Get up to speed on all the coronavirus news from across Australia.
Look back on all of Friday's updates as they happened in our live blog.
Key events
- WA to drop hard border on March 3
- WA records 194 new COVID-19 cases
- No change to NT check-in rules
- Tasmania to drop check-ins at some places tonight
- No changes to dancing rules in SA
- Restrictions aren't easing Queensland ... yet
- ACT eases COVID restrictions
- Yesterday's COVID numbers
- Looking for yesterday's blog?
Live updates
By Dannielle Maguire
Cases, hospitalisations and deaths
For a detailed breakdown of cases across the country, check out Charting the Spread.
This post will be updated throughout the day as numbers are announced, so if your state or territory is not mentioned, check back later
NSW: 15 deaths, 9,243 new cases. 1,381 cases are in hospital, 92 of those in ICU
VIC: 14 deaths, 6,935 new cases. 451 cases are in hospital, 64 of those in ICU
Tasmania: 623 new cases. 11 cases in hospital, two of those in ICU
Queensland: Nine deaths, 5,795 new cases. 408 cases are in hospital, 34 of those in ICU
ACT: 561 new cases. 45 cases are in hospital, two of those in ICU
SA: 1,479 new cases. 117 cases are in hospital, 13 of those in ICU
NT: One death, 1,027 new cases. 127 cases are in hospital, one of those in ICU
WA: 0 deaths, 194 new cases, 0 in hospital
By Jessica Riga
Well, it's that time
We're gonna close the blog here! Thank you for reading along with us today.
You can stay up to date with any further updates or breaking news here on the ABC News website.
We'll see you next time. Until then, have a lovely Friday night!
By Jessica Riga
South Korea's daily COVID cases tops 100,000
New Zealand isn't the only place setting records with their daily COVID-19 cases.
South Korea's new daily COVID cases have topped 100,000 for the first time.
Authorities say social distancing measures will only be slightly eased ahead of next month's presidential election.
This includes moving a curfew on restaurants and cafes from 9pm to 10pm, following increasing criticism from business owners.
A six-person cap on private gatherings, a seven-day quarantine for international arrivals, mask mandates and vaccine passes will remain in place.
By Jessica Riga
New Zealand sets new record for daily COVID cases
Let's see what's happening in some other parts of the world.
New Zealand has reported a record day of COVID infections, with 1,929 new cases.
It comes as the country struggles with huge pressure on their testing facilities.
Residents in the largest city of Auckland have been told to expect delays in receiving their test results.
There are nearly 10,000 active cases in New Zealand.
By Jessica Riga
And now it's my turn!
Hi everyone! I'll be keeping you up to date for the rest of the evening.
By Kate Ainsworth
That's all from me
Either someone's cutting onions or I'm getting teary reading all of your comments about reuniting with loved ones in WA next month.
But the blog isn't going anywhere — the delightful Jessica Riga will be here to keep the good times rolling.
By Kate Ainsworth
Here's how you're feeling about the news
We sent our son back to uni in the eastern states almost a month ago. He did 107 days of lockdown in his college on campus, then managed to get back here where he did 14 days quarantine before getting out on Xmas Eve. He never complained. When he went back we didn't know when we'd see him next. I was buying coffee when I heard the opening date and started crying.
-All good
As a WA resident that's been waiting to get hitched on the east coast... the announcement is a huge relief. I think many WAussies have trust issues when it comes to believing the border will stay open, but hopefully March 3rd will be the start of many long-awaited reunions!
-Nearly nuptialed
I am very happy about the news. I was worried about the Feb 5 opening and think it was the right decision to delay, but with Omnicron in WA now I think its time to open up!
-NM
Wow, I've never booked flights so quickly!! After 5 sets of flights from Melbourne to Perth cancelled on us over the last two years, we've booked again. Surely we'll actually get to see our family this time. It's been nearly two and a half years. Unbelievable. What a reunion it will be.
-Hopeful
I had already booked tickets to Radelaide for Easter so very excited I won't have to stay at home for a week on the way home.
-Woohoo!
Cried when the border was delayed (although I understood why). Cried now with the new announcement. Get to see to my partner who works over east.
-fri-yay in WA
So happy about the border changes! My dad and brother are finally going to meet their first grandchild/neice, and now there are two babies to meet! They already had flights booked to come in March, but the hard border has been disrupting flights. So many local cases and so few travel cases have made the border redundant.
Welcoming more restrictions in order to open the borders, shadow lockdown is disrupting businesses anyway
-Chuffed in WA
Feels like my birthday wish has come early. After not seeing my family in WA for over 2 years the certainty that I can take my partner to meet them for the first time has me crying happy tears
-Can't wait!
I'm a little unsure how I feel. It had to happen eventually and we all knew it was coming but to hear him say it. I feel nervous, apprehensive, and ready to start moving on with life all at once
-All of the above feelings
I'm so happy/relieved that we won't have to cancel yet another trip to WA in April. I don't have to break my daughter's heart yet again. She's going to be so excited to see her WA family who we haven't seen in over a year.
