Coronavirus Australia live news: China hails its extraordinary success in dealing with Covid
China’s leaders have congratulated themselves in handling the outbreak, ahead a WHO probe into the disease’s origins.
- China hails its Covid success
- Health Minister’s beach party blast
- NSW records nine new cases
- NYE rules under review
- Greg Norman tests positive, hospitalised
Welcome to coverage of the coronavirus pandemic. China has congratulated itself on its handling of the pandemic ahead of a WHO probe into its origins. NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard has blasted Sydney partygoers who crowded a beach on Christmas Day. The state has recorded nine new cases, eight of which were all directly linked to the Avalon cluster. Restrictions for the northern beaches will revert back to those prior to December 24. Meanwhile, a leading epidemiologist says there is no need “to press the red emergency button” in the face of more contagious COVID-19 variants and the feared interstate spread of Sydney’s northern beaches cluster.
Live coverage has ended for the day. Recap all of the day’s news below:
PUBLIC HEALTH ALERT
— NSW Health (@NSWHealth) December 25, 2020
NSW Health has been notified of new venues and transport routes, including a flight, attended by a confirmed case of #COVID19, and wishes to advise of a revision to the advice for a previously announced venue on a particular date and time. pic.twitter.com/o9ZV0OF75G
Agencies 10pm: China hails its ‘extraordinary’ Covid success
China’s ruling Communist Party leaders have congratulated themselves on their “extremely extraordinary” success in handling the Covid-19 outbreak domestically, ahead of a World Health Organisation probe into the disease’s origins, AFP reports.
China faced a barrage of criticism at home and abroad over its initial handling of the virus, which emerged in the central city of Wuhan last December.
China’s Politburo, the top decision-making body of the Communist Party, said late Friday that the party leadership “played a decisive role in leading ... China in prevailing over the rare risks and challenges this year.”
“At the critical moment ... the Party Central Committee took a long-term view … achieving an extremely extraordinary glory in this extremely unusual year,” state news agency Xinhua reported, citing a statement issued after the two-day meeting.
China has largely curbed the spread of the virus, and was one of the only major economies to report growth this year.
But it has been accused of covering up the initial outbreak, and so contributing to the virus’ spread internationally.
At home, Beijing has attempted to stifle criticism by punishing at least eight whistleblowers.
A Chinese citizen journalist who reported on Wuhan’s outbreak, Zhang Zhan, has been detained since May and is expected to go on trial on Monday.
Zhang is a former lawyer who travelled to the city in February to report on the chaotic initial stages of the outbreak, through livestreams and critical essays widely shared on social media platforms banned in China.
The two-day Politburo meeting comes shortly before an international team of WHO experts is expected to arrive in China to investigate the animal origins of Covid-19, during which trip they will visit Wuhan.
An expert from the team told AFP this week that the investigation was “not about finding a guilty country or a guilty authority”, but about “about understanding what happened to avoid that in the future”.
Beijing has recently attempted to cast doubts on the origins of the virus — the state-run People’s Daily newspaper said in a Facebook post in early November that “all available evidence suggests that the coronavirus did not start in central China’s Wuhan”.
China has also tried to enhance its soft power push during the pandemic — promising to share its vaccines with developing countries, and engaging in “mask diplomacy” — donating personal protective gear to countries in need.
— AFP
Ellie Dudley 9.30pm: NSW faces a return to tight restrictions
New South Wales will revert back to restrictions that were in place prior to Christmas Eve, as nine new cases of the coronavirus were recorded over the past 24 hours.
39,133 tests were conducted on Christmas Day.
Eight of the nine cases reported were all directly linked to the northern beaches Avalon cluster. Chief Health Officer Dr Kerry Chant said the ninth case could potentially be a false positive.
The restrictions for the northern beaches, the Greater Sydney region, the Central Coast, Wollongong and the Nepean Blue Mountains will be as follows from midnight tonight until 11.59pm December 30.
