NSW Premier Dominic Perrotet
At today's media briefing, NSW Premier Dominic Perrotet announced that National Cabinet has agreed on the definition of 'close contact' being in the same household as someone who tested positive for COVID 19. He announced that people who do not report positive Rapid Antigen Testing (RAT) test result are subject to pay a fine of $1,000 effective from January 19. He also said that arrangements are being made with the Education Department for the resumption of schools on day one of Term One. He emphasised that the key to stay safe and keep loved ones safe is to ensure to be fully vaccinated and have booster shots.
In the meantime, the NSW Government’s decision to include RAT results in the reporting of positive cases showed a staggering figure that had people greatly alarmed.
A little more than 60,000 positive RAT results, dating back to January 1, were included in yesterday's record tally of 92,264 new COVID-19 cases.
But yesterday morning, Customer Services Minister Victor Dominello, who launched the Service NSW RAT registration app, said 78,000 had been received as of Wednesday night. He also admitted that the $1,000 fine for not reporting RAT positive result would be difficult to enforce, following a backlash from the community.
Customer Services Minister Victor Dominello
The official figures released for yesterday are shown below:
NSW sadly reported 22 deaths yesterday, which was sadly a new record for the state.
It's understood the remaining backdated numbers could be reported today, along with any received yesterday, which showed today's case numbers greatly reduced as quickly as they rose.
The government is encouraging people to report RAT positive results. It highlighted that the reporting helps people to:
- quickly understand their relative level of risk
- access support from NSW Health
From Saturday 8 January 2022, singing and dancing is not permitted at a hospitality venue, entertainment facility, nightclub, or major recreation facility. However, exemptions are allowed for weddings, performance students and instructors, and performers. For more details of restriction refer to the Health NSW website: COVID-19 rules | NSW Government