NSW Covid transformation: Dominic Perrot backflips QR code, mask mandate back

NSW A week after easing rules, Omicron has imposed capacity limits on restaurants and bars by mandating mask-wearing indoors and in a massive U-turn to tackle the COVID stress.

Premier Dominic Perrot also reintroduced QR-code check-in, encouraging work from home and urging Australians to get tested only if they are feeling unwell.

It was a surprise backflip by Mr Perrot, given that he has raided the past week against the mask mandate and preached personal responsibility.

The raft of changes follows an emergency national cabinet meeting with a more contagious Omron version and the state is about to report 5,715 cases this morning.

Victoria reintroduced indoor masks earlier today after an increase of 2,005 infections.

Due to the huge queues for testing in NSW, Mr Perrott urged Australian players to get swabs only when they are sick and said free rapid antigen tests would be available next year at vaccination centres, GPs and pharmacies.

The QR code and one person per two square meter rule will be imposed at hospitality venues from December 27 to January 27.

From Friday to January 27, it will be mandatory to wear masks inside the house except in private homes.

Earlier this week Mr Perrot said he did not want a mask mandate because he wanted to treat people ‘like adults’ and let them decide for themselves. But he has completely withdrawn from this position.

“We believe today’s changes are modest, cautious, take a precautionary stance as we move this holiday period to the end of January,” he said.

‘The system is in a very strong position. Our ICU number is low at 45. It is incredibly enjoyable.

‘We believe that the changes we are making today will ensure that our healthcare systems operate well during the holiday season as we move through this next phase.

‘Our first priority is to keep people safe. We continue to safely open the economy and are incredibly confident that New South Wales and our great people have made a great effort and sacrifice over this period.’

Mr Perrott said he had received health advice that the Omicron strain is ‘five times less severe’ than Delta’s, but more data was needed to be sure.

Chief Health Officer Dr Kerry Chant said 80 per cent of cases in NSW were the more infectious Omicron strain and this explains the sharp increase.

‘Pulling together several pieces of evidence from foreign countries such as South Africa and the UK, and using some of our own emerging data, it indicates that infection with Omicron is likely to be milder than infection with Delta, leading to hospitalization. With the risk of being 60 to 80 percent lower than Delta,’ she said.

‘But the issue is increased communicability, leading to a high number of cases. And this is having an impact on vulnerable settings, vulnerable people and critical workforce.

Mr Perrot said that today about 1,500 health workers are unable to go to work because they are sick or need to be tested for COVID-19.

Health Minister Brad Hazard said many people are being tested even if they do not have symptoms, pushing the testing time forward.

‘Many people wait in queues for hours, especially when we get into Christmas.

We are doing everything possible to reduce that pressure. Aside from the PCR test, if you are unwell and people from New South Wales… if you are not feeling unwell, please do not undergo a PCR test.’

About 20 percent of the testing is for travelers leaving the state, prompting Mr Perrot to petition other premiers to relax their entry testing requirements.

Mr Hazard also urged the Vaccine Advisory Group (ATAGI) to reduce the gap of five months between the second and third doses to four months.

But he acknowledged it would put pressure on GPs and pharmacies by making millions more people eligible for their booster shots, which are known to be key to slowing the spread of Omicron.

NSW Ambulance Acting Commissioner David Dutton urged residents to only call Triple Zero in an emergency, amid fears that paramedics would be overloaded.

“Yesterday, we answered an emergency 24 000 call every second,” he said.

‘If anyone is unconscious, if anyone has chest pain, if someone has trouble breathing, if there is an injury as a result of a motor vehicle accident, please call emergency 000.’

‘If you can’t sleep, if you have a toothache, if you have a splinter, if you want to check into the testing clinic’s opening hours or follow up on COVID-19 vaccination, please call emergency 000 Do not call.’

Australia reported a record 8,210 cases on Thursday, including 5,715 in NSW, 2,005 in Victoria, 484,369 in South Australia. queensland85 in act, 26 inches Tasmania and 10 in the northern region.

Victorians have also been ordered to wear face masks in all indoor public places as part of a major change to the state’s social distancing measures.

From Friday, face coverings will be mandatory for patrons in cafes, restaurants and pubs to prevent the spread of the new virus. omicron Corvid version, said deputy premier James Merlino.

Residents attending major events with over 30,000 spectators will also be required to wear face masks. Mr Merlino said Victorians should also now work from home if they can and urged hospitality venues to switch to a sit-only service to reduce transmission.

Mr Merlino ruled out introducing another lockdown, after Melbourne faced a world record 262-day run during the pandemic, as a record number of residents of the state have been vaccinated.

He said, ‘It means we are not considering going into lockdown and that is the commitment we made to the people of Victoria.

The deputy premier said the changes were “modest measures” that would protect the state’s health system from the recent surge in infections.

‘Masks have little personal cost to us,’ Mr Merlino said. ‘These have a great effect on transmission – this is as true for Omicron as it is for any type.’

Premier Daniel Andrews did not attend Thursday’s COVID press conference, but has temporarily interrupted his leave to attend Wednesday’s national cabinet meeting.

398 Victorians are in hospital, including 72 in intensive care, a small increase from 394 in hospital and 70 in ICU on Wednesday.

Mr Morrison this week urged states not to reintroduce mask mandates, saying Australians by this point in the pandemic should know when and when not to wear a face covering.

Wear a mask in an indoor setting. You don’t need to force you to do it,’ he said.

‘Think of Christmas Day when you’re going to see elderly relatives, and wear a mask – it’s that simple.’

The government is also looking at providing free rapid antigen tests to help stop the spread of the virus as well as ease the pressure on medical workers.

Australia’s PCR testing sites have been overwhelmed by travelers trying to get tested before they leave.

Switching to rapid antigen would reduce these numbers and prevent testing sites from being overwhelmed by ‘anxious wells’ and delays in testing for people who are feeling ill.

“People have come forward to get tested in record numbers, which is important to help keep people and the community safe, but we need to make sure that our testing clinics are for people who need to be tested,” Perrott said. It’s really needed.”

‘Providing rapid-antigen testing kits for those who want to do the right thing will help ease the pressure on our testing clinics, while giving people the confidence to move on with their lives.’