NSW Government Update to COVID-19 Settings - 18 February 2022
From the beginning of Friday, 18 February 2022, the following adjustments will be made to the current settings:
- No density limits (previously one person per 2sqm for hospitality venues);
-
QR check-ins will only be required for nightclubs, and for all music festivals with more than 1,000 people. Hospitals, aged and
disability facilities may use their existing systems for recording visitors;
-
Singing and dancing will be permitted at all venues, except music festivals, where singing and dancing can recommence from 25 February;
- The recommendation to work from home will change and be returned to the employer’s discretion.
From the beginning of Friday, 25 February 2022, the following adjustments will be made to the settings:
-
Masks will only be mandated on public transport, planes, and indoors at airports, hospitals, aged and disability care facilities,
corrections facilities and indoor music festivals with more than 1,000 people;
-
Masks are encouraged for indoor settings where you cannot maintain a safe distance from others and for customer facing retail
staff to protect vulnerable people who must access these premises and services;
-
Each State Government agency will review where it may be appropriate for public-facing staff to wear masks and will implement as
necessary; and
-
The 20,000 person cap on music festivals will be removed, with singing and dancing permitted. Vaccination requirements will remain for
indoor music festivals over 1,000 people, with attendees required to have at least two doses of a COVID-19 vaccine.
Australia to reopen to tourists and other international travellers - 21 February 2022
Australia will reopen to all fully vaccinated visa holders, welcoming the
return of tourists, business travellers, and other visitors from 21 February.
Visa holders who are not fully vaccinated will still require a valid travel
exemption to enter Australia, and will be subject to state and territory quarantine requirements.
Read the current international travel restrictions here.
Booster doses brought forward - 21 January 2022
State-run vaccination clinics will begin offering COVID-19 booster
vaccinations three months after people have received their second dose from Friday January 21.
To book your vaccination appointment visit the Vaccine
Clinic Finder.
Commencement
of vaccinations for children - 10 January 2022
Commencing 10 January 2022, children aged five to eleven will be able to receive their COVID-19 vaccine
in a range of centres and local community settings including general practitioners, community pharmacies, NSW Health clinics and other
providers such as Aboriginal Medical Services.
Download
the COVID-19 Vaccines for children (5-11 years) factsheet.
Bookings can be made at a NSW Health clinic, GP or pharmacy via the COVID-19
Vaccine Clinic Finder.
For more information visit the Department of Health website.
Rapid Antigen Test (RATs) and PCR Testing 11 January 2022
From 11 January 2022, if you receive a positive result from a Rapid Antigen Test (RAT), you no longer
need to go to a testing centre for a PCR nose and throat swab to confirm you have COVID-19.
Information from NSW Health is available for people getting
tested for COVID-19 or
testing
positive to COVID-19.
Registering positive COVID-19 test results with Service NSW
From 12 January 2022, if you test positive for COVID-19 using a using a Rapid Antigen Test (RAT) you will now be required to register your
result with Service NSW.
Register a
positive test result. For more information visit Service NSW website.
Download
the COVID-19 Information for patients factsheet
to find more information about testing, isolation and managing COVID-19 if you have returned a positive test result.
COVID-19 Self isolation guidelines
Further information on self isolation guidelines can be found on the NSW
Health website.
Factsheets - Health
advice for cases
and contacts
Mask wearing in NSW
Masks are currently mandated in the following settings:
- at a public hospital or private health facility (including private hospitals and day procedure centres)
- in residential care facilities or hostels
- on public transport and public transport waiting areas (including in taxis and rideshare services)
- in a cruise terminal
- on a domestic commercial aircraft (including when the aircraft is flying above NSW).
From Friday 25 February 2022 masks are encouraged for indoor settings where you cannot maintain a safe distance from others and for customer
facing retail staff to protect vulnerable people who must access these premises and services.
Read more about mask wearing rules here.
Proof of vaccination
Proof of vaccination will no longer be required by Public Health Order for most activities (businesses can still require proof at their
own discretion).
For more information visit the NSW Government website.
Health (COVID-19 Self-Isolation) Order (No 4) 2021
The Chief Health Officer as delegate of the Minister has signed the Public
Health (COVID-19 Self-Isolation) Order (No 4) Amendment (No 4) Order 2022.
For the most up to date Orders, and the history of each Order, visit NSW
Legislation - COVID-related legislation.
COVID-19 Resources