More details have emerged about two new community cases, Australia extended its travel bubble suspension, and new instructions were given to people staying in managed isolation. Here s a summary of today s Covid-19 developments in New Zealand.
More cases have been linked to the Pullman Hotel MIQ facility, Australia has extended its ban on a travel bubble for Kiwis, and police closed down a community checkpoint, amog today s other events.
Photo: RNZ / Dom Thomas
Further details about two new community cases of Covid-19 emerged today, including that they are a father and daughter who stayed at the Pullman Hotel in managed isolation around the same time as a 56-year-old Northland woman who was confirmed to have the virus on Sunday.
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Australia won t allow quarantine-free travel from New Zealand for at least another three days after two more community cases of COVID-19 were discovered across the Tasman.
Acting Chief Medical Officer Michael Kidd said the new positive tests for the South African strain of coronavirus, a variant of concern , led to the call. This allows continuing protection of the people of Australia while the extent of the situation in New Zealand continues to be clarified, Professor Kidd said, apologising for any disrupted plans.
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The Australian government made the decision on advice from the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee on Thursday.
Pfizer is expecting to enter fresh talks with the Australian Government about providing millions more doses of it coronavirus vaccine.
The federal government has a deal for enough doses to vaccinate five million people with the vaccine, which received provisional approval earlier in the week, but is seeking more.
Pfizer Australia s market access director Louise Graham told a Senate inquiry the company anticipated new negotiations about a further allocation could start in coming weeks. The allocation to Australia is 10 million doses. We expect to be in future discussions about the ability to increase that, she told the hearing on Thursday.
Australia extends NZ travel pause for additional 72 hours28/01/2021|8min
Australia has extended its travel pause with New Zealand for an additional 72 hours after two more people tested positive to the South African strain of the COVID-19.
Deputy Chief Medical Officer Michael Kidd said the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee recommended the pause in flights from New Zealand be extended for a further 72 hours in response to the new information.
Australia suspended the arrangement on Monday after a woman tested positive to the virus upon leaving hotel quarantine in Auckland and the two new cases were staying at the same facility.
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After more than 29,000 cases and 909 deaths, the federal government has promised the Australian adult population will be vaccinated against COVID-19 at hospitals, specialist hubs, GP clinics and chemists by the end of October.
In an undertaking described by Department of Health secretary Brendan Murphy as âthe most complex logistical exercise that perhaps weâve done in public health in this countryâ, the federal government is leading state and territory health departments in a mammoth inoculation operation.
What does Australiaâs vaccination timeline look like? And where will you get yours? Here is what we know so far.