Timeline of the COVID-19 pandemic in Australia

On 23 January, biosecurity officials began screening arrivals on flights from Wuhan to Sydney. Passengers were given an information sheet and asked to present themselves if they had a fever or suspect they might have the disease.[4]

On 25 January, the first case of a SARS-CoV-2 infection was reported, that of a Chinese citizen who arrived from Guangzhou on 19 January. The patient was tested and received treatment in Melbourne.[5][6] On the same day, three other patients tested positive in Sydney after returning from Wuhan.[7][8][9]

Nine cases were recorded in January. From 31 January, foreign nationals returning from China were required to have spent a fortnight in a third country before being allowed into Australia.[10]

By 6 February, three returning members from a tour group in Wuhan were identified in Queensland.[11]

Twenty-four Australians were infected on the Diamond Princess cruise ship with eight being sent to Darwin for two weeks of quarantine.[12] The number repatriated from the ship are included in the state totals as follows: Qld (3), SA (1), Vic (4), WA (2, one of whom died on 1 March).[13]

On 27 February, the prime minister activated the Australian Health Sector Emergency Response Plan for Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19),[14] stating that the rapid spread of the virus outside of China had prompted the government to elevate its response.[15]

On 29 February, after a Queensland case of an infected person returning to Australia from Iran, the government extended the enforced quarantine to people who had been in Iran, requiring them to spend a fortnight in a third country before being allowed into Australia.[16] There were 14 new cases in February, bringing the number of cases to 23.

Forrest highway, Perth-Peel region checkpoint for entering the South West region

On 1 April, the Western Australian State Government introduced intrastate travel restriction, limiting movements between the regions of Western Australia.[68]

On 2 April, the number of cases in Victoria exceeded 1,000, including over 100 healthcare workers.[69]

Also on 2 April, the Federal government announced the temporary provision of free childcare so that people could continue working, and to prevent closure of childcare centres. The Government will pay half each centre's operating costs.[70] The free childcare ended on 12 July, and the previous Child Care Subsidy was reintroduced.[71]

On 5 April, New South Wales Police Force launched a criminal investigation into whether the operator of Ruby Princess, Carnival Australia, broke the Biosecurity Act 2015 (Cwth) and New South Wales state laws, by deliberately concealing COVID-19 cases.[72]

On 6 April, the Department of Health revealed that 2,432 people recovered from the infection as the federal government started reporting recovery statistics. This is more than a third from the official number reported so far, Deputy Chief Medical Officer Professor Paul Kelly stating, "I think it is important. Firstly it really reinforces that message, which is a true one, that most people who get this disease do recover". The day before, at 3 p.m., it was announced that 2,315 of the 5,687 confirmed coronavirus cases had recovered.[73]

Roadside hospital advice in Burnie, Tasmania, telling people to call emergency services or head to Launceston General Hospital.

On 11 April, the charity Anglicare was advised of an outbreak at its Newmarch House aged care nursing home in Caddens, New South Wales.[74][75] On 14 April, the outbreak was linked to an infected staff member with minor symptoms, but who attended work for six shifts. Ten residents and five other staff tested positive for coronavirus.[76] On 27 and 28 April, four residents of the home died in less than 24 hours, bringing to eleven the number of residents who had died from COVID-19 since 11 April.[74][75] By 9 May, there had been 69 COVID-19 cases linked to the facility, 32 staff and 37 residents. On 19 May, the 19th resident died from coronavirus.[77]

Also on 11 April, the South Australian state government announced its own A$350 million dollar COVID-19 related economic stimulus measures.[78]

On 13 April, the Tasmanian government closed the North West Regional Hospital and North West Private Hospital for cleaning, and put the entire staff of over 1,000 people and their families into quarantine.[79]

On 15 April, a Western Australian man became the first person in Australia to be jailed for breaking a self-isolation directive.[80]

On 27 April, the Federal government announced A$94.6 million of support was available for zoos, wildlife parks and aquariums in financial difficulties due to coronavirus restrictions.[81]

