Masks will now only be required in a limited number of settings. Photo / Getty Images
Masks will now only be required in a limited number of settings. Photo / Getty Images
One of Australia's top doctors has branded two of NSW's key eased restrictions "premature", saying they could put the community at risk.
NSW has introduced a new round of eased restrictions, with the majority of the state's Covid rules now scrapped.
Under two of the major changes, mask wearing and using QR check in codes will only be required in certain "high risk" venues, with the requirements scrapped for everywhere else.
The eased restrictions, which came into effect at 12.01am on Wednesday, will also see unvaccinated residents given the same freedoms as those who have been fully vaccinated.
Previously, unvaccinated people had to adhere to a set of harsher rules, which limited where they could go and what activities they could participate in.
While many residents will be thrilled with the new freedoms, one of Australia's top doctors has warned some of the changes are "premature" and could pose a risk to the community.
Australian Medical Association (AMA) Vice President, Dr Chris Moy, told 2GB's Clinton Maynard that bringing the restrictions for the unvaccinated into line with the rest of the state was a positive move and one that the AMA supports.
However, the decision to ease mask wearing and QR code check in rules had left the organisation concerned.
"Partly because they are both quite easy things to continue to do and could actually reduce the risk of outbreaks and minimise them," Moy said.
"But also because of the spanner in the works, which is Omicron, and there is still uncertainty about where we stand with that.
"We believe it is probably premature. It possibly sends the wrong message that it's all over because I don't think it is completely over."
Mask wearing is now only required on public transport and planes, at airports, and for unvaccinated indoor front-of-house hospitality staff.
While NSW Health still strongly encourages mask wearing in settings where you can't socially distance, it is no longer a requirement.
Moy said wearing a mask in indoor settings was still a good thing to do, particularly due to the rising Covid-19 cases in NSW.
"Not withstanding the fact it is coming into summer and it is much more uncomfortable to wear these masks as things get warmer but nevertheless, overall it is a relatively minor thing that can and has been shown to reduce the transmission of Covid through the community," he told the programme.
The new rules also mean that QR code check ins will only be required at certain "high risk" venues.
These include hospitals, aged and disability care facilities, gyms, places of worship, funerals or memorial services, pubs, small bars and registered clubs, strip clubs and at personal services, like hairdressers and beauty salons.
Dr Moy said scrapping check in requirements for the majority of businesses will "completely hamper contact tracing".
He said if people are required to check in it allows contact tracers to basically instantaneously notify them if they are a close or casual contact of a confirmed Covid case.
"What that does now is basically take that out of play. When you are getting increasing outbreaks, particularly when you want to close down the Omicron outbreaks, it does really tie one hand, possibly both hands actually, behind the back of contact tracers," he said.
"It really makes their job a lot harder. It takes them back to the stone ages in some ways."
NSW confirmed 804 new Covid-19 infections on Tuesday, with the state now having 85 known cases of Omicron.
AMA Vice President Dr Chris Moy has raised concerns around NSW easing mask wearing and QR code check in requirements. Photo / Supplied
There has been a rise in Covid outbreaks at pubs and clubs, particularly around Sydney and Newcastle.
While also spreading in the community, Omicron cases are still being identified in international arrivals to NSW, both from southern Africa and other countries.
Despite this, on Tuesday night NSW Health announced it was removing the quarantine requirements for fully vaccinated travellers from the eight southern African countries of concern.
This means travellers who had been in South Africa, Lesotho, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Namibia, Eswatini, Malawi in the 14 days prior to their arrival to NSW will no longer have to undergo two weeks of mandatory quarantine.
This brings all international arrivals under the same requirements, with fully vaccinated people required to self-isolate for 72-hours upon arrival.
Unvaccinated arrivals aged 18 and over must go directly into 14-day mandatory hotel quarantine.
All of the new freedoms in NSW
These are all the changes that are in place across NSW from December 15:
• Unvaccinated people in NSW can enjoy the same freedoms as those who are fully vaccinated.
• Masks are only required on public transport and planes, at airports, and for indoors front-of-house hospitality staff who are not fully vaccinated.
• QR code check ins are only required for hospitals, aged and disability care facilities, gyms, places of worship, funerals services, personal services (including sex services), pubs, small bars and registered clubs, nightclubs, strip clubs, sex on premises venues and indoor music festivals with more than 1000 people.
• Density limits, such as the 2 sqm rule, will be scrapped for hospitality venues, personal service, major seated recreation facilities, entertainment facilities, education facilities, and music festivals with up to 20,000 people.
• Proof of vaccination will no longer be required for the majority of activities, though individual businesses may set their own vaccination rules.
• Proof of vaccination will remain in place for indoor music festivals with more than 1000 people and cruises with more than 100 passengers.
