COVID-19 Update: Cases on the rise as Australia passes 90 per cent vaccination target

Prime Minister Scott Morrison said we should keep calm and keep getting vaccinated to deal with the recent outbreak. Source: AAP Image/Mick Tsikas

This is your update on the Coronavirus in Australia for 17 December 2021.

Updated 17/12/2021

By SBS/ALC Content

Australia has now passed its 90 per cent double vaccination target.
NSW records a further 63 Omicron cases as the state’s daily infection number reaches an all-time high.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison congratulated the country on 90 per cent vaccination and said we cannot go back to lockdowns.
NSW restricts visitors to healthcare facilities due to high transmission rates.

We have temporarily restricted visitors to healthcare facilities due to increasing transmission rates with the emergence of the Omicron variant. pic.twitter.com/WyrFQhUO3b
— NSW Health (@NSWHealth) December 16, 2021

An aged care facility in suburban Brisbane is put in lockdown after a COVID-positive person visited the facility.
Queensland implements mask mandates in retail settings, on public transport and taxi and ridesharing settings from 18 December, however no lockdowns in state plans.
From 28 December, no limits will apply to home gatherings and vertical consumption in South Australia. The international quarantine timeframe will also be reduced to 72 hours.

COVID-19 STATS:

Victoria recorded 1,510 locally acquired cases and seven deaths.
NSW recorded 2,213 new community cases and one death.
South Australia recorded 64 new cases.
Queensland recorded 20 new cases, 5 of which are Omicron.
The ACT recorded 20 cases.

For measures currently in place in response to the COVID-19 pandemic in your language, visit here.

Quarantine and restrictions state by state:

Find out what you can and can't do in your state or territory

Travel

Information for international travellers and Covid-19 and travel information in language

Financial help

There are changes to the COVID-19 Disaster Payment once states reach 70 and 80 per cent fully vaccinated: Getting help during Covid-19 from Services Australia in language

News and information over 60 languages at sbs.com.au/coronavirus
Relevant guidelines for your state or territory: NSW, Victoria, Queensland, Western Australia, South Australia, Northern Territory, ACT, Tasmania.
Information about the COVID-19 vaccine in your language.

Visit the translated resources published by NSW Multicultural Health Communication Service:

COVID-19 Vaccination Glossary
Appointment Reminder Tool.

Testing clinics in each state and territory:

NSW
Victoria
Queensland
South Australia
ACT
Western Australia
Tasmania
Northern Territory