On 30 April 2020, the ACT declared itself to be free of all known cases of COVID-19, the first Australian jurisdiction.[82] However, on 4 May there was a one new case, a young woman who acquired the virus overseas.[83] On 10 May, the ACT was again free of active COVID-19 cases.[84]

An outbreak in Victoria at a meatworks, later revealed to be Cedar Meats, was announced on 2 May with eight cases.[85] By 8 May, the cluster of cases linked to Cedar Meats in Victoria was 71, consisting of at least 57 workers and 13 close contacts, including a nurse, aged care worker and high school student.[86][87] The number had increased to 75 by 9 May,[88][87] 88 by 13 May,[89] and 90 by 14 May.[90]

Adelaide's Myer Centre food court closed due to the pandemic.

On 9 May, two Victorian cases were announced to be related to McDonald's Fawkner.[87] By 18 May, this had increased to 12 cases, and on that day it was revealed that a delivery driver had tested positive, prompting the closing for cleaning of 12 more McDonald's locations: Melton East, Laverton North, Yallambie, Taylors Lakes, Campbellfield, Sunbury, Hoppers Crossing, Riverdale Village, Sandown, Calder Highway Northbound/Outbound, Calder Highway Southbound/Inbound, and BP Rockbank Service Centre Outbound.[91]

As of 15 May in New South Wales, some restrictions on public gatherings were eased. After being restricted to take-away only since March, free standing cafes and restaurants, and those inside pubs and clubs, were allowed some sit-down dining. Bars and gaming areas remained closed. Ten people were permitted in restaurants and cafes, social distancing rules still had to be followed. Outdoor gatherings of up to 10 people were allowed. Up to 10 guests were permitted at weddings, funerals could have up to 20 mourners indoors, 30 outdoors. Up to 10 people were allowed at indoor religious gatherings.[92][93]

On 15 May, South Australia became the second jurisdiction, after the ACT, to be free of any active cases;[94] however, on 26 May, a woman returning from overseas who was granted exemption into South Australia from her hotel quarantine in Victoria tested positive for COVID-19. This was the first new case in 19 days for the state.[95] On 4 June, it was announced that the woman had recovered and the state was free of any active cases once again.[96]

On 17 May, Victoria announced two further business sites had been shut down due to a suspected case at each. Domino's Pizza in Fairfield has been shut for two weeks, and mattress manufacturer The Comfort Group in Deer Park was closed from Friday 15 May to at least Wednesday 20 May.[97]

On 19 May, in New South Wales, another resident of Newmarch House nursing home died from coronavirus. This brought COVID-19 related deaths at the nursing home to nineteen and the national death toll to 100.[77]

On 21 May, the Northern Territory had also announced that there were no more active cases left in the jurisdiction.[98][99]

On 25 May, a night duty manager at one of Melbourne's quarantine hotels reported a fever and tested positive on 26 May. Five security guards on contract from Unified Security also tested positive, as did members of their families.[100] Victoria's Chief Health Officer indicated that "a very significant proportion of [Victoria's second wave of] cases were linked to hotel quarantine."[101]

On 6 June, both New South Wales and Victoria reported no new cases for the previous 24 hours, with only Queensland and Western Australia reporting one new case each, the lowest national total since February. Western Australia also announced two old cases. However, the new case in Queensland was linked to the Rydges on Swanston cluster in Melbourne when a man who travelled from Melbourne to Brisbane on Virgin flight VA313 on 1 June tested positive.[102]

On 7 June, a man travelling from overseas to the Australian Capital Territory was diagnosed with coronavirus. This was the Territory's first new COVID-19 case in more than a month, with the last reported case being on 4 May.[103] By 17 June, this case had recovered and there were no longer any more active cases in the Territory once again.[104]

On 12 June, there were no longer any active cases in Tasmania.[105]

On 20 June, the Victorian Government announced the re-tightening of restrictions on household gatherings following a spike in community transmitted cases over the previous week, reported to be mainly caused by family-to-family transmission in large household gatherings. From 22 June, households could again only have five visitors; and most easing of restrictions that were to take place were postponed.[106] The same day restrictions were re-tightened in Victoria, the Western Australian Government announced the state would move into "Phase 4" from 27 June, permitting some of the most relaxed restrictions in the country. The listed restrictions included a reduction of the four-square-metre rule for enclosed venues to two square metres, as well as the allowance of 50% capacity limits for large venues such as Optus Stadium which seats 60,000 patrons at full capacity.[107]