The northern region of the northern beaches (north of Narrabeen Bridge and east of the Baha’i temple):
This area will return to “stay-at-home” restrictions in place prior to December 24, with no indoor gatherings allowed. Up to five people, including children, will be able to gather outdoors for exercise or recreational activity. People may not enter or leave this zone.
For the southern region of the northern beaches:
This area will return to “stay-at-home” restrictions in place prior to December 24, with no indoor gatherings allowed. Up to 10 people, including children, will be able to gather outdoors for exercise or recreational activity. People may not enter or leave this zone.
Residents of the Northern Beaches are able to leave for four permitted reasons:
Shopping for food or other goods and services, travel for work or education purposes if unable to work from home, exercise, medical or caring reasons.
A northern beaches resident now located elsewhere in NSW is exempt from these restrictions provided it has been at least 14 days since they have been in this local government area.
If it is less than 14 days, they need to follow the relevant restrictions for their area of residence, regardless of their current location, until the 14 days has elapsed.
For these people, outdoor gatherings continue to be restricted to two people.
For the Greater Sydney region, Central Coast, Wollongong and Nepean Blue Mountains: Restrictions will remain unchanged in these regions. Gatherings in the home are restricted to 10 people in total (including children). People who work in the CBD are urged to work from home where practical.
Ms Berejiklian also announced Sydney’s New Year’s Eve fireworks will most likely be watched from home this year, as NSW health authorities prepare to review restrictions over the next few days.
“We’ll be taking health advice in the next few days as to what New Year’s Eve looks like, but there are some basic things I can communicate very strongly,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“Everybody should assume they are watching the fireworks from home this year. In relation to hospitality venues, everybody should assume the four square metre rule as opposed to the two square metre rule.”
“We will await health advice.”
Staff Reporters 9pm: Melbourne faces fine over quarantine ‘escape’
A man has been arrested outside a Tullamarine quarantine hotel after escaping from his room on Boxing Day, the Herald Sun reports.
The 24 year-old man was returned to his accommodation “without further incident” after he left his room without permission around 2.45pm, Leading Senior Constable Rohan Imms said.
“Victoria Police is working with COVID-19 Quarantine Victoria to investigate the incident,” he said.
John-Lee Berridge’s family said he was the Victorian man who tried to flee quarantine at the Holiday Inn and is now facing more than $19,000 in fines.
Frances Vinall 8pm: Concerns over Hillsong light display
Video footage appears to show a large crowd at Hillsong Church’s Christmas light display in Sydney’s northwest.
The video, aired on Channel 7 on Boxing Day, shows people at the church’s Sydney Hills campus at Bellavista.
A witness filmed the throng of people at the Christmas Light display, concerned about the apparent lack of social distancing at the gathering.
The display is not a ticketed or scheduled event but rather was open throughout December for the public to visit at times of their own choosing.
The Hillsong website advertises the display as a “drive through” attraction.
Sydney Christmas services were held online this year with celebrity pastor Brian Houston.
COVID restrictions in greater Sydney limit outdoor gatherings to 100 people.
Places of worship are allowed 300 people in a distinct area as long as there is only one person per four metres squared.
Hillsong was contacted for comment.
— NCA Newswire
Staff Reporters 7pm: Alerts issued for a number of Sydney venues
NSW Health has released alerts for venues attended by confirmed cases of COVID-19.
