• NSW reported 239 new local cases yesterday – the highest daily number since the start of the pandemic. Premier Gladys Berejiklian laid out new restrictions for 8 local government areas where COVID is most rampant, warning “the numbers will keep going up until we change things”. To help with enforcement activities across Greater Sydney, NSW Police has called in 300 Australian Defence Force troops.

• It’s Friday which means it’s National Cabinet day… On today’s agenda: a discussion about a path out of lockdowns for good. That involves the setting of targets for how many Aussies must be vaccinated in order to end state border closures and restrictions. It’s not a question that will be settled today, PM Scott Morrison says.

• And Qantas is rolling out a digital health pass for international flights, which will confirm passengers have clearance to fly. It’ll allow passengers to prove they’ve been vaccinated against COVID and/or have had a negative test before their flight. Qantas said the final development work is underway to be ready for when international travel resumes. Which seems to be some way off.