On 30 June, the Victorian Government re-enforced local lockdowns across 10 different Melbourne postcodes. Residents in these postcodes had to comply with the four acceptable reasons to leave their houses: shopping for essentials; for medical or compassionate needs; exercise in compliance with the public gathering restriction of two people; and for work or education purposes.[108][109][110]

On 2 July, the Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews announced the "Judicial Inquiry Into Hotel Quarantine Program". This followed some cases of coronavirus in Victoria being linked by DNA sequencing to a breach in hotel quarantine infection control. The Inquiry was to "… examine the operation of Victoria's hotel quarantine program for returning travellers." It was headed by retired judge Jennifer Coate, and scheduled to deliver its report to the Governor by 25 September.[111][112] The inquiry was delayed by lockdown restrictions.[113] Andrews noted that "it is abundantly clear that what has gone on here is completely unacceptable and we need to know exactly what has happened."[111] An interim report was published on 6 November,[114] and the inquirys final report was published on 21 December.[115]

On 4 July, the Victorian Government announced an additional two postcodes affected by the lockdown until 29 July 2020.[116] Furthermore, effective immediately the announcement was made, nine public housing towers housing about 3,000 residents were added, with the additional condition that residents could not leave the tower under any circumstances for five days, with the possibility of extension to 14 days.[117]

From 5 July, at the request of the NSW Government, the Federal Government introduced restrictions on the number of passengers arriving at Sydney Airport. A maximum of 50 passengers per flight, and 450 international arrivals per day was set.[118]

On 6 July, the Victorian and NSW governments announced that their interstate border would be closed from the start of 8 July.[119]

On 7 July, after recording 191 new cases, Premier Andrews announced that metropolitan Melbourne and Mitchell Shire would re-enter lockdown for a minimum of six weeks from 12 a.m. on 9 July.[120]

By 10 July more than 357,000 people had returned to Australia since 13 March 2020.[121]

On 11 July, the NSW Government announced that compulsory hotel quarantine, previously free to international arrivals, would now be charged for from 18 July. Those already in quarantine were not charged, nor those who purchased flights and had a confirmed international arrival date before 11:59  p.m. 12 July 2020 AEST.[122]

On 12 July, the free Federally funded childcare introduced on 2 April 2020[70] ended, and the Federal Child Care Subsidy was reintroduced. At the same time the government loosened the "recognised activities" criteria for those whose employment was impacted by the pandemic. They were eligible for subsidised childcare of up to 100 hours per fortnight till 4 October 2020.[71]

On 14 July, because of an increase in new cases, the NSW Government announced tightened preventive measures, and introduced new requirements for pubs. Effective as of 17 July, the new rules included per-table seating reduced from 20 to 10 and a maximum number of 300 persons in any venue.[123]

On 18 July, it was announced that a sitting of Federal Parliament, scheduled for the first 2 weeks of August, had been cancelled. Medical advice said there was a "significant risk" if members were to return to Canberra from all over Australia. Parliament was rescheduled to return on 24 August.[124]

On 19 July in Victoria, Andrews announced that "face coverings" were to be mandatory in metropolitan Melbourne and Mitchell Shire when residents left their homes. Enforcement began after 11:59  p.m. on Wednesday 22 July to allow time to acquire a face covering. A fine of A$200 applied to those not complying, though there were some exemptions. In addition, the State of Emergency in Victoria was extended until 11:59  p.m. on 16 August 2020.[125] (See 19 July in COVID-19 pandemic in Australia#Victoria for more details.)