Anyone who attended the following venues at the following times is considered a close contact, and must immediately get tested and isolate for 14 days, regardless of whether a negative result is received:
• Cibo Café, North Sydney Wednesday December 16, 12pm – 12.45pm
Anyone who attended the following venues at the following times is a casual contact who must immediately get tested and isolate until a negative result is received:
• Anytime Fitness, Belrose Sunday December 6 9.30am – 11.30am, Monday, December 7 9.30am – 11.30am
• P’nut Street Noodles Thai Restaurant, Balmain Wednesday, December 16, 6pm – 6.15pm
• Belrose Hotel, Belrose Friday, December 11, 12pm – 6pm
• Sir Reuben, Rozelle Sunday, December 20, 11am – 11.30am
• Zeus Street Greek, Drummoyne Tuesday, December 22, 6pm – 6.15pm
• Balmain Post Office Tuesday, December 22, 3.30pm – 4pm
Russell Gould 6pm: MCG looks to increase its crowd capacity
An increase to the crowd at the MCG could be on the cards should Melbourne need to come to cricket’s rescue and host the third Test.
Cricket Australia, the NSW and Queensland governments and broadcasters are continuing to debate whether the SCG can play host to the third clash between Australia and India, scheduled for a January 7 start.
With COVID-19 numbers flattening amid the outbreak on the northern beaches has given NSW officials hope, and CA will wait to make a call.
But MCC boss Stuart Fox reiterated on Saturday, as the Boxing Day Test began with a crowd of 30,000, that his stadium was ready to host back-to-back Tests.
And Fox, who is expecting a call within 48 hours, said they “love” the chance to have a larger capacity but that decision would be made by CA and the Victorian government.
— NCA Newswire
Ellie Dudley 5.30pm: US deaths pass 330,000; Infections near 19m
Deaths from COVID-19 in the US have passed 330,000 as the virus continues the spread quickly through the country.
The total number of infections in the US is now approaching 19 million, with approximately 200,000 cases being reported a day.
Ellie Dudley 5pm: Strong demand forces Hobart into booking system
The Hobart Covid testing clinic will go back to a booking system, after a higher than anticipated response to the new no booking trial that began on Christmas Day.
The change only impacts Hobart with no bookings required for the other clinics statewide during the three-week trial.
The decision to restore the booking system was made to minimise disruption to attendees and ensure the most safe and effective management of the site, a statement from the Tasmanian health department said today.
People wanting to book an appointment at the Hobart Clinic should contact the testing hotline.
Ellie Dudley 4.30pm: WA reports six new coronavirus cases
Western Australia has recorded 6 new coronavirus cases today, all in hotel quarantine.
The four women and two men who tested positive all arrived in the state from overseas.
There are now 13 active cases in WA.
Ellie Dudley 4pm: East Sydney mayor condemns beach gatherers
Waverley Mayor Paula Masselos has slammed the actions of around 100 people who gathered at Bronte Beach yesterday.
Ms Masselos joins Health Minister Brad Hazzard in condemning the Christmas party, saying she was “appalled by the behaviour that was displayed yesterday.”
“This kind of behaviour threatens to undo the good work of council and the entire community,” Ms Masselos said.
“Please do not visit our public places if you refuse to observe Public Health Orders and current health advice – you pose too great a health risk.
“If you are feeling unwell, please, stay at home and get tested and remain at home until you receive a negative result.”
Ellie Dudley 3.25pm: UK’s virulent new strain detected in France
The United Kingdom’s highly transmissible variant of the coronavirus has arrived in France, with a Frenchman who recently returned from London testing positive.
The French health ministry said the case had been found in the city of Tours, after the man arrived home on December 19.
He was self-isolated and felt all right when diagnosed, the ministry added.
On December 14 British Health Secretary Matt Hancock said that the spike in cases in the UK might be linked to the new variant of the virus in the country.
Mr Hancock said more than 1000 cases of the new variant had been identified, mainly in southeastern England.
Dozens of countries have now closed their borders to Britain and South Africa, and the new strain begins to spread around the world.
France reported 20,262 new COVID-19 cases and 159 deaths in the last 24 hours.
Ellie Dudley 3pm: Good news from SA, as no new cases reported
No new cases of COVID-19 have been recorded in South Australia today, leaving the state with a total of four active cases.
One of the overseas acquired cases reported yesterday was found to have been diagnosed previously overseas, and has therefore been removed from South Australia’s total.
