Sydney, Australia:
Sweeping relaxation on restrictions will be effect in the Greater Sydney Area of New South Wales from Friday (12th Januarya, 2021, 12:01 a.m.) onward.
Mandatory masks in beauty and hair salons, gaming zones and other public areas will be scrapped – however, will continue to be mandatory on public transport and ride-sharing platforms.
Masks will no longer be required to be worn by hospitality workers, and all venues, except gyms, that are currently subjected to the 4 square metre rule will be subject to 2 square metre rule.
Meanwhile, NSW has recorded its 24th consecutive day with no new cases of locally acquired cases.
According to NSW Health, “four new cases were acquired overseas, bringing the total number of COVID-19 cases in NSW since the beginning of the pandemic to 4,940. There were 18,885 tests reported to 8pm last night, compared with the previous day’s total of 7,315.”
Earlier, concerns about a person testing positive 17 days after arriving in Australia had raised concerns. The international returnee had tested positive three days after completing hotel quarantine.
However, health authorities have said the case most likely contacted the disease during his hotel quarantine.