On 20 July, the number of daily overseas arrivals allowed at Sydney Airport was reduced from 450 (since 5 July) to 350.[126]

Also on 20 July, it was announced that the Federal Coronavirus Supplement and JobKeeper subsidy would be extended, but in altered form at a lower rate, beyond 24 September.[127]

From 22 July in Victoria visitations to aged care/ health care settings were restricted to carers only and a limit of one hour per day.[125]

On 27 July, the Prime Minister renamed the National COVID-19 Coordination Commission, formed on 25 March 2020 as the "National COVID-19 Commission Advisory Board (NCC)".[59]

In late July, businessman Clive Palmer claimed that the closing of the borders by the Western Australian government was unconstitutional and he launched a legal challenge in the Federal Court. In response the Western Australian Premier Mark McGowan labelled Palmer an enemy of the state.[128] Palmer also claimed that the border closure would "destroy the lives of hundreds of thousands of people for decades" and compared the death toll of COVID-19 with that of road accidents and influenza.[129]

On 1 August, the 2020 Tasmanian Legislative Council periodic election, deferred from 30 May, took place.[130]

On 2 August, a state of disaster was declared in Victoria from 6 p.m. that day, with the imposition of increased restrictions for at least six weeks; Metropolitan Melbourne moved to stage 4 restrictions and regional Victoria to stage 3 restrictions.[131] The increased restrictions included a curfew across Melbourne from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. starting immediately,[132] while other changes that took effect from 8 August were that abattoir production was reduced by a third and poultry production by one fifth to allow for reduced worker numbers. Major supermarkets reintroduced limits on meat purchases.[133]

Scott Morrison withdrew support of Clive Palmer's legal challenge to WA border entry restrictions on 2 August after receiving a public backlash against his previously supportive stance. Mark McGowan praised the Commonwealth for its withdrawal and indicated the Western Australian government would continue to fight the case. He urged Palmer to withdraw.[134]

On 7 August, an easing of internal WA restrictions was deferred to at least 29 August due to the outbreak in Victoria.[135]

On 14 August, the 2021 Australian Wooden Boat Festival was cancelled.[136]

On 6 September, the Victorian Government released their five-step roadmap to reopening, which detailed the conditions which needed to be met to facilitate the gradual easing of Victoria's restrictions.[137][138]

On 13 September, Melbourne moved from Stage Four into to the First Step of the roadmap for reopening, which allowed for slightly reduced restrictions; such changes included the implementation of social bubbles which allowed those living alone or single parents to have one other person in their home, the reopening of playgrounds and outdoor fitness equipment, libraries allowed to open for contactless click and collect, as well as a reduction of the curfew by an hour. On the same day, regional Victoria moved from Stage Three restrictions to the Second Step of the roadmap, which enabled up to five people to gather together in outdoor public places from a maximum of two households, the reopening of outdoor pools and playgrounds, as well as allowing religious services to be conducted outside with a maximum of five people, plus a faith leader.[139]

On 27 September, with the cases in Melbourne continuing to fall, restrictions there were loosened: the night-time curfew ended the next day, outdoor exercise with a personal trainer was allowed, public gathering limits were increased (up to five people from a maximum of two households could meet outdoors for social interaction) and childcare reopened the next day, with kindergarten programs returning from 5 October. Additionally, primary school students, special school students and students in Years 10–12 undertaking the Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) or Victorian Certificate of Applied Learning (VCAL) would return to school on 12 October.[140] Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews announced that coronavirus restrictions were intended to be lifted faster, in time for a "Covid-normal Christmas".

On 11 October, Victoria's State of Emergency and State of Disaster were extended until 11.59pm on November 8.[141][142]

On 12 October, Australian scientists at the CSIRO (Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation) were credited with discovering that the coronavirus could survive for up to 28 days on glass, stainless steel and paper banknotes.[143]

On 16 October a trans-Tasman travel bubble went into effect, whereby travellers from New Zealand were able to go to New South Wales, the Australian Capital Territory and the Northern Territory without having to quarantine upon arrival. However, the arrangement was not reciprocal - Australian travellers still had to quarantine for 14 days upon arrival in New Zealand.[144]

On 19 October, restrictions were eased in Victoria; the two-hour time limit for exercise and socialising was lifted, groups of up to 10 people from two households were allowed to gather outdoors, outdoor sports settings like tennis courts, golf courses and skateparks could reopen, outdoor swimming pools can host up to 30 swimmers, hairdressers were able to open with strict safety protocols in place, outdoor real estate auctions were allowed to go ahead with up to 10 people plus staff, non-essential outdoor home maintenance can take place with up to five workers and many allied health services resumed to face-to-face services. Further easing of restrictions were scheduled for 2 November.[145]