The state’s COVID tally stands at 569 to date.
Ellie Dudley 2.30pm: A weighty problem arises this Covid Christmas
Returns are expected to be at an all-time high this Christmas period, as Australians purchase more than one size to accommodate for fluctuating COVID weight.
Paul Zahra, chief executive of the Australian Retailers Association, said 60 per cent of consumers shopping online are “bracketing” – buying a size up and a size below to make sure they’ve got the right size.
“41 per cent of people in the consumer research study that was done had to buy those sizes because of fluctuating weight because of Covid,” Mr Zahra told Sky News.
“They’ve put on so much weight that in fact they’ve put on a size. So we expect returns to be at their highest.”
Ellie Dudley 1.40pm: Boxing Day crowds down as shoppers go online
Retailers are hopeful for a Boxing Day boom today, with more Sydney residents than ever expected to shop online.
The National Retail Association (NRA) predicts the nation’s online spend will be $930 million today, after reaching a total spend of $649 million on Boxing Day last year.
Shoppers are also expected to spend a record $2.75bn across stores nationwide today, up from $2.59 billion last year.
Australian Retailers Association (ARA) chief executive Paul Zahra said there had been “record low” numbers in Sydney CBD early on Saturday morning.
“But in saying that, the online businesses have gone particularly bananas,” he told ABC News.
Mr Zahra said the association supported the NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian’s request that Sydneysiders avoid going to shopping centres today, “despite it being really disappointing”.
He was also adamant that health and safety is a major priority for store owners over the Boxing Day sales period.
“We had a good test run with the Black Friday sales, so I can assure you each retailer has done their absolute darnedest to make sure their store is COVIDSafe.”
READ MORE: Boxing Day bonanza with consumers ready to spend
Ellie Dudley 1.05pm: Victoria records ‘double doughnut’ day
Victoria has reported no new cases of community transmission nor in hotel quarantine for a record 57th day in a row for the state.
A total of 4907 tests were processed overnight ahead of the highly anticipated Boxing Day Test Match today.
Major Events Minister Martin Pakula thanked Victorians for their hard work ahead of the cricket, saying the prospect of hosting the event seemed unlikely when the pandemic was at its peak.
Yesterday there were 0 new local cases, 0 new cases acquired overseas and 0 deaths reported. 4,907 test results were received - thanks, #EveryTestHelps us to #StaySafeStayOpen. More info: https://t.co/lIUrl0ZEco #COVID19Vic #COVID19VicData pic.twitter.com/RqhNoNltG0
— VicGovDHHS (@VicGovDHHS) December 25, 2020
“If you told me three or four months ago we’d be here on Boxing Day, with a test match and with a crowd of 30,000 people I would have struggled to believe it,” he said.
“This is really a great demonstration of how far we’ve come.
“It’s a great reward, I think, for the incredible amount of work Victorians have put in over the last few months.”
A final decision on the Sydney Test is expected to be made within the next 48 hours, with staff at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on standby if the event comes south to Victoria.
READ MORE: LIVE — Follow the Boxing Day Test Day 1
Ellie Dudley 12.45pm: No new locally acquired cases in Queensland
No new locally acquired coronavirus cases have been recorded in Queensland on Boxing Day, but one person in hotel quarantine has tested positive.
The new infection brings to 11 the number of active cases in Queensland, Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk confirmed this morning.
This news comes after two people travelling on a superyacht in the state’s north have tested positive, with the second confirmed on Christmas Day.
Saturday, 26 December – coronavirus cases in Queensland:
— Annastacia Palaszczuk (@AnnastaciaMP) December 25, 2020
• 0 new locally acquired
• 1 overseas acquired – in hotel quarantine
• 11 active cases
• 1,241 total cases
• 1,460,171 tests
Sadly, six Queenslanders with COVID-19 have died. 1,217 patients have recovered.#covid19 pic.twitter.com/s6EZoibLg2
The boat arrived in Cairns from the Maldives on Monday and a female crew member was taken to hospital after testing positive.
