The Premier has announced new restrictions to be in place from midnight tonight following the surge in Covid-19 cases across the state, as well as asking people without symptoms not to get PCR (nose and throat) tested. 

Given the recent spread of Covid-19 cases, which skyrocketed to 5,700 cases in NSW today, the government has announced ‘modest’ restrictions, where mask mandates, QR-code check-ins and density limits will be reintroduced to varying capacities. 

While the indoor mask mandate will commence from midnight tonight, compulsory QR code check-ins and a density limit of 2 square metres will return to hospitality venues from December 27. There are plans to lift both restrictions on January 27. 

NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet said that while the effects of Omicron against the vaccination are five times less severe, the steps are precautionary. 

Mr Perrottet also announced plans to make Rapid Antigen Testing kits free and widely available throughout the community, to free up the demand on testing clinics. 

“If you are asymptomatic and lining up for a PCR test, it is putting enormous pressure on the system…if you aren’t feeling unwell, please don’t get a PCR test because you’re taking the place of someone else who does need those results,” Mr Perrottet said. 

Following the high number of casual cases and ‘tourism testing’ over the Christmas period, testing clinics have been overwhelmed across the state with up to seven hour wait times for testing, and results not being returned to people for five days in some instances.

“We said we would tailor our settings as the situation evolved and these steps will help take the pressure of our health system, so the people who need care can access it,” Mr Perrottet said.

“Our frontline health workers have done an enormous job keeping us safe over the past two years and we can’t thank them enough.  

To further reduce the pressure on testing clinics, Mr Perrottet said that people who have been alerted to a positive case via the Service NSW app do not need to get tested unless they have symptoms.

“If you monitor the symptoms and don’t feel unwell, you do not need to be tested,” Mr Perrottet said. 

Instead, Rapid Antigen Testing is being promoted in its place, where possible, when extra precautions are needed such as prior to visiting elderly family members. 

QR-code check-ins will also return for hospitality and retail. This means that while some storefronts and areas will have check-ins, not every low risk setting will require one. 

Further to these measures, the Government is asking people to reduce mingling where they can including when eating and drinking, work from home where possible and hold events outside.

Data from the recent cases have shown that while the impact of the Omicron variant is less severe, the high infection rate has shown that 70 per cent of infections have been in young people. 

The hospitalisation and ICU admission rate has remained what Minister for Health Brad Hazzard has described as pleasing, although the unvaccinated population has borne the brunt of the serious effects. 

“More than two thirds of people in the ICU are unvaccinated. My message to these pixieland people who think that it doesn’t exist, it does exist…this is your opportunity to help yourself,” Mr Hazzard said. 

Opportunities for vaccinations, including booster shots, are being increased across the community. 

NSW Chief Health Officer Dr Kerry Chant said that local data is showing that booster doses will increase protection against Omicron, and will probably have an impact on transmission. 

“It’s really sad to see some really young people in ICU who are not vaccinated,” Dr Chant said. 

As Christmas approaches, health authorities are urging visitors to be kept to a minimum, and that time spent with family outside of immediate household is hosted in an outdoor area. 

“If you’re having some people over in the holidays, try to hang out outside, on the balcony, or with the windows open. As we know, Omicron isn’t terribly successful in the fresh air,” Mr Hazzard said. 

If you have Covid-19 symptoms, testing opportunities can be found at the WNSWLHD site, as can opportunities for vaccinations.