On 24 October, Victoria recorded 98 active cases statewide; this was the first time since June 19 in which Victoria had under 100 cases.[146]

On 26 October, the "second wave" ended when Victoria recorded zero new cases and zero deaths statewide for the first time since 9 June, 139 days.[147][148] On the same day, Daniel Andrews announced a significant easing of restrictions to take effect over the coming weeks. From 11.59pm on 27 October, people no longer required a reason to leave home, all retail, restaurants, hotels, cafes and bars were allowed to open with capacity limits, beauty, personal services and tattooing will reopen, outdoor community sport for under 18 and outdoor non-contact sport for adults recommenced, a maximum of 10 people were allowed to attend weddings, a maximum of 20 mourners allowed to attend funerals and faith and religious gatherings allowed to resume, subject to patron limitations.[148] From 11.59 pm on 8 November onwards, the 25 kilometres (16 miles) travel limit was removed, restrictions on moving between regional Victorian and metropolitan Melbourne lifted, gyms and fitness studios opened for with a maximum of 20 people per space and one person per 8 square metres, capacity limits for restaurants, hotels, cafes and bars increased, gathering limits for faith and religious gatherings increased and indoor pools opened for up to 20 people.[149]

On 31 October 2020, Western Australian Premier Mark McGowan announced that from 14 November, Western Australia's hard border policy would be eased, enabling residents from states and territories deemed very low risk (i.e. Tasmania, Queensland, South Australia, the Australian Capital Territory and the Northern Territory) to enter the state without undertaking quarantine.[150][151]

On 1 November 2020, Australia recorded zero cases of community transmission nationwide for the first time since 9 June 2020.[152][153]

On 6 November the Victorian hotel quarantine inquiry published its interim report.[114]

On 17 November 2020 the NSW Government announced the "Out and About" economic stimulus voucher scheme. NSW residents over 18 years-of-age will be eligible to receive four A$25 vouchers through Service NSW. Residents will need to have a Service NSW account to receive their vouchers.[154] Two vouchers are for dining, the other two are to be spent on entertainment.[155] After trials in Sydney and regional areas, full rollout is scheduled for March. The scheme was later renamed "Dine & Discover NSW".[154][155]

On 16 November South Australia reintroduced "a number of significant restrictions" after an outbreak of coronavirus in the northern suburbs of Adelaide.[156]

On 21 November, South Australia ended its lockdown after it was uncovered that the patient thought to have spread the virus hadn't come into contact with many people and had lied to health officials. South Australian Premier Steven Marshall said that the government would be "looking very carefully at what consequences there are going to be", although South Australian Police Commissioner Grant Stevens said that the man would likely not face charges as there was "no penalty associated with telling lies".[157]

On 24 November, Victoria recorded no active cases in the state for the first time since 29 February. This was also the first time since 21 February where there were no cases of COVID-19 in Victorian hospitals.[158]

On 27 November, Victoria recorded 28 consecutive days without recording any new COVID-19 infections or deaths; 28 days is considered to be the benchmark for eliminating COVID-19 from the community.[159][160]

On 30 November, the Victorian government announced that a new dedicated agency, "COVID-19 Quarantine Victoria" (CQV), had been created. The interim Commissioner of CQV is the Commissioner of Corrections, Emma Cassar. CQV is part of the government's response to the COVID-19 Hotel Quarantine Enquirys' interim report. It will oversee all parts of the Victorian quarantine program. The CQV Commissioner will be supported by three Deputy State Controllers, two have been appointed,[161] while as of 15 January 2021 the third Controller position was being advertised.[162]

On 11 December, the V451 vaccine being developed at the University of Queensland was abandoned after trials revealed that while safe, it triggered false positives in HIV screening tests.[163]