A man aged in his 30s from the same vessel tested positive yesterday.
14 members aboard the superyacht have been directed to hotel quarantine, while six other crew members remain on the boat.
The latest cases bring Queensland’s infection total to 1,241.
Almost 2000 people were tested in the past 24 hours.
READ MORE: ‘Uncooperative’ superyacht launches Cairns COVID-19 scare
ELLIE DUDLEY 11.55am: Updated restrictions for northern beaches explained
Here are the updated restrictions that will be in place from midnight tonight until 11.59pm December 30:
The northern region of the northern beaches (north of Narrabeen Bridge and east of the Bahai temple): This area will return to “stay-at-home” restrictions in place prior to December 24, with no indoor gatherings allowed. Up to five people, including children, will be able to gather outdoors for exercise or recreational activity. People may not enter or leave this zone.
For the southern region of the northern beaches:
This area will return to “stay-at-home” restrictions in place prior to December 24, with no indoor gatherings allowed. Up to 10 people, including children, will be able to gather outdoors for exercise or recreational activity. People may not enter or leave this zone.
READ MORE: COVID-19 causes plunge in IVF donors as demand increases
ELLIE DUDLEY 11.55am: Holidays not an ‘essential’ reason to leave: Chant
Holidays are not classified as an “essential” reason to leave the Sydney northern beaches, Dr Kerry Chant confirmed today.
“I could not be clearer,” the Chief Health Officer said. “Going on holidays is not one of the four essential reasons for leaving the northern beaches.”
Under updated restrictions announced today, those living on the northern beaches will not be able to leave unless for the following reasons: shopping for food or other goods and services; medical care or compassionate needs; exercise; work or education, where you cannot work or learn from home.
For those in Greater Sydney holidays are not banned but Dr Chant requested people be “particularly COVIDSafe during this period of time.”
“What we’re saying is where your travel is not essential, where you didn’t have specific plans, please consider that.
“Limit large gatherings, particularly indoor gatherings, enjoy the beautiful weather we are having, which is not too hot at the moment, and please enjoy outdoor environments – they are much safer from the transmission risk of COVID.”
READ MORE: Breaks over the border in Noosa being cancelled
ELLIE DUDLEY 11.45am: Premier’s tip for NYE fireworks: watch at home
The Sydney New Year’s Eve fireworks will most likely be watched from home this year, as NSW health authorities prepare to review restrictions over the next few days.
“We’ll be taking health advice in the next few days as to what New Year’s Eve looks like, but there are some basic things I can communicate very strongly,” Premier Gladys Berejiklian said.
“Everybody should assume they are watching the fireworks from home this year. In relation to hospitality venues, everybody should assume the four square metre rule as opposed to the two square metre rule.”
“We will await health advice.”
READ MORE: Scott Morrison thanks, honours older Australians during Christmas message
ELLIE DUDLEY 11.35am: Fears Bronte beach party may become ‘super spreader’ event
NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard condemned the actions of a large group of people who gathered in Sydney’s eastern suburbs at Bronte Beach yesterday.
“It is absolutely appalling to see what was clearly a group of people, a large gathering of people who didn’t give a damn about the rest of Sydney,” Mr Hazzard said, after thanking those on the northern beaches for sticking to restrictions.
“Let me tell you, that event, I am hoping, will not become a super spreader event, but there is every chance it could be.
“Obviously in the earlier stages of the pandemic we had some challenges with backpackers who clearly wanted to party in the eastern suburbs. It cannot go on.
“My message to those people and people who know any of these people is tell them to stop it, cut it out or you may well end up with the virus itself, or you may end up as part of a super spreader event.”
When asked whether or not backpackers from Europe and the US found partying on Bronte Beach could be deported over the event, the Health Minister said: “Those are issues for the Federal Government ... but we are asking them to realise and use common sense in everyday activities.
