By Dean Bilton
Pinned
Today’s case numbers and press conference times
This section will be updated throughout the day. If you don’t see your state or territory yet, don’t worry — press conference times may not be confirmed yet (or there may not be one), and case numbers often filter in through the day.
Victoria
Case numbers: 61 new local cases, 48 linked to known outbreaks, 22 in isolation while infectious. Press conference: Rewatch this morning’s press conference
Queensland
Case numbers: Zero new local cases. Press conference: Rewatch this morning’s press conference
New South Wales
Case numbers: 825 new local cases, three deaths. Press conference: Rewatch this morning’s press conference
Northern Territory
Case numbers: Zero new local cases
Australian Capital Territory
Case numbers: Eight new local cases.
Western Australia
Case numbers: Zero new local cases.
Tasmania
Case numbers: No announcement
South Australia
Case numbers: Zero new local cases.
New Zealand
Case numbers: 21 new local cases.
By Michael Doyle
That is all for the blog today
We have been given our cue to close the blog.
Another big day of news with plenty of press conferences.
Thank you to everyone who joined us on the blog today.
Until next time, stay safe and be well.
By Michael Doyle
By Michael Doyle
South Australia records zero cases
By Michael Doyle
Indigenous leaders commended for efforts during the vaccine rollout
Professor Kidd made special mention of the work of leaders in the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities during the vaccine rollout.
He said their work had been vital in getting Australia’s Indigenous population vaccinated.
Currently, any Aboriginal or Torres Strait Island person aged 12 and over is eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine.
By Michael Doyle
More than 51 per cent of eligible Australians have had their first vaccine dose
Australia’s deputy Chief Medical Officer Professor Michael Kidd says 16.8 million doses have been administered in Australia since the start of the rollout.
He said 51.8 per cent of eligible Australians have had their first dose.
By Michael Doyle
Professor Michael Kidd is now speaking in Canberra
By Dean Bilton
Melbourne protest has simmered down
There are still plenty of people on the street, but since the earlier flashpoint they have dissipated heavily. Still a heavy police presence in the CBD too.
Over in Sydney, any signs of protest were pretty quickly quelled by police. You can read more about that one here.
By Dean Bilton
Small protest held in Darwin
More than 100 protesters have gathered in the Darwin city centre as part of nationwide rallies against government responses to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Some attendees wore masks while police attempted to hand out disposable masks to those without them.
Greater Darwin is no longer in lockdown but restrictions remain including mandatory masks where there is not enough room to safely distance.
NT Police have been contacted for comment
By Dean Bilton
Space to play or pause, M to mute, left and right arrows to seek, up and down arrows for volume.
By Dean Bilton
Thousands attend Brisbane protests
More than 2,000 anti-lockdown protesters gathered in Brisbane’s Botanic Gardens before a planned march through the city.
Protesters held signs opposing vaccination and the government.
Some rounded on the media, yelling “fake news”. A sign in the crowd read, “the truth variant is here”.
No one was wearing a mask except for reporters and police who stood on the perimeter of the crowd.
Restrictions on mask-wearing in Greater Brisbane eased on Friday afternoon.
Masks are not required to be worn outdoors, unless people can’t put 1.5 metres between themselves and others.
Queensland didn’t record any new cases of COVID-19 in the community on Saturday, as health authorities urged people to get vaccinated.
Reporting by Jess Rendall and Jim Malo
By Dean Bilton
Pepper spray used as protesters charge police line in Melbourne
A number of people engaged with the first line of police physically, leading to a pretty significant scuffle and copious amounts of pepper spray being unleashed.
FYI: As some have pointed out in a previous image we had in this post, the News Channel super was changing at the exact moment the screenshot was taken, leading to a rather unfortunate combination of two titles.
By Dean Bilton
Protesters approaching lines of police on Flinders St
Some are throwing flares at and confronting the police.
By Dean Bilton
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By Michael Doyle
WA records zero new cases today
There are still four active cases in the state, according to WA Health.
By Michael Doyle
NT will declare all of Victoria a COVID hotspot
The Northern Territory will declare all of Victoria as a COVID-19 hotspot from 2:00pm ACST today, the Chief Minister’s office says.
Currently, Greater Melbourne and Greater Shepparton are the only parts of Victoria considered hotspots.
Approved travellers arriving in the NT from declared hotspots are required to undertake 14 days of supervised quarantine.
By Michael Doyle
Northern Territory records zero new cases
There has been no change to NT COVID-19 case numbers.
Zero new cases have been reported in the past 24 hours, according to the government’s website.
By Michael Doyle
Melbourne protesters charge through the police line
After a standoff between a line of police and protesters there was a charge at police, footage from the ABC shows.
Police horses were startled as a line of protesters ran with their arms linked towards the police.
This broke the police line which led to several protesters storming through and down the street.
By Dean Bilton
Police making arrests at anti-lockdown protests in Sydney
By Dean Bilton
