via the Summer Bushfires". 11 December 2020.
- ^ "Coronavirus (COVID-19) at a glance". Australian Government Department of Health. 1 August 2021. Retrieved 3 August 2021. (NB: The data on this site changes daily.)
- ^ Fowler, Michael (6 April 2020). "Australia publishes virus recovery tally". Brisbane Times. Retrieved 19 May 2020.
- ^ Packham, Colin; Coates, Stephen (21 January 2020). "Australia to screen some flights from China, warns coronavirus difficult to stop". CNA. Archived from the original on 21 January 2020. Retrieved 21 January 2020.
- ^ Daoud, Elizabeth (25 January 2020). "First Australian coronavirus case confirmed in Victoria". 7 News.
- ^ Doherty, Ben (25 January 2020). "Coronavirus: three cases in NSW and one in Victoria as infection reaches Australia". The Guardian. Retrieved 25 January 2020.
- ^ Cunningham, Melissa; McCauley, Dana (25 January 2020). "Coronavirus spreads across Australia amid scramble to find more cases". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 25 January 2020.
- ^ Drevikovsky, Janek; Chung, Laura (25 January 2020). "Two probable coronavirus cases in NSW". The Sydney Morning Herald. Archived from the original on 25 January 2020. Retrieved 25 January 2020.
- ^ "Australia records 100th coronavirus case and worldwide death toll passes 4,000". SBS News. 10 March 2020. Retrieved 27 July 2021.
- ^ "Department of Health and Human Services Victoria | Coronavirus update for Victoria - 6 June 2020". dhhs.vic.gov.au. Retrieved 2 July 2020.
- ^ "Victorian coronavirus restrictions tightening as cases continue to increase". ABC News (Australia). 20 June 2020. Retrieved 20 June 2020.
- ^ "WA coronavirus restrictions eased further as Western Australia moves to phase four". ABC News (Australia). 22 June 2020. Retrieved 25 June 2020.
- ^ "Coronavirus update for Victoria - Monday 26 October 2020". Department of Health and Human Services. Victorian Government. Retrieved 26 October 2020.
- ^ a b "Statement From The Premier". Premier of Victoria. Victorian Government. 26 October 2020. Retrieved 26 October 2020.
- ^ "Covid in Australia: Melbourne to exit 112-day lockdown". BBC News. BBC. 26 October 2020. Retrieved 16 February 2021.
- ^ a b "Victoria records two COVID deaths as plan to ease restrictions imminent". ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 30 August 2021. Retrieved 1 September 2021.
- ^ "Victoria records 208 new local cases of COVID-19 and one further death". ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 2 September 2021. Retrieved 3 September 2021.
- ^ Nguyen, Kevin (18 June 2021). "Sydney man contracted COVID-19 during trip to Myer, masks back on public transport". ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 18 June 2021.
- ^ Nguyen, Kevin (25 June 2021). "More than 1 million people in Sydney locked down as 22 new COVID-19 cases confirmed". ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 25 June 2021.
- ^ Cox, Lisa (28 August 2021). "NSW records worst daily Covid total and apologises for booking blunder as ACT defers lockdown decision". The Guardian. Retrieved 29 August 2021.
- ^ "Victoria posts deadliest day, but confident coronavirus easing". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 29 August 2021.
- ^ a b COVID-19 (Coronavirus) statistics. health.nsw.gov.au. NSW Health. 30 August 2021. Retrieved 30 August 2021.
- ^ a b Gregory, Xanthe; Gorman, Mollie; Woodburn, Joanna (30 August 2021). "First Aboriginal COVID death of pandemic linked to Western New South Wales outbreak". ABC Central West. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 1 September 2021.
- ^ "Coronavirus (COVID-19) at a glance – 30 August 2021". www.health.gov.au. Australian Government Department of Health. 31 August 2021. Retrieved 9 September 2021.
- ^ "Victoria Victoria records first coronavirus death in more than a month after woman in 70s caught virus in July". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 30 November 2020. Retrieved 1 September 2021.
- ^ "Melbourne passes Buenos Aires' world record for time spent in COVID-19 lockdown". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 3 October 2021. Retrieved 6 July 2023.
- ^ "Melbourne, after 262 days in lockdown, celebrates a reopening". The New York Times. 22 October 2021. Retrieved 6 July 2023.
- ^ "COVID-19: Sydney exits lockdown after 106 days". Euronews. 11 October 2021. Retrieved 6 July 2023.
- ^ "COVID-19 reopening: All the changes taking effect from November 1st". www.9news.com.au. November 2021.
- ^ "What Queensland's incoming COVID rules mean for you". ABC News. 9 November 2021.
- ^ "Rules for unvaxxed Queenslanders will be enforced into 2022, Premier says". Brisbane Times. 11 November 2021.
- ^ "Australia's first cases of Omicron COVID-19 strain detected in Sydney travellers". ABC News. 28 November 2021. Retrieved 28 November 2021.
- ^ Perera, Alicia (29 November 2021). "COVID-positive repatriation flight arrival to the Northern Territory tests positive to Omicron variant". ABC News. Retrieved 29 November 2021.
- ^ Nguyen, Kevin (29 November 2021). "NSW Health confirms two more Omicron COVID-19 cases in travellers from southern Africa". ABC News. Retrieved 29 November 2021.
- ^ "NSW records fifth case of Omicron COVID-19 variant as two more potential infections investigated". ABC News. 30 November 2021. Retrieved 30 November 2021.
- ^ Gore, Charlotte (3 December 2021). "Omicron variant of COVID-19 detected in the ACT, case has not travelled overseas". ABC News. Retrieved 5 December 2021.
- ^ "Australia's Covid surge in four charts: NSW now has one of world's highest infection rates". The Guardian. 31 December 2021. Retrieved 4 January 2022.
- ^ Howard, Jacqueline; Judd, Bridget (18 January 2022). "Live: Australia records highest daily number of reported COVID deaths". ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 18 January 2022.
- ^ "Coronavirus (COVID-19) at a glance – 22 January 2022". www.health.gov.au. Australian Government Department of Health. 22 January 2022. Retrieved 24 February 2022.
- ^ "Coronavirus (COVID-19) at a glance – 4 February 2022". www.health.gov.au. Australian Government Department of Health. 6 February 2022. Retrieved 24 February 2022.
- ^ "Coronavirus (COVID-19) at a glance – 23 February 2022". www.health.gov.au. Australian Government Department of Health. 23 February 2022. Retrieved 24 February 2022.
- ^ "Covid: Australia's border reopens to international visitors". BBC News. 21 February 2022.
- ^ "Australia's biosecurity emergency pandemic measures to end". 25 March 2022.
- ^ a b "Mask mandate in airports lifts this weekend". Ministerial Media Statements. Retrieved 12 October 2022.
- ^ a b Young, Emma (2 September 2022). "WA public health rules to change as COVID-19 case numbers drop". The Age. Retrieved 12 October 2022.
- ^ a b "Victoria becomes final state to scrap COVID mask rule". 7NEWS. 21 September 2022. Retrieved 12 October 2022.
- ^ a b c "Victoria's COVID-19 pandemic declaration to end next Wednesday night, isolation requirement to lift early". ABC News. 7 October 2022. Retrieved 12 October 2022.
- ^ a b "Queensland introduces COVID-19 traffic light system as pandemic powers end". 9news.com.au. 31 October 2022. Retrieved 31 October 2022.
- ^ a b "Western Australia's COVID-19 state of emergency to end after 963 days". 9news.com.au. 31 October 2022. Retrieved 31 October 2022.
- ^ a b "Revocation of various directions" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on 3 December 2022. Retrieved 3 December 2022.
- ^ a b Legislation, South Australian (22 November 2021). "LZ". South Australian Legislation. Retrieved 3 December 2022.
- ^ a b "Public Health Orders and restrictions - COVID-19 (Coronavirus)". health.nsw.gov.au. Retrieved 3 December 2022.
- ^ Burnside, Niki (23 February 2023). "The ACT is about to drop its final COVID rule — and it says a lot about how Canberrans have handled the pandemic". ABC News. Retrieved 27 July 2023.
- ^ a b Miller, Anne (23 June 2023). "Qld Dumps COVID 'Traffic Lights'". southburnett.com.au. Retrieved 27 July 2023.
- ^ "Coronavirus (COVID-19) case numbers and statistics". Australian Government Department of Health. Australian Government Department of Health. 22 January 2022. Retrieved 23 January 2022.
- ^ "ACT COVID-19 statistics". www.covid19.act.gov.au/updates. Chief Minister, Treasury and Economic Development (ACT). 29 October 2021. Retrieved 11 October 2021.
- ^ Macali, Anthony. "Daily Tests Conducted and Results in ACT". covidlive.com.au. Retrieved 29 October 2021.
- ^ "COVID-19 in NSW". www.health.nsw.gov.au. NSW Health. 10 October 2021. Retrieved 11 October 2021.
- ^ "Find the facts about COVID-19". www.health.nsw.gov.au. NSW Health. 10 October 2021. Retrieved 11 October 2021.
- ^ "Current status". coronavirus.nt.gov.au. 5 December 2021. Retrieved 5 December 2021.
- ^ "Queensland COVID-19 statistics". www.qld.gov.au. 11 October 2021. Retrieved 11 October 2021.
- ^ "Dashboard and daily update". www.covid-19.sa.gov.au. 11 October 2021. Retrieved 11 October 2021.
- ^ "Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) - Cases and testing updates". www.coronavirus.tas.gov.au. Tasmanian Government. 10 October 2021. Retrieved 11 October 2021.