On 18 December, Sydney's Northern Beaches was declared a national COVID-19 hotspot following an outbreak that was linked to 28 cases. No patient zero has been found for this outbreak.[164] Chief Medical Officer Paul Kelly had designated the region a COVID-19 hotspot in line with the National Cabinet's guidelines, which designates a metropolitan area a potential hotspot if it registers 30 or more community transmissions within three days.[164][165] In response, Queensland health authorities imposed new border restrictions on anyone entering Queensland who had visited the Northern Beaches cluster area including a mandatory two-week quarantine period.[166]

By 19 December, 23 new cases were reported in the Northern Beaches area.[167] On 19 December, Western Australia reinstated its hard border with New South Wales, no longer permitting travel from NSW without an exemption.[168]

By 20 December, 30 new cases were reported in Sydney, with 28 being linked to the Avalon RSL club and Avalon bowling club within the Northern Beaches cluster. This brought the total number of cases within the Northern Beaches cluster to 66. In response, Premier Gladys Berejiklian imposed social gathering restrictions across Greater Sydney, the Blue Mountains, and the Central Coast areas including a ten-person limit on private gatherings and restrictions on dancing and singing.[169]

On 20 December, the Northern Territory re-imposed controls on cross border movements of people who were from, or visited Greater Sydney, the Blue Mountains, Illawarra and the Central Coast, including quarantine requirements. Queensland, Victoria, and South Australia also strengthened their borders.[170] Canberra will require quarantine of those from the Central Coast, Greater Sydney, Illawarra-Shoalhaven, and Nepean Blue Mountains.[171]

On 21 December, New South Wales health authorities reported 15 new cases, bringing the total number of cases in Sydney's Northern Beaches cluster to 83. More than 38,000 people had been tested in the previous 24 hours.[172]

Also on 21 December, the Victorian hotel quarantine inquiry published it final report.[115]

On 30 December, a new cluster was announced in New South Wales, comprising six members of an extended family living in Croydon and two other locations, found through testing of a symptomatic family member. No link to the Northern Beaches cluster was immediately identified. The cluster grew by three additional family members on 31 December.[173]

On 30 December, Victoria reported community transmission for the first time in 61 days, with three cases in total found in Melbourne, growing by three further cases on 31 December, suspected to have originated in a traveller from New South Wales.[174][175] In response, on 31 December, Victoria lowered allowed household guests to 15, and mandated masks indoors anywhere other than in Victorians' own homes.[176]

New Year celebrations, such as the fireworks on Sydney Harbour, when they were held, were mostly considerably reduced due to restrictions introduced to prevent crowds gathering. Melbourne, Canberra, Brisbane (and the Gold Coast), and Adelaide cancelled their official New Year's fireworks.[177] In Sydney, access to the city, and the CBD in particular, was restricted, foreshore access was not permitted. The 9pm display was cancelled, the usually boat crowded harbour was largely empty, and the midnight fireworks were reduced to 7 minutes. Those attending hospitality venues required a pass to a access harbourside areas. At homes, only five visitors were allowed.[178][179] In regional South Australia firework displays were still held in Victor Harbor, Port Lincoln and Murray Bridge. In Brisbane some hospitality venues hosted private fireworks, but they were paid, ticketed events. [178]

As the Northern Territory made it through the year with no community transmission, Darwin celebrated with some of the "most relaxed coronavirus restrictions" in Australia.[178] Two 10 minute firework shows were held at the Darwin Waterfront Precinct. Patrons had to register on-line, pay A$20, and there were no door sales.[177] About 10,000 people attended the waterfront. Organisers claimed that, as more NT residents were holidaying locally, and interstate tourists had travelled north to avoid interstate restrictions, the event was bigger than previously. Perth also enjoyed a relatively normal New Years Eve due to Western Australia's, then, community transmission free status.[178] There was a 9pm family display, and 5 minutes at midnight. People were encouraged to follow normal COVID safe rules, and register on the SafeWA app at events.[177][178] In Hobart, the Taste of Tasmania food and wine festival had been cancelled, so the usually busy CBD was unusually quiet. Two firework displays were still held on the Derwent River. Large crowds could not congregate as outside gatherings were restricted to 1,000.[178]

On 2 January, NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian announced that face masks would become mandatory in many indoor venues in Greater Sydney, Central Coast and Wollongong,[lower-alpha 1] including supermarkets, places of worship and public transport, from 3 January.[180] A$200 on-the-spot fines were given to non-compliant individuals from 4 January. People exempt to the mandate included children under the age of 12.[181]

Berejiklian also announced that gym classes must have a maximum size of 30 people, places of worship must only welcome a maximum of 100 worshippers and one person every four square metres, and weddings and funerals limited to 100 attendees or one person per four square metres. She also said that outdoor performances must only have 500 people in attendance while events which were "seated, ticketed and enclosed" were reduced back to a maximum capacity of 2,000. Night clubs were not allowed to operate.

