COVID-19 update: Over 70 per cent of Australians aged 16 and over are fully vaccinated

This is your update on the Coronavirus in Australia for 20 October 2021.

Australian Health Minister Greg Hunt (left) and Australia’s Chief Medical Officer Paul Kelly speak to the media during a press conference at Parliament House in Canberra, Wednesday, October 20, 2021. (AAP Image/Lukas Coch) NO ARCHIVING

Health Minister Greg Hunt (left) and Chief Medical Officer Paul Kelly during a press conference at Parliament House in Canberra, Wednesday, October 20, 2021. Source: AAP Image/Lukas Coch

Victoria eases border restrictions with NSW
NSW set to resume non-urgent elective surgery
ACT records 24 new community cases

Victoria

Victoria has recorded 1,841 new locally acquired cases bringing the total of active cases to 22,598. Twelve people have died.

From today, fully vaccinated people travelling to Victoria will not need to quarantine on arrival.

Travellers from the Greater Sydney region, including the Blue Mountains, Central Coast, Shellharbour and Wollongong, will still need an orange zone permit to enter Victoria.

People who are not fully vaccinated will have to isolate on arrival, get tested within 72 hours, and remain in isolation until they receive a negative result.

Find a vaccination centre near you.

New South Wales

NSW has recorded 283 new locally acquired cases and 7deaths.

Non-urgent elective surgery will resume in Greater Sydney next week after a two-month pause during the height of the recent COVID-19 outbreak in the state.

Surgeries will be capped at 75 per cent capacity at public and private facilities within Greater Sydney, including the Nepean Blue Mountains region from Monday.

Click to book your vaccine appointment today.

Last 24 hours around Australia

The ACT has announced mandatory vaccination for disability support workers and in-home and community aged care workers in Canberra.
Federal Minister for Health Greg Hunt said that Australia has reached a key milestone in the national reopening plan as over 70 per cent of all adults aged 16 and over are fully vaccinated.

Quarantine, travel, testing clinics and pandemic disaster payment

Quarantine and testing requirements are managed and enforced by state and territory governments:

NSW Travel & transport and Quarantine

VIC Travel permit, Overseas travellers and Quarantine

ACT Transport and Quarantine

NT Travel and Quarantine

QLD Travel and Quarantine

SA Travel and Quarantine

TAS Travel and Quarantine

WA Travel and Quarantine

If you want to travel overseas, you may be able to apply online for an exemption. Click here for more information about the conditions to leave Australia. There are temporary measures for international flights that are regularly reviewed by the government and updated on the Smart Traveller website.