“Many of those backpackers come here to Australia and are enjoying the relative freedoms we have here. If they were in Europe right now, most of them would be in lockdown and not even allowed outside the front door. The fact that you can go out is a privilege and it should be respected in an appropriate way, in accordance with the government’s requirements.”
READ MORE: Sydney beach party defies distance rules
ELLIE DUDLEY 11.25am: Berejiklian tells Boxing Day shoppers: stay home
With Boxing Day sales commencing today, NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian has urged people to avoid the shops.
“We are very pleased this morning to see people listen to our restrictions regarding CBD shopping, thank you to everybody for your co-operation,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“Those who did turn up were wearing masks and obviously the number of people was substantially reduced.
“We know today the strategy we have in place is working and I want to really thank everybody for trying so hard and working so hard during what is often a time when we are all coming together.”
Dr Kerry Chant echoed the Premier’s message, saying she was “incredibly pleased with the response.”
“It’s vital as we are in this critical phase of the response that people limit non-essential movements, avoid crowded spaces and if they do need to go shopping and out and about indoors, please wear a mask as all times,” said the Chief Health Officer.
READ MORE: Skip CBD Boxing Day sales
ELLIE DUDLEY 11.15am: Sydney restrictions revert to those prior to December 24
Restrictions for the northern beaches and Greater Sydney will revert back to those prior to December 24 with one exception.
The northern region of the northern beaches will revert back to the stay-at-home provisions, except to have an outside gathering of five for exercise and recreational purposes.
The southern region of the northern beaches will also revert back to the stay-at-home order, except to have an outside gathering of up to 10 for exercise and recreational purposes.
These restrictions will be from midnight tonight until 11.59pm on December 30, after which the NSW authorities will reassess the situation.
“We want to nip this in the bud as soon as we can, to make sure we do the hard yards now so we can have normality as soon as we can,” said the Premier.
She reminded all Sydneysiders that they are not to enter the northern beaches, and those on the peninsula to keep movements within the region to only necessities.
READ MORE: Lessons from a lost year of Covid-19 will stand us well
ELLIE DUDLEY 11am: NSW records nine new cases for Christmas Day
NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian has announced nine new cases of coronavirus were recorded in NSW over the past 24 hours after 39,133 tests were conducted yesterday.
Eight of the nine were all directly linked to the northern beaches Avalon cluster.
She announced that the ninth positive test recorded on Christmas Day could potentially be a false positive.
Of the eight confirmed cases linked to the Avalon cluster, six are household contacts that live in the same household, and two are deemed to be close contacts to where the disease was transmitted.
NSW recorded nine locally acquired cases of COVID-19 in the 24 hours to 8pm last night, with an additional six cases in returned travellers in hotel quarantine. pic.twitter.com/khOj4aQkjN
— NSW Health (@NSWHealth) December 26, 2020
A person who flew from Sydney to Griffith on Monday 21 December has been confirmed positive for COVID-19.
Dr Kerry Chant has confirmed the person flew before they knew they were a close contact and “did nothing wrong”.
The NSW health authorities have alerted the 28 passengers who were on the flight which left Sydney at 2:10pm and arrive at 4:20pm in Griffith to get tested and isolate for 14 days.
Dr Kerry Chant addressed a case of a young child who contracted coronavirus at the Paddington Alimentari deli reported late yesterday, which has been included in today’s numbers. The Chief Health Officer has confirmed that there are four cases associated with the venue.
NSW authorities are still investigating how a man from Belrose on the northern beaches contracted COVID-19.
While the patient experienced symptoms on December 10, the case has not been linked to the Avalon cluster, Dr Kerry Chant said. He has not yet transmitted the virus to anyone.
“We are asking people to get tested, and that is to ensure ourselves those in any ongoing transmission in Belrose, Davidson and in that area of the northern beaches local government areas, but we haven’t to date picked up any cases linked to that Belrose notification,” said the Chief Health Officer.