- ^ "Victorian coronavirus (COVID-19) data". www.dhhs.vic.gov.au. Department of Health and Human Services. 11 September 2021. Retrieved 11 October 2021.
- ^ "WA COVID-19 Dashboard". ww2.health.wa.gov.au. 11 October 2021. Retrieved 11 October 2021. @ 14:42
- ^ leanne (17 March 2020). "COVID-19 Advice for Norfolk Island". www.norfolkisland.gov.nf. Retrieved 3 January 2022.
- ^ "Norfolk Island Health and Wellbeing". www.facebook.com. Retrieved 16 May 2022.
- ^ Crawford, Robert (26 October 2021). "Four COVID cases confirmed in Jervis Bay Territory". South Coast Register. Retrieved 3 January 2022.
- ^ a b "News". Indian Ocean Territories. Retrieved 16 May 2022.
- ^ "Coronavirus update for Victoria - 3 August 2020". Department of Health and Human Services, State Government of Victoria. 3 August 2020.
- ^ McGhee, Ashlynne (15 April 2021). "Taxpayer-funded aged care home where 45 died in COVID outbreak funnelled millions to church". Background Briefing (ABC Radio National). Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 16 April 2021.
- ^ Morrison says National Cabinet is committed to suppression of COVID-19, not elimination | ABC News. ABC News (Australia). 24 July 2020. Archived from the original on 4 June 2022. Retrieved 29 December 2022 – via YouTube.
- ^ Patrick, A. Odysseus (5 November 2020). "Australia has almost eliminated the coronavirus – by putting faith in science". The Washington Post. Retrieved 5 November 2020.
- ^ Smythe, Jamie (13 November 2020). "How Australia brought the COVID-19 pandemic under control". Financial Times. Retrieved 7 December 2020.
- ^ McGowan, Michael (14 November 2020). "Packed crowds and euphoric leaders: Australia revels in Covid-free days". The Guardian. Retrieved 7 December 2020.
- ^ Friedersdorf, Conor (2 September 2021). "Australia Traded Away Too Much Liberty". The Atlantic. Archived from the original on 2 September 2021. Retrieved 2 September 2021.
- ^ "Coronavirus Australia: How contact tracing is closing in on COVID-19". The Sydney Morning Herald. 16 April 2020.
- ^ Otterman, Sharon (21 June 2020). "N.Y.C. Hired 3,000 Workers for Contact Tracing. It's Off to a Slow Start". The New York Times.
- ^ Cave, Damien (February 2021). "One Coronavirus Case, Total Lockdown: Australia's Lessons for the World". The New York Times. Archived from the original on 28 December 2021.
- ^ Falconer, Rebecca (18 November 2020). "South Australia to enter strict 'circuit breaker' lockdown for 6 days". Axios.
- ^ "COVIDSafe app detected just 17 contacts after millions spent". www.9news.com.au. 27 October 2020.
- ^ Bogle, Ariel; Borys, Stephanie (21 May 2020). "Google and Apple release technology to help with coronavirus contact tracing". ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 24 July 2021.
- ^ Grubb, Ben (29 June 2020). "'There's no way we're shifting': Australia rules out Apple-Google coronavirus tracing method". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 24 July 2021.
- ^ "Victorian Government QR Code Service". Coronavirus Victoria.
- ^ "Electronic check-in guidance and QR codes". NSW Government. 27 May 2021.
- ^ "COVID SAfe Check-In". SA.GOV.AU: COVID-19. 8 June 2021.
- ^ "Local, national and calls to mobiles will now be free from Telstra payphones". ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 3 August 2021. Retrieved 3 August 2021.
Salvation Army Major Brendan Nottle said it was a 'game changer' for people who couldn't afford a mobile phone, or have had to leave dangerous domestic situations. 'Many vulnerable Australians don't have access to a mobile phone so it's really important for them to break down that sense of social poverty, social isolation to connect with a friend, or to connect with a service,' he said.
- ^ "If your iPhone, iPad or iPod touch is lost or stolen". Apple. 11 March 2021. Retrieved 3 August 2021.
- ^ Iqbal, Nosheen (15 July 2015). "Dead-battery anxiety? Learn to live without your phone". The Guardian Australia. Retrieved 3 August 2021.
- ^ Nguyen, Kevin (30 October 2020). "The QR code has turned COVID-19 check-ins into a golden opportunity for marketing and data companies". ABC Investigations. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 17 July 2021.
- ^ Pannett, Rachel (1 February 2020). "Australia Restricts Travelers From Mainland China as Virus Impact Spreads". The Wall Street Journal. ISSN 0099-9660. Archived from the original on 25 February 2020. Retrieved 17 March 2020.
- ^ Shearer, Freya M.; Walker, James; Tellioglu, Nefel; McCaw, James M.; McVernon, Jodie; Black, Andrew; Geard, Nic (19 April 2020). Assessing the risk of spread of COVID-19 to the Asia Pacific region. medRxiv 10.1101/2020.04.09.20057257v2.
- ^ Lawson, Kirsten (4 March 2020). "New virus cases trigger tougher travel restrictions on Iran". The Canberra Times. Archived from the original on 22 March 2020. Retrieved 17 March 2020.
- ^ McCauley, Eryk Bagshaw, Dana (5 March 2020). "Australia puts travel ban on South Korea, enhanced screening on Italy". The Sydney Morning Herald. Archived from the original on 22 March 2020. Retrieved 17 March 2020.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ Bagshaw, Eryk (10 March 2020). "Australia bans travellers from Italy". Brisbane Times. Archived from the original on 22 March 2020. Retrieved 17 March 2020.
- ^ "Australia orders all arrivals to self-isolate". BBC News. 15 March 2020. Archived from the original on 16 March 2020. Retrieved 17 March 2020.
- ^ "Australia's coronavirus death toll rises". 7NEWS.com.au. 15 March 2020. Archived from the original on 22 March 2020. Retrieved 15 March 2020.
- ^ Karp, Paul (15 March 2020). "All overseas arrivals in Australia must self-isolate for 14 days under new coronavirus rules". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Archived from the original on 15 March 2020. Retrieved 15 March 2020.
- ^ Borys, Stephanie (15 March 2020). "Australia enforces self-isolation on overseas arrivals, lockdowns on the table". ABC News. Archived from the original on 15 March 2020. Retrieved 15 March 2020.
- ^ Roy, Eleanor (19 March 2020). "New Zealand and Australia close borders to foreigners amid coronavirus crisis". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 19 March 2020. Retrieved 19 March 2020.
- ^ "Australia blocks arrival of all non-citizens, non-residents in expanded coronavirus travel ban - ABC News". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 12 May 2020.
- ^ McIlroy, Tom; Fuary-Wagner, Ingrid; Patrick, Aaron (27 March 2020). "Mandatory two-week hotel quarantine for returning Australians". Australian Financial Review. Retrieved 28 January 2021.
- ^ Crowe, David (8 July 2020). "National cabinet to decide on hotel quarantine, cuts to flights". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 28 January 2021.
- ^ a b Borys, Stephanie; Hayne, Jordan (18 June 2020). "Coronavirus hotel quarantine numbers crack 60,000 people as governments spend more than $118 million". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 28 January 2021.
- ^ "Tasmania to enforce 'toughest border measures in the country' amid coronavirus pandemic". ABC News. 19 March 2020. Archived from the original on 19 March 2020. Retrieved 19 March 2020.
- ^ "Western Australia, South Australia to close borders in response to coronavirus pandemic". ABC News. 22 March 2020. Archived from the original on 22 March 2020. Retrieved 22 March 2020.
- ^ "Queensland border closure". COVID-19 Government Actions. Queensland Government. 11 April 2020.
- ^ "NSW and Victorian border closures". NSW Government. 7 July 2020. Retrieved 10 August 2021.
- ^ "Judicial Inquiry into Hotel Quarantine Program". www.premier.vic.gov.au. Victorian Government. 2 July 2020. Retrieved 28 January 2021.
- ^ Thiessen, Tamara (13 July 2020). "Australia Hotel Quarantine: You Will Pay $3000-$5000 Returning Home, Here Are State Details". Forbes. Retrieved 28 January 2021.
- ^ Pearson, Nick (18 September 2020). "Everything you need to know about Prime Minister Scott Morrison's National Cabinet update". 9News. Retrieved 28 January 2021.
- ^ Gretener, Jessie (15 December 2020). "Broken promises: Why tens of thousands of Australians will be stranded abroad this Christmas". CNN. Retrieved 17 January 2021.
- ^ Media Statement: Caps on international passengers flows. pm.gov.au. Australian Government. 10 July 2020. Retrieved 28 January 2021.
Since 13 March 2020 more than 357,000 citizens and permanent residents have returned to Australia.
- ^ Hawke, Jack; Whalan, Roscoe; Besser, Linton (15 January 2021). "Emirates suspends flights to and from Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane after COVID prompts cuts to arrivals". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 17 January 2021.
- ^ Taouk, Maryanne (29 January 2021). "Major blow for Australians in UK after UAE blacklisted by British Government because of coronavirus strain". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 31 January 2021.
- ^ Estcourt, David (2 November 2020). "Court finds 'controversial' curfew was legal, dismisses case against Andrews government". The Age. Retrieved 17 January 2021.
- ^ "Australia shuts down travel bubble with New Zealand after new Covid-19 case". 1 News. 25 January 2021. Archived from the original on 25 January 2021. Retrieved 25 January 2021.