On 3 January, NSW Chief Health Officer Dr Kerry Chant revealed that results of genomic testing concluded that cases in Berala were not linked to cases in the Northern Beaches.[182]

Also on 3 January, an anti-mask protest was held inside Westfield Bondi Junction. This was the first day that new mask wearing requirements, including venues like shopping centres, came into effect.[183]

On 5 January, NSW Acting Premier John Barilaro warned that an individual diagnosed with COVID-19 had travelled to Orange, Broken Hill and Nyngan. He urged people who attended certain venues in those towns to monitor for symptoms and to get tested.[184]

On the same day, Qantas announced that it had moved the resumption date of ticket sales for international flights to 1 July.[185] Transport Minister Michael McCormack responded by saying that "decisions about when international travel resumes will be made by the Australian government".

On 6 January, NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard announced that all spectators of the Third Test at Sydney Cricket Ground would have to wear a face mask, except when consuming food or drink.[186]

On the same day, some health experts called for Australia's international borders to be strengthened or even closed again due to increasing concern about a COVID-19 strain, the Variant of Concern 202012/01, which was first identified in Kent, United Kingdom. Victorian Deputy Chief Health Officer Allan Cheng had raised the issue with the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee. Dr Tony Blakely, an epidemiologist from the University of Melbourne said Australia needed to “close the border or strengthen it as much as we possibly can”. Professor Damian Purcell from the Department of Microbiology and Immunology at the Peter Doherty Institute, said Australians “don’t need to be terrified” of expected coronavirus mutations.[187] After the strain was found in quarantined travellers in Melbourne, the Victorian Government said it was considering banning travellers from the UK. That afternoon, Prime Minister Scott Morrison posted on Facebook to announce that he would "convene a special meeting of National Cabinet" on 8 January. He said that it would be to discuss a proposal to strengthen international travel procedures, "particularly in the context of the UK strain".

Victorian Acting Premier Jacinta Allan announced a "pause" in changes to workers returning to the workplace. Up to 50% of Victorian employees were initially planned to be allowed to work in the office.[188]

On 7 January, Australian Prime Minister Morrison announced that they would bring forward the rollout of the Pfizer–BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine to February. He said workers dealing with international arrivals, hotel quarantine workers, frontline healthcare workers, and workers and residents in aged care and disability care would receive the vaccine first.

Meanwhile, Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk announced that a hotel quarantine cleaner had contracted COVID-19.[189] It was later confirmed that she was infected with the Variant of Concern 202012/01.[190] In response, Queensland Chief Health Officer Dr Jeannette Young announced immediate restrictions to visitors to certain facilities, including aged care and hospitals, in the Metro North, Metro South and West Moreton Hospital and Health Service regions.

On 8 January, National Cabinet met and agreed to major changes to international air travel arrangements. These included halving the weekly cap of international arrivals to 1,500 in NSW and 500 in WA and Queensland until 15 February, as well as mandating that all international travellers test negative for COVID-19 before flying to Australia.[191][192] Masks were also made mandatory for all passengers and crew on domestic and international flights and in airports, with few exemptions.[193]

On the same day, Queensland Premier Palaszczuk announced a three-day lockdown for all of Greater Brisbane.[lower-alpha 2] In response, NSW told Queenslanders to isolate while SA declared Greater Brisbane a hotspot. Tasmania declared Greater Brisbane as "high risk" while WA implemented a hard border with Queensland.

