The NSW Government has released $1 billion in funding to support businesses suffering from the pandemic, but its success is reliant on the government's predictions of how the pandemic will continue. 

The $1 billion relief package for small businesses impacted by COVID-19 will be available to businesses who can prove a significant amount of losses and damage to the business within January and February this year, with each business being eligible to receive up to $5,000.

According to the funding requirements, businesses must prove a 40 per cent decline in business within that two month period, with employing businesses being able to claim $5,000, and up to $2,000 for non-employing businesses.

Member for Barwon Roy Butler detailed other parts of the package that will benefit businesses.

“There are also rebates for rapid antigen tests and a range of other fees and charges as well as relief for landlord who have given rental waivers,” Mr Butler said. 

While local businesses are eligible to apply if meeting the criteria, there is nothing within the relief package that is specifically tailored to the nuanced needs of businesses within regional NSW. 

“It looks like the support package will run out when the government assumes the worst of the current wave of the pandemic will be over, in February,” Mr Butler said.  

Experts predicted that the Omicron outbreak hit its peak in late January, according to hospitalisation numbers. 

Today’s state case numbers of 13,026 reflect that decrease in numbers, but clearly show ongoing cause for precaution within the community. 

Up to 8pm last night, there were 27 people in hospital with COVID-19 across the District. Of those, there were 3 in the ICU.

There were 220 positive PCR test results and 242 positive Rapid Antigen Test (RAT) results identified in WNSWLHD. 

Of these cases, three were located in the Bogan Shire, seven in Bourke, one in Brewarrina,  fou in Cobar, three in Coonamble, six in Gilgandra, 13 in the Lachlan Shire, 22 in Narromine, five in Walgett, seven in Warren, and five in the Warrumbungle Shire.