Update: Wednesday 12 January, 2022
Today NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet announced that positive rapid antigen tests (RATs) must now be reported within the Service NSW app.
The new RAT rule is retroactive too. Any positive tests recorded on or after Saturday 1 January must be recorded within the Service NSW app before next Wednesday 19 January. If you fail to report your positive RAT result, you could be hit with a $1,000 fine.
As for how to report your test, within the Service NSW app, click "COVID-19 Resources". Scroll down and click "Register a positive test result". From there, you'll need to enter your contact details and the date you tested positive. If you had a positive PCR test, you don't need to report your RAT results as your details will already be registered with NSW Health.
As well as mandatory RAT reporting, the ban on singing and dancing indoors has now been extended to music festivals, and some January festivals have already been cancelled due to the ban (such as Grapevine Gathering, which was due to take place this weekend).
You can read more about the COVID restrictions currently in place in NSW here.
Update: Friday 7 January, 2022
Despite insisting NSW would not walk back COVID restrictions to cope with the Omicron crisis, today Premier Dominic Perrottet has reintroduced some restrictions.
The reinstated rules come as NSW hit a staggering 38,625 new daily cases, and well over 100,000 recorded new cases this week alone, putting an enormous amount of pressure on the health system.
As well as bringing back mandatory mask rules for indoors, density limits for venues, and QR code check-ins, the following restrictions will be in place from Saturday 8 January, 2022:
- No singing and dancing in hospitality venues (weddings are excluded)
- Elective surgeries will be paused
- Major events will be subject to risk assessments by NSW Health
- Positive rapid antigen tests will need to be declared to NSW Health, with the Government introducing a reporting system via the Service NSW website from next week.
The restrictions will be in place until Thursday 27 January.
You can read more about the COVID restrictions currently in place in NSW here.
How To Get A COVID-19 Test In Sydney
If you are feeling unwell, you should stay home and get tested if you can. You can find a testing clinic near you here. Want to avoid the queues? This handy map will let you know how long the wait is at each testing clinic. If you're looking to buy a Rapid Antigen Test (RAT), this map will let you know where they are in stock.
How To Get Your COVID-19 Vaccination And Booster In Sydney
You can book your COVID-19 vaccination here, for any of the vaccines currently available in Australia (Pfizer, Moderna, and Astra Zeneca).
If it's been four months since your second jab, you are now eligible for your booster, which will help to improve your long-term protection against serious illness from the COVID-19 virus. To book your booster shot, you can also do so here. The Pfizer and Moderna vaccines are recommended as boosters in Australia.
And, if you need to stock up on face masks, we have you covered here.
Image credit: Ethan Rohloff