NSW has recorded no new locally transmitted COVID 19 cases for a fifth consecutive day, with one case detected from a returned traveller.
However, a concern was expressed with regard to the level of testing numbers. There were 17,431 tests reported to 8pm last night, compared with the previous day’s total of 12,213.
"Testing rates just aren't high enough now and we really need everyone's help to come for testing with even the mildest symptoms," NSW Health's Dr Jeremy McAnulty said.
NSW Health has been aiming for daily testing rates of 25,000 to 30,000.
The numbers come as Victoria announced it would be reopening to almost all Greater Sydney local government areas, changing nine areas from "red zones" to "orange zones" under its traffic light travel permit system.
Under the changes, only people who have been in the Cumberland local government area, home to the Berala cluster, will be barred from entering Victoria. People from all other areas of the city, as well as Wollongong and the Blue Mountains, will be required to have a coronavirus test within 72 hours of their arrival.
With regard to speculation of ceasing the mandatory requirement to wear mask in indoor areas and public transport, NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard denied there are plans to scrap this requirement. He also stated that the Chief Health Officer Kerry Grant only consider such easing of the requirement following a 14-day cycle with no new cases.
This week, virus fragments were detected in a sewage treatment plant at Warriewood, on the northern beaches, and at Berala. On Friday, further fragments were detected at plants at Camellia and Auburn, in western Sydney.
There are known cases in all of these areas, and people can shed the virus for weeks after recovery, however NSW Health has still urged people in these areas to be particularly vigilant in monitoring for symptoms and coming forward for testing.
At the media briefing done this morning, Jan 22, the Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced that the National Cabinet has decided that the international flight caps will not change until February.
This could mean that Australians trapped overseas will have to wait until at least mid-next month for arrival caps to be lifted as more entry restrictions come into force.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison said leaders were sticking to the plan to keep halved international arrival caps in place until February 15.
"We have to put the public health and safety within our borders first," he said.
In the meantime, the NSW Premier's office has been cleared of any wrongdoing for shredding official documents at the centre of pork-barrelling accusations.
The State Opposition referred Premier Gladys Berejiklian's office to the Information and Privacy Commission last year after a parliamentary inquiry heard staffers shredded official papers relating to a community grants program.