A growing number of politicians – including from Democratic leadership – are calling for President Donald Trump to be removed from office either through impeachment or the 25th Amendment to the Constitution after a violent mob of Trump supporters stormed the US Capitol.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is the latest to push for immediate action, calling on Vice President Mike Pence to invoke the 25th Amendment.

"I join the Senate democratic leader in calling on the Vice-President to remove this President by immediately invoking the 25th amendment,' Ms Pelosi said a short time ago.

"If the Vice-President and Cabinet do not act, the Congress may be prepared to move forward with impeachment."

Her comments come after moves by the Democrats, and at least one congressional Republican. Republican Adam Kinzinger of Illinois, a frequent critic of the President, has called for the 25th Amendment to be invoked, saying in a video message on Thursday local time, "the President must now relinquish control of the executive branch voluntarily or involuntarily".

The top Democrat in the Senate has also embraced the 25th Amendment push.

Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer put out a statement on Thursday denouncing the "insurrection" at the Capitol "incited by the President," and saying, "This president should not hold office one day longer".

"The quickest and most effective way — it can be done today — to remove this president from office would be for the Vice President to immediately invoke the 25th amendment. If the Vice President and the Cabinet refuse to stand up, Congress should reconvene to impeach the president," he said in the statement.

Invoking the 25th Amendment would require Vice President Mike Pence and a majority of the Cabinet to vote to remove Mr Trump from office due to his inability to "discharge the powers and duties of his office" — an unprecedented step.

Other rank-and-file Democrats have urged impeachment in the wake of the mob violence at the Capitol that took place as a joint session of Congress met to count the Electoral Votes affirming President-elect Joe Biden's win amid false claims from Mr Trump that the election was rigged against him.

Four members of the progressive "squad" of Democratic lawmakers – Representatives Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Ilhan Omar, Rashida Tlaib and Ayanna Pressley — all spoke out in support of impeachment in the wake of the violent siege of the Capitol.

"I am drawing up Articles of Impeachment. Donald J. Trump should be impeached by the House of Representatives & removed from office by the United States Senate. We can't allow him to remain in office, it's a matter of preserving our Republic and we need to fulfill our oath," Ms Omar tweeted Wednesday.

"This is on Donald Trump, period. He called folks to D.C. and gave them marching orders. He needs to be impeached and removed immediately," Ms Tlaib tweeted Wednesday.

With Mr Biden's inauguration date fast approaching on January 20, it is highly unlikely that there would be adequate time or political will in Congress for any kind of impeachment effort.

Any 25th Amendment push is also unlikely to come to fruition with little time left before Mr Biden's inauguration. The calls in Congress, however, underscore the extent to which lawmakers are reeling and furious with the President in the wake of the devastation at the Capitol on Wednesday.

The Democratic-led House of Representatives impeached Mr Trump already in 2019. In order to remove a President from office through impeachment, the Senate must vote to convict after an impeachment trial. That did not happen in the Republican-controlled Senate where Mr Trump was ultimately acquitted.

After the pro-Trump mob was cleared from the Capitol, lawmakers reconvened late in the evening to continue the Electoral vote count. Congress completed the count and finalised Mr Biden's win in the early hours of Thursday morning, US time.

Earlier, Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg confirmed the social media platform will ban Mr Trump's account from posting for at least the remainder of his term in office and perhaps "indefinitely".

Major roads out of Brisbane were packed as residents drove away from the area's 6pm lockdown which is now in force.

Traffic had almost been brought to a standstill on the Bruce Highway, as thousands of residents tried to make their way to the Sunshine Coast.

Motorists travelling south to the Gold Coast on the M1 were warned traffic was slow through Springwood and Pimpama.

READ MORE: Prime Minister says Brisbane is in a 'serious situation' as he backs lockdown

https://twitter.com/RACQOfficial/status/1347386036192649220

Now restrictions are in force tonight, police have said they will launch a blitz to make sure drivers are following the health orders.

Gold Coast Police Chief Superintendent Mark Wheeler said officers would use number plate recognition technology to detect Brisbane drivers.

"I would ask everyone to do the right thing," he said.

"If you're from the Greater Brisbane area, just stay home for the weekend."

Brisbane Airport has also been busy, as travellers rush to get home to beat new border restrictions in other states and territories.

Western Australia, the Northern Territory, South Australia have all closed their borders to Greater Brisbane after the Federal Government declared it a COVID-19 hotspot.

The rush to leave the city comes as the Prime Minister urged residents to "stay where you are".

"Don't go anywhere and don't go home to another state or any other part of your state," Scott Morrison said.

"Over the next few days, stay where you are."

RELATED: Australia's domestic border restrictions explained: State-by-state breakdown

Greater Brisbane will enter a three-day lockdown this evening to prevent the spread of the UK COVID-19 strain.

The new restrictions come after a quarantine hotel cleaner from Algester tested positive to the virus yesterday.

From now, Brisbane, Logan, Ipswich, Moreton, and Redlands will be under the same restrictions introduced in March.