- ^ Hunt, Greg (25 January 2021). "UPDATE - New Zealand Travel Arrangements". Department of Health and Ageing. Retrieved 25 January 2021.
- ^ "Pause in travel bubble with New Zealand extended for three more days". ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 28 January 2021. Retrieved 14 February 2021.
- ^ Hitch, Georgia (5 February 2021). "National Cabinet decides to increase coronavirus passenger caps from mid-February, hotel quarantine remains". ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 5 February 2021.
- ^ Hutchens, Gareth (11 February 2021). "Cathay Pacific temporarily suspends all flights to Australia, except to Sydney". ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 11 February 2021.
- ^ "Australian states burst travel bubble with New Zealand". Stuff. 24 February 2021. Archived from the original on 24 February 2021. Retrieved 24 February 2021.
- ^ 9News Staff. "Australia's international border ban extended". 9 News. Nine Digital Pty Ltd. Retrieved 4 March 2021.
Australia could reopen sooner 'if no longer needed'.
{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ Weaver, Clair (4 March 2021). "More than 100,000 Australians given travel exemptions during pandemic". 9 News. Nine Digital Pty Ltd. Retrieved 4 March 2021.
- ^ "Celebrities in Australia anger stranded citizens over 'double standard'". BBC News. 1 April 2021.
- ^ "Bill reaches $29m for 'paltry' financial assistance for stranded Australians". 18 April 2021.
- ^ McHugh, Finn (22 April 2021). "Australia limits arrivals from India over escalating COVID-19 outbreak". NewsComAu. Nationwide News Pty Limited. NCA NewsWire. Retrieved 23 April 2021.
Arrivals from India will be reduced by a third into Australia and travellers will be forced to take COVID-19 tests before boarding as the country grapples with an escalating COVID-19 outbreak.
- ^ "Flights from India to be reduced by 30 per cent after spike in COVID cases in returned travellers". ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 22 April 2021. Retrieved 23 April 2021.
- ^ Mao, Frances (1 May 2021). "Australians stuck overseas 'abandoned' by their own country". BBC News. Retrieved 3 May 2021.
- ^ Dziedzic, Stephen; Hitch, Georgia (27 April 2021). "All flights from India paused until May 15, PM says he is not abandoning stranded Australians". ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 28 April 2021.
- ^ Duran, Pauline (1 May 2021). "Australia bans arrivals from India, says offenders face jail, fines". Reuters. Archived from the original on 1 May 2021. Retrieved 1 May 2021.
- ^ a b Martin, Sarah (3 May 2021). "Australians could die from Covid in India under travel ban, medical chief warns". The Guardian. Retrieved 3 May 2021.
- ^ a b Murphy, Katharine (1 May 2021). "Covid crisis: Australians trying to return home from India face up to $66,000 fine or five years' jail". The Guardian. Retrieved 3 May 2021.
- ^ "Australia's India ban criticised as 'racist' rights breach". BBC News. 3 May 2021. Retrieved 3 May 2021.
- ^ Kagi, Jacob (1 May 2021). "Critics blast federal government's 'immoral and un-Australian' ban on citizens returning from India". ABC News. Retrieved 3 May 2021.
- ^ "NZ announces immediate pause to trans-Tasman travel bubble". ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 26 June 2021. Retrieved 27 June 2021.
- ^ Hitch, Georgia (2 July 2021). "Passenger caps slashed and a vaccine target plan in the works – here's what happened at National Cabinet". ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 18 July 2021.
- ^ "International air passenger arrival caps". Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications. 25 August 2021. Retrieved 9 September 2021.
- ^ "COVID-19 reopening: All the changes taking effect from November 1st".
- ^ "Covid: Australia's border reopens to international visitors". BBC News. 21 February 2022.
- ^ a b "Australia's biosecurity emergency pandemic measures to end". 25 March 2022.
- ^ Bonyhady, Nick; Duke, Jennifer (13 March 2020). "Leaders in unprecedented 'national cabinet' to tackle coronavirus". The Sydney Morning Herald. Archived from the original on 14 March 2020. Retrieved 15 March 2020.
- ^ a b c Worthington, Brett (13 March 2020). "Gatherings of more than 500 people to be cancelled amid coronavirus fears". ABC News. Archived from the original on 13 March 2020. Retrieved 13 March 2020.
- ^ Lamb, Kate (15 March 2020). "Australia's' 'war cabinet' set to meet as COVID-19 cases surpass 250". Reuters. Archived from the original on 15 March 2020. Retrieved 15 March 2020.
- ^ "Scott Morrison defends decision to attend rugby league game during coronavirus outbreak – video". The Guardian. 13 March 2020. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 6 April 2020.
- ^ National Cabinet Statement. 29 March 2020. Archived from the original on 15 April 2020. Retrieved 24 May 2020 – via Prime Minister of Australia.
- ^ Duffy, Conor; Kent, Lucy; Ryan, Brad (2 April 2020). "Child care to become free under radical overhaul of 'pre-pandemic' sector". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 27 January 2021.
- ^ Stewart, Emily (9 July 2020). "The Federal Government's free childcare program ends on Monday. Here's what that means for you". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 27 January 2021.
- ^ a b Biosecurity (Human Biosecurity Emergency) (Human Coronavirus with Pandemic Potential) Declaration2020 (PDF) (Report). Commonwealth of Australia. Retrieved 29 March 2020.
- ^ McPhee, Sarah (17 March 2020). "Human biosecurity emergency declared in Australia". NewsComAu. Retrieved 23 March 2020.
- ^ a b Maclean, Howard; Elphick, Karen (27 March 2020). "COVID-19 Biosecurity Emergency Declaration". Parliament of Australia. Retrieved 17 April 2020.
- ^ Department of Home Affairs (Australia) (20 October 2021). "COVID-19 and the border: Cruise ships and maritime". Retrieved 16 November 2021.
- ^ "Australians keen to set sail as government suggests cruises could return this summer". ABC News. 29 October 2021. Retrieved 16 November 2021.
- ^ Update on coronavirus measures. 20 March 2020. Archived from the original on 16 April 2020. Retrieved 29 April 2020 – via Prime Minister of Australia.
- ^ Update on coronavirus measures. 22 March 2020. Archived from the original on 16 April 2020. Retrieved 29 April 2020 – via Prime Minister of Australia.
- ^ "SA, WA to close borders as COVID-19 cases across Australia surge". SBS Australia. 22 March 2020. Archived from the original on 22 March 2020. Retrieved 22 March 2020.
- ^ Prime Minister (22 March 2020). "Media Statement". Archived from the original on 20 October 2020. Retrieved 3 December 2020.
- ^ "Pubs, Casinos And Churches To Shut In Tough New Measures After Australians Fail To Social Distance". 10daily.com.au. 22 March 2020. Archived from the original on 22 March 2020. Retrieved 22 March 2020.
- ^ "Coronavirus: Australia to close pubs, cafes and places of worship". BBC. 22 March 2020. Archived from the original on 22 March 2020. Retrieved 22 March 2020.
- ^ Sakzewski, Emily (26 March 2020). "Australia is moving to stage 2 restrictions to curb the coronavirus outbreak. Here's what's included". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Archived from the original on 28 March 2020. Retrieved 3 December 2020.
- ^ Sweeney, Lucy; Mitchell, Scott (11 April 2020). "What are stage 4 coronavirus restrictions and what could those measures look like for Australians?". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Archived from the original on 22 April 2020. Retrieved 3 December 2020.
- ^ Andrew Probyn (14 April 2020). "The Government wants to track us via our phones. And if enough of us agree, coronavirus restrictions could ease". ABC News. Retrieved 17 April 2020.
- ^ "Biosecurity (Human Biosecurity Emergency) (Human Coronavirus with Pandemic Potential) (Emergency Requirements—Public Health Contact Information) Determination 2020". Federal Register of Legislation. Australian Government. 25 April 2020. Retrieved 26 April 2020.
- ^ Worthington, t Brett (26 April 2020). "Coronavirus tracing app COVIDSafe released by Government to halt spread of COVID-19 in Australia". ABC News. Retrieved 26 April 2020.
- ^ Staff writers (4 September 2020). "Coronavirus live: Bec Judd slams 'Dictator Dan' for lockdown". news.com.au. Nationwide News Pty Ltd. Retrieved 3 March 2021.
- ^ "Human Biosecurity Emergency Period Extended By Three Months". health.gov.au. Australian Department of Health. 3 September 2020. Retrieved 3 March 2021.
- ^ National COVID-19 Coordination Commission Media Release Archived 10 April 2020 at the Wayback Machine Prime Minister's Office Media Release 25 March 2020
- ^ Jenkins, Shannon (25 March 2020). "National COVID-19 Coordination Commission established". The Mandarin. Retrieved 16 December 2023.
- ^ "NCC". Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. July 2020. Retrieved 28 July 2020.
- ^ Sprague, Julie-anne (25 March 2020). "Nev Power to lead COVID-19 commission". The Australian Financial Review. Retrieved 20 June 2021.
- ^ McCauley, Dana (25 March 2020). "Morrison launches COVID-19 Coordination Commission, cancels non-urgent surgery". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 20 June 2021.
- ^ "Coronavirus Australia latest: at a glance". 29 March 2020. Retrieved 30 March 2020.
- ^ "Scott Morrison just announced the two-person rule in the fight against coronavirus, but what does it actually mean?". 29 March 2020. Retrieved 30 March 2020.
- ^ "FAQs". National COVID-19 Clinical Evidence Taskforce. Retrieved 12 September 2022.
