New South Wales and Victoria have reintroduced some Covid restrictions as the Omicron variant spreads quickly.
With both states routinely breaking records for new cases every day, and leaders warning that the situation is likely to get worse, both states have reintroduced some measures to slow the spread.
New South Wales
These are the changes in NSW that will come into effect on January 8, 2022 and are expected to be repealed by January 27:
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Singing and dancing prohibited
Singing and dancing is prohibited in restaurants, entertainment facilities and larger leisure facilities. These include pubs, clubs, nightclubs, bars and restaurants.
However, this does not apply to weddings, performers, or students and faculty.
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Reporting system for rapid antigen tests
The NSW government introduces a new reporting system for rapid antigen tests.
The system will be rolled out on the Service NSW app and website and will allow people to log their rapid antigen test results so they can count on daily case numbers.
The system will be made available “next week”.
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Elective operations reduced
Non-urgent surgeries were suspended until mid-February to relieve the health system. This includes Category 3 operations.
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Booster prescribed for some workers
The NSW vaccination mandate for high-risk workers will “soon” require a booster vaccination.
While it is not clear when this mandate will be introduced, as with previous mandates, it will cover frontline health workers and key workers.
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Evaluated major events
NSW Health will be conducting risk assessments of major events scheduled for the next few weeks, with Premier Dominic Perrottet indicating they may be postponed.
These changes complement previous restrictions introduced late last month, including a density limit of one person per two square meters and a mask requirement for indoor areas.
Victoria
And here are the new restrictions in Victoria which came into force on Thursday, January 6th at 11:59 p.m.:
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Density limits reintroduced
For hospitality and entertainment venues, stricter density limits apply again, with the one-person-per-two-square-meter rule applying to companies.
The restriction applies to restaurants, cafes, pubs, night clubs, arcades, amusement parks, casinos and arcades.
Cinemas and theaters where visitors sit and are masked are currently excluded.
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Mandatory reporting of rapid antigen tests
The Victorian government has changed the testing regime, with those who test positive on rapid antigen tests are now considered “likely cases”.
That means they must immediately isolate themselves for seven days and notify their contacts.
The positive results must be reported to the Ministry of Health through an online register or by telephone. The system should go live on Friday.
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Strong recommendations
The Victorian Government also now strongly recommends having a rapid antigen test before visiting elderly care facilities and hospitals.
The government also recommends working from home until the end of January.
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Non-urgent elective surgery paused
The government has also paused all non-urgent elective operations to ease pressure on the health system.
These restrictions follow previous restrictions in Victoria, including a mandate on indoor masks and restrictions on visits to hospitals and elderly care facilities.