People in the designated lockdown areas will only be able to leave their home for essential reasons including providing or receiving healthcare or support for a vulnerable person, essential shopping within their local area and exercise in your local neighbourhood.

https://twitter.com/qldhealthnews/status/1347320522657316867

Anyone coming into Australia must first return a negative coronavirus test before departure, and masks will be mandatory on all flights going forward.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced these measures, along with the intent to reduce flight caps for international arrivals for the next month, today following National Cabinet.

The raft of new rules around travel are in direct response to the detection of the new highly-virulent UK strain of the virus in Australia.

READ MORE: Greater Brisbane to enter three-day lockdown after new locally acquired case

LIVE UPDATES: US Capitol Police officer dies; Nancy Pelosi calls for Trump to be removed or impeached

Mr Morrison said from today passengers and crew must wear masks throughout any domestic flight and inside all Australian airports.

Children under 12 and those with specific medical conditions are exempt from this rule.

Australian passengers and crew must also be masked on any international flights or in overseas airports.

International air crews must undergo a COVID-19 test in Australia every seven days, and will have their own specialist quarantine location, and are not allowed to move around.

"These measures, over the course of the next week, and the compliance arrangements that sit around that, will be put in place by the Commonwealth and the state governments," Mr Morrison said.

Alongside new rules for international travellers, Mr Morrison said there will be reduced caps on international travellers entering Australia.

These are as follows:

• NSW – 1505 travellers a week
• Western Australia – 512 travellers a week
• Queensland – 500 travellers a week
• Victoria – no change
• South Australia – no change (currently 490)

"That will be reviewed now by 15 February, not under the arrangement we previously had, which was at the end of this month," the prime minister said.

Greater Brisbane has been declared a COVID-19 hotspot on a Commonwealth level, meaning it will be recognised by every state and territory in the country. 

"The Brisbane hotspot, as we are declaring it at a Commonwealth level – it is different to a normal definition we'd apply to hotspots, but you've got to change the rules when there is new information and new uncertainties being introduced," Mr Morrison said.  

"And that is the case in relation to this strain. That applies to Brisbane, Logan, Moreton, Redlands, and Ipswich. This comes into effect at 6pm this evening." 

Following National Cabinet, Western Australia Premier Mark McGowan described the positive case of the mutant strain of COVID-19 in Brisbane as "extremely concerning".

"This is a dangerous situation, not only for Brisbane, but for the whole of Australia," Mr McGowan said.

As a result, a hard border with Queensland will be reinstated and will come into effect at midnight tonight.

Travel into Western Australia from Queensland will no longer be permitted, with some exemptions.

Premier Daniel Andrews has issued a stern warning for Victorians not to protest the day that divides the nation – Australia Day.

It comes as the traditional Australia Day parade has been ruled off the calendar this January 26.

Mr Andrews has urged people against gathering, regardless whether for celebrations or protests.

"It's not about what you're gathering for, it's about, are you gathering in a safe way?" Mr Andrews said.

"It (the Invasion Day march) is not a seated event and judgement from public health team – not politicians – was it couldn't be done safely."

Opposition leader David Davis labelled Mr Andrews' approach as a "clear double standard."

"It's a repeat of what happened in June with the (Black Lives Matter) march then," Mr Davis said.

But an "Invasion Day" dawn service will proceed, with the backing of Melbourne City Council.

"I don't believe the world should stop because of COVID we just have to do it differently," Jill Gallagher, Former Treaty Commissioner, said.

"It's still important to get message across about what Australia Day means to us as aboriginal people."

Outdoor gatherings in Melbourne are currently limited to 100 people, but exemptions can be granted for public events as long as organisers submit a COVID safe plan.

Everyone in attendance must be registered and they're required to maintain social distance.

"The dawn ceremony is a way of supporting an event that reflects that ancient Australian history," Melbourne Lord Mayor Sally Capp said.

The service at Kings Domain will be ticketed for 250 seated people with council organising QR codes and COVID marshals.

Intelligence have suggested protests are being planned by those on both sides of the political spectrum.

"There will be zero tolerance for any antisocial or criminal behaviour," a Victoria Police spokesperson said.

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New travel restrictions have once again been introduced, with Greater Brisbane to enter a three-day lockdown after a quarantine hotel worker contracted the new, more virulent UK strain of COVID-19.

It follows fresh outbreaks in Sydney and Melbourne over the Christmas-New Year period that saw states and territories hurriedly reinstate border restrictions.

READ MORE: Greater Brisbane to enter three-day lockdown after new locally acquired case

Consequently, there have been several changes made to the way residents can pass between states. It's important to note almost no border restrictions are reciprocal – you must always check both states' regulations before travel.

From hotspots to red zones and everything in between, here is where each state and territory currently stands.

Queensland

Greater Brisbane will enter a three-day lockdown starting at 6pm today as authorities attempt to contact trace a hotel quarantine cleaner who has contracted the mutant UK strain of the virus.

All Greater Brisbane residents – encompassing Brisbane, Logan, Ipswich, Moreton, and Redlands – are under stay-at-home orders and are not allowed to leave their region.

READ MORE: Greater Brisbane lockdown rules explained

This includes anyone who has visited the region since January 2, with those who have since travelled into regional Queensland directed to self-isolate at their current address.

