Scott Morrison ORDERS states to fall in-line ahead of National Cabinet meeting

Prime Minister Scott Morrison has called on all states and territories to ‘recalibrate’ their Covid-19 rules to help prevent the spread of the Omicron Variant. 

On Wednesday, December 22, at 12 pm Morrison will chair an emergency National cabinet meeting with the state premiers to discuss the alarmingly high rates of Covid-19 cases following the ease of the restrictions and opening of borders. 

Speeding up booster shots, requiring people to get three jabs, and mask mandates are possibly on the cards in a bid to slow down the rate of Omicron transmission.

According to SBS, the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisations is looking at whether it will be necessary for people to receive a booster shot before they can be considered fully vaccinated. 

This comes as Chief Medical Officer, Professor Paul Kelly, wrote to the federal, state and territory leaders, on behalf of the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee (AHPPC), stating that a mask mandate needs to be imposed in all indoor venues.

#BREAKING The Chief Medical Officer Paul Kelly has written to the Prime Minister, Premiers and Chief Ministers urging them to mandate masks in a range of indoor settings before Omicron cases escalate @SBSNews

— Anna Henderson (@annajhenderson) December 20, 2021

Since emerging out of lockdown in Spring, the ease in restrictions and mobility has increased the more transmittable Omicron variant, infecting a record 3,986 people across the nation on Monday. 

As a result, Morrison wants the leaders to fine-tune their approach to Omicron.

“We need to recalibrate some of the public health measures and social measures that are in place,” he told reporters in an interview on Monday, December 20. 

Despite his ominous warning, Morrison has said premiers don’t need to consider reestablishing a full-scale lockdown as seen in some countries in Europe.

“We would urge (state and territory leaders) to be calm, and consistent messages be given about travel arrangements and the requirements,” he said. 

Experts have warned that the surge in cases across Australia during the holiday period is largely due to interstate travel and gatherings. 

As of today, December 21, NSW has recorded over 3,000 new Covid-19 cases with 284 people in hospital.

Victoria has over 1,200 new cases and six deaths. 

South Australia has more than 100 new cases, a record number for one day, with five new exposure sites. Queensland records 59 new cases, while the ACT has 13 and Tasmania with four – taking their total to 14 active cases. 

SBS reported that Labor deputy leader Richard Marles has accused the coalition government of leaving Australia behind while other nations were receiving booster shots. 

“Scott Morrison has stuffed up the rollout of the vaccine initially this year, now we’re seeing it happen again with the booster,” he said.

While more than one million people in Australia have already received their Covid-19 booster shot, the decision to reduce the gap between second and third doses to five months allows up to four million people to be eligible for a booster this year. 

Morrison has maintained Australia has enough boosters to meet this demand. 

“There was some pressure, but that’s been overcome now and people will be able to get on and (get their booster) over the course of the summer break,” he said.

Masks will be mandatory indoors in Tasmania from today, December 21. 

Queensland has already mandated masks in hospitals, public transport and essential retail shops but recommends people to wear them in all indoor venues. 

New South Wales is currently resisting calls to tighten their Covid-19 responses, including reintroducing maks indoors, where Premier Dominic Perrottet wants to treat his citizens ‘like adults.’