NSW will scrap QR code check-ins at almost all venues as part of huge changes to the state’s Covid rules.
Premier Dominic Perrottet made the announcement on Thursday with the changes to come into effect from Friday.
QR codes will be scrapped from all retail and hospitality except for nightclubs and large music festivals.
Density limits will be dumped and the state’s work-from-home direction will also end.
The singing and dancing ban will also lift and masks will only be required on public transport, airports and hospitals.
Hotel quarantine isolation requirements for unvaccinated travellers will be shortened to seven days.
NSW Chief Health Officer Dr Kerry Chant said people should “change their horizon of thought” about what the pandemic’s next phase will look like.
“Omicron may be the dominant strain but we will need to plan and prepare for the emergence of new variants,” she said.
“Even in the case of no new variants emerging, we can expect further waves.”
It comes after the state recorded 9995 new cases of Covid-19 and 14 deaths on Thursday as the state moves closer to relaxing restrictions.
The update from NSW Health is a slight drop in infections after the state recorded 10,463 cases on Wednesday and 8201 on Tuesday.
Hospitalisations are continuing to fall with 1447 patients now in hospital, including 92 in ICU.
On Wednesday there were 1478 people in hospital. The number of people in ICU remains the same.
Of Thursday’s new cases, 5747 results were from rapid antigen tests and 4248 were the result of PCR.
Across the state, 94.2 per cent of people aged over 16 have had two doses of the Covid-19 vaccine, and 49.7 per cent are triple vaccinated.
Meanwhile, 83.5 per cent of children aged 12 to 15 have had one dose of a vaccine and 78.9 per cent are fully vaccinated.
Of children aged five to 11, 46 per cent have received a Covid-19 jab.
The current Covid-19 restrictions across the state are set to end on February 28, including mandatory QR check-in requirements for pubs, clubs and bars.
The rules also include indoor mask mandates, density limits and a ban on singing and dancing.
Check-in rules at venues such as supermarkets, offices and retail shops are also due to expire come February 28.
