/ 13 December 2021

Keeping up with the coronavirus

Image source: EPA
Image source: EPA

THE SQUIZ

Last Christmas, COVID led us astray and the very next Christmas, it’s hectic again… Put the Wham! classic behind it and you’ll know what we were aiming for… Long story short, COVID-related developments are coming in thick and fast. And if you’re looking to protect yourself, cross a state border, or understand the impact of the pandemic, it’s good info to be on top of.

RIGHTIO. LET’S START WITH PROTECTING OURSELVES…

Health Minister Greg Hunt yesterday said booster shots will be available at the 5-month mark after your second COVID vaccination. The change brings it forward by a month and means an extra 1.5 million Aussies are now available to get their 3rd shot now. With the Omicron and Delta strains doing the rounds, officials say the booster gives stronger and longer-lasting protection, and it helps prevent the spread. Both the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines will be available as boosters, Hunt confirmed.

AND WHAT AM I LOOKING OUT FOR THIS WEEK?

So. Much. Stuff. In 3 quick points:

Queensland’s border opened early this morning to all fully-vaccinated Australians for the first time since July. Those coming from hotspot areas need a border pass after providing proof of vaccination and a negative test result received within the previous 72 hours. Thousands of people have been locked out of the state over the last 5 months, and lengthy queues on the roads from NSW are expected today.

On anticipated border openings, Premier Mark McGowan will today announce when Western Oz will reopen, reports say. February is the hot tip, which is when the state’s vaccination rate is expected to hit 90%. And our international border could be reopened to uni students from overseas, skilled migrants and other visa holders from this week, reports say. That was delayed when Omicron arrived as the shiny/new thing.

And for the economics nerds – MYEFO will be delivered on Thursday. MY-what-now? The federal government’s Mid-Year Economic and Fiscal Update. You might remember Treasurer Josh Frydenberg delivered May’s budget with the confidence of a squirrel facing a bountiful season – and weeks later, Sydney and then Melbourne went into lockdown. We’ll find out how much that’s impacted the government’s budget outlook.

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