Australia Covid live update: Sydney lockdown to be extended as millions in Victoria and SA awake to eased restrictions

Speaking of NSW, the state’s opposition leader Chris Minns is out and about this morning and is … well, surprisingly supportive of the premier, given the news we are expecting today.

Minns was asked on ABC News Breakfast if he thought Berejiklian should have locked down harder and faster:

Well, I mean, self-evidently this will be the sixth or seventh change to restrictions since in the last four weeks when the initial outbreak was recorded. So I think even the chief health officer and the premier herself would say that the original measures didn’t work.

But, look, I mean there would be plenty of time to work out the chronology, what happened in the intervening weeks, the circumstances that led to the initial lockdown. Right now, we just want this to work. I mean, we’re all praying for the government is success, because people are hurting in New South Wales and in Sydney and everyone I speak to is just desperate for this to be over.

Good morning everyone, it’s hump day, but don’t worry we can get through it together.

It’s Matilda Boseley here and let’s start the day off with an update on NSW.

At 11am it’s expected NSW premier Gladys Berejiklian will announce a four-week extension to the Greater Sydney lockdown.

The Guardian understands Berejiklian will not be introducing curfews, but the government is exploring rapid antigen testing for year 12 students to allow them to return to school ahead of their HSC exams. Other years will be expected to remain at home for their schooling over the additional four-week period. These rapid tests may also be used at essential workplaces such as supermarkets.

A singles bubble, which would allow those who live alone to visit one other person in the same circumstances, is also likely to be introduced for this next phase of the lockdown.

As Berejiklian had previously indicated, some construction will be permitted to resume from Saturday provided sites have approved Covid-safe plans.

That will set a new end date of August 28 – nine weeks after the city first entered the severe restrictions.

But in better news, those in Victoria and South Australia are waking up out of lockdown, although heavy restrictions remain in place.

For example, in Victoria it remains illegal to have guests over to your home and restaurants and cafes can reopen but only for seated service, with strict density caps.

Okay, my friends, let’s not delay any further and jump straight into the day.

If there is something you reckon I’ve missed or think should be in the blog but isn’t, shoot me a message on Twitter @MatildaBoseley or email me at matilda.boseley@theguardian.com.