• New COVID cases were recorded in NSW (22), South Oz (5), Queensland (3), Victoria (1) and Western Oz (1). Most have been linked to other cases. NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian flagged the 2-week lockdown covering Greater Sydney and beyond could lift next week if new case numbers continued to remain stable. “To date, our fears about huge escalation haven’t materialised, and we certainly want to keep it that way,” she said.

• While the Top End recorded no new cases yesterday, Alice Springs was locked down after a miner (who’s since tested positive for the virus in Adelaide) spent 7 hours at the airport last Friday. Chief Minister Michael Gunner said it’s a precautionary measure with no one in Alice Springs testing positive for COVID.

• The war of words over Australia’s vaccine rollout hit epic levels yesterday. Queensland’s Chief Health Officer Jeannette Young told the under 40yos not to get the AstraZeneca vaccine because “I don’t want an 18yo in Queensland dying from a clotting illness who, if they got COVID, probably wouldn’t die.” For the Morrison Government’s part, Health Minister Greg Hunt said the official medical advice has not changed – Pfizer is the preferred option for those under 60yo, and AstraZeneca is recommended for older citizens.