Australia Covid live news updates: NSW crisis widens amid fears of extended lockdown

NSW premier Gladys Berejiklian to update case numbers after new hotspots listed by NSW Health

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• NSW restrictions; NSW hotspots; Qld restrictions; Qld hotspots
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12.35am BST

NSW premier Gladys Berejiklian, NSW chief health officer Dr Kerry Chant and NSW police deputy commissioner Gary Worboys will speak to the media at 11am.

12.29am BST

Labor have criticised the belated decision to establish an mRNA manufacturing capability in Australia. The lack of mRNA manufacturing in Australia has left the nation wholly reliant on imports of Pfizer and Moderna.

Labor MP Anika Wells told the ABC:

Why didn’t we prioritise local manufacturing, the production of an mRNA vaccine back in March 2020? Because we are now – you know, in July 2021, you would think we will be able to have these things rolled out by now. I think what our work as local MPs should be is supporting local business, encouraging local manufacturing and making decisions to manufacture stuff onshore, locally where we absolutely possibly can. This is a real missed opportunity.

I think that the evidence on this is actually extremely clear and it’s responsible to encourage Australians to get vaccinated. Now obviously there has been a risk assessment around prioritisation, but it is very important that politicians don’t seek to inflame community concerns against actual risk.

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