Sky News host Andrew Bolt says to get to the point of opening the borders, slowly, carefully and after the venerable have been vaccinated in Australia, our leaders must start planning now. Mr Bolt said our leaders must now start "preparing the public" for this change. "Convince them that yes, there is a risk, but it is a small one, a worthwhile one, one that we can manage, and we should manage," Mr Bolt said. "The prime minister today missed that chance to start talking of what he's going to be doing to be able to open our borders". "But here's my worry. The next federal election is likely this year or early next. "Does anyone really think this very poll-focused prime minister will dare to open the borders before then." "Now the prime minister does want Australia to stay under the doona".

Scott Morrison will visit New Zealand later this month to meet with Jacinda Ardern in the Prime Minister’s first overseas visit for the year.

Health Minister Greg Hunt says the Morrison government would strongly support a decision by the National Cabinet to exempt people who are fully vaccinated from state restrictions. Prime Minister Scott Morrison flagged the possibility on Sunday of people who had been fully vaccinated having less restrictions imposed upon them by state governments. Mr Hunt said the decision is ultimately a matter for National Cabinet when it deliberates on it, but the potential for those who have been “fully vaccinated” to be exempt from restrictions would have the support of the Morrison government. “There is strong support on the advice I have for those that have been fully vaccinated to have less requirements with less imposition where there has been the need to take action. “I think the PM is absolutely in the direction of that as a nation.”