NSW premier announces huge changes to Covid restrictions
Numerous Covid restrictions in place in NSW will be rolled back from Friday as the state continues its progression towards living with the virus.
Premier Dominic Perrottet made the announcement during a press conference on Thursday after the state recorded 9,995 new Covid-19 cases and 14 more deaths.
The two-square-metre density limit will be removed and QR codes will only be necessary for nightclubs, music festivals with more than 1000 people, hospitals and aged care.
That means QR code check-in will no longer be necessary at supermarkets such as Coles and Woolworths.
Singing and dancing will be permitted at all venues except for music festivals.
The work from home recommendation will also be removed and employees can return to their offices at the employer's discretion, Mr Perrottet said.
Mask mandate for retail to be scrapped in just days
From February 25, masks will only be required on public transport, planes and in airports, aged care and correction facilities, as well as indoor music festivals with more than 1000 people.
Supermarkets and other retail settings will not require masks.
"Masks will continue to be encouraged in indoor settings where you cannot maintain a safe distance from others," Mr Perrottet said.
Australian Retailers Association CEO Paul Zahra described the steps taken by Mr Perrottet as "sensible measures".
"[They] reduce the burden on business and allows them to trade at their full potential after several months of stop-start restrictions," he said.
On Wednesday, infectious disease expert Professor Robert Booy said QR codes were "no longer considered effective" due to the rate of infection in the community and the shift of strategy from the government.
The move coincides with the return of international tourists who will be welcomed back to Australia later this month for the first time in two years.
Daily Covid cases in NSW dropped as low as 6,184 on Monday but have seen a slight uptick in the last couple of days. The state continues to report double-digit deaths daily, with a recent high of 32 on Saturday.
Half of the state has now had a booster vaccine shot, NSW Health confirmed.
Victoria also rolled back a raft of restrictions on Thursday in a similar move to NSW.
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