NSW backflips as new restrictions introduced to slow spread

After a horror few weeks of skyrocketing infection numbers, furloughed staff across essential services and mass testing delays, the New South Wales government has announced a major reversal of multiple Covid-19 restrictions in a bid to bring the Omicron caseload under control in the Australian state.

Premier Dominic Perrottet revealed the changes at a press conference yesterday afternoon. The changes — which come after the state reported 70,000 cases over the preceding 48 hours and a further 38,625 cases yesterday — will be in place from today until at least January 27.

Singing and dancing will be prohibited in hospitality venues, entertainment facilities and major recreation facilities.

There will also be a pause on certain non-elective surgeries.

While the “overwhelming majority” of major events in NSW will proceed, if it’s deemed to be at a “highrisk venue”, the Premier said, NSW Health will “work closely with organisers in adjusting these Covid-safe plans”.

Those deemed too risky will be postponed where necessary.

He also urged NSW residents to “minimise mingling where possible”.

“If you’re in a hospitality venue, if you can sit down while drinking, please do so. Minimising mingling during this period of time obviously provides greater assistance across the board and with household visitations, please where you can, minimise those household visitations and as well when you’re having events indoors,” he said. “If you can have those events outdoors, we highly recommend it.”

NSW Health also revealed new modelling on the current outbreak.

“We have modelled three different scenarios over this period of time as pressure on the health system builds over the next few weeks. This is in line with what we did during the Delta outbreak,” Perrottet said.

“What is encouraging from this model is that even on a worst-case scenario, we have the capacity in our health system right now.”

As of yesterday, there were 1738 people in hospitals across the state with Covid-19 and 134 of those in intensive care.

The move marks a huge turnaround for the premier, who has repeatedly insisted since taking office that NSW would stay open despite the high caseload. news.com.au