New South Wales and Victoria have reintroduced some Covid restrictions as the Omicron variant spreads rapidly.
With both states routinely breaking records for daily new cases, and with state leaders warning the situation is expected to get worse, both states have reinstated some measures aimed at slowing the spread.
New South Wales
These are the changes in NSW which come into effect from 8 January 2022 and are expected to be lifted by 27 January:
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Singing and dancing banned
Singing and dancing will be prohibited at hospitality venues, entertainment facilities and major recreation facilities. This includes pubs, clubs, nightclubs, bars and restaurants.
However, this does not apply to weddings, to performers, or to students and instructors.
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Rapid antigen test reporting system
The NSW government is introducing a new reporting system for rapid antigen tests.
The system will be launched on the Service NSW app and website, and will allow people to log their rapid antigen test results, so that they can count towards daily case numbers.
The system will be made available from “next week.”
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Elective surgeries reduced
Non-urgent surgeries have been suspended until mid-February, to ease the pressure on the health system. These include category three surgeries.
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Boosters mandated for some workers
The NSW vaccine mandate for high-risk workers will “soon” include a requirement to have had a booster shot.
Although it is not clear when that mandate will be introduced, it will cover frontline health workers and essential workers, as previous mandates have.
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Major events assessed
NSW Health will conduct risk assessments of major events planned for the next few weeks, with premier Dominic Perrottet indicating they may be postponed.
These changes are on top of previous restrictions introduced late last month, including a density limit of one person per two square metres and a mask mandate for indoor areas.
Victoria
And here are the new restrictions in Victoria which took effect at 11.59pm on Thursday, 6 January:
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Density limits reintroduced
Hospitality and entertainment venues are subject to tighter density limits again, with businesses subject to the one person per two square metre rules.
The restriction applies to restaurants, cafes, pubs, nightclubs, arcades, amusement parks, casinos and gaming venues.
Cinemas and theatres are currently exempt, where attenders are seated and masked.
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Mandatory rapid antigen test reporting
The Victorian government has made changes to the testing regime, with those that test positive on rapid antigen tests now considered “probable cases.”
That means they must isolate immediately for seven days, as well as having to notify their contacts.
It will be mandatory to report the positive results to the Department of Health through an online registry or by phone. The system is set to go live on Friday.
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Strong recommendations
The Victorian government also now “strongly recommends” people take a rapid antigen test before visiting aged care facilities and hospitals.
The government also recommends working from home until late January.
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Non-urgent elective surgery paused
The government has also paused all non-urgent elective surgeries, to help reduce the pressure on the health system.
These restrictions join previous restrictions in place in Victoria, including an indoor mask mandate and limitations on visitations to hospitals and aged care facilities.
