Original article by Hannah Wootton, David Marin-Guzman
The Australian Financial Review – Page: Online : 7-Jan-22

Australia posted 72,392 new cases of COVID-19 on Thursday, along with 13 deaths. NSW recorded the most new cases, with 34,994, followed by Victoria, with 21,997. The record number of cases comes as businesses in a range of sectors are experiencing significant disruptions to their operations as a result of staff being sick or having to isolate. Treasurer Josh Frydenberg said he had spoken to the CEOs of Coles, Wesfarmers, Metcash and Woolworths in regard to supply chain and workforce problems, and that Treasury was relying on its National Co-ordination Mechanism to "resolve these issues". Business groups have compared the current chaos being caused by the surge in omicron cases as akin to being in lockdown, with confusion over new rules for testing and monitoring of cases only adding to the problem.

CORPORATES
AUSTRALIA. DEPT OF THE TREASURY, COLES GROUP LIMITED – ASX COL, WESFARMERS LIMITED – ASX WES, METCASH LIMITED – ASX MTS, WOOLWORTHS GROUP LIMITED – ASX WOW