- ^ "COVERAGE: COVID 'long-haulers', A/Prof Elliott on Saturday AM". National COVID-19 Clinical Evidence Taskforce. Retrieved 12 September 2022.
- ^ "Australia's vaccine agreements". Australian Government Department of Health. 23 October 2020. Retrieved 28 January 2021.
- ^ "Update on UQ COVID-19 vaccine - UQ News". The University of Queensland. Retrieved 28 January 2021.
- ^ "20201211 Update on The University of Queensland COVID-19 vaccine". CSL Limited. Retrieved 28 January 2021.
- ^ "TGA provisionally approves Pfizer/BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for use in Australia". Australian Government Department of Health. 23 January 2021. Retrieved 28 January 2021.
- ^ a b Shields, Bevan (28 January 2021). "Vaccine supply fight escalates as EU demands millions of doses from UK". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 28 January 2021.
- ^ "AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine approved for use in Australia". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 16 February 2021. Retrieved 17 February 2021.
- ^ a b Macmillan, Jade (21 March 2021). "TGA approves domestic production of AstraZeneca's COVID-19 vaccine By political reporter". ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 21 March 2021.
- ^ Clun, Rachel (28 January 2021). "AstraZeneca, Pfizer hopeful to meet vaccine supply dates despite "fluid" Europe situation". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 28 January 2021.
- ^ a b Ward, Mary (28 January 2021). "What do we know so far about Australia's COVID vaccine rollout?". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 28 January 2021.
- ^ Marsh, Stuart (14 January 2021). "CSL rules out any local Novavax vaccine production until after AstraZeneca run". www.9news.com.au. Nine Digital Pty Ltd. Retrieved 28 January 2021.
- ^ "AstraZeneca rejects 'completely incorrect' reports on its COVID-19 vaccine efficacy". SBS News. Agence France-Presse. 27 January 2021. Retrieved 28 January 2021.
- ^ Davey, Melissa (27 January 2021). "'Too early' to say whether AstraZeneca Covid vaccine will go to older people in Australia". The Guardian. Retrieved 28 January 2021.
- ^ "Expert Reaction: Scientists call for pause to AstraZeneca vaccine rollout". Scimex. 13 January 2021. Retrieved 28 January 2021.
- ^ a b Karp, Paul (28 January 2021). "Christmas Covid outbreaks a result of putting economy ahead of health, AMA says". The Guardian. Retrieved 28 January 2021.
- ^ Australia Secures a further 50 Million Doses of COVID-19 Vaccine. Prime Minister of Australia. 5 November 2020. Retrieved 28 January 2021.
- ^ Hitch, Georgia (15 February 2021). "First Pfizer coronavirus vaccine doses arrives in Australia, ahead of first jabs next week". ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 15 February 2021.
- ^ Purtill, James (7 December 2020). "Distributing Pfizer and other COVID vaccines 'the largest logistics effort in the world since World War II'". ABC Health & Wellbeing. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 15 February 2021.
This is the largest logistics effort in the world since World War II – Dr Roberto Perez-Franco
- ^ Antrobus, Blake (28 February 2021). "First batch of AstraZeneca vaccine arrives in Australia". NewsComAu. Nationwide News Pty Ltd. NCA NewsWire. Retrieved 28 February 2021.
- ^ "Italy, EU refuse AstraZeneca request to ship 250,000 doses of vaccine to Australia". ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 4 March 2021. Retrieved 5 March 2021.
- ^ "CSL Commences Manufacturing of University of Oxford/AstraZeneca Vaccine Candidate in Melbourne". www.csl.com. CSL. 8 November 2020. Retrieved 10 August 2021.
- ^ "The high-risk move one Australian company is hoping will pay off in the fight against COVID-19". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. ABC News. 9 November 2020. Retrieved 10 August 2021.
- ^ Frost, Alanah (18 February 2021). "Smiles on dials with Oz vials". The Daily Telegraph. p. 5. (printed edition)
- ^ "Seqirus to manufacture AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine in Australia". Manufacturer's Monthly. Retrieved 22 March 2021.
- ^ Cunningham, Melissa; Graham, Jackson (31 March 2021). "Healthcare workers warned against 'vaccine shopping' as elderly turned away from mass clinic". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 5 April 2021.
- ^ a b Sas, Nick (4 April 2021). "Australia's COVID-19 vaccine supply is still patchy. But will other vaccines help fill the void?". ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 5 April 2021.
- ^ "Human trials of potential coronavirus vaccine begin in Melbourne". ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 25 May 2020. Retrieved 21 February 2021.
- ^ "Australian Government urged to invest in updated vaccine manufacturing capability". Australian Academy of Science. Retrieved 5 April 2021.
- ^ Koehn, Emma; Mannix, Liam (3 February 2021). "Scientists and government pushing for ways to make mRNA vaccines here". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 5 April 2021.
- ^ Johnson, Paul; and, Staff (12 May 2021). "Moderna announces 25 million doses of their COVID-19 vaccine for Australia". ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 13 May 2021.
- ^ "South Australian doctor receives first AstraZeneca vaccination shot in Australia". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 5 March 2021. Retrieved 5 March 2021.
- ^ "Australia's COVID-19 vaccine rollout – the forecast vs reality". ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 1 May 2021. Retrieved 2 May 2021.
- ^ "Tracking Australia's COVID vaccine rollout numbers". ABC News. 16 March 2021. Retrieved 6 June 2021. (NB: The data on this site changes daily)
- ^ Evans, Jake (5 October 2021). "Australia hits COVID vaccination milestone and climbs the global first jab rankings". ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 5 October 2021.
- ^ a b c "COVID-19 vaccine weekly safety report - 22-07-2021". Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA). TGA (Department of Health). 22 July 2021. Retrieved 27 July 2021.
- ^ Yussuf, Ahmed (23 May 2021). "With calls for fresh COVID vaccine ads, what can we learn from past campaigns?". ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 24 May 2021.
- ^ Moran, Robert (22 May 2021). "Australia's vaccination ad is 'literally wallpaper'. How can it be fixed?". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 23 May 2021.
- ^ "ATAGI statement on AstraZeneca vaccine in response to new vaccine safety concerns". Department of Health. Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation. Australian Government. 8 April 2021. Retrieved 20 May 2021.
- ^ a b Massola, James; Koziol, Michael (23 May 2021). "Two million Pfizer doses a week from October, enough for everyone by Christmas". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 23 May 2021.
- ^ "Joint statement from ATAGI and THANZ on Thrombosis with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome (TTS) and the use of COVID-19 Vaccine AstraZeneca". Department of Health. Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation. Australian Government. 23 May 2021. Retrieved 23 May 2021.
- ^ Brook, Benedict (28 May 2021). "Five words that could derail Australia Covid vaccine plans". news.com.au. Nationwide News. Retrieved 28 May 2021.
- ^ Hitch, Georgia (17 June 2021). "AstraZeneca COVID vaccine use recommended for over-60s only following ATAGI meeting". ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 17 June 2021.
- ^ Chang, Charis (15 July 2021). "Survey reveals why Australians are not getting vaccinated". news.com.au. Retrieved 15 July 2021.
- ^ "One in four unvaccinated Australians over 70 are waiting for a different COVID-19 vaccine, survey suggests". SBS News. Special Broadcasting Service. 15 July 2021. Retrieved 15 July 2021.
- ^ a b c "National Cabinet sets vaccination target for path out of pandemic". Archived from the original on 30 July 2021. Retrieved 28 July 2021.
- ^ a b "National Plan to transition Australia's National COVID-19 Response" (PDF). pm.gov.au. Australian Government. 30 July 2021. Archived from the original (PDF) on 1 August 2021. Retrieved 1 August 2021.
- ^ "National Cabinet Statement | Prime Minister of Australia". www.pm.gov.au. 30 July 2021. Archived from the original on 5 August 2021. Retrieved 5 August 2021.
- ^ a b "Scott Morrison has announced a four-phase pathway out of Covid, so what's in Australia's pandemic exit plan?". Guardian News & Media Limited. 1 July 2021. Archived from the original on 28 July 2021. Retrieved 28 July 2021.
- ^ "Arriving in Australia soon? You'll no longer need to be vaccinated against COVID-19". ABC News. 3 July 2022. Archived from the original on 4 August 2022. Retrieved 4 August 2022.
- ^ "Australia is reopening to tourists. Here's who can travel, and when". ABC News. 8 February 2022. Archived from the original on 26 August 2022. Retrieved 4 August 2022.
- ^ Macali, Anthony (4 December 2021). "Coronavirus Cases in Australia". covidlive.com.au. Archived from the original on 3 December 2021. Retrieved 4 December 2021.
- ^ "Vaccination numbers and statistics | Australian Government Department of Health". 23 March 2022. Archived from the original on 23 March 2022. Retrieved 4 August 2022.
- ^ "One year on: Sydney celebrates 12 months since 106-day lockdown ended". 7NEWS. 11 October 2022. Retrieved 12 October 2022.
- ^ "What you can do in NSW now we've hit 80 per cent". www.9news.com.au. Retrieved 12 October 2022.
- ^ "COVID-19: What you can and cannot do in Victoria from Thursday 21 October". Drive. 19 October 2021. Retrieved 12 October 2022.
- ^ Trade, corporateName= Department of Foreign Affairs and. "Australian High Commission in". uk.embassy.gov.au. Retrieved 12 October 2022.
- ^ "Victoria is removing most Covid restrictions for fully vaccinated people. What are the new freedoms for Melbourne and regional Vic?". The Guardian. 18 November 2021. Retrieved 12 October 2022.
- ^ "The ACT records 18 new COVID-19 cases, with restrictions set to ease significantly from Friday". ABC News. 8 November 2021. Retrieved 12 October 2022.
- ^ "SA opened its borders to COVID-19 this week. Here's what we've learned". ABC News. 27 November 2021. Retrieved 12 October 2022.
- ^ "Tasmania's latest COVID-19 rules and restrictions — everything you need to know". ABC News. 14 December 2021. Retrieved 12 October 2022.
- ^ "The rules have changed countless times, but the NT's borders are now open. Here's what you need to know". ABC News. 19 December 2021. Retrieved 12 October 2022.
- ^ "Queensland Borders Re-open". Ministerial Media Statements. Retrieved 12 October 2022.
- ^ "Premier says Omicron 'five times less severe' than Delta as NSW mask mandate returns". ABC News. 22 December 2021. Retrieved 12 October 2022.
- ^ "'Not the news we wanted': WA records COVID case after arrival of Queensland backpacker". ABC News. 23 December 2021. Retrieved 12 October 2022.
- ^ "'We need to reset': National cabinet agrees on major changes to COVID requirements". 7NEWS. 30 December 2021. Retrieved 12 October 2022.
- ^ "CHO says spread of COVID across Queensland 'necessary' as new daily case numbers double". ABC News. 22 December 2021.
- ^ "Queenslanders told spread of Omicron is 'necessary' — what does that mean?". ABC News. 23 December 2021.
- ^ "WA Premier Mark McGowan says reopening state's border now would be 'reckless and irresponsible'". ABC News. 20 January 2022. Retrieved 12 October 2022.
- ^ "Western Australia border reopens after 697 days as the 'hermit state'". The Guardian. 2 March 2022. Retrieved 12 October 2022.
- ^ Coatsworth, Dr Nick (31 December 2021). "Welcome to 2022, the year this pandemic ends". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 12 October 2022.
- ^ Booker, Rachel Eddie, Paul Sakkal, Noel Towell, Chloe (22 February 2022). "Masks and "shackles" to come off in Victoria this Saturday as mandates ease, workers return". The Age. Retrieved 12 October 2022.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ Layt, Stuart (3 March 2022). "Mask rules ease in Queensland on Friday – but experts not smiling yet". Brisbane Times. Retrieved 12 October 2022.
- ^ "SA's new COVID-19 close contact rules start on Saturday — here's what it means for you". ABC News. 28 April 2022. Retrieved 12 October 2022.
- ^ "Nation records 26 Covid deaths as pre-flight Covid testing for international arrivals scrapped – as it happened". The Guardian. 25 March 2022.
- ^ "NSW and Victoria have relaxed isolation guidelines for close contacts. So what are the rules where you are?". ABC News. 21 April 2022. Retrieved 12 October 2022.
- ^ "Media Statements - Public health measures to ease with WA's soft landing secured". www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au. Retrieved 12 October 2022.
- ^ "Return of COVID-19 mask mandates in Australia considered". SBS News. Retrieved 12 October 2022.
- ^ "Anthony Albanese rejects NSW premier's call to cut seven-day Covid isolation period". The Guardian. 18 July 2022. Retrieved 12 October 2022.
- ^ "COVID-19 update 9 September 2022". ww2.health.wa.gov.au. Retrieved 12 October 2022.
- ^ "Paid pandemic leave extended while mandatory isolation continues". InDaily. 14 September 2022. Retrieved 12 October 2022.
- ^ "AMA slams scrapping of COVID isolation, saying those behind push 'not scientifically literate'". ABC News. 30 September 2022. Retrieved 12 October 2022.
- ^ O'Keefe, Chris [@cokeefe9] (30 September 2022). "BREAKING: National Cabinet has agreed to scrap isolation rules. Mandate will remain for aged care and hospital workers, but other than that- for all intents and purposes- the pandemic is over. No more stay at home orders for people with Covid. @9NewsAUS" (Tweet). Archived from the original on 12 October 2022. Retrieved 29 December 2022 – via Twitter.
- ^ "Public Health (Chief Health Officer) COVID-19 Management Direction 2022 (No 1) | Notifiable instruments". ACT Legislation Register. Retrieved 9 January 2023.
- ^ Maguire, Danielle (24 July 2023). "The COVID restrictions of the past are (mostly) gone. So what's the etiquette if you've got the sniffles?". ABC News. Retrieved 27 July 2023.
- ^ Richards, Stephanie (12 July 2023). "Flu vaccine numbers are down by almost two million. What's to blame?". ABC News. Retrieved 27 July 2023.
- ^ a b c Bailey, Jackie (26 March 2020). "Governments around the world respond to COVID-19 impact on the arts". ArtsHub Australia. Retrieved 18 April 2020.
- ^ a b "COVID-19 update". Australian Government. Department of Communications and the Arts (Australia). 9 April 2020. Retrieved 18 April 2020.
- ^ "Australian GLAMs and COVID-19". closed-glams-covid19. Retrieved 25 March 2020.
- ^ "Media Release: Melbourne International Comedy Festival 2020 Has Been Cancelled". Melbourne International Comedy Festival. Retrieved 18 April 2020.
- ^ "Opera Australia Cancels Performances Due to Coronavirus". Opera Wire. 15 March 2020. Retrieved 27 March 2020.
- ^ "Sydney Writers' Festival". www.swf.org.au.
- ^ a b Anatolitis, Esther (8 April 2020). "Australia's arts have been hardest hit by coronavirus. So why aren't they getting support? | Esther Anatolitis". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 11 April 2020.
- ^ Knaus, Christopher (7 April 2020). "Coronavirus crisis has had staggering impact on Australian businesses, data reveals". The Guardian. Retrieved 18 April 2020.
- ^ a b "COVID-19". Australia Council. 5 March 2020. Retrieved 18 April 2020.
- ^ Eltham, Ben (27 March 2020). "'We'll see bankruptcies': how coronavirus has shut down Australian film and TV". The Guardian. Retrieved 18 April 2020.
- ^ Mason, Graeme (27 March 2020). "Coronavirus response update". Screen Australia. Archived from the original on 6 April 2020.
- ^ Mason, Graeme (15 April 2020). "Coronavirus response update". Screen Australia. Archived from the original on 18 April 2020. Retrieved 18 April 2020.
- ^ Reich, Hannah (18 April 2020). "'Freaking out' and 'falling through the cracks': Screen industry workers explain the shutdown crisis". ABC News (ABC Arts: The Screen Show). Retrieved 19 April 2020.
- ^ a b Boland, Michaela; Timms, Penny (20 April 2020). "Making TV in the coronavirus pandemic: Why the television industry is watching what Neighbours does next". ABC News. Retrieved 20 April 2020.
- ^ "Australia Council offers $5m in arts grants during COVID-19". QNews. 31 March 2020. Retrieved 18 April 2020.
- ^ a b Cooper, Nathanael (8 April 2020). "$27 million for arts organisations in new targeted support package". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 9 April 2020.
- ^ Parker, Tom (20 April 2020). "Why everyone is getting behind Support Act, the music industry's saving grace". Beat Magazine. Retrieved 14 April 2021.
- ^ Miller, Nick (7 April 2020). "'Wrack and ruin': Leading actors warn industry is on brink of collapse". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 7 April 2020.
- ^ "The workers shut out of jobkeeper: 'I've lost 100% of my business'". The Guardian. 9 April 2020. Retrieved 9 April 2020.
- ^ Smith, Matthew (25 April 2020). "Nearly 200,000 arts workers ineligible for JobKeeper as COVID-19 hits $15b industry". ABC News. Retrieved 25 April 2020.
- ^ Boseley, Matilda; Convery, Stephanie (5 May 2020). "Carriageworks goes into voluntary administration citing 'irreparable loss of income' due to coronavirus". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 10 May 2020.
- ^ Pengilley, Victoria (4 May 2020). "Carriageworks calls in administrators amid COVID-19 pandemic". ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 12 May 2020.
- ^ Boland, Michaela (9 May 2020). "Coronavirus impact sees Sydney's Carriageworks close as insiders tip COVID-19 to hit more venues". ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 12 May 2020.
- ^ "AGSA to Reopen". AGSA - The Art Gallery of South Australia. 13 May 2020. Retrieved 13 May 2020.
- ^ Macmillan, Jade (24 June 2020). "Arts industry to receive $250 million coronavirus rescue package from Federal Government". ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 25 June 2020.
- ^ Buxton-Collins, Alexis (25 June 2020). "The arts receives $250 million federal stimulus, but is it months too late, and hundreds of millions short?". The Adelaide Review. Retrieved 26 June 2020.
- ^ "5676.0.55.003 – Business Indicators, Business Impacts of COVID-19, Week Commencing 30 March 2020". abs.gov.au. Australian Bureau of Statistics. 7 April 2020. Archived from the original on 7 April 2020. Retrieved 7 April 2020.
- ^ Janda, Michael (3 March 2020). "Coronavirus crisis sees RBA slash interest rates to new low of 0.5pc". ABC News. Retrieved 3 March 2020.
- ^ a b "Economic Stimulus Package". liberal.org.au. 12 March 2020. Archived from the original on 20 March 2020. Retrieved 20 March 2020.
- ^ Martin, Sarah (12 March 2020). "What the Australian government's $17bn coronavirus stimulus package means for you". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 20 March 2020. Retrieved 20 March 2020.
- ^ Scott, Jason; Veroude, Alexandra (11 March 2020). "Australia Unveils A$17.6 Billion in Stimulus to Combat Virus". Bloomberg L.P. Archived from the original on 20 March 2020. Retrieved 20 March 2020.
