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NSW has recorded 10,698 new COVID-19 cases and 31 deaths, as the state government assesses the first week back at school and one minister expresses confidence the ban on singing and dancing will lift at the end of the month.
There are 2494 COVID-19 patients in NSW hospitals, including 160 in intensive care.
Twice-weekly rapid antigen surveillance testing for schools is in place for the first four weeks of term one.Credit:Nick Moir
Of the new cases, 4576 were from positive PCR tests and 6122 were from rapid antigen tests.
NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet, Health Minister Brad Hazzard, Education Minister Sarah Mitchell and Chief Health Officer Kerry Chant are due to provide an update on Friday regarding COVID-19 and the first week back at school with a rapid antigen testing regime in place.
On Thursday, NSW Tourism Minister Stuart Ayres said he was “pretty confident” the ban on singing and dancing would be lifted by the end of February.
The state’s restrictions were extended last week until February 27, including the one-person per two square metres rule indoors for hospitality venues, masks in indoor settings, and compulsory QR code check-ins at certain premises.
The restrictions, imposed in December, include a ban on singing and dancing in hospitality venues, entertainment facilities, nightclubs and music festivals, excluding weddings, performers, instructors and students.
Speaking at the launch of the 2022 Great Southern Nights line-up, Mr Ayres said he does not expect the ban to be extended “based on the trajectory we’re on”, but the live music initiative would adapt to the public health orders in place when its three-week program begins on March 18.
“Obviously, it’s a little bit of fingers-crossed,” he said.
“We think we’re getting through the worst of Omicron.”
He added: “We have to live with COVID, we can’t let this thing lock us in our homes.”
Earlier this week, it was revealed legendary Sydney live music venue The Lansdowne Hotel, in Chippendale, plans to expand hostel-style accommodation into its dedicated gig space.
“One of the things that is immensely challenging for live music venues is there’s almost always an alternative use for the space,” Mr Ayres said. “We’ve seen that with The Lansdowne. Unfortunately, government doesn’t have a role to play there, that’s a commercial decision for the landowner.”
With Daniella White
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