-Finally!
By Kate Ainsworth
This is exciting news! However, I don't believe it'll happen considering what happened with the other opening date.
-Cole
Feels, Cole. What's that saying, once bitten, twice shy?
A reporter put this question to Mark McGowan, here's what he said:
"I can't foresee a situation where it will change. It's only 12 days away. So it's it's very a lot closer than last time.
"What happened back in December was when we announced the February 5 date ... we didn't know about the Omicron outbreak.
"The Omicron outbreak in the eastern states was a catastrophe and an emergency so therefore we had to change the date.
"We changed the date and the extra month has given us the capacity to get hundreds and hundreds of thousands of West Australians their third dose, to get many thousands of children their third dose and to avoid the peak of the eastern states, so we weren't opening the border at the peak of the eastern states which would have been catastrophic.
"So by doing what we've done and delaying by months, we've saved scores, if not hundreds of lives."
By Kate Ainsworth
Health minister: WA will see peak infections and immunity next month
WA's health minister Amber-Jade Sanderson says modelling suggests the state could see a peak of 10,000 daily COVID cases by the end of March.
But Ms Sanderson says the modelling also shows the state will also be reaching peak immunity at that time.
"This means our community will have the optimal protection [against] COVID-19 when we transition our controlled borders," she said.
WA health authorities expect the state will have a 70 per cent third dose rate by the time the border reopens.
By Kate Ainsworth
Hi Kate - so can I assume from Mr McGowan's presser that if you're 'only' double vaxxed you'll still have to quarantine on entering WA after 3/3?
-Jason
Hey Jason — a tweet shared by the Premier below says you'll have to be triple vaccinated to go into WA if you're eligible to receive your booster.
My reading of that is if you're not yet eligible to get a third dose of vaccine because it hasn't been three months since your second dose, you won't have to quarantine.
By Kate Ainsworth
Let's hear from you
How are you feeling about this news? Are you happy, nervous, apprehensive, or booking flights as we speak?
Let me know and I'll share your thoughts shortly.
By Kate Ainsworth
By Kate Ainsworth
If you missed it: RATs and G2G passes needed
There will still be some caveats when WA eases its hard border next month for interstate and international arrivals — here's the Premier's tweet about the announcement.
By Kate Ainsworth
Additional public health measures to be introduced in WA
Mr McGowan said the measure were about trying to strike the right balance for businesses and the economy and to save lives.
From 6am on Monday February 21, the indoor mask mandate will be extended statewide, with facemasks required in all indoor areas in the state.
He said 'level 1' measures would also be introduced in regions where there is currently community transmission, including Perth, Peel and the South West, with the 2 square metre rule returning for all hospitality and entertainment venues, cultural venues, fitness venues and places of worship.
By Kate Ainsworth
WA to drop hard border on March 3
WA Premier Mark McGowan says it will come into effect from 12:01am on Thursday, March 3.
Those with three doses of a COVID vaccine will not be required to quarantine on arrival to the state from that date.
"The virus is already here and we cannot stop its spread," Mr McGowan said.
By Kate Ainsworth
Where to watch the WA press conference
By Kate Ainsworth
Confused about Tasmania's check-in changes?
By Kate Ainsworth
WA press conference at 2:15 WST
I hear rumours of a 2pm Perth time McGowan press conference - do you guys know if this is happening? Cheers.
-Klay77
There are rumours of a 2pm press conference today - is there any truth to this, or just OTHER media outlets trying to scare people?
-WA presser
¡Ay, caramba!, thats a lot of cases for WA.
any word on a press conference from Mr McGowan?
-Bigfella
To quote Lizzo, the rumours are true — it's just been confirmed that there will be a press conference out of WA this afternoon at 2:15pm WST.
If time zones aren't your thing (no shame, they're not mine either), that time is 5:15pm AEDT or 4:15pm AEST.
I'll share a live stream link when we're a little closer to that time.
By Kate Ainsworth
thank you for the blog and the simpsons clips. i am having a tough time trying to get my 75yr old mum with parkinsons boosted. i'm in qld and she is in nsw and she is in no rush. its doing my head in and giggling at homer living his best life on the sofa was just what i needed. i'm off to dig out my simpsons dvds and binge. thanks for your hard work and the community feeling you have built.
-Sarah
Sorry to hear you're having a tough time Sarah, but we're glad we could make you smile today.
Enjoy re-watching! If bingeing The Simpsons is wrong, I don't want to be right.
By Kate Ainsworth
COVID scare in WA parliament as state records highest daily tally
Along with 194 new local COVID cases in WA today, a WA government spokesperson has confirmed Labor MP Terry Healy is a close contact of a COVID-19 case.
The spokesman said Mr Healy, who sat in parliament for three days this week, was awaiting the result of a PCR test.
All MPs have been wearing masks in the legislative assembly, except when delivering speeches.
You can read the full story here.