ELLIE DUDLEY 10.00am: Five cases of new UK strain detected in Japan
Five cases of the new coronavirus strain spreading quickly across the United Kingdom have been found in Japan. Health Minister Norihisa Tamura announced the cases late on Friday after meeting with Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga, adding that they are calling for strict quarantine measures at airports and on those returning from the UK.
While Japan has managed to avoid the large scale spread seen in the UK and the US, the amount of cases in the country are rising sharply as the daily number passed 3000 for the first time this month.
The five people infected with the more highly transmissible form of the coronavirus had all recently arrived from the UK.
They have been quarantined and health officials are trying to trace their contacts and possible routes of infection.
Japan has now joined the growing list of countries banning travellers from the UK, including Canada, Germany, Singapore and Hong Kong.
This news comes as the total global coronavirus cases come to 78,951,337, with over 664,000 cases recorded over the past 24 hours.
READ MORE: Covid consequences to linger with thousands skipping critical health screening appointments
ELLIE DUDLEY 9.45am: UK infections hit record high figure
A further 570 deaths within 28 days of a positive COVID-19 test have been reported in England on Christmas Day, government figures show.
The United Kingdom will not be publishing data on fatalities on Christmas due to the holidays, so these are not being included in the numbers.
However, 32,725 new confirmed infections across the UK have been confirmed.
On Christmas Eve, the UK recorded its highest daily number of cases yet at 39,237.
Testing has increased in the week leading up to the holiday from around 400,000 to 500,000 per day, so this will account for some of the increase in cases.
READ MORE: Summer’s lazy days usher in a welcome breather
ELLIE DUDLEY 9.30am: US orders UK travellers to take test before departure
The United States will now require travellers from the United Kingdom to present a negative COVID-19 test within 72 hours of departure, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has announced.
The decision comes as a growing number of countries ban British travellers, amid the spread of a new variant of coronavirus in the UK.
Earlier this week, Canada, Singapore and dozens of other countries announced new restrictions on UK travellers after the country’s Prime Minister Boris Johnson said the strain could be 70 per cent more transmissible than other variants.
The new ban between the two countries comes as the US records 193,030 new cases and 2,835 new deaths on Christmas Eve.
The country’s cases are rising with an average 66 cases per 100,000 people over the last 7 days.
READ MORE: New coronavirus strain splits scientists
ELLIE DUDLEY 9.15am: Berejiklian to provide update at 11am
NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian and Chief Health Officer Kerry Chant will provide an update on the latest coronavirus numbers at 11am. The Premier will also announce what restrictions will remain following the expiry of measures put in place for three days last Wednesday ahead of Christmas for the northern beaches and Greater Sydney.
Christmas Day marked the 10th day since the first instances of Covid-19 were detected in the suburb of Avalon, on the northern beaches, leading to a series of restrictions across Greater Sydney and a cluster that has since surged to 108 cases.
With eight coronavirus cases recorded on Christmas Day, Sydneysiders will be hoping for another day of single-digit cases.
READ MORE: Gladys Berejiklian urges shoppers to skip CBD Boxing Day sales
Agencies 8.30am: Greg Norman tests positive, hospitalised
Australian golf icon Greg Norman has revealed he has been diagnosed with coronavirus.
Norman, who live in the US, posted the news on his Instagram page, telling fans of his anger that he had the virus.
Photos shared by ‘The Shark’ show him in his hospital bed in isolation.
“This sums it all up. My Christmas Day. On behalf of millions, f*** Covid,” Norman wrote.
“Get this s**t behind us never to experience it again.”
Read the full story here.
Agencies 6am: Pope urges Covid ‘vaccines for all’
Pope Francis in his Christmas message called for “vaccines for all, especially the most vulnerable and most in need in all regions of the planet” for the coronavirus, which he said had exacerbated existing global crises.
