Key Points
- WA passes a controversial Bill in the lower house to replace emergency powers
- Tasmania opens a new service for people experiencing long COVID
- The US may soon approve new Omicron-specific booster doses for children aged 5-11
Western Australia has passed legislation in the lower house to replace emergency powers introduced during the pandemic.
The Emergency Management Amendment (Temporary COVID-19 Provisions) Bill 2022 will allow the McGowan government to continue enforcing COVID-19 restrictions.
The Bill, described as "draconian" by the opposition, will now be debated in the upper house in October.
On Friday, Australia reported its weekly COVID numbers.
Data shows the average of new daily COVID cases for the week ending 20 September was 6,543 - nearly 15 per cent lower than the past week.
Tasmania has launched Post COVID-19 Navigation Service for those continuing to experience symptoms 12 weeks after contracting coronavirus.
From tomorrow (Saturday), Tasmanians won't need a booking to get a PCR test at all state-run clinics. Instead, they can turn up during opening hours.
The Guardian reported that COVID-19 cases have risen more than 20 per cent in England this week after declining since early July.
The US Food and Drug Administration said the new Omicron-specific booster doses for children aged five to 11 are "only a matter of weeks away".
Booster doses are currently not available to all children in Australia.
However, the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation is currently reviewing the Therapeutic Goods Administration's decision to allow boosters in children.
Japan, Taiwan and Hong Kong have shared plans to reopen their borders.
China and North Korea are now the only two countries that still have entry restrictions.
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