NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian has called for an increase on the 7,500 tests that were conducted in the last reporting period, saying the state needs to avoid getting complacent in order to continue on its positive path.
Here's a summary of what happened on Tuesday:
- Victoria recorded a further three deaths and 28 new cases. While that's up from the 11 cases reported yesterday, Melbourne's 14-day average continued to drop, getting down to 32.8.
- Queensland reported no new cases, with the Premier announcing five new NSW local government areas were being added to the border zone from October 1. This will let residents from Byron Bay, Ballina, Lismore, Richmond Valley and Glen Innes come into Queensland, and allow Queenslanders to travel those areas.
- South Australia also had some big border news, with people from NSW to be allowed into the state from late tomorrow night if there's no more community transmission.
- NSW reached a massive milestone, having recorded no locally acquired cases for the first time in 60 days. The two new infections recorded today were returned travellers.
- WA recorded another three cases, all being international arrivals. The Premier said it highlighted the importance of a strong hotel quarantine program.
- Messages between senior public servants responsible for finding private security firms for Victoria's hotel quarantine program revealed officials were concerned they were dealing with a "cowboy industry".
- NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian said while she was relieved at the state's low COVID-19 case numbers, she was still concerned by low testing rates.
Look back at Tuesday's key events as they unfolded in the blog below:
