COVID-19 update: Melbourne's aged care charged over 2020 outbreak; Australia relaxes travel rules

This is your update on COVID-19 in Australia for 4 July.

Australian Defence Force medical personnel were deployed at an aged-care facility in Victoria following a COVID-19 outbreak. (file) Source: AAP Image/Supplied by Australian Defence Force

On Monday, Australia reported at least 26 COVID-19 deaths, including 24 in Victoria and one each in New South Wales (NSW) and South Australia.

The number of people with COVID-19 in hospitals is rising across Australian states and territories.

NSW reported 1,725 people with COVID-19 in hospitals - its highest since 28 April.

Tasmania reported 72 people with COVID-19 in hospitals - its highest at least in the past four months.

Check the latest COVID-19 trends for new cases, hospitalisations and deaths in Australia here.

Australia has amended its Biosecurity Act to facilitate international travel.

From 12.01 am 6 July, travellers will no longer be required to declare their COVID-19 vaccination status before entering or leaving Australia.

However, they are still required to wear face masks on domestic and inbound international flights.

All visa holders can travel to Australia without needing a travel exemption.

Travellers arriving by sea will no longer be asked to complete a Maritime Travel Declaration.

On Monday, Worksafe Victoria charged St Basil's Homes with nine breaches under the Occupational Health and Safety Act following a deadly COVID-19 outbreak at its Fawkner residential aged care facility in 2020.

Worksafe Victoria said of the 94 residents who tested positive for coronavirus, 45 died from COVID-19 related complications.

SBS has reached out to St Basil's for their comments. 

Queensland's Health Minister Yvette D'Ath said the state will follow advice from the Chief Health Officer on re-introducing face masks amidst rising infections and hospitalisations. 

She said the third wave in the state could peak higher than the previous wave.

Australia has crossed the grim milestone of 10,000 COVID-19 related deaths over the weekend. Experts say there could be 14,000 deaths by the end of the year if the trend continues.

The World Health Organization (WHO) said monkeypox cases have tripled over the past two weeks in the European Region.

The Region represents almost 90 per cent of globally reported cases since mid-May.

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