NSW says western Sydney to stay in harsher lockdown; Victoria to bring back ‘ring of steel’ as 221 cases recorded; Hunt dismisses ALP’s Pfizer claimes

Victoria to lift regional lockdown for most areas after 221 new coronavirus cases; NSW records nine deaths and 1,480 cases, says international quarantine period likely to be reduced for vaccinated travellers; Morrison throws support behind vaccine certificates for travel

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• Western Sydney could see 724 deaths but thousands saved by lockdown, modelling shows
• Australia on track to live with Covid from early 2022, leading epidemiologist says
• Doctors warn NSW emergency departments face five times the number of Covid patients as ICUs
• ICU specialists call for plan to fly interstate staff to NSW to relieve strain on hospitals
• NSW Covid vaccination rate by postcode - check your suburb
• Vaccine rollout tracker; get our free news app; get our morning email briefing

10.16am BST

That's where I will leave you for today. Here's a wrap of what we learned:

10.05am BST

ABC News is reporting that the Mid and North Coast, along the Riverina, will see lockdown restrictions lifted from tomorrow.

The reports also indicate regional travel within NSW will resume when the state hits 70% double dosed. We'll bring you more as it will likely be announced at tomorrow's press conference.