- ^ Raper, Ashleigh (16 March 2020). "NSW Government announces $2.3 billion coronavirus stimulus package". ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 1 March 2021.
- ^ Vivian, Steve; Gibson, Jano (17 March 2020). "NT Government announces $60 million coronavirus economic stimulus package". ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 1 March 2021.
- ^ Lowe, Philip (19 March 2020). "Statement by Philip Lowe, Governor: Monetary Policy Decision". Reserve Bank of Australia. Archived from the original on 19 March 2020. Retrieved 19 March 2020.
- ^ "8501.0.55.008 – Retail Trade, Australia, Preliminary, February 2020". Australian Bureau of Statistics. 18 March 2020. Archived from the original on 4 April 2020. Retrieved 19 March 2020.
- ^ "Coronavirus Supplement - How much you can get". servicesaustralia.gov.au. Services Australia. 1 June 2020. Retrieved 20 July 2020.
The Coronavirus Supplement is a fortnightly $550 payment on top of your eligible income support payment. We'll pay it from 27 April 2020 until 24 September 2020
- ^ "Coronavirus: Australia to close pubs, cafes and places of worship". BBC. 22 March 2020. Archived from the original on 22 March 2020. Retrieved 22 March 2020.
- ^ a b c "Federal Government offers A$130b in coronavirus wage subsidies for businesses to pay workers". ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 30 March 2020. Retrieved 30 March 2020.
- ^ Ziffer, Daniel (28 March 2021). "The government just turned off a $90b tap of cash. What happens now?". ABC News - The Business. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 29 March 2021.
- ^ Dayman, Isabel (11 March 2020). "New coronavirus cases confirmed as SA Premier announces $350m stimulus package". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 31 January 2021.
- ^ Macmillan, Jade (27 April 2020). "Zoos to receive $95 million coronavirus lifeline from Federal Government". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 31 January 2021.
- ^ a b Worthington, Brett (6 October 2020). "Federal Budget 2020 reveals Australia headed to record debt of almost $1 trillion". ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 24 February 2021.
- ^ Hitch, Georgia (22 May 2020). "JobKeeper numbers cut by 3 million after Federal Government reveals accounting bungle in coronavirus stimulus program". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 7 July 2020.
- ^ Worthington, Brett (24 May 2020). "Scott Morrison takes responsibility for Federal Government's $60 billion JobKeeper mistake". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 7 July 2020.
- ^ Yen Nee Lee (23 July 2020). "Coronavirus pandemic sends Australia into its largest budget deficit in decades". Street Signs Asia (Interview). CNBC. Retrieved 23 July 2020.
- ^ Kwai, Isabella (2 September 2020). "Australia's First Recession in Decades Signals Tougher Times to Come". The New York Times. Retrieved 22 September 2020.
- ^ "Australia's recession in seven graphs". Australian Financial Review. 2 September 2020. Retrieved 22 September 2020.
- ^ "'Economy held together with duct tape' as Australia officially enters recession". ABC News. 2 September 2020. Retrieved 22 September 2020.
- ^ "Australian National Accounts: National Income, Expenditure and Product, September 2020". www.abs.gov.au. Australian Bureau of Statistics. 12 February 2020. Retrieved 28 March 2021.
- ^ a b Cockburn, Paige (16 November 2020). "All adults in NSW to get $100 vouchers as part of budget cash splash". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 25 January 2021.
- ^ a b "Dine and Discover NSW". www.nsw.gov.au. NSW Government. 15 January 2021. Retrieved 25 January 2021.
- ^ "Sydney news: COVID-19 $100 stimulus vouchers can now be used in The Rocks and Broken Hill". ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 10 February 2021. Retrieved 12 February 2021.
- ^ Gregory, Xanthe (18 April 2021). "Dine and Discover vouchers slammed by NSW regions as being too 'city-centric'". ABC Central West. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 9 June 2021.
- ^ "NSW Dine & Discover Vouchers extended to July 31". 9News. Nine Digital Pty Ltd. 9 June 2021. Retrieved 9 June 2021.
- ^ Ward, Sarah (29 June 2021). "NSW's Dine & Discover Vouchers Will Now Run Until August and Can Be Used on Takeaway During Lockdown". Concrete Playground. Retrieved 28 November 2021.
- ^ a b Ward, Sarah (26 November 2021). "The NSW Government's Two Extra $25 Dine & Discover Vouchers Are Being Rolled Out From Today". Concrete Playground. Retrieved 28 November 2021.
- ^ Norman, Jane; Snape, Jack (22 February 2021). "Prime Minister argues $25 per week increase to JobSeeker is 'appropriate'". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 23 February 2021.
the payment was now at 41 per cent of minimum wage, the same level as during the Howard government.
- ^ Wood, Richard (26 February 2021). "Airports want kickstart of international travel 'within months'". 9 News. Nine Digital Pty Ltd. Retrieved 4 March 2021.
- ^ Glenday, James; Snape, Jack (10 March 2021). "Government to slash domestic airfares to get more Aussies to holiday at home". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 10 March 2021.
- ^ a b c Hitch, Georgia (3 June 2021). "Find out who's eligible for the government's new lockdown payment". ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 3 June 2021.
- ^ Marsh, Stuart. "Victoria announces $30 million support package targeted at residents hit by COVID lockdowns". 9news.com.au. Nine Digital Pty Ltd. Retrieved 11 June 2021.
- ^ "Impact of COVID-19 on the Australian labour market". National Skills Commission. Australian Government. 6 December 2020. Retrieved 27 July 2021.
- ^ Duke, Jennifer (1 February 2021). "JobSeeker should be reduced to $40-a-day: ACCI". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 28 February 2021.
- ^ McHugh, Finn (15 April 2021). "Unemployment falls again". NewsComAu. Nationwide News Pty Limited. NCA Newswire. Retrieved 15 April 2021.
- ^ Janda, Michael; Chalmers, Stephanie (15 April 2021). "There's nearly 75,000 more jobs than before COVID and women have captured most of them". ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 15 April 2021.
- ^ Sullivan, Kath (29 September 2020). "Coronavirus restrictions could lead to 26,000-person shortfall for coming harvests, report says". ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 7 February 2021.
- ^ a b Brann, Matt (3 September 2020). "Seasonal workers from Vanuatu have landed in Darwin, ready to pick mangoes". ABC Rural. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 7 February 2021.
- ^ A Current Affair staff (September 2020). "Want to earn up to $500 a day? Aussie farmers are hiring after COVID-19 leaves industry with fruit picking shortage". A Current Affair. Nine Digital Pty Ltd. Retrieved 8 February 2021.
- ^ "PM's fruit picker incentives are 'not enough'". Sky News Australia. Australian News Channel Pty Ltd. 30 September 2020. Retrieved 8 February 2021.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced on Wednesday backpackers, Pacific Islanders, and seasonal workers will be able to extend their visas to stay longer in Australia, while welfare recipients will be offered incentives to pick fruit.
- ^ a b Major, Tom (27 October 2020). "Growers plead for fresh ideas after $150,000 worth of unpicked food ploughed back into paddocks". ABC Rural. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 8 February 2021.
- ^ "Relocation Assistance". jobsearch.gov.au. Australian Government. November 2020. Retrieved 8 February 2021.
- ^ McCarthy, Marty; Barbour, Lucy (4 December 2020). "Farm labour incentives failing and the result could be crops left unharvested". ABC Rural. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 8 February 2021.
- ^ Skantzos, Kathy (8 December 2020). "Price of fruit and veg set to skyrocket in Australia due to labour shortage". NewsComAu. Nationwide News Pty Ltd. Retrieved 8 February 2021.
- ^ Hitch, Georgia (19 January 2022). "Visa fee refund offered to entice students, backpackers to fill COVID worker shortage". ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 19 January 2022.
- ^ a b c Dow, Aisha (12 June 2021). "Seasonal flu 'nowhere to be seen' in Australia". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 14 June 2021.
- ^ "Statement on the Administration of Seasonal Influenza Vaccines in 2022" (PDF). Department of Health. Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation. Australian Government. March 2022. Retrieved 9 May 2022.
- ^ Swain, Sarah (4 February 2021). "Fears thousands of Aussies unaware they have cancer because of reluctance to visit GP during COVID pandemic". 9news.com.au. Nine Digital Pty Ltd. Retrieved 18 August 2021.
- ^ Noble, Freya (10 August 2021). "If you don't get to it it's too late': Breast cancer screening appointments cancelled due to Sydney's lockdown". 9news.com.au. Nine Digital Pty Ltd. Retrieved 18 August 2021.
- ^ "Overview of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health status 2019 – Overview of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health status – Health Facts". Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet. 9 April 2020. Retrieved 17 April 2020.
- ^ Overview of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health status 2019. Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet. 2020. ISBN 978-0-6487974-0-1.
- ^ Ward, James; Agostino, Jason (19 March 2020). "Coronavirus will devastate Aboriginal communities if we don't act now". The Conversation. Retrieved 18 April 2020.
- ^ a b c Allam, Lorena (6 March 2020). "Indigenous coronavirus taskforce meets as remote communities restrict access". The Guardian. Retrieved 18 April 2020.
- ^ Branley, Alison (6 March 2020). "Remote Indigenous communities move to block outside visitors over coronavirus outbreak fears". ABC News. Retrieved 18 April 2020.
- ^ Boltje, Stephanie (31 March 2020). "SA Health rejects Indigenous elders' request to leave remote lands during coronavirus outbreak". ABC News (The Drum). Retrieved 18 April 2020.
