Crowds march for Invasion Day protests – as it happened

Large crowds gather for Invasion Day protests; NSW marks grim Covid milestone as nation records at least 87 deaths from Covid-19; lockdown call for NT remote communities; Scott Morrison speaks at Australia Day ceremony in Canberra. This blog is now closed

• Thousands march in Invasion Day protests across Australia as dawn service held online
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• Covid has spread like wildfire': 703 aged care homes across Australia battle fresh outbreaks
• Guardian Essential poll reveals growing support for changing the date of Australia Day
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A leading health expert has warned of the potential spread of the virulent Omicron Covid-19 strain during events today as large crowds gather for protest or celebration, AAP reports.

Jane Halton, chair of the coalition for epidemic preparedness and former health department head, says the closer people pack together the more likely it is the virus will spread.

We know it's highly infectious and the closer everyone gets together, the more the likelihood you'll be close to someone whose got Covid and therefore the greater the likelihood you'll contract it.

People should be careful. What we don't want to see is a big increase in cases.

I don't think we should be cancelling things. I just think people should be courteous, thoughtful, and a little bit careful.