Live breaking news: Top medical body rejects PM’s AZ announcement

Scott Morrison’s announcement that anyone under 40 can receive the AstraZeneca vaccine has been met with opposition from one of Australia’s top medical bodies.

Around half of the Australian population is in lockdown, as multiple states and territories battle rising Covid-19 cases.

 

 

A three-day snap lockdown has begun in South East Queensland, Townsville (including Magnetic Island) and Palm Island. These areas will join NSW's Greater Sydney area, the Northern Territory's Greater Darwin area and the Perth and Peel regions of Western Australia under tough lockdown restrictions.

This adds up to more than 12 million Aussies living under stay-at-home orders as concern grows over Australia's Covid-19 situation.

Amid growing frustration over the vaccine rollout nationally, the Prime Minister's decision to open AstraZeneca up to all adults has been hit with opposition from one of Australia's top medical bodies.

The president of the Australian Medical Association, Dr Omar Khorshid, says he does not endorse Scott Morrison's announcement that anyone under 40 can receive the AstraZeneca vaccine from their GP.

On Tuesday, NSW recorded 18 new cases, Queensland recorded two cases and the Northern Territory recorded two cases.

Here are some of today's top developments:

• Covid-19 vaccination is now mandatory for aged care and quarantine workers
• A snap lockdown has been announced for Queensland amid new Covid-19 cases
• Parts of the country have turned on NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian for delaying Sydney's lockdown

Follow along for today’s Covid-19 updates. You can find yesterday’s blog here.