- ^ Australian Health Sector Emergency Response Plan for Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) (PDF) (Report). Australian Government. Department of Health. March 2020. Retrieved 18 April 2020.
- ^ Bond, Chelsea; Whop, Lisa J. (2 April 2020). "The answer to Indigenous vulnerability to coronavirus: a more equitable public health agenda". The Conversation. Retrieved 18 April 2020.
- ^ Kennedy, Paul (29 March 2020). "Government restricts indoor and outdoor gatherings to two people". ABC News. Retrieved 18 April 2020.
- ^ "Coronavirus (COVID-19) advice for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and remote communities". Australian Government. Department of Health. 29 March 2020. Archived from the original on 14 April 2020. Retrieved 18 April 2020.
- ^ "Coronavirus (COVID-19)". National Indigenous Australians Agency. 6 April 2020. Archived from the original on 14 April 2020. Retrieved 18 April 2020.
- ^ "$123 million boost to Indigenous response to COVID-19". Ministers Media Centre. 2 April 2020. Retrieved 18 April 2020.
- ^ McLennan, Chris (9 March 2020). "Pandemic clinics to open across the Territory". Katherine Times. Retrieved 18 April 2020.
- ^ Roberts, Lauren (3 May 2020). "Aboriginal Territorians are 'significantly represented' in disease outbreaks, but not coronavirus". ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 13 May 2020.
- ^ Roberts, Lauren (18 March 2020). "NT doctors recommend suspending elective surgery and dental services amid COVID-19 pandemic". ABC News. Retrieved 18 April 2020.
- ^ "Coronavirus". Department of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships (Queensland Government). 31 March 2020. Retrieved 18 April 2020.
- ^ "Coronavirus (COVID-19) information for Aboriginal communities". Department of Health and Human Services Victoria. Retrieved 18 April 2020.
- ^ "Coronavirus (COVID-19) for Aboriginal people". Healthy WA. Retrieved 18 April 2020.
- ^ Volkofsky, Aimee (12 May 2020). "Indigenous community sets up camp on Darling River to avoid coronavirus risk in overcrowded homes". ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 13 May 2020.
- ^ Lysaght, Gary-Jon (8 September 2021). "Western NSW records its third Indigenous COVID death". ABC Western Plains. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 8 September 2021.
- ^ a b c "Serious Shortage Medicine Substitution Notices". tga.gov.au. Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), Australian Government Department of Health. 16 February 2021. Retrieved 25 February 2021.
- ^ Brooker, Chris (4 September 2020). "Stock issues strike again". ajp.com.au. AJP (Australian Journal of Pharmacy). Retrieved 25 February 2021.
- ^ a b c d e McPherson, Emily (24 February 2021). "The common medicines hit with shortages as COVID supply issues worsen". 9news.com.au. Nine Digital Pty Ltd. Retrieved 25 February 2021.
- ^ Ward, Mary (28 January 2021). "Australians left waiting nine months for contraceptive pills". The Sydney Morning Herald. Nine Entertainment Co. Retrieved 25 February 2021.
- ^ "Serious Shortage Substitution Notice - SSSN 21-03 [Sertraline (as hydrochloride)]" (PDF). Therapeutic Goods Administration. 16 February 2021. Retrieved 25 February 2021.
- ^ "Medicine Shortages Information Initiative". apps.tga.gov.au. Australian Government Department of Health–Therapeutic Goods Administration. 26 May 2014. Retrieved 25 February 2021.
- ^ "Database of section 19A approvals to import and supply medicines to address medicine shortages". tga.gov.au. Australian Government Department of Health - Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA). Retrieved 25 February 2021.
- ^ Hall, Bianca; Eddie, Rachel (19 August 2020). "Council elections to go ahead despite COVID-19 campaigning curbs". The Age. Retrieved 27 July 2021.
- ^ a b Rea, Alex (27 March 2020). "NSW council elections postponed a year due to COVID-19". About Regional. Region Group Pty Ltd. Retrieved 27 July 2021.
- ^ "NSW records 163 new COVID cases, Health Minister Brad Hazzard takes aim at other states". ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 24 July 2021. Retrieved 24 July 2021.
- ^ Henderson, Anna (31 January 2021). "Federal politicians ordered into five-day coronavirus quarantine in Canberra after jetting in from Perth". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 31 January 2021.
- ^ Marsh, Stuart (26 July 2021). "Parliament House closes doors to public under strict COVID-19 protocols". 9news.com.au. Nine Digital Pty Ltd.
- ^ "Joint statement by the Presiding Officers on building operations at the Australian Parliament House". www.aph.gov.au. Commonwealth Parliament. 26 July 2021. Retrieved 27 July 2021.
- ^ "'Incredibly disappointing': Ugly scenes at Melbourne coronavirus protests as violence erupts". Seven News. 10 May 2020. Archived from the original on 11 September 2020. Retrieved 10 May 2020.
- ^ Noble, Freya (20 February 2021). "Anti-coronavirus vaccine protests held in Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth". 9 News. Nine Digital Pty Ltd. Retrieved 21 February 2021.
- ^ "Police arrest more than 400 demonstrators at Melbourne anti-lockdown protest". ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 3 November 2020. Retrieved 5 June 2021.
- ^ "Australia: Scores arrested at anti-coronavirus lockdown protests". Al Jazeera. 21 August 2021. Archived from the original on 21 August 2021. Retrieved 22 August 2021.
- ^ "Anti-lockdown protesters clash with police in Australia". Radio New Zealand. 21 August 2021. Archived from the original on 21 August 2021. Retrieved 22 August 2021.
- ^ "Coronavirus forces Stawell Gift to be put on hold". ABC News. 18 March 2020. Archived from the original on 18 March 2020. Retrieved 18 March 2020.
- ^ "No Stawell Gift in 2020". The Sydney Morning Herald. Australian Associated Press. 28 May 2020. Retrieved 20 December 2020.
- ^ Cleary, Mitch (16 March 2020). "Season cut to 17 games, call delayed on R1 start". Australian Football League. Archived from the original on 18 March 2020. Retrieved 16 March 2020.
- ^ Canil, Jourdan (13 March 2020). "Coronavirus crisis: What we know, what we don't". Australian Football League. Archived from the original on 21 March 2020. Retrieved 13 March 2020.
- ^ a b Hytner, Mike (22 March 2020). "AFL suspends season and cancels AFLW amid coronavirus crisis". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 25 March 2020. Retrieved 25 March 2020.
- ^ "AFL 2020 season will restart on June 11 following coronavirus shutdown". ABC News (Australia). 15 May 2020. Retrieved 10 August 2020.
- ^ "Heartbreak for Fremantle as title hopes dashed". The West Australian. 22 March 2020. Retrieved 11 May 2020.
- ^ Ward, Roy (13 March 2020). "NBL grand final series to be completed behind closed doors". The Sydney Morning Herald. Archived from the original on 14 March 2020. Retrieved 13 March 2020.
- ^ Wenzel, Murray (19 March 2020). "Perth Wildcats named NBL champions after finals cancellation". The Roar. Archived from the original on 21 March 2020. Retrieved 21 March 2020.
- ^ "Australian State Leagues postponed". australiabasket.com. 17 March 2020. Archived from the original on 22 September 2020.
- ^ Decent, Tom (14 March 2020). "New Zealand cricketers rush to leave Australia as one-day series called off". The Sydney Morning Herald. Archived from the original on 15 March 2020. Retrieved 17 March 2020.
- ^ a b "AFLW, AFL, NRL go behind closed doors as Covid-19 wreaks havoc in Australian sport". The Guardian. Australian Associated Press. 13 March 2020. ISSN 0261-3077. Archived from the original on 13 March 2020. Retrieved 13 March 2020.
- ^ Richards, Giles (13 March 2020). "Formula One's Australian Grand Prix cancelled amid coronavirus fears". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 16 March 2020. Retrieved 17 March 2020.
- ^ "Supercars plans to reschedule new event after Australian Grand Prix cancellation". Fox Sports. 13 March 2020. Retrieved 10 August 2021.
- ^ "Bahrain to host season opener as Australia moves later in calendar and Imola returns". Formula One. 12 January 2021. Retrieved 1 February 2021.
- ^ "2021 Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix cancelled". Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix. Retrieved 7 July 2021.
- ^ "Coronavirus: Everyone coming to New Zealand must isolate for 14 days, Prime Minister Ardern says". Stuff. Archived from the original on 14 March 2020. Retrieved 14 March 2020.
- ^ Kennedy, Chris; Newton, Alicia (15 March 2020). "NRL announces competition to continue despite increased travel restrictions". National Rugby League. Archived from the original on 18 March 2020. Retrieved 15 March 2020.
- ^ Walsh, Dan; Newton, Alicia (23 March 2020). "NRL suspends competition due to coronavirus pandemic". National Rugby League. Archived from the original on 24 March 2020. Retrieved 31 March 2020.
- ^ Danks, Chris (16 March 2020). "Prime Minister Scott Morrison hoses down suggestions of NRL bailout". Sporting News. Archived from the original on 16 March 2020. Retrieved 21 March 2020.
- ^ Symonds, Nick (19 March 2020). "How well are the football codes placed to bounce back from COVID-19". The Roar. Archived from the original on 19 March 2020. Retrieved 21 March 2020.
- ^ Atkinson, Cody; Lawson, Sean; Coventry, James (18 March 2020). "An extended coronavirus shutdown may change sport as we know it in Australia". ABC News. Archived from the original on 20 March 2020. Retrieved 21 March 2020.
