COVID-19 update: WHO warns against 'playing fire with virus'; Australia to ease mask rules at airports

This is your update on COVID-19 in Australia for 15 June.

The NT has become the first Australian jurisdiction to end mandatory face masks at airport terminals following recommendations from the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee (AHPPC).

The Northern Territory has become the first Australian jurisdiction to end mandatory face masks at airport terminals from 18 June. (file) Source: AAP Image/Bianca De Marchi

On Wednesday, Australia reported at least 54 COVID-19 deaths, including 18 in Victoria, 14 in New South Wales (NSW) and 13 in Queensland. Also, Western Australia reported three historical deaths.

The hospitalisation number has again soared in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT). It reported 97 people with COVID-19 in hospitals, the highest since the pandemic began.

Check the latest COVID-19 trends for new cases, hospitalisations and deaths in Australia .
WHO's COVID-19 technical lead Dr Maria Van Kerkove said the pandemic is far from over.

"We are playing fire with this virus… I understand that the world wants to be done with the COVID-19 pandemic, but such intense circulation will lead to more variants. Even with current variants, deaths are far too high and totally unacceptable when we have tools to prevent them," Dr Van Kerove said.

The Northern Territory (NT) announced that its Public Health Emergency Declaration will cease at 11.59 pm on Wednesday, 15 June.

However, rules regarding close contacts, mandatory isolation for COVID-19 positive cases and face masks will remain in place.

The NT has become the first Australian jurisdiction to end mandatory face masks at airport terminals following recommendations from the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee (AHPPC).

Other Australian jurisdictions are expected to follow suit. However, they need to amend their respective public health orders before lifting the mask mandates at terminals. They can do it as early as Friday, 18 June.

Masks are still mandated on flights across Australian states are territories.

Australia's Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has provisionally approved Novavax as COVID-19 booster dose for people aged 18 and above.






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Published 15 June 2022 12:55pm
Updated 15 June 2022 1:08pm

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