On 15 January the airline Emirates announced it was indefinitely suspending all flights to, or from, Brisbane, Sydney, and Melbourne.[194] However, within a week Emirates announced that it would resume the cancelled routes. In the interim, cargo operations to all Australian airports, and flights between Dubai and Perth, continued.[195]

On 16 January the Federal government announced 20 repatriation flights to return Australian citizens stranded overseas. The flights will be from 31 January to 31 March. The number of people returned will be in addition to existing caps on international flight arrivals.[196] As of 15 January 2021 over 37,000 Australians were stranded abroad.[194]

On 23 January an anti-mask protest was stopped by police from entering the Westfield Parramatta shopping centre. Warning was given to the group to obey public health orders, and follow social distancing guidelines. One man was arrested when he did not comply with the police directive when the group dispersed after they were given a move-on direction. A protest group was also turned away a week earlier.[197]

On 25 January, the Federal government suspended the trans-Tasman travel bubble operating since 16 October 2020. This removed the ability of New Zealanders to travel to Australia, without quarantining, for at least 72 hours. This followed the discovery of a NZ resident with the South African COVID-19 variant. The woman was not known to be infectious, having twice tested negative to COVID-19 before leaving quarantine, then visited many places in northern NZ, but was then found to have the new strain.[198]

On 28 January the ban on travel from NZ without quarantine was extended for 3 more days.[199]

On 29 January 2021, the ability of Australians stuck overseas to fly back to Australia was further hampered when the UK banned direct flights from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) over the possible spread of the South African COVID-19 variant. Both Etihad and Emirates airlines are UAE based, and major carriers between the UK and Australia.[200]

On 1 February, Queensland opened its border to all states except Western Australia. Since border closure 6,855,750 border passes were issued.[205]

On 2 February, responding to the WA lockdown, New South Wales ordered more than 1,100 people who had visited affected areas in WA since 25 January into five days of lockdown. They must adhere to the same restrictions as if they had stayed in WA. Any arrivals from WA must have a COVID-19 test within 48 hours, or undergo 14 days of quarantine.[203]

Also on 2 February the Ellume company of Brisbane received a contract worth A$302 million (US$230 million) from the United States Department of Defense to provide at-home COVID-19 testing kits. The "Ellume COVID-19 Home Test" is the first at-home COVID-19 test to get emergency approval from the US Food and Drug Administration. The company claims its test can be done in 15 minutes and is around 95% accurate.[206]

On 3 February in Victoria, a quarantine hotel worker at the Grand Hyatt Melbourne, a "resident support officer" involved in the Australian Open tennis quarantine program, was found to have COVID-19. From 11:59 pm Victoria immediately reintroduced some rules, tightened some, and put off imminent easing of some restrictions. The plan to, from 8 February (Monday), allow up to 75 per cent of office workers back into their workplaces was put on hold. Masks are mandatory inside, and only 15 persons are allowed at private events. The man visited a numbers of businesses from 29 January to 1 February, but was able to give contact tracers a detailed list of places and times. Anyone who was at those places at those times, must be tested, and isolate for 14 days. Testing site hours were extended from 4 February, opening at 8am. More drive-through lanes were added, and additional testing sites opened.[207]

On February 4, the Northern Territory declared ten suburbs in Melbourne to be hotspots. Arrivals into NT from Melbourne, West Melbourne, Noble Park, Keysborough, Springvale, Brighton, Wheelers Hill, Clayton South, Heatherton or Moorabbin will be required to go into mandatory quarantine for 14 days. Those already in NT who have been in any of the hotspots since January 29 will also have to self-isolate until their COVID-19 testing is negative.[208]

On 5 February 2021, National Cabinet decided to increase the number of international passenger arrivals to Australia as from 15 February. New South Wales will return from 1,505 to a weekly cap of 3,010 people and Queensland from 500 to 1,000. South Australia has increased from 490 a week to 530, and Victoria from 1,120 to 1,310. Western Australia will remain at a reduced arrival cap of 512. The total national weekly cap of 4,127 will increase to 6,362. It was 6,645 on 15 January, when the cap was cut as a response UK strain of coronavirus. Repatriation flights to: the Howard Springs facility in the Northern Territory; Canberra; and Hobart are additional to the caps.[209]