Know The Omicron Restrictions In Your State

Amidst the approaching festivities when people were just about to rejoice with their near and dear ones either by travelling overseas or planning a party, the Omicron variant came as a rude shock. New South Wales and Victoria were two significant states that recently removed two-month-long lockdown. However, despite the high vaccination rate, there has been a dramatic rise in the number of cases. For instance, Victoria registered 2,005 new cases on Thursday. As a result, 398 people were hospitalised whereas, 72 people were admitted to ICU.

In Western Australia, an international backpacker has tested positive for an unidentified virus strain. However, 12 days after his arrival, he had potential contacts in several venues, including pubs, nightclubs, and museums.

Incidents such as this have led to mask mandates in all indoor settings in the state. Moreover, there has been a clear directive to cancel all music festivals and nightclubs until Dec28.

Queensland, the third most populous state, registered cases that doubled to 369 from the day before. In a statement given to the reporters, Queensland Chief Health Officer John Gerrard said that the virus must mutate and spread widely to enable the pandemic phase into an endemic one.

The Omicron surge has pressured the Australian Government to impose restrictions across the states and cities. Below are some of the specified restrictions city and state wise.

NSW

• For people 12 and older, masks are mandatory to be worn indoors from December 24 to January 27. This includes hospitality staff and in-office individuals. However, this does not include residential places or people eating or drinking in hospitality venues.
• Pubs, restaurants, clubs, and cafes must follow one person per two square metre rule indoors from December 27 to January 27.
• Mandatory QR code check-ins in low-risk settings, including retail and hospitality, will return.
• The current capacity limit of 75 per cent of customers on public transport services will remain in place until late January.

Brisbane

• There is no limit on gatherings in public outdoor spaces. However, meetings at a private residence are limited to a maximum of 100 people. People can travel anywhere within the state or outside of Queensland that is not a declared Covid-19 hotspot.
• Practising basic hygiene is imperative, such as washing hands and using an alcohol-based sanitiser. In addition, maintaining social distancing is mandatory.

Adelaide (SA)

• COVID Management Plans required for events of more than 1,000 people.
• More than 30 people are not allowed to gather on residential premises.
• 150 people are the capacity that will be allowed to entertain in private activities on non-residential premises.

Perth

• The seated-service only rule applies to all licensed hospitality venues.
• Masks will be mandatory in all public indoor settings, including workplaces, shopping centres, hospitality venues and public transport.
• The mask mandate will not apply to the home and will not apply to people doing vigorous indoor exercise.
• Masks for personal care services (except for the person receiving the service, if necessary for the provision of the personal care service).