Queenslanders who have visited hotspot areas and are now interstate have been asked to get tested if they develop any symptoms of COVID-19.

People travelling from other states may still enter Queensland, but will be subject to the same lockdown order if they visit the Greater Brisbane area.

In addition, Queensland's border restrictions for NSW residents remain in place, with everyone from the state required to attain a valid border pass to enter.

Greater Sydney is a declared COVID-19 hotspot, with no one who has resided or travelled there allowed to enter the state, unless they are a returning Queenslander or have a special exemption.

Anyone entering Queensland who has been in Victoria in the past fortnight is asked to get tested for COVID-19 and quarantine at home until receiving a negative result.

New South Wales

The New South Wales border is currently open, meaning residents from other states and territories can enter without a permit.

There are restrictions within some local government areas, for instance a person from the northern part of the Northern Beaches cannot travel out of their local area.

Acting Premier John Barilaro has confirmed that NSW will not shut its border to Queensland following a hotel quarantine worker developing the UK COVID-19 strain.

However, anyone who has entered or will enter New South Wales from the Greater Brisbane region is expected to abide by the same stay-at-home orders put in place by Queensland authorities.

You can also transit through NSW to another state, however restrictions with other states apply.

Just because you can enter NSW, does not mean you can leave the state without restrictions.

Northern Territory

The Northern Territory has declared Greater Brisbane a COVID-19 hotspot effective immediately.

This means that anyone attempting to enter the state from the council areas of Brisbane, Logan, Ipswich, Moreton, and Redlands will either have to spend 14 days in mandatory quarantine.

"Unfortunately right now there are incoming flights from Brisbane about to land in Yulara and in Darwin," NT Chief Minister Michael Gunner said in a statement.

"People on these flights will be given the option of returning to Brisbane or entering mandatory quarantine."

https://www.facebook.com/TerritoryChief/posts/10157904049956408

The Northern Territory's border is currently open to anybody from outside a COVID-19 hotspot, including those in regional Queensland and New South Wales.

The NT details its active declared hotspots here, which now include Greater Brisbane and most Local Government Areas of Greater Sydney.

Anyone arriving into the Northern Territory from or through a declared hotspot in the last 14 days must undertake 14 days mandatory supervised quarantine.

Victoria

Victoria's border closed to New South Wales on January 1.

This border ban also extends to returning Victorian residents, with anyone attempting to enter from a COVID-19 hotspot turned away at the border and forced to find alternative accommodation in NSW.

"If Victorians return from the Green Zone before 11.59pm on 31 December 2020, they will need to get tested and quarantine at home until they get a negative test result," Victoria's DHHS has said.

"Any Victorian arriving from the Green Zone after that time and before 11.59pm 1 January 2021 will need to get tested and quarantine at home for 14 days."

Victoria's borders to other states remain open – but that does not necessarily mean other states have their borders open to Victoria.

READ MORE: Victoria puts up hard border to NSW

South Australia

As of midnight tonight, anyone entering South Australia from the greater Brisbane area will need to enter self-quarantine for 14 days.

Travellers from NSW are banned from entering South Australia as of January 1, with a few exceptions.

Those exemptions include returning SA residents, those who are permanently relocating to the state or those who are classified as essential workers.

Border passes are still required and 14-day self-isolation will be enforced.

A buffer zone of 100km will be imposed for people living in border towns.

There have been no changes made to the Victorian border despite the new cases recorded this week.

All travellers coming to South Australia are required to complete a Cross Border Travel Registration.

READ MORE: South Australia puts up hard border to NSW after outbreaks

Western Australia

Western Australia's border is currently closed to New South Wales and Victoria, except for those who have exemptions.

It will be closed to Queensland at midnight tonight.

Travel from Victoria is no longer be permitted, unless you are an exempt traveller.

This also applies to anyone who may have been in Victoria since December 21 and hasn't completed 14 days in a lower risk state or territory.

Western Australia's border is open to other states, but a G2G pass is required before entering and you must pass a health screening at Perth Airport.

Travellers from very low risk states and territories (everyone except Queensland, NSW and Victoria) are not required to quarantine.

READ MORE: Western Australia tightens borders with Victoria

Tasmania

Tasmania's border is currently open to all travellers from "low risk" areas, including regional New South Wales.

Currently, restrictions only apply to those travelling to Tasmania from the Greater Sydney region.

As Sydney is defined as a "medium risk" area, travellers who arrive in Tasmania will be required to quarantine for 14 days at their own expense.

Australian Capital Territory

The ACT's border is currently open to those outside of COVID-19 hotspots.

Currently, these include the Northern Beaches, Greater Sydney, Central Coast and Wollongong Local Government Areas (LGA) – all in NSW.

Travellers who intend to travel from these areas to the ACT have to notify ACT Health of their intention to travel to the ACT, via our online declaration form and enter quarantine for 14 days.

You can get up-to-date information from the Federal Government's Coronavirus Australia app, available on the App Store, Google Play and the Government's WhatsApp channel.

Beyond Blue's Coronavirus Mental Wellbeing Support Service is a 24/7 service free of charge to all Australians. Visit the site here or call 1800512348

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