- ^ "NRL 'definitely' restarting on May 28, clubs to resume training soon: Pearce". nrl.com. 22 April 2020. Retrieved 1 May 2020.
- ^ "NRL announces 20-round season, grand final to be played on October 25". ABC News. 28 April 2020. Retrieved 28 April 2020.
- ^ Walsh, Dan (29 May 2020). "1.3 million reasons to smile: NRL return most-watched since 2014". nrl.com. Retrieved 29 June 2020.
- ^ Phillip, Sam (29 May 2020). "Fake yeews: The story behind the NRL's new faux crowd noise". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 29 June 2020.
- ^ Phillips, Sam (29 May 2020). "Broncos-Eels clash most-watched regular-season NRL game since 2014". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 29 June 2020.
- ^ Decent, Tom (14 March 2020). "All Super Rugby matches to be cancelled after Sunday's fixtures". The Sydney Morning Herald. Archived from the original on 15 March 2020. Retrieved 15 March 2020.
- ^ Pisani, Sacha (16 March 2020). "A-League to continue despite coronavirus with Wellington Phoenix set to relocate to Australia". Goal (website). Archived from the original on 16 March 2020. Retrieved 17 March 2020.
- ^ "A-League season suspended due to coronavirus pandemic, joins AFL, NRL in closing doors". ABC News. 23 March 2020. Archived from the original on 24 March 2020. Retrieved 24 March 2020.
- ^ "Hyundai A-League 2019/20 season updated match schedule released". A-League. 15 July 2020. Retrieved 20 December 2020.
- ^ "Sydney to Hobart yacht race cancelled due to NSW coronavirus outbreak". ABC News. 19 December 2020. Retrieved 19 December 2020.
- ^ Macmillan, Jade (2 September 2020). "Warning to states on coronavirus border closures as tourism industry takes $55 billion hit By political reporter reopen, Government says". ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 21 July 2021.
- ^ Hayne, Jordan (2 October 2020). "Australia opens borders between New Zealand and NSW, Northern Territory as coronavirus restrictions ease". ABC News. Archived from the original on 2 October 2020. Retrieved 2 October 2020.
- ^ "Covid-19: Australia announces trans-Tasman bubble flights". Radio New Zealand. 2 October 2020. Archived from the original on 2 October 2020. Retrieved 2 October 2020.
- ^ Dexter, Rachael (17 October 2020). "Seventeen New Zealanders caught entering Melbourne on day one of travel bubble". Stuff. Archived from the original on 18 October 2020. Retrieved 18 October 2020.
- ^ Towell, Noel; Bonyhady, Nick; McMillan, Ashleigh; Dexter, Rachael; Koob, Simone (18 October 2020). "Covid-19: Premier of Victoria threatens Australian border closures over Kiwi arrivals". Stuff. Archived from the original on 18 October 2020. Retrieved 18 October 2020.
- ^ "Queensland will open its border to New Zealand tomorrow". 1 News. 11 December 2020. Archived from the original on 10 December 2020. Retrieved 10 December 2020.
- ^ Taylor, Phil; Remeikis, Amy (14 December 2020). "Jacinda Ardern: New Zealand and Australia to launch travel bubble in early 2021". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 14 December 2020. Retrieved 16 December 2020.
- ^ Galloway, Anthony (14 December 2020). "New Zealand travel bubble with Australia coming in early 2021, NZ PM confirms". The Sydney Morning Herald. Archived from the original on 14 December 2020. Retrieved 16 December 2020.
- ^ "Australia halts New Zealand travel bubble amid fears of South African coronavirus strain". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 25 January 2021. Retrieved 25 January 2021.
- ^ "What to do before you travel – Australia to NZ". New Zealand Government. 20 April 2021. Archived from the original on 21 April 2021. Retrieved 21 April 2021.
- ^ "Australia opens travel bubble with New Zealand". The BBC. 19 April 2021. Retrieved 19 April 2021.
- ^ a b O'Neil, Tyler (2 September 2021). "Australia debuts 'Orwellian' new app using facial recognition, geolocation to enforce quarantine". Fox News. Retrieved 10 September 2021.
- ^ a b "How will South Australia's home quarantine trial work?". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 23 August 2021. Retrieved 10 September 2021.
- ^ Friedersdorf, Conor (2 September 2021). "Australia Traded Away Too Much Liberty". The Atlantic. Retrieved 10 September 2021.
- ^ "Australia demands coronavirus enquiry, adding to pressure on China". CNBC. 19 April 2020. Retrieved 12 May 2020.
- ^ Dziedzic, Stephen (29 April 2020). "In diplomatic terms, China just lobbed a small hand grenade at Australia". Australian Broadcasting Corporation.
- ^ McGuirk, Rod (1 May 2020). "China Warns Australia It Could Face Boycotts Over Call for an Independent Inquiry into Coronavirus". Time. Associated Press. Archived from the original on 1 May 2020. Retrieved 13 May 2020.
China's warning of trade repercussions from Australia's campaign for an independent inquiry into the coronavirus has rattled Australian business leaders
- ^ Hurst, Daniel (13 May 2020). "Australia-China trade tensions raise fears over future of agricultural exports". The Guardian. Retrieved 29 June 2020.
- ^ Hayne, Jordan (26 August 2020). "Australia 'hurt the feelings' of China with calls for coronavirus investigation, senior diplomat says". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 5 January 2020.
- ^ Gailberger, Jade (26 August 2020). "Coronavirus inquiry 'unfair': Chinese diplomat". The Australian. NCA NEWSWIRE. Retrieved 5 January 2021.
- ^ Elsworthy, Emma (31 March 2021). "Byron Bay Bluesfest cancelled for second year running after local man tests positive for COVID-19". ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 1 April 2021.
This action is being taken to minimise the risk of the highly infectious COVID-19 variant of concern being transmitted in the local area, as well as across states and territories.
- ^ a b Langford, Jackson (4 February 2021). "Groovin The Moo 2021 Has Been Cancelled". Music Feeds. Retrieved 8 February 2021.
- ^ Palmer, Hannah; Thomas, Kerrin; and, Staff (15 January 2021). "Country shows cancelled again across NSW in 2021 due to COVID-19". ABC Rural. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 20 January 2021.
- ^ a b "The 2022 Aussie tours & festivals affected by COVID-19". Tone Deaf. 18 January 2022. Retrieved 20 January 2022.
- ^ "Coronavirus forces cancellation of Anzac Day services in Victoria, New South Wales, Tasmania, Queensland and Western Australia". ABC. 16 March 2020. Archived from the original on 16 March 2020. Retrieved 29 June 2020.
- ^ Staff. "Sydney's Anzac Day march to go ahead with 10,000 people". 9news.com.au. Nine Digital Pty Ltd. Retrieved 15 April 2021.
- ^ Merigan, Tahlia (14 April 2021). "How to commemorate this ANZAC Day". Have a Go News. Retrieved 15 April 2021.
- ^ Wall, Anna (27 March 2021). "2021 Anzac Day ceremonies: Here's the rules for each state and territory". startsat60.com. Retrieved 15 April 2021.
- ^ Perpitch, Nicolas (23 April 2021). "Perth lockdown for three days will see Anzac Day services cancelled, residents urged to stay indoors". ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 23 April 2021.
- ^ McCann, Mitch (17 March 2020). "Coronavirus: COVID-19 halts Australia's deportation regime". Newshub. Archived from the original on 17 March 2020. Retrieved 17 March 2020.
- ^ Duffy, Conor (20 March 2020). "NAPLAN exams cancelled due to coronavirus disruptions". ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Archived from the original on 20 March 2020. Retrieved 20 March 2020.
- ^ "Groovin The Moo 2020 cancelled due to coronavirus, 2021 dates announced". ABC – Triple J. 17 March 2020. Retrieved 28 March 2020.
Further reading
- Press Conference by the Prime Minister of Australia on 27 February 2020 Archived 9 March 2020 at the Wayback Machine Transcript of the Press Conference held on 27 February 2020 by The Hon Scott Morrison MP, the Prime Minister of Australia, from Australian Parliament House alongside Dr Paul Kelly, Deputy Chief Medical Officer and The Hon. Greg Hunt MP, Minister For Health, announcing the activation of the Australian Health Sector Emergency Response Plan for Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19).
- Australian Health Sector Emergency Response Plan for Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) The Australian Health Sector Emergency Response Plan for Novel Coronavirus (the COVID-19 Plan) guides the Australian health sector response.
External links
- Coronavirus (COVID-19) health alert by the Australian Government Department of Health
- Q&A on coronaviruses (COVID-19) by the World Health Organization
- Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) situation reports by the World Health Organization (official numbers of confirmed cases by country)
- Map of global confirmed coronavirus COVID-19 cases and historical data in near real-time by the Johns Hopkins University
- COVID-19 Epidemiologic and genetic data from the Wolfram data repository.
- 2019-nCoV Data Portal by Virus Pathogen Resource
- Coronavirus Australia updates and news Archived 8 April 2020 at the Wayback Machine. Australia at the Coronavirus Global international portal. Available in 11 languages.
- Coronatracker – Coronavirus news aggregator and tracking portal
- CoVid-19 Updates – AUS Archived 9 March 2020 at the Wayback Machine – Near real-time coronavirus tracker for different states and territories in Australia
- Coronavirus pandemic – Near real-time coronavirus statistics for the world and Australia
- COVID Live – Statistics tracking of the number of coronavirus cases, tests and deaths in Australia
- Wikiversity:COVID-19/All-cause deaths/Australia