The pontiff also touched on the plight of children caught up by war, singling out victims in Syria, Yemen and Iraq in his Christmas message.
Vaccines were “glimmers of hope in this period of darkness and uncertainty,” Francis said in the annual Urbi et Orbi speech “to the city and the world”.
“I call on everyone, on leaders of states, on businesses, on international organisations, to promote co-operation and not competition, to find a solution for everyone: vaccines for all, especially the most vulnerable and most in need in all regions of the planet.”
The pandemic had come at a “moment in history, marked by the ecological crisis and grave economic and social imbalances”, the pope added, saying that made it “all the more important for us to acknowledge one another as brothers and sisters”.
READ MORE: Queen’s speech embraces diversity
Jamie Walker 5.15am: ‘Don’t rush vaccine for new COVID-19 variants’
An architect of Australia’s COVID-19 response has rejected calls for the vaccine rollout to be accelerated, despite the emergence of more contagious mutant virus strains in Britain and South Africa and the spread interstate of the outbreak centred on Sydney’s northern beaches.
Jodie McVernon — director of epidemiology at Melbourne’s Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity and an expert member of the council of chief health officers that delivers high-level scientific advice to Scott Morrison and the premiers — said there was no need “to press the red emergency button” and bring forward distribution of the jab from March.
Her position is at odds with Anthony Albanese who on Wednesday urged the Prime Minister to make the vaccine available as soon as January, when some or all of the three overseas formulations ordered by the government are expected to be approved.
There were 7 new COVID-19 cases in Sydney on Christmas Day, with a further case in quarantine in Queensland linked to a superyacht which arrived in Cairns after a six-week trip from the Maldives.
Even with #COVID19 vaccines rolling out around the world ðŸŒ, risk mitigation measures will be still needed for some time, @jmcvernon says.
— Melbourne School of Population and Global Health (@unimelbMSPGH) December 18, 2020
📺 Watch the full discussion of the #COVID19Vaccine plan for Aus: https://t.co/Nn2nrxm2Gp @glhamorg @unimelb_mpghss pic.twitter.com/q325oPItZN
Read the full story here.
Yoni Bashan 5am: Berejiklian urges shoppers to skip Boxing Day sales
NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian has issued an extraordinary plea to Sydneysiders to stay away from the CBD during Saturday’s Boxing Day sales, citing ongoing uncertainty around COVID-19 transmissions and concerns relating to cases identified at a Circular Quay venue.
In a move likely to heavily dampen retail sales, Ms Berejiklian and the chief health officer Dr Kerry Chant implored consumers to avoid or limit their time in the CBD over the weekend and to shop online or locally as an alternative.
While the vast majority of the state’s COVID-19 cases have so far been confined to Sydney’s northern beaches, officials have begun expressing heightened concern over three recent cases linked to the Paragon Sports Bar, in Circular Quay, and a separate cluster that has formed in the nearby suburb of Paddington.
“We know that tomorrow traditionally is a day for Boxing Day sales. We know this is not the easiest message to give to those retailers, but we want to discourage people going to the CBD tomorrow; please limit your activity,” Ms Berejiklian said.
Read the full story here.
Ewin Hannan 4.45am: Call to bar workers who refuse COVID-19 vaccine
Employers want the power to require workers to get the COVID-19 vaccine and stand them down from work without pay if they refuse, warning that bosses and employees will be left vulnerable if co-workers decline to be vaccinated.
As the government examines how the vaccine will be rolled out across workplaces, unions called for at-risk essential workers, including health, aged care, retail and hotel quarantine employees to be among the first recipients of the vaccine.
Council of Small Business Organisations Australia chief executive Peter Strong said employers should “absolutely” have the legal ability to stand down workers without pay if they refuse to take the coronavirus vaccine.
“If you’ve got four employees and one of them doesn’t get vaccinated and the other three say, ‘I’m not working with that person’, what do you